WeekendBlues.org
Weeniecampbell.com
A few facts may help you understand that Guernsey is a bit of an odd place!
First, historically a lot of the place names are in french but nobody speaks it, ergo don't panic!
If you have an interest in WW2 then this could be the place for you since it was occupied by the Germans who, having a bit of a concrete fetish, left behind numerous bunkers, enplacements, tunnels et al.
The island is part of the UK but, not in the EU like the rest of the UK, which can be really confusing even to those who live here.
It has it's own tax and legal systems.
It is, what is termed "off-shore" and most of it's income is now generated through the finance industry. The days when it relied on tomatoes and flowers for it's income are long gone.
It's the land of no VAT, it just does not exist here. Consequently some goods and services are cheaper than on the mainland - petrol and cigarettes being good examples.. cough... cough, brrrrrmm... brrrmmm etc.
Despite being only a few miles from it's larger sister island Jersey, it has no real connection with it as the legal, tax and financial rules there are different again.
Like England, Scotland, Jersey and IoM it also has it's own bank notes which are theoretically legal tender anywhere in the UK but, just try using them as such!
Traditionally, the Guernsey and Jersey islanders do not 'get on'. One faction calls the other Crapauds (pronounced here as Crappo's) and the Crapauds then call the other lot Donkeys. There doesn't seem much point in saying anything else and really which is which is anybody's guess!
However, despite all these quirks, it's well worth a visit and from the selection of web sites listed below the flavour of the island can be gained.
Talking of flavour, April is usually the month when all the local restaurants compete in the "Tennerfest" - a food competition, so there are some great meals to be noshed.
10-07-2006 8:56