Wednesday 29 February 2012

Gorey under its castle


According to Paul Grodon
The first recorded mention of Gorey Castle aka Mont Orgueil (its French name, meaning "pride") was in November 1212. Gorey Castle was a stronghold of English rule. In 1337 the French invaded, and the castle resisted siege. Blood flowed, but the castle did not fall. A second siege under French buccaneer Bertrand du Guesclin followed in July 1373, and the outer walls were breached. But the rock did not fall. The French finally occupied it in the fifteenth century, but through treachery not brute force. Sir Walter Raleigh was sent by Queen Elizabeth to tear down the old fort but sentiment won the day. Gorey Castle turned from sanctuary into prison. As the French Revolution cast its fanatical spell over Europe, the castle was used as a royalist base by d'Auvergne and his secret network. Then as Jersey sauntered into the sunlit uplands of the Victorian age, the castle retained its potency as a symbol of the island's proud loyalism and independence. Queen Victoria chose to visit Mount Orgueil with Prince Albert. She had a penchant for island castles. As Hitler's armies poured into Jersey and the swastikas flew over the fields of brown Jersey cows and sweet potatoes, Gorey Castle, as a prominent coastal fortified site, was absorbed into the machinery of the Third Reich. Concrete gun emplacements, bunkers and flak towers were added to the ancient walls. Today it is a tourist trap, but one with a unique sense of presence and power. You can experience something of the depth of the past, of the blood and glory of previous ages.
A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Monday 27 February 2012

The end of La Route de la Mare


La Route de la Mare from Grosnez ends at Mont du Vallet above St Ouen's Bay.


Note: The road is named "La Route de la Mare" on local tourist maps, but Google Maps name it "La Route du Ouest".

Sunday 26 February 2012

Friday 24 February 2012

Channel Islands Military Museum


Under the flag is the Channel Islands Military Museum. Beyond is the sweep of St Ouen's Bay.

A contribution to Skywatch Friday.

Thursday 23 February 2012

View through Agapanthus



Le Pulec viewed through a gap in the Agapanthus flowers by the side of La Route de la Mare.

Wednesday 22 February 2012

Faulkner Fisheries



An old German bunker now converted into a seafood takeaway. Viewed from the top of Mont du Vallet. Website.

For more F posts visit ABC Wednesday.

Monday 20 February 2012

Wendy's Bench



A memorial bench at Mont du Vallet overlooking Le Pulec. A plaque beneath a carving of a rose reads

"In Memory Of A Beautiful Lady
Wendy Abraham
Donated by St Peters Garden Centre"

Sunday 19 February 2012

Friday 17 February 2012

Flying in to Jersey


The sea wall at Les Laveurs. In the background an aeroplane is coming in to land at Jersey Airport.

A contribution to Skywatch Friday.

Thursday 16 February 2012

Wednesday 15 February 2012

St Ouen Millennium Stone


Granite stones were erected in each of Jersey's parishes to celebrate the Millennium.

Monday 13 February 2012

Le Pulec


Viewed from the top of Mont du Vallet. On the left is an old German Bunker now converted into a seafood takeaway.

Sunday 12 February 2012

Friday 10 February 2012

The Five Mile Road


The road (B35) along St Ouen's Bay is called the "Five Mile Road". The distance is measured as there AND back!

A contribution to Skywatch Friday.

Tuesday 7 February 2012

Des Landes Junction


At Des Landes a small lane slips off La Route des Landes to connect with La Rue de la Mare.

For more D posts visit ABC Wednesday.

Monday 6 February 2012

The end of La Route des Landes


La Route des Landes ends at a sharp bend above Etacquerel. Round the bend, the B55, La Route de la Mare, turns sharply back towards Grosnez while the main road descends a hairpin route down Mont du Vallet to Le Pulec.

Sunday 5 February 2012

Friday 3 February 2012

Thursday 2 February 2012

Wednesday 1 February 2012

Cueillette De Millais horses.


Two horses in a field at Cueillette De Millais.

Cueillette De Millais is one the six sub-divisions of the parish of St Ouen.

This post is a "C" contribution to ABC Wednesday.

"Animals" is the CDPB theme for February. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants to the CDPB theme.