Archive News for 23rd January 2009

For week ending, 23rd January 2009: This is a typical Wednesday morning scene at sea level in the winter, with the Bon Marin approaching the Maseline Harbour, while the sun's rays are still almost horizontal, to take shoppers off to Guernsey for the day. It is not always quite such good weather, of course, but this particular shopping trip began on a lovely sunny morning with a very light breeze - good weather for a trip across a winter sea. People are off for a variety of reasons; beginning a holiday off Sark, going to see a doctor, dentist or optician (or all three if they are well organised), going to buy a special dress, hat or a pair of shoes or, at this time of year, going to the sales in St Peter Port to see what is on offer. The shopping trip leaves Sark at a quarter to nine, which means getting everything organised and getting to the top of the harbour hill in good time to catch the toast-rack down - a good idea if you want to arrive in Guernsey looking reasonably tidy, with clean shoes!

Caption: The early Wednesday boat...

Caption: ...and the shoppers waiting

This shopping trip is setting off at the top of the tide, the Bon almost level with the quay. The passengers could step on to the deck from the second stair down. Very comfortable! The trip was smooth, too, except for a little movement as the Bon crossed the two tidal currents, the Big Russell at the north east of Sark and the Little Russell, just before the boat goes into St Peter Port Harbour. A good start to a day's shopping! The queue is waiting on the old part of the quay, solid old concrete under foot, where the work machines were parked just three months ago, when the repairs to the Maseline quay got under way. The wooden jetty had reached the end of its useful life and was to be replaced, concrete piers carrying the load of a concrete platform strong enough to support the mobile crane. The mobile crane could only stand on reinforced spots in October, and could not be driven to the end of the quay to work, as the wooden jetty could not be trusted to support it.

Caption: The weekly shopping trippers board

Caption: The Maseline three months ago

All the wooden part of the quay was stripped away in October, when islanders and the cargo boat had to use the tidal Creux Harbour to unload or load and to get on and off the island. All the sailings were dependent on the tide for six weeks or so, as the wood went, the piers were built up and allowed to set firm before the concrete platform was built above that. The boats continued to use the Creux Harbour when ever possible to allow the concrete to set firmly - passengers could use the existing concrete, but it was not so easy for the cargo and the mobile crane. It was safer to use the Creux! That was in December, but by January the concrete was set and the mobile crane could move wherever it was needed on the solid new quay. It does not look so attractive at the moment, but it is much easier to unload the cargo now; the crane does not have to be positioned carefully on the reinforced spots.

Caption: Look, no jetty then...

Caption: ...but a new solid one now

This was the return of the shopping trip, the Bon Marin passengers disembarking wearily after a day of walking on pavements, which are very hard on the feet if you are used to unmetalled roads, and in deteriorating weather. It shows the long concrete piers supporting the new concrete platform above them. It also shows the old chains and tyres protecting the boats from the concrete - much harder on the paintwork than the wooden piers! These will be replaced with rubber buffers the length of the piers in the near future - it is one of the items to be discussed in the Christmas Meeting of Chief Pleas this week. It also shows how low the tide can drop - there would be no chance of getting into the Creux Harbour for this trip! The landward steps show just how far down it is - and what a climb up it is for shoppers carrying their purchases up to ground level. Once on the quay, there is no problem. The tractors and trailers are lined up on the quay and your carrier will take your bags and parcels home for you for a small fee. It is worth it, after a day surrounded by noise and traffic!!

Caption: Compare this with October...

Caption: ...and this with the morning!

Just two weeks ago, I mentioned that the first spring lambs were appearing. There are six of them at the moment, four singles and a twin. The twin presented a problem. This particular ewe could not cope with two and left one struggling by itself, with rain forecast and a cold wind. The cold is not a major problem, there is plenty of shelter on the cotils and the ewes know where to find it to shelter their lambs, but cold rain is a different matter, the lambs get wet and cannot keep warm. So this little lamb was brought into the warmth and shelter and has to be fed every four hours at the moment. It is a female, named Lolo, and is living in the farm kitchen, looked after by Lucy de Carteret and Spencer, the English Springer Spaniel. Spencer has kept an eye on many lambs in his time and will be seen later going on long walks round the island with the lamb when it is a bit bigger. At the moment Lolo takes very short walks, but gets less shaky every day as the frequent feeds build her up. She may return to the flock later - she is already nibbling grass - but it is a bit chilly out there at the moment!

Caption: A rejected January lamb...

Caption: ...walks with her new family

Until she is strong enough to set out on her own, Lolo is one of the family, even joining her main carer, Pam de Carteret, and the table of people having lunch on Sunday, after her short walk. She didn't join in the conversation - in fact, after Lucy had fed her all she wanted to do was sleep. Lucy took a rest as well, it was the best way to spend that particular afternoon. The island is quiet at present, just getting on with the winter jobs and spending time with family and friends while they can. It will be Easter and the start of the season before we realise it! It was possible to take a leisurely walk that afternoon, dodging the showers, on peaceful roads with not a tractor in sight.

Caption: Lolo joins Sunday lunch...

Caption: ...and then sleeps like a baby!