A FIRST IMPRESSION 



It is 1958. The early morning boat from England is now in Channel Islands waters, 

 the air is clear and the sea is calm. Off starboard, the long squat form of Aldemey is 

 passed by in the dawn light; heralding seagulls accompany the boat and not far away 

 gannets are seen plunging into the blue-green waters of The Swinge. Ahead appear 

 the remaining islands of the Guernsey Bailiwick, indistinguishable at first, but soon 

 resolving into the discernible coastlines of Guernsey, Jethou and Herm; a little beyond 

 and to the left, the small hill-shaped island of Brecqhou is seen nestling close to the 

 larger island of Sark. The distant Jersey Bailiwick is still only dimly discerned, as 

 also the coast of France that now marks off the far easterly horizon. The boat now 

 turns and enters between the protecting quays framing the tranquil harbour of 

 Guernsey's St. Peter Port. On the island, woodland is seen rising above the cliffs to 

 the west, ahead the land slopes upwards covered in picturesque buildings and 

 occasional tall trees. Within the harbour are a variety of smaller boats bobbling on 

 the rippling water from your larger vessels bow'- waves, as by slow measure it now 

 manoeuvres towards its safe moorings. What awaits you? 



