En Voyage_Issue#11_Flickbook

THE RECIPE FOR THE PERFECT
GUERNSEY SUMMER
The Bailiwick of Guernsey
really comes into its own in the
summertime as long evenings
and great weather bring
islanders out of hibernation
for the first tentative ventures
outdoors after spring. Here,
Livingroom Estate Agents
founder, CEO Simon Torode,
takes inspiration from the
big screen to provide his
very own recipe for the
perfect Guernsey summer.
Locally grown and produced
food and drink is an increasingly
common sight around the Bailiwick
of Guernsey and traditional local
recipes are also coming to the fore,
largely thanks to the big screen
success of The Guernsey Literary
and Potato Peel Pie Society.
Many who’ve seen the film will have
been captivated by the portrayal
of the island and we’re lucky that
traditional stone cottages like
those in the film still exist today and
regularly come up for sale. They’re
always incredibly popular houses for
people who want to own their own
small slice of Guernsey history.
A local premiere of the film in the
spring saw big names such as Lily
James and director Mike Newell
attending a glamorous evening that
celebrated the best of Guernsey. The
film really captures the spirit of the
island and is exposing Guernsey to
national and international audiences,
something that we passionately
believe in at Livingroom.
It won’t have escaped anyone
who has seen the film that the pie
that is becoming known around
the world is actually the subject of
mockery from the characters as
it, perhaps unsurprisingly, doesn’t
taste very good. As an antidote, I’ve
concocted a much more appealing
dish: the perfect Guernsey summer.
If you’d like to buy your very
own slice of Guernsey life
call the Livingroom team
on +44 1481 233008 or
email info@livingroom.gg
LAVINNAIRE
INGREDIENTS
A generous helping of the outdoors
An open mind
The best of local produce
Friends and/or family (whatever you have to hand is fine)
Sunshine (for baking in)
Sea legs
METHOD
LE TRUCHON
The trick to a good Guernsey summer is the outdoors. Houses with south-facing
gardens really come into their own in the summer months and are always high
on the wish lists of Livingroom’s clients. The west coast enjoys the stunning
sunsets and fresh sea air so many of the island’s properties in the western
parishes will get the sunshine late into the lazy summer evenings – perfect for
enjoying a barbecue and drinks in the garden with friends and family. If you
can’t find a south or west-facing garden, Guernsey’s parks work just as well.
We’re hugely lucky in Guernsey to benefit from some exceptional food,
whether it’s prepared in one of our amazing restaurants or sourced from the
island’s famous “hedge veg” stalls for cooking yourself. Whichever you prefer,
there’s not much better than a Guernsey crab sandwich, some barbecued
local seafood or a salad made with vegetables straight from the garden.
Mix in some variety; Guernsey has a huge amount to offer in the summer
months, from cliff walking on the spectacular south coast to water sports
in a generous bay like Cobo. There’s something for everyone, young
or old, so make sure you season your summer to your own taste.
Bring the whole thing up to a nice gentle heat, but take care not to burn.
With eight hours of sunshine a day and the sea temperature climbing to
around 17 degrees in August there’s plenty of incentive to let your summer
get nice and hot. But nothing ruins the flavour of summer as much as getting
burnt, so seek out some shade every now and then to allow to cool.
Source some exotic ingredients and prepare your sea legs. Right on the doorstep
of Guernsey are the islands of Herm and Sark, which both offer excellent
summer getaways for anything from a day trip to a longer stay. The islands
have immense natural beauty and are a remedy to the hustle and bustle of daily
life. So relax, unwind and hop on the boat to enjoy a taste of the quiet life.
Bailiwick summers are as varied as the person who’s enjoying them;
but what is certain is that it’s easy to make the most of the season
when you live somewhere as beautiful and friendly as Guernsey.
So what are you waiting for? We wish you were here.
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