The joys of Jethou
IT ISN'T often that Hermites have the pleasure of visiting their nearest neighbour, but this year's school trip took the children across the Percee Passage to Jethou. A drizzly morning saw children and parents gather at Rosaire steps for the little jaunt across the water. Just putting on life jackets before boarding the Jethou boat was exciting enough.
IT ISN'T often that Hermites have the pleasure of visiting their nearest neighbour, but this year's school trip took the children across the Percee Passage to Jethou. A drizzly morning saw children and parents gather at Rosaire steps for the little jaunt across the water. Just putting on life jackets before boarding the Jethou boat was exciting enough.
Even hardened islanders such as ourselves, while passing Crevichon and approaching the narrow jetty, couldn't help feeling we were arriving somewhere forbidden and magical.
Sir Peter Ogden, on meeting us at the boat house, couldn't have been more welcoming. Housekeeper Annie Le Poidevin also gave up her morning to show us the sights.
First, we were given a map and dispatched along the Lower Path to explore the rougher terrain on the island. Climbing among heather and brambles, the main objective was to get around the circumference of the island without anyone toppling over the edge. It isn't a trek for the fainthearted.
The sun kindly came out at this point and beat down heavily on us, making the going even tougher. But it was all worth it to finally see this lovely island we had all coveted from a distance for so long. And so nice to be able to view Herm and Guernsey from a perspective only a few see.
We met up again with Annie at Sir Compton McKenzie's writing hut, the tiny wooden structure with its pretty, flowered patio. Designed to cut out all distractions from his work, the hut contains only a desk, two chairs, a teapot and two cups. The patio, however, offers a gorgeous, uninterrupted view of Guernsey. We all had a chance to sit at the desk and try to channel some kind of writing talent as though by osmosis. Not sure it worked, though.
Annie then took us up through the woods to view the vegetable garden, fire hut, helicopter pad and the site for the new observatory. We also saw the spot that recent archaeological study shows could possibly have been a 12th-century chapel.
The highlight for the parents, though, had to be the little private pub, The Admiral Restald.
A cosy stone building with a bar, several tables and benches outside, it conjures up thoughts of dark winter nights and bright crackling fires.
I don't think there was an adult among us who doesn't now aspire to have one of those in our back garden one day.
Back at the harbour, Mr Ogden kindly opened up his home to us and provided coffee and cakes for a picnic lunch out on the lawn.
Afterwards, parents lay on the grass in the sun as the children played around us, soaking up the atmosphere and reminding ourselves we may never set foot here again.
I've always associated Jethou closely with Herm and always wondered if the two islands would be similar.
But Jethou has its own identity and its own distinct, magical and unique charm.
We are all very grateful to Mr Ogden for letting us share it.
