After the great excursion across to Herm yesterday I was really looking forward to another island hop to explore new miles. Today I took the 45 minutes across the water to the island of Sark.
Within minutes of landing there you get a real sense of some of the great things people enjoy here. Wonderful scenery, peace and tranquility. This island is 3 miles long and 1 and a half miles wide and every part of it is explored to the full by many every year. There are no cars, adding to the unique tranquility, you have three choices to get around. On foot, by bicycle or by horse and carriage. As I only had a day to explore I took the bike plus hike option.
Even though I was moving around the island on 2 wheels I found I was finding tracks and paths everywhere that I simply just had to put the bike to one side and get off on foot for a while. The coast is spectacular! Given a few days to explore the coastline in full I could quite easily be kept happily busy. Clifftops, bays, colourful fauna all the way round.
As you travel through the inland areas you can really get the feeling you are stepping back in time. The island has a population of around 600 but with the houses spread out in corners or small areas, and blending in with the surroundings it feels a lot less.
I was sure I saw more wildlife than people!
In the middle of the day I managed to get across to Little Sark, with its own unique beauty. In the middle of this little section is the most wonderful place for lunch. La Sablonnerie, a hotel that has been made up from a 400 year old farmhouse. You can see the pride in where they are and the kind welcome they give. The food was marvelous, strong flavours and the local lobster is a great part of the menu.
After dropping off the bike it was a shame to have to wander back across and down to the harbour for the ferry back so soon, I am sure to be back some day to explore more.
Back on Guernsey my lovely hosts here at La Roche guesthouse have fed me a new titbit fact, this building was once rented by Charles Aznavour and the spot/room where I am now typing this is reputed to be where he wrote the song She on his piano.
Tomorrow is a hiking day on Guernsey itself again, the southern cliffs, and if I can get going early the sunrise on the east coast. 🙂
Oh! The photos of Sark were stunning! I wish I could smell the air there. Thanks.
What a joy to see these photos and revisit this magical place. Thank you. That restaurant is one of my best memories – and I was there alone!
Loved your pictures on Sark – taking me back to my visit last year 2012 but one day was not enough time to explore all of what there was to see
So I will return . .:-)x
Paul, what a beautiful place! Thank you for taking us on another virtual visit!
As a Guernsey resident it's great to see a travel writer that has taken the time to explore some of the fantastic places on our islands. Hope you have a great 4th day and I'm sure you will find many more gems