Guernsey, Cows, and Potato Peel Pie, Oh My! . . .

Note:  Would love to hear from you, please scroll to the bottom to make a comment.

We landed in Guernsey, the largest island in the English Channel, to pursue the story of the Potato Peel Pie and the five-year occupation of the German Army in World War II.

There are over 6500 years of history to discover in Guernsey, with evidence of some of the oldest structures of Europe found in burial chambers and standing stones. The Romans added this island to their empire through a maritime battle with the Celts in 60 BC under the command of Julius Caesar, and they called the island Lisia.

A book published in 2008 brought a lot of attention to the island, as it depicts the conditions of hunger, starvation, and the means by which the people survived adversity while under the Occupation of the German Nazis.  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was an international bestseller authored by Mary Ann Shafer and Annie Barrows.  After reading this book, I HAD to see Guernsey.

Guernsey is perhaps best known today for the Guernsey cow, which has been bred here for centuries.  The first cows are thought to have been brought to Guernsey by exiled monks from France in early 900.  Guernsey cows are very docile and their milk is proclaimed to be some of the best in the world because of its golden color and high content of beta-carotene and omega-3.

The Channel Islands were the only British territory to be occupied by the Germans during WW II. (1940-1945)






Due to the many escapes from the island, fishing was strictly controlled.  In September 1942, all non-born islanders were deported and interned in camps on Hitler's orders, including the Jews who were sent to Auschwitz, and never returned.

Our favorite restaurant in Guernsey was Christies, which was across the street from our hotel.  The morning we ate breakfast there we were fortunate to meet the proprietor, Peter Taylor.  As we talked, we discovered that he had lived in Dana Point, near us, for a period of time and worked at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.  He was happy to know that we were from the Laguna Niguel, California area.

Lee's breakfast was a typical English entree with fried tomatoes and beans.



I had "eggy bread" (french toast) with berries and yogurt.  In England things "French" are usually not French.  French fries are chips and French Toast is eggy bread.  (Still a historical rivalry?)

Left to right is Lee, Peter, Natalia (our server from Poland) and Alana.










Upon leaving St. Peter Port,  by Ferry, we were able to get a view of the 12th century castle built by King John, which was a fortress that guarded the harbor of St. Peter Port anciently and also by the Germans.

Something old, something new . . .

Note:  Would love to hear from you, please scroll to the bottom to make a comment.

Monday morning, June 3rd, before leaving for Guernsey, we kissed Stella as she left for school and she looked so cute in her all-girls school uniform - totally British - reminding me of "Madeline who walked in two straight lines" (children's storybook).

The dogs, Bertie and Ruby were staying in a kennel a few miles from Bramley Cottage and Lee went with Kevin to pick them up at an old farmhouse.  To say it was old is putting it mildly as the home, which you see here pre-dates 1066 AD (William the Conqueror).  The estate is an historic landmark and is listed in the infamous Doomsday book! (You will hear more about this book later.)

We are off to Guernsey - stay tuned for a journey back in time . . .

The Spotted Dog

Note:  Would love to hear from you, please scroll to the bottom to make a comment.

When we Face Timed Michaelin before we left California, she said it was raining; so we told her we would bring California weather with us to England - and we did!  It was a beautiful sunny day, as we drove to a nearby park to take a long leisurely early-morning walk.  The English really know how to create parks.  The parks are acres and acres of lush green grass, with trees, and hundreds of varieties of flowers. Queen Victoria's Park also had a small lake with swimming ducks, swans, and geese.  Lee and Stella took a ride in a paddle boat on the lake.

For lunch we drove for another half hour through shaded country lanes to a restaurant called The Spotted Dog.  A red and white Irish Setter greeted us as we walked into the Pub and we wondered if the dog was the namesake for the restaurant.

England is very dog-friendly, and we see owners and dogs in many public places.  Most dogs seem to be well behaved as they lay at their owner's feet while they eat breakfast, lunch or dinner.

We will be lucky if we can fit into any of the clothes we brought on our trip if we keep eating this great English food.  They love real butter and clotted cream!  Of course it is all about choices and you can believe that the dessert choice at The Spotted Dog was a good one!  We learned that the English call any dessert pudding, so the Treacle Pudding we ordered was more like a shortcake with a custard sauce on top. Yum!

We enjoyed a walk down a short footpath overlooking a valley.  This was the view from the window of the restaurant.  The yellow flowers we see all along the countryside are fields and more fields of grape seed.

When we came back to Bramley Cottage, we were expecting Kevin's parents to come for tea and biscuits and we wanted to sit outside since it was so lovely and quite warm.  However, the backyard's lawn was in need of cutting so Lee thought he would try a hand at it.  This helps to envision just how
large the yard and orchards are in the back of the house. The picture was taken early evening from our bedroom window.

"Keep Calm and Carry On" - Winston Churchill

Note:  Would love to hear from you, please scroll to the bottom to make a comment.

Winston Churchill

We knew Winston Churchill as the fighter and non-negotiator of World War II, however,  we had no idea of his many other great accomplishments.

Yesterday, we had the chance to visit his home and gardens, known as Chartwell.  A magnificent place, fitting for such

a great man.

In 90 short years, Sir Winston Churchill and his Lady Clementine celebrated  75 anniversaries and had four children.  He served in the Royal Air Force,  wrote over 50 books, was an accomplished painter, penned hundreds of articles, gave numerous speeches, served 65 years in the British Parliament, and reaped hundreds of rewards and trophies, including winning the Nobel Prize for Literature.  His inspiration, motivation , and determination to save England and the world, from Nazi Germany is legendary!

His permanent home and family gathering place, Chartwell, was his residence for 40 years.  At his death in 1965, it was given to the state (England) and became part of England's National Trust.

Located near Westerham, in Kent, just 30 minutes from Bramley Cottage (Michaelin & Kevin's home).  A beautiful drive through a forest of greenery and country roads leads to this picturesque place.

We toured the house, viewing the many ceremonial uniforms that Churchill wore while fulfilling his duties in so many capacities as steward over England's historic destiny.  His library is filled with histories of every part of the world and histories of the men whose fame and gallantries reaped both tragedy and victory for England.

Thanks to Michaelin, and to Kevin, who drives us all over England to places that even he has never been.

To their gracious hospitality and willingness to help us see all that is possible in always a short time, we are indebted, and truly grateful!

It will be very hard to leave their family, and England, a place we have grown to love. 

A side view of Chartwell, with
Alana in the foreground.  As usual Lee is taking the pictures, so he is never in them.

Pictures do not do justice to this setting.  We enjoyed both the home and the lovely gardens, as you might imagine.

          This was said to be Winston Churchill's favorite spot to paint, read, and write his many books.

Knights, Poets, and Greek Food

Note:  Would love to hear from you, please scroll to the bottom to make a comment.

Friday, May 31, we ventured into London proper to seek out the Knights Templar Church.  The last time we were in the UK, we visited the Rosslyn Chapel of DaVinci Code fame in Scotland.  So a natural follow-up to finding the Holy Grail was to locate The Knights Templar Church in London, which was also featured in DaVinci Code.

The magnificent church and architectural wonder survived Medieval Europe and several more centuries, only to be pounded relentlessly by German bombs in World War II.  However, it is still there in all of its splendor to honor the culture that created it.  The Church is tucked away on Middle Temple Lane, with a massive wooden gate and steps descending down into the area where it is actually located. We may never have found this ancient structure, without the modern navigation tools of Google Maps.

With its beautiful stained glass windows, knights in effigy, and prayer books on the altar, it still
functions as The Church of England, and is the property of the Queen.

Grandpa and Stella at the top and

Lee, Michaelin, Alana standing by

the effigies of the most famous knights.

The Knights Templar were

guardians of Christendom, beginning with the first Crusade in

1096.  The knights were both men of war and men of prayer.  Their name and fame echoed down the centuries until fading into modernity.

Author Dan Brown, brings them to life again in the DaVinci Code, as he portrays the Knights Templar as guardians of not just Christendom, but a great secret.  Was Jesus married? If so, he must have descendants.  Without the Knights Templar to guard the secret, it is revealed in the 21st century!

Good to be in London as the 60th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's Coronation is being celebrated.

 As, my daughter, Michaelin shows us the many unique
and interesting places to visit and things to marvel at in London, she remarks, "London makes Los Angeles seem boring!" How true.

A second visit to Westminster Abbey, after seven years, gave us a chance to focus on the most famous part, the Poets' Corner.  More than 100 poets, dramatists, and writers are buried or recognized here.

The Poets' Corner is traced back to 1733 and many of the great poets are known throughout the world.  However, some who were famous in their day, like the Knights in effigy in the Templar church, are now unfamiliar.

Some of those memorialized, who are world renown are: Chaucer, Dryden, Milton, Shakespeare, Longfellow, Pope, Brontes, Handel, Thackeray. Wilde, S. Eliot, Shelley, Carroll and Tennyson.

No pictures are allowed to be taken on the inside of the Abbey, but Stella's portrait shines against the background of the interior courtyard.

Long walks, which take us past the many specialty food, bakery, and tea cafes, while watching the many bustling people waiting for buses, riding bicycles, shopping, and jogging, makes for gaining an appetite for our favorite Greek Restaurant, Halepi.  The homemade hummus, salads, and quaint atmosphere is unsurpassed.

 Upon leaving the restaurant and crossing the street.  There was a plaque on a building commemorating the famous American author, Francis Bret Harte.  He is best known for his writings about the California gold fields, especially The Luck of Roaring Camp.  We will visit some home towns of famous English women authors in the very near future.  If you have ever read a Bronte or Glaskell novel or loved the adventures of Peter Rabbit, you will want to check our blog often.

Royal Tunbridge Wells

On Thursday, May 30, we went from Bramley Cottage to Royal Tunbridge Wells, where the Chalybeate Spring waters are located, and still dispensed by a real "dipper."

The Chalybeate Spring waters are mythical and said to provide

healing power for whatever illness may afflict the body.  Stella

and I decided to have a toast in hopes of curing everything from tired limbs to upset stomachs.

It is also believed that these royal spring waters may match Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth.  Though I cannot hope to regain youth, perhaps Stella may keep it; and the swervelady may be around to see her become a very famous photographer!

On this same day, we went to Juliet's tea shop to have brunch.  We had some very different, but very

good entrees - and their most amazing desserts.  Lucky for  us we had the spring water to calm our insides after such decadent food as you see below!

Hot chocolate with cinnamon and
yummy little marshmallows - English style.

Queen Victoria's Sponge Cake with fruit filling and lots of
gooey whipped cream in the middle (yum!)

Rocky Road cake, Poppy Seed Lemon cake, and
a Ginger and Spice fruit cake.

 The English love warm tomatoes.  This is an herbed homemade bread with grilled and seasoned cherry tomatoes on top.

Quinoa-hummus salad!

Herb scrambled eggs with smoked salmon -
absolutely Lee's favorite!

Bramley Cottage

Welcome to the swervelady's blog, I'm her granddaughter, Stella, and I will take you on a tour of our house that we will be sharing with her for a little while.  Here is the front of the house; and it sits on five acres with an apple orchard.   It was built in the late 1800's as a storage warehouse for canoes. It was remodeled in 2006, and now has four bedrooms and three bathrooms with wooden floors.

5 Oak Green - Bramley Cottage

A Big Skeleton Key Opens the Front Door

This is the front room, where there is a cozy old-style fireplace, which burns real wood in the winter.  On to the dining room where the table is set for dinner and you will see some fun pictures of my Mom cooking a spaghetti dinner.

Up the wooden staircase to where there are two bathrooms, three bedrooms, and an office.  One bathroom is mine, and the other is in the Master Bedroom where my grandparents are staying.  The bathrooms are small, but they all have showers.  As you can see, my bathroom has windows to the outside. The Master Bedroom has windows looking out to the orchards.

Master Bedroom

Hope you liked the tour of our house.  We will
see you again soon!