A Walk in the Park…and More (6 13/25)

It’s a beautiful day here in Guernsey, probably the warmest one since our first day here. While the thermometer (weather app) is only saying 60 F, the wind is not making it cooler as it usually is and the sun has been out for most of the day.

Before I talk about today’s outing, a couple of items from the past two days. First, at 3:19 am on Thursday, June 12, our new grandniece, Mila Elise, made her debut, making our grandnephew, Harrison Alan, a big brother. We’re looking forward to seeing the whole family sometime next month when we’re back in the States.

At this housesit, one of our responsibilities has been tending to the garden, which happily has allowed us to have some fresh produce— mostly snap peas and Swiss chard. However, the other day after watering we noticed that there were a lot of strawberries that were ripe. So, we picked a bunch, and then Bob made the tart below based on a recipe I found in a magazine. It was awesome! Can’t wait to have some more tonight, along with some sautéed chard. (We are eating out of the garden with the homeowners’ permission, of course)

Today, we headed west from the house for almost an hour’s walk to the Folk and Costume Museum in Saumarez Park. This route also took us by Waitrose, our favorite grocery store here just due to size, as well as some attractive hotels and homes.

The St. Pierre Park Hotel, Spa, and Golf Resort

Saumarez Park consists of the remains of what was one of the largest country estates on the island. It was designed by James Saumarez and his wife Jane beginning in 1875. The estate was purchased by the States of Guernsey in 1938. We specifically went to visit the free-entry Folk and Costume Museum, but ended up walking around most of the property.

The lovely patio entrance to the Folk and Costume Museum, which provides information on life on the island
in an earlier period as well as costume exhibitions.

Typical island kitchen circa 1899.
Note the green bed between the fire and the window,
where children would sit during the day,
while at night sick or old family members would sleep on it.

A Methodist autograph quilt from 1892.
Such quilts were popular in the 1800s
as a means of fundraising, commemorating events,
or showing affiliation with an organization.

A doll known as Colborne Alice or Cobo Sue doll.
The body was made of unbleached calico
and attached to a head made of vest or stockinette.
It would be stuffed with sawdust filling.

The costume exhibit was called From Cobblestones to Catwalks: 1970’s High Street and High Fashion. It seemed to primarily be based off donations from a local woman. It brought back scary fashion memories from that time.