It's a Saturday, a giant cruise ship is anchored offshore, and the city is mobbed, so we wanted to get away into the rural part of Guernsey. We took a bus packed with people and headed inland to The Little Chapel, a tourist spot built starting in 1906 and completed during WWI. Literally half the people on the bus (mostly seniors) got out and blocked all traffic on the narrow road as we all crossed over to see the colorful attraction.
We then walked along quiet winding lanes to Sous L'Eglise, and then on to and around St Saviour reservoir where we had our lunch. We love the narrow lanes and the green countryside for its life and peaceful feel. There were numerous narrow lanes and all were unmarked, so we had to check the smart phone at intersections to see exactly where we were.
She said:
A good day with interesting things to see and a happy countryside walk.
First up, The Little Chapel:
This crazy place was built as a labor of love in 1904 by Brother Diodot, an exiled Brother from France.
He wanted to create a miniature replica of the grotto and basilica of Lourdes.
And, miniature it is - 16’ x 9’.
The whole thing is covered, inside and out, with shells and pieces of broken china. (R’s pictures will tell the story best.)
We met 4 women from France who are on Guernsey for 5 days for a girls’ cycling holiday. So nice and friendly. I pointed out a piece of Quimper China to them and now we have friends for life!
We exchanged addresses and promised to connect if ever again in close proximity.
We left The Little Chapel and headed out into the countryside for a lovely walk. Many of the lanes we walked on are called Ruettes Tranquilles - quiet little lanes - meaning that walkers and cyclists can stroll safely. Cars are allowed but must drive no faster than 15 mph. So civilized.
Walking through the country felt so wonderful - it is what we love best.
We stopped in a country church and I snapped a picture of a ceramic poppy and photo of the poppies at the Tower of London that Ei and I went to see in 2014.
We saw our new French friends a couple more times along the way, they on their bicycles.
We connected to The Millennium Walk, a small pathway around a reservoir, and ambled along, eating a lunch of bread, cheese, apples and chocolate on a pathside bench.
How perfect is that?
We came upon a very noisy rooster, protecting his hens who were brooding in their dirt nests. These are free-range chickens in the truest sense!
When we made it to the reservoir spillway. we decided to reverse course and walk back from whence we came so as to catch a bus back into town (once an hour, don’t be late).
Tonight we will be dining in our hotel’s restaurant, overlooking Castle Cornet and the harbor. Yum.
Total Mileage:
5.6 miles
Our new French friend
Actual Guernsey Cows
On the way to Sous L'Eglise
St Saviour Reservoir
Moonlight Harbor View
Wow, love that little chapel! And the moonlight harbor.
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