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A Brief History.Guernsey is a small island, off the coast of France, a member of the Channel Islands. Although a part of the British Isles, Guernsey has its own government, culture and language, as do the other islands, Herm, Sark and Alderney (all part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey) and our big sister to the south, Jersey. Food, Glorious Food.Feline residents of these fair islands have a very good life. The human inhabitants are a kind and very friendly bunch. Life is slow and leisurely with strong ties to the land. There is very good hunting to be had in the hedgerows and fields, many species of tasty rodents, rabbits and lots of birds. Many human visitors come for the bird watching. So do the cats of course, but not just to watch! If you fancy a puffin or a cormorant or something equally challenging, we've got them, but you'll have to be an amazing hunter to catch them. If you like steep cliffs with a very long drop to the sea below, covered with angry, shrieking birds, be my guest. I'll cheer you on from a safe distance. The nicest thing about island life however is the fish! In the town, St. Peter Port, the fishing boats bring in a wide variety of fish. This is a favourite haunt for many cats. Along the quay side many tasty titbits can be had from the fishermen as they unload their catches (not necessarily with their knowledge of course). In the town itself, the market halls have stalls groaning with freshly caught fish. A careful cat can be very well fed here and even bin raiding around the market at night will get you an excellent meal. The restaurants here naturally have good fish menus, so those of you who like hanging about at kitchen doors looking appealing will also enjoy a good fish supper. If you prefer to hunt for yourself, the beaches have many rock pools where small fish get stranded as the tide goes out. All you need are a sharp eye and a fast paw. The islanders grow a great deal of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers. They don't use a lot of pesticides, preferring the old tried and true methods of growing. Small holdings are very common, and many people have their own greenhouses. Naturally, cats are very welcome, keeping mice, rabbits and birds from the crops. A morning spent hunting in the greenhouse or fields, followed by an afternoon sunning yourself in your favourite spot. What could be nicer? You won't find squeamish humans annoyed by your hunting prowess here! You'll get the praise you deserve and lots of it! They really appreciate a cat around here! For dairy lovers we have another treat. Guernsey cows produce a very rich, creamy milk, which in turn makes a lovely thick yellow cream. There's nothing like it anywhere else. If you like your milk and you just can't wait to get your whiskers covered in cream, this is the place for you! How about a nice freshly picked crab or lobster, drowning in Guernsey cream? MMMmmmmm, a heavenly combination! |
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The
humans of these islands became part of Britain when their Duke,
William of Normandy, decided to nip across the channel and teach
those barbaric Saxons some manners. That was in 1066 and William
The Conqueror became King of England. Eventually the French took
Normandy but the Channel Islanders stayed loyal to the line of
their Duke and stayed British. So loyal are they, that the Queen
is recognised only as the Duke to this day.