Yep, you guessed it, today was another glorious day of unbroken sunshine, and the wind was a little less fierce too. The forecast is for it to cloud over tonight, which is pretty good timing from our point of view as we fly back to Gatwick tomorrow morning....hopefully!

This morning Mum elected to stay behind and let me explore Castle Cornet on my own. I left the car at the top of the cliff and walked down. Having got to the bottom, I took a slight diversion up 85 steps in the cliff to Clarence Battery. This is another example of a battery built at the end of the 18th century in response to the threat of invasion from the French, and later used by the occupying German forces. The location also affords great views of Castle Cornet and St. Peter Port.

Then I made my way to the castle in time for an informative and entertaining tour which lasted over an hour. The castle has been in constant use since it was built in the early 13th century until WWII, so has a real mix of architectural styles. During that time it was on the front line of the many wars between the French and English. Indeed, it was occupied by the French for 7 years although Guernsey wasn't. 

During the English Civil War, the island was pro Parliamentarians while the Governer, appointed by The Crown, remained loyal to the King and was holed up in the castle with his garrison, supplied by Royalist Jersey. 

The Castle was modified in response to the Napoleonic threat and further adapted by the Germans with a number of concrete additions.

I then popped back to our Manor to pick up Mum and we made our way to Guernsey Pearl, which also sells traditional Guernseys made by the La Tricoteur factory on the island. Guernseys are woollen jumpers traditionally made for fishermen by their wives and are therefore water and windproof. They are most definitely not to be confused with inferior woollen knitwear that any other island may produce!! I decided to treat myself to one.

Across the road is Fort Grey, which houses the Shipwreck Museum. As the name suggests, this tells the stories of various shipwrecks that have occurred around the islands. Back by Guernsey Pearl is the remains of a Roman Ship that was discovered in St. Peter Port harbour. The few remaining timbers are laid out in an environmentally controlled building and can be viewed through the glass partition. 

Then it was time to head back to base, where in the evening I joined the ghost tour conducted by Seigneur Peter de Sausmarez. It was a fun and interesting account of some of the ghostly appearances that have been reported. He has not himself seen any of the ghosts, but his children and grandchildren have encountered the kindly and benevolent Nanny ghost. Personally, I remain doubtful but open minded regarding the existence of ghosts, but the accounts were entertaining and Seigneur de Sausmarez is an engaging and accomplished storyteller. 

Then it was time to pack.