After boarding in Southampton (and visiting the lunch buffet), we set sail to cross the English Channel. Coincidentally, the Titanic originally departed Southampton for a 12-night cruise. Little did we know how many times we would encounter the legendary ship in the days ahead. (Reported on this past post).
The next morning we awaken anchored in the water of St. Peter Port – the capital of Guernsey.
The currency in Guernsey is the Pound Sterling – but – this was our first encounter with something we didn’t anticipate – and would encounter it several more times during the trip. Although Guernsey has a currency union with the UK, Guernsey issues their own currency. They take British pounds but return Guernsey pounds as change – which may or may not be accepted elsewhere in the UK.
It’s a quaint town of about 18,000 people, but it was Sunday, so many of the stores were closed – therefore, a great day to walk the cobbled, narrow, sometimes steep streets of its old town.
We couldn’t find poet Victor Hugo’s house, but we enjoyed the views in the search.
Castle Cornet stands on the rocks guarding the harbor – a site that has housed protection since the early 1200s.
Our journey would not have many sea days (a day without a port). But after 4 days in London, we welcomed a less-hectic day. Next stop: Cobh, Ireland
Enjoy a final walk around St. Peter Port, Guernsey.
A Frank Angle 
It looks lovely. I don’t know much about Guernsey, except that it is one of the Channel Islands and was occupied by the Germans in WWII, and the cows, and the novel, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. 🙂
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Merril,
Me too about not knowing much before going … but you knew more than me because I didn’t know about the novel until another cruise passenger mentioned it in conversation.
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Me too. I loved the novel, but knew nothing else about the area. Love the post, Frank, great images and video.
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Patti,
Thanks for the additional endorsement of that book! … and glad to know that I helped bring the book a bit of life.
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Love the video, Frank. It brings the photos to life. Looks like a very interesting place.
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George,
Many thanks for coming along. St. Peter Port is a quaint place – and I agree that the video brings more life to the place. Quite the history there!
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A lovely walking tour, Frank. Thanks.
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What a wonderful walk, Frank. Thank you for sharing it with us. 🙂
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Robin,
Thanks for the kind words, but I didn’t want to use it for Walktober as I wanted more nature.
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It would have been a great walk for Walktober, Frank. There are no rules regarding the landscape. Just a walk of some kind. But I know everyone has their own ideas about what they want to share for the event. 🙂
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Agree … my self-imposed rule got in the way … Oh well, my lose for missing Walktober.
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How neat! Not many people go to Guernsey. I read the book The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Great book. And Guernsey is my mom’s middle name. It took a couple of years before my husband would believe me about that.
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Betsy,
I imagine most tourists to Guernsey are like me – cruisers. I’ll have to pass the book suggestion on to my wife (she is the avid reader). Cheers to Mom for her unique middle name.
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It’s a nice little book. I hope your wife likes it. (You’ll have to let me know.)
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A very quaint place, that seems to deliver a lovely visit. Lol! I like the part about Guernsey pounds. It’s a bit of a racket. Imagine all the British money they make when people don’t have time to spend all of their Guernsey pounds!
It’s like Jamaica. I went to a resort. You could not spend $ there. Everything was costed out in plastic “Sharks Teeth”. Of course it cost American dollars to buy the sharks teeth. We came home with pockets full of “sharks teeth”, and they we left with the American $ equivalency.
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Resa.
On the trip we encountered British Pounds, Guernsey Pounds, Irish Pounds (in Northern Ireland), & Scottish Pounds. Some take all … others not. Our bank here even gave us some 5-pound bills that were officially out of circulation – so merchants wouldn’t take them – … had to get them changed at a bank … but just not any bank! Interesting trip in terms of currency.
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Traveling next year to “home” to hang out with my Besties in Northumbria…Newcastle…close to Scottish border. You’ve made add the Isle of Guernsey to a list of places my mates and I could plan ahead for. Excellent!!! Brilliant! Well done. Thanks.
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Raye,
I’m sure you are looking forward to the trip home. Have you ever been to Guernsey or any of the Channel Islands?
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Love both islands stayed there as a child for several months. What a treat!
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Agnes,
Many thanks for sharing your experience and for confirming what my 1-day visit found!
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It looks lovely. We bought our house in France (near Geneva) from a couple who retired there. It sounded lovely — thanks for the confirmation!
And I second the book Parenting recommended. Lovely book about WWII on the island.
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Elyse,
The town & setting is very quaint. From what I heard, it is also intentionally expensive as residents won’t to keep migration out … but that is second-hand info.
Thanks for additional confirmation about the book … and I will be passing the info to the Mrs.
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Excellent travel video! I recognized Marks & Spence and The Body Shop. The flower boxes were amazing and I liked that you could walk the streets without cars. Wonderful journey for you! Too bad you did not find Victor Hugo’s home.
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Jo,
St. Peter Port is definitely a relaxing day. We have friends who spent their day with a driver taking them around the island, which would have been interesting, too … but we like walking.
The flower boxes on our entire trip were outstanding! Given the region’s milder (than ours) temps and rain frequency, no wonder they have wonderful flowers on display!
Thanks for watching the video and glad you enjoyed it. For me, if I can find a short video to delivers the feeling of being there, use it.
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Frank, I love your account and photos of Guernsey. I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Guernsey. In fact, one of my favourite books is called The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, I recommend it tenfold!
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What a charming town, Frank. I can see why you’d enjoy walking and exploring. I’m a big fan of Victor Hugo and would have wanted to search out his home, but it’s never possible to do it all. You’ll just have to return someday. 🙂
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Debra,
Charming is a good descriptor for St. Peter Port. Quite the history here. Just for you – here’s a link to Hugo’s house. http://museums.gov.gg/hauteville
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Such charming and quaint streets to travel through. Castle Cornet looks like quite a fortress.
The steep hills might have been difficult for my bad knees so I appreciate your walking them for me and snapping fabulous photographs for me to see. I suppose having several shops closed was a money saver especially with the monetary difference. I always purchase a Christmas ornament whenever I go to a new location. It would be wonderful to see one with a little village painted on it. I may have to go to Guernsey. BTW … we love the Princess cruise line.
Isadora 😎
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Been reading Guernsey potato peel pie and literary group so, interest in Geurnsey. They had one of many unique perspectives of wartime.
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Wonderwall,
Welcome first-time commenter. My wife read the book after our visit to Guernsey, and she found it interesting. The islanders have an interesting history, including WW II.
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