Guernsey vs SA - Petrol pumps

I have been here for three months now and I am still amazed at how different things are over here. I just had to post this. I was waiting in the car in what appeared to me to be a closed-down petrol garage for my never-stop-talking future mother-in-law. I then realized that something didn't seem right, I knew for a fact that this garage was open because it is part of the shop where Mathew works. I took a closer look at one of the pumps and burst out laughing when I read the notice on it... PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A SELF HELP SERVICE ...so F-M-I-L explained to me that you had to go inside to pay afterwards. I stared at her in disbelief and asked her whether people don't sometimes drive off without paying. She replied in a very matter-of-fact tone that it does happen, but that it is covered by the insurance. I just can't imagine ANYONE even TRYING to open a self help petrol garage in SA. It would run bankrupt within a month! I just love this place :o)

Life in Guernsey

I've had alot of people from South Africa ask me how it is to live here. In a way I can understand that, the first time I heard that Andy lived on an island it sounded so strange lol I guess I pictured it a whole lot different.

Well, here are a few pictures:

To describe it in my own words...it's like a cross between Bloemfontein's old historical buildings, Namakwaland's daisies, and Cape Town's cold sea and I'm in love with the island :o)



Lancresse Bay



Belvoir Lane, Herm

(Herm is one of Guernsey's sister islands and can clearly be seen from Guernsey)



Brecqhou

(Another one of Guernsey's sister islands, owned by the Barclay brothers)



The Cliffs at Petit Bot, there are small caves in the cliffs, Andy showed them to me the other day.



The Fairy Ring

(Apparently this was used by witches and there are alot of myths about it)



Fermaine Bay



Fort Grey at night

(And before you ask, the sunsets really do look like that, it's beautiful. There are many of these Forts on the island which was built when they were invaded by Germany)



Jethou Sunrise

(Jethou is another sister island of Guernsey)




Lihou Island

(At low tide, Lihou forms part of Guernsey and it is possible to walk to there, but at high tide, it is an island on it's own)



Walkway to Lihou Island



The Little Chapel

(It is so small, it looks like a doll's house and you can barely stand up straight in it. Inside, there is a book where people and especially children write messages, next to the book you can see anything from jewellery to money left by visitors)



Road in Sark

(Sark is yet another sister island of Guernsey)



Soldiers Bay



View of Herm and Jethou



Castle Cornet



The shadow on the horizon is France



Herm, Jethou and Sark.

(That day it was raining in Guernsey and it was sunny over there)



The Bridge or 'mini-town'



The high street in town



Town Church

So there you have it, my own little perfect paradise :o)