WorldTravelReynolds

This little island is where we will be staying for the next 40 days. So far we have found the people are wonderful and helpful. From what we have seen in just a couple of days, the island has a lot of charm and beauty. There are long sandy bays in the south and rugged cliffs in the north. The beaches are beautiful and the water is gorgeous. I’m sure there will be many photographic opportunities. The official name is the Bailiwick of Jersey and is a crown dependency meaning they are self governing dependencies of the Crown. 

The grocery stores are really nice here. Locally owned.

Jersey is not part of the United Kingdom, and has an international identity separate from that of the UK, but the UK is constitutionally responsible for the defense of Jersey. The location of the island is near Normandy, France.  This was why we were able take a ferry over so quickly. Jersey has its own financial, legal and judicial systems. Their currency is pound sterling, same as the UK however, they have their own, meaning you cannot spend this currency in the U.K. and vice versa.

Hot dogs in a can? hmmmmmm

We were told that you can exchange it at a bank in the UK. So, that’s a good thing if we have any Jersey Pounds left over. When we started our discussions about Jersey Island we had many that thought we were talking about New Jersey.  A little tidbit of history: In the late 16th century, islanders travelled across the North Atlantic to participate in the Newfoundland fisheries. In recognition for help given to him during his exile in Jersey in the 1640s, King Charles II of England gave Vice Admiral Sir George Carteret, bailiff and governor, a large grant of land in the American colonies in between the Hudson and Delaware rivers, which he promptly named New Jersey. It is now a state in the United States. So now we know how New Jersey began. 

The Jersey way of life involved agriculture, milling, fishing, shipbuilding and production of woolen goods. 19th-century improvements in transport links such as air travel and ferries brought tourism to the island.

Beautiful flowers out in the patio

During the Second World War, some citizens were evacuated to the UK but most remained. Jersey was occupied by Germany from July 1, 1940 until May 9, 1945, when Germany surrendered. During this time the Germans constructed many fortifications using Soviet slave labor.

More beautiful flowers walking around town

After 1944, supplies from mainland France were interrupted by the D-Day landings, and food on the island became scarce. The SS Vega was sent to the island carrying Red Cross supplies and news of the success of the Allied advance in Europe. The Channel Islands were one of the last places in Europe to be liberated. May 9th is celebrated as the island’s Liberation Day.

I originally took the picture of the pretty steeple but also noticed how narrow the streets are

We are excited to explore this island and their culture. So far, we have been to the grocery store and met with a dentist. She and her staff were great! I had to have the same crown put back on again. This is getting old and tiresome. If it wasn’t in the front of my mouth, I would have given up on it a long time ago! They said they loved my accent. I laughed because theirs is an English accent and I would have said the same thing. The lady (Georgie) we are renting from set up the appointment for me before we arrived. This is her dentist and who she recommended. She really went above and beyond and helped us out. I also have an appointment with a doctor to get a prescription filled. The pharmacy here wouldn’t fill the one I have from the states so I have to see a doctor here (60 pounds – about 75 USD) to obtain another prescription. That appointment is next week. I’m not super thrilled about seeing a doctor when I’m not sick. But, it has to be done. Its not an emergency and its under 500 USD so we cant file it on our travel insurance. I guess we can be thankful its just routine stuff. Still frustrating.

This is the wall I mentioned in yesterdays post. This is a two way street!

Chuck did a much better job in driving around town today. I was proud of him. He only scared me once. He also decided to check into using Waze maps instead of Google maps. It was a lifesaver today! It did a much better job. For some reason the location we are at is not on google maps and we had a hard time finding it but Waze picked it right up and today was so much easier. When we first arrived, the lovely lady we are renting from gave amazing directions. Leaving and coming back was a different story unless we drove back to the airport and started over. 

Tomorrow we should be getting out and around. Today we relaxed in the little patio out front. Its was nice and sunny. I’m finalizing the France budget and will post it tomorrow as well.

May God bless you always!

Chuck & Lea Ann