Am literally signing my winter project off on Thursday!!!!

Towards the end of last year Amanda from the Priaulx Library and I discussed the idea of working together, and maybe highlighting the rich vein of history that surrounds us both in the New Town of St Peter Port (that's its proper name, even thought its not often used today).  

We decided to produce an illustrated walking map of the area, full of unusual and bizarre stories and it was to be beautiful as well as useful.

One of the uniting things of this area, is the architect John Wilson, who style has feeling of the top part of town, its to him we owe buildings like Elizabeth College and St James.  So after Christmas, armed with camera and sketch pad, I started drawing.  

I have got to know those buildings so well!! 

 I know exactly how many window panes and chimney stacks they all have!  

One mystery though, Castle Carey (John Wilson) has a fair amount of blocked in windows, first I thought it was because of the window tax as in the UK,

 but Amanda, who I have know decided is the fountain of all knowledge re Guernsey,

 informed me that that never existed over here, so its a 'Nobody Knows' moment.

Amanda produced arms full of the bizarre, amazing and a bit creepy

 (please remember I am still scared of ET and Gremlins, its creepy to me!) 

And we worked out a route, which I hope, will open the eyes of both locals and 

visitors alike to the amazing history that is around them.

Then off to the lovely people at Two Degrees North to have them work their magic on my sketches and Amanda's proses, and make them look as we had seen in our imagination.

And wow, we are so pleased with how it has come out, so a big thank you to all who helped, 

I am so proud of it. 

Its A4 size when folded and is printed on what looks like water colour paper, so it has a nice weight to it, which we felt was very important, oh and its the bargain price of £2.50!

 I really couldn't be more thrilled.

Then it as the slightly scary part of launching it, and hoping that people liked it as much as we did.

 And response is good!  

It is now stocked in the Priaulx Library, the Tapestry Gallery, Press Shop, Indica, Evie & Me, Table, Lexicon, Lovely Pops, the Museum and some hotels. Brilliant. 

And we got our selves in the paper!

Then to carry on the momentum, I have produced four of the illustrations as notelets/blank cards, on the same type of paper, with some history and blurb on the back (£1.50)

Indica in the Pollet, has gone as far as putting it in a frame, which I do think looks fantastic.

And to top it all I am joining Amanda, with her new book, to do a map signing at the Press Shop on Thursday this week from 12 till 2, so please do come and see me, really don't want to be sitting there like Billy no mates!

I know you wont let me down, thank you xxx

Castle Nights

On Thursday the Guernsey Literary Festival started, yesterday I went to listen to Esther Freud and then later today Chris and I are going to Kate Adie in Town Church which is a total selling out. But last night it was Fact and Fable at the Castle (which was free entry) loads of authors, children's workshop, pop up shops and music.

It was my friends birthday during the week, so we went along to celebrate

With a picnic looking out over another cruise boat, got everything laid out including Chris's famous olive bread sticks! But realised we were in the wrong place for the music, so packed everything up and moved!

Just in time to see the brilliant Space Pirate of Rocquaine

What a beautiful night for it, perfect

with my first Pimms of the season

And some bubbles, Happy Birthday Tash!

the dance solo, she was so into the music, it was adorable

What a fantastic outfit, love it

and the night ended with a fantastic sunset over Elizabeth College, St James and Victoria Tower

Good bye Castle Cornet, thank you for a wonderful night, it was magical.

wow a sunny bank holiday!!!

What a beautiful Bank Holiday,

 OK I was working both the Saturday and most the Monday, but we were really busy with loads of lovely visitors.  So Sunday we really wanted to make the most of the weather and

 headed out to the cliffs after breakfast.

Passing through Market Square we came across this installation

 by Candy Chang and the Guernsey Arts Commission, 

'Before I die I want to.....' 

I do love interactive art pieces, I think its a fantastic way of introducing people to art in its many forms.  

This piece has happened in loads of places round the world Before I die

Ummmm I think I might have set my self a 40th birthday year challenge...

Think the mass Castle swim happens in August, am I up for this not sure, will keep you posted....

Chris wants his entry to stay secret, international man of mystery that he is!

It was fascinating to read them all, some were thought provoking, some were funny

and some were just sad

Right off to the cliffs!

Looking back at my bathing pools at high tide, and that castle (that is going to haunt me) in the back ground, actually looking at it, its propably further than I have ever swam in the sea. 

The Little Russel between Guernsey and Herm was heaving with boats including two cruise boats, this was the smaller of the two!  We are a very popular cruise boat stop, this year there are 107 booked in! Some are beautiful, but the really big ones look like floating sky scrappers to me, not my cup of tea

up to Clarence Battery

every where is looking so lush and green at the moment, I do love this time of year.

Stunning flowers on this tree in Fort George, feel I should know what it is, but cant remember and cant find my tree book, can any one help?

Then all hell broke loose, our lovely peaceful walk was disturbed by power boat racing!  The green one in the lead really needs to sort out its engine as it sounded very different to all the others.....

But it is fun to watch, I remember when I was a kid, 

Guernsey used to host the World Power Boat Championships,

 boat version of F1, it was amazing, there were power boat parades up and down the sea front, and as kids we were riding on top of these massive Class 1 boats throwing water bombs and sweets at the crowds!!!!

passed through Fermain, the sea wall is still looking like a gaping wound

but the cafe was preparing for a busy day, think they will be serving loads of seafood linguine!

looking back at the cruise and pleasure boats, the power boats have gone home now

an apple stop

then off on the last stretch to St Martins Point, and the last of the blue bells

but one last boat shot, the Wave Piercer arrived as well and

 that funny little one on the right is a tender for the cruise boats

Looks almost Mediterranean doesn't it?

St Martins Point carpeted in wild flowers, but it is a horridly steep climb to finish a walk on, ouch.

Feeling a bit knackered now, but you just have to look at your feet and climb

So so lush, so I think they will be here soon with the strimmers, it is a pity and it does look so bald when its done, but if they didn't the paths would just disappear!

Rewarded with a gorgeous crab sandwich at Hotel Jerbourg and a mild bit of sun burn...

waiting for the bus by what I think is a German gun emplacement, they pop up everywhere!  

our ride home, tired but satisfied, a good walk.