Spring-Summer Pure Jersey Part 1 with adverts:jersey Cover AW

Notes from a
Small Island
Jersey is quirky. It’s an island
with individuality. Roger
Thomas takes a look at a
few reasons why Jersey is
refreshingly different.
Farm Honesty Boxes
You’ll see them everywhere when
travelling around the island. Farm
produce, bought straight from the
doorstep. It doesn’t get any better or
fresher. Choose what you want and
leave the correct money. No one
checks because trust and honesty
still count for a lot in Jersey.
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Green Lanes
Jersey was ahead of its time
in creating roads where
cyclists, walkers and horse
riders have priority. Soak up
the calm of the countryside
on the island’s 50-mile network of Green
Lanes, where cars are restricted to 15mph.
Jersey isn’t a fast and furious place – the
maximum speed limit on the island is 40mph.
Yellow Telephone Boxes
Jersey has its own phone and
postal systems. So when it came
to painting their telephone boxes
Jersey Telecom chose yellow and
cream. Why not? It’s better
than seeing red.
French Road Signs
Bring your French dictionary to Jersey.
French was the official language here
until the 1960s. You’ll still see it on
many road signs, placenames and
buildings. PS. We drive on the left.
Fortress Jersey
Jersey was occupied by the Germans
during World War Two. They spent a
small – make that large – fortune
defending the island. Ghostly remains
in the shape of gun emplacements,
towers and tunnels serve as gripping
reminders of those dark days. We
shouldn’t ignore them – they’re part
of an episode with a happy ending that
reinforced Jersey’s island identity.
Jersey Black Butter
No, it’s not butter. This version, La Niere Buerre, is
made from apples, cider, lemons, treacle, liquorice, sugar,
mixed spice and cinnamon. It’s a harvest tradition that
goes back hundreds of years. Buy it as a preserve and
spread it on hot buttered toast, a warm croissant or a
fresh scone with cream. Delicious!
Squirrel Sanctuary
We like our
squirrels in Jersey.
Perhaps that’s
because they’re red
as opposed to the
pesky grey variety.
Red squirrels haven’t
looked back since they were introduced to
the island in 1885. Slow down and you’ll see
them scurrying amongst the trees and
woodland glades.
Beach Cafés
Remember the bucket-and-spade
beach cafés and kiosks of old?
They’re alive and well and thriving in
Jersey. Wholesome, freshly
prepared meals and snacks are a
local speciality – and the
seafood, as you’d expect, is as
fresh as it gets.
Witches’ Seat
Look out for stones jutting
out from the gables of
some of the older houses in
Jersey. They’re seats for
passing witches. Islanders
believed that by providing rest
halts for flying sorcerers they’d
avoid evil spells.
Marriage Stone
Traditional domestic
buildings in Jersey
sometimes wear their
hearts on their sleeves.
The ‘marriage stone’ is
usually a lintel or large
stone bearing the
initials of husband and wife, with
entwined hearts and a date. Just goes to
show: there’s never been a good excuse
for forgetting your anniversary.
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