The Island That Stole My Heart

However far away, I will always love you,
However long I stay, I will always love you,
Whatever words I say, I will always love you,
I will always love you

                                              - Love Song, Adele (The Cure)

First I felt the warmth. True, genuine heat that only comes from a big bright sun. Opening one eye, I saw blue, a bright blue sky that stretched on for ever, then green grass, leaves, flowers! As I breathed the fresh air, I heard it…the water, crashing on the rocks and the sand and waves calling me! 

The last eight weeks with all the bells and whistles was yet to give me such an exciting and naturally beautiful playground! Guernsey! I now believe in love at first sight!

When I read "The Guernsey Literacy and Potato Peel Pie Society", I had no idea it would bring me to this small island and that this small island would be my little piece of paradise! 

Guernsey really is amazing!!! It was more than I hoped for, imagined or even dreamed! I didn’t feel like I was alone during the whole time I was there! 

The beach where I stayed, Cobo Bay, was so refreshing! Every night the waves would soothe me to sleep and in the morning the birds' song and waves lapping were a comforting Wake up call. 

I ran along the beach each morning, climbed the rocks, traced patterns in the sand and did lots of exploring! One afternoon I even took my laptop with me and did some writing under the sun while watching the waves!!! 

A beautiful sunset at Cobo Bay! 

The town at St.Peter Port is picturesque and historical. It is full of beautiful river stone buildings and narrow, winding cobblestone paths. You can really imagine what it was like in years past.

While there I did a guided walking tour (Tasty Tours) that allowed me to navigate St. Peter Port and learn the history of the Island. It was really enjoyable and interesting. 

I also visited Castle Cornet… 

(Out the front of the Castle.)

(On the prisoner's path.)

(In a prisoner's cell.)

(The beautiful gardens!)

…the Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery… 

…the Victorian Library ...

…the Fort Gray Ship Wreck Museum… 

…the German Occupation Museum… 

...and the Old Quarter. 

However, they were only half the attractions I wanted to see! 

There was sun, fresh air, beautiful blue water and space here (I even got to wear a t-shirt). 

It made me desperately want to pick up a paintbrush (and I still struggle to colour inside lines.) But there is something so beautiful and wonderful about the place that is inspirational!

The whole place indisputably sang of God’s imagination, creativity and amazing design! Guernsey truly was a blessing from God to me for those three days! And I could not go without THANKING Him and PRAISING Him for it!!!!! 

Now some food… 

A wonderful breakfast. 

Scones and Cream included in our Tasty Walk. 

The New York Burger

 

 Beef, Bacon, Mushroom, Onion Rings and Cheese.

After three wonderful days it was time to leave! As the plane alighted, I took out my map and began to plan my next visit to the Island! 

Suffocating hugs and wet sloppy kisses from me to you,

 Joey!!!!! 

Eight week in London!

It's a city of strangers,

                                               Some come to work, some to play.

A city of strangers,

Some come to stare, some to stay.

And every day.

Some go away!

                                                                              - Another Hundred People, Company! 

So here I sit: in the house I have been renting for one month, in the country I have been living in for two months, with the sun shining outside my window (although it offers no heat on another cold day), with photos from another week that has flown!

I am beginning to wonder when the “OH MY GOODNESS I AM IN LONDON” excitement/fear wears off! It still surprises me how sitting on the tube I can go from having a big smile on my face and feeling like a ‘Londoner’ to trying to keep that smile on my face because “OH MY GOODNESS I AM IN LONDON” and all my family and friends are literally miles away! I am told by those who have been here for three, five and seven years that it never does! Oh my! 

Most of the time I am the smiling, laughing, loud creature you all know, overwhelmed by the many possibilities the day offers. Most of the time I am busy trying to meet new people, extend my contacts and make friends. (I often internally debate the difference between friendly and stalker on these occasions; how soon is it too soon to ask for a number, add on Facebook, text, to arrange a meet up!)

People keep asking me if London is what I imagined it would be. The easy answer I think is no! Some days it is better than I imagined, some days it doesn’t quite measure up and some days I have been too busy working, shopping, cooking and cleaning to notice! I can honestly say I believe it to be an easier transition than I first thought: easier to make friends, easier to feel comfortable and even easier to understand the varied English accent!

Do I want to pack it in and come home? The answer is still no! I am enjoying this experience, I am learning a lot and I am excited about the travel, sights and adventures yet to come. 

Would I do it all again? The answer is yes! I may try harder to convince someone to come with me, rather than thinking I was so brave doing it on my own! However, if no one was keen, I would still come on my own! 

I truly believe this is the best place for me right now. I believe I am walking in God’s plan for my life at this time. I know that not only is God walking with me and guiding me in the present, He has also gone before me in the future. 

So, with the update out of the way how about some photos!

I went bowling this week with some of the members of the connect group (Bible Study) I attend at Hillsong!

I am the second J and
I GOT A STRIKE BABY!!!

Though Jeff and his ‘magic ball’ still won!

Recommended from an article my cousin sent me I visited the TATE Modern Art Gallery!

Most of it I enjoyed but didn’t quite get…

…I did think this would be nice in the back garden though…

…and dead birds are always a positive to me… (Bird phobia!)

  

…I’m not sure if I really like this…

...or if it is creepy!

A wonderful lunch of Olive bread, Peri-Peri Hummus and Broad Bean and Asparagus Hummus!
So yummy!  (What you can’t see is that ate the other half of the olive bread that same sitting! Ha Ha)!



Well, for now you are up to date with me! Please send me an email or Facebook message with an update on you!



Sending you one kiss for each of my ‘new’ chins, Joey!!!!

Easter Weekend!

Now my debt is paid

                                                   It is paid in full

By the precious blood

That my Jesus spilled

                                                             - Man Of Sorrows, Hillsong! 

HE HAS RISEN, 

SIN HAS LOST IT'S GRIP ON ME!!!!!!

Happy Easter Everyone!!!! I hope you had a fantastic long weekend! 

So, quickly I will take you through my long weekend in LONDON baby!!!! 

Friday! 

On Friday night I hung out with one cool, awesome Aussie teacher and a bunch of fun, rockstar South Africans! 

Saturday! 

Happy Birthday Jocelyn!!! 

 Saturday Night we went out to Celebrate Jo's Birthday

And I know what you all want to see...The Food!!! 

Anti-pasto platter!           My 8oz steak burger and chips!

A pot of mussels!

Sunday! 

A BEAUTIFUL lunch provided by my BEAUTIFUL cousin Cat! 

I was spoilt with treats as well!

A yummy cup-cake from Pearl and a dark chocolate Bunny from Cat P! 

And if that wasn't making me fat enough...

A Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry! 

Church was FaNtAsTiC. Hillsong London told the whole Easter story through DANCE! 

It was a great atmosphere and an epic night!!

Plus, I also had my first Dolmades, since Jonathan Maddanat used to bring them to me in year 3!

It was so good!!! 

Nadine why you never make me these? When I come back you have to teach me how to make them! 

Love you like a fat kid loves cake! 

x x x