Kinloch

Day 8 - Jersey

I started the day with a cruise up the west coast.
St Brelades Chapel and Church - If you have a chance to go here I would really recommend it. From my point of view a much better stop than the glass church. The guide books often mention the Fisherman’s Chapel and it is an interesting building. The artwork in the ceiling appears to date from the same time as St Appoline’s in Guernsey and is much more intact. It was the actual church that blew me away. A beautiful stone ceiling supported by stone arches. There is a load of atmosphere and a strong spiritual sense. Interesting photographs taken in the graveyard overlooking the sea.
I drove up to the area of Grosnez Castle and Plemont and it did some short circle walks in the area.
La Greve de Lecq - I had made arrangements before arriving on the island to paddle with Wild Adventures Jersey. Kazz was a very accommodating and knowledgable guide. I was the only paddler for the day and the wind had kicked up some very nice waves. He selected a beach based on my experience and we had a great time surfing in and out of caves and rock channels.
Drove home via the Devil’s Hole which was a pleasant walk with great views at the end. At this point I will fess up and admit I had to stop back at the winery because I ate the chocolates I bought yesterday with my drinks on the veranda last night and I had to buy more to bring home as gifts!!

Kinloch

Day 9 - Travel

This was a travel day. I flew from Jersey to CDG in Paris. My final destination was Giverny. I had booked a room at the airport Novotel for the night of Day 10. I took the CDGVAL free shuttle from the airport to hotel. I requested to leave my suitcase in their luggage room. It is locked and well secured and they were very accommodating. This was a HUGE help as I was able to proceed to Giverny with just my back pack. Using information garnered from various sources, most importantly this forum, I was able to make this trip with no major incidents. Following advice from PalenQ I was able to purchase all the tickets I needed for a return trip on RER and SNCF at the airport wicket. This saved a lot of time and worry. Each transition was a bit difficult but the important thing, if you are trying to navigate the system, is to know not only which station you want arrive at, but also what station is at the end of the line for that train. Also don’t follow the signs for your RER train rather examine the screens and figure out which track number you need. When my train arrived in Vernon I took the walking trail to Giverny, again following instructions from the forum which made it easy to find.

I had booked into Les Jardins, a B and B on the edge of Giverny. I would highly recommend this location. It is one of the first things I came to as I came into town. It was a warm day and I am sure after all those trains and the walk from Vernon I looked a little droopy, I certainly felt droopy. When I asked Sandrine, my very gracious hostess, the nearest place I could go for a glass of wine she seated me in the garden and brought me a nice cool glass while I relaxed. I had also spoken with Sandrine about tickets for the garden the next day and she had this for me at the B and B.

Kinloch

Day 10 - Monet’s Garden

I rose early in the morning and went for a walk along trails up to the top of the valley. It was lovely to be up there as the sun rose higher and the light gradually marched across the valley lighting it from side to side. When it finally broke over the top and lit the whole valley it happened to be 8 am and several sets of church bells rang, magic.

Returned to Les Jardins for an awesome continental breakfast with the best french bread I have ever had, home made preserves and fresh squeezed orange juice, yum yum.

I will put my bias on the table. First of all I have been to Giverny once before, traveling with family who were not interested and only had an hour budgeted. I have always wanted to come back with no time pressure, I love this garden. Second I am not at all interested in art, impressionist or not. I came purely for the garden. I arrived at 9:25 at the secret “pass” door which I learned about on this forum. I had my ticket from the B and B which let me in here. I went directly to the water garden and had 20 minutes here before the first guests arrived from the front entrance. I stayed in the garden for 3 hours making 3 complete loops. I know that will seem excessive to most but it was my vacation! Although I was certainly aware of the garden becoming more full, indeed packed is a better word, I was in my own little bubble and it didn’t really register. I was shocked as I left to see people were lined up for an hour to get into the garden and then an hour to get into the house once they were in the garden. If you are going, do yourself a favour. Stay in Giverny, it is a beautiful little town with lots of B and B’s and the first hour and the last hour are, I suspect, the nicest times to be in the garden. Also be sure to arrange to have your ticket in advance so you can use the pass door.

Sandrine had allowed me to leave my pack at the B and B and when I went back to pick it up for the walk back to Vernon she insisted on driving me back to the traffic circle. Really can’t say enough about that guest house. Very comfortable beds on top of everything.

Kinloch

Here I sit at the airport hotel. Tomorrow I fly back to reality. Looking forward to hugging my husband and my dogs, not necessarily in that order!! I like to end my trip reports with a best of

BEST ISLAND - Sark, hands down
BEST HOTEL - La Haule Manor
BEST B and B - Les Jardines, Giverny
BEST MEAL - sorry to say didn’t eat at one restaurant I would go back to
BEST GARDEN - La Seigneurie, Sark ( I took Monet out of the running as it is unfair competition )
BEST ADVENTURE - Coasteering, Adventure Sark
BEST BEACH - Shell Beach, Herm
BEST HIKE - Fermain - St Peter Port, Guernsey
BEST TRAVEL AID - Fodors Forum - Thanks to All

Gordon_R

Slightly surprised you were generally disappointed with the food on the Channel Islands. This is always a highlight for us - especially the fresh fish and seafood which can be out of this world. I guess you were just unlucky in that respect.

Kinloch

I will have to accept some of the responsibility. While I love fish I am allergic to shell fish and have a personal aversion to goat cheese and mushrooms. Between these 3 things I found my menu options severely limited. Couldn't really find fish that wasn't severed up with one of these things.

anicecupoftea

You should have tried the Crab Shack at St Brelade's Bay (right on the beach). I don't eat fish or seafood, so my menu options are always severely limited in seaside places, but the steak I had there was one of the best I've ever eaten.