Can’t wait to get back Herm

Reopening was postponed from Monday to complete essential repairs and refurbishments delayed by lockdown.

Eager to finally leave the island, travellers were not put off by a smattering of rain.

‘We are extremely excited to be off for our tropical holiday,’ said Joanne Hardill.

‘We’ve been for socially distanced walks together and swims but this is the first time we’re doing something more civilised, off the island and without children.’

Cocktail making, chocolate tasting and cake styling awaits them this weekend with a package stay at The White House Hotel.

Joanna Morrissey-Wells said her group of family and friends were all very excited.

‘This is my first time off the island since January last year,’ she said.

Her daughter, Bibiana, also crossed a milestone.

‘She is six months old, so this is her first holiday ever. We’re going in a big group of family and friends and all staying in cottages.

‘It is amazing that we can do this and visit Herm, we are so incredibly blessed.’

Bob Du Feu booked advance boat tickets for a three-night cottage stay for his wife and himself.

‘We’re making use of the borders reopening,’ he said.

‘My wife works full time and I’m retired, so it would be good for her to have a break.’

Herm Travel Trident managing director Peter Wilcox said it had been a very busy morning yesterday and everyone was in high spirits.

‘It’s absolutely wonderful to be back in action,’ Mr Wilcox said.

‘People are keen to get off the island and have all just seemed so happy.

For the sake of a 20-minute boat journey there’s just that excitement and feelgood factor of stepping on a boat and crossing the sea.’

Lots of advance group bookings have been made for celebrations postponed due to lockdown, he said.

With no funds coming in and maintenance work put on hold, it has been a tough winter.

‘But we are catching up.

‘We’ve got a little bit of a skeleton service running at the moment, which will be stepped up on 1 April.

‘We look forward to seeing lots of people this Easter and hopefully the sun will come out for it too.’

Moorings will be laid early in April for boaters, although the date has yet to be confirmed.