About Guernsey - Sea

 Hello my lovelies. 

I thought I’d give you a break from my constant ramblings.  So today I’m giving you some nice pics of the sea around Guernsey, with very few words. 

Just thinking it as me sending you loads of postcards from Guernsey, which if you don’t already know is a small land mass surrounded by sea spilling off from the Atlantic Ocean. 

Two evenings ago, at Grandes Rocques along our west coast, where I live. 

The next land mass ahead from here is America!

Our town, St Peter Port. 

It is positioned along the east coast. 

South coast, next stop France!

Martello towers still survive from the Napoleonic wars, here seen from Grande Havre, north of the island. 

Looking out to Castle Corner from one of our several marinas, quietly wintering. 

Taken by my bro, isn’t it an amazing pic?!

A marina, slightly busier. 

Swirling angry sea in Havelet Bay, St Peter Port. 

These two photos were taken by my dear Dutch friend.

You wouldn’t want to park your convertible open here  in weather like this.  I know someone who did.  

No joke!

My office was the pink granite building on the far left. 

Two night’s ago, at Grandes Rocques on the west coast.  

The Photographer walking on Cobo Bay with a daughter in winter. 

Again, on the island’s west coast. 

Grandes Rocques, west coast. 

No surprise it features frequently here, it’s one of my local beaches. 

Perelle Bay, along the west coast. 

The west coast is my favourite part of Guernsey’s coastline. 

Looking out to Shell beach on Herm, our neighbouring paradise.

A winter’s day at L’Ancresse, north of the island. 

Looking out from the east coast to the neighboring islands of Herm and Jethou. 

From the south cliffs. 

Herm again, this time Belvoir Bay. 

I even used to have a sea view from my office, back in the day.  The window looks out on Havelet Bay and a 16th century castle beyond. 

Another Martello tower at L’Ancresse, north. 

It was believed that the north coast would be particularly vulnerable to attacks from the French during the napoleonic wars, so many such look out and defense towers were built and still stand, dating from the early 18th century. 

A south coast bay. 

Our tide varies by more than 30 feet.  

This Victorian bathing pool captures the sea at high tide twice in 24 hrs and keeps the pool freshly topped up so that it can still be swum at low tide.  Here it is completely covered, which makes it undetectable for an hour or two at high tide. 

It’s a simple yet effective solution to allow swimming through most of the day.  

The pool is still used and is popular. 

A close look at the sea colour at Moulin Huet bay, along the south coast. 

No filter required, the sea really gets that colour. 

Still Moulin Huet but looking further out to sea, which then becomes bluer. 

Here’s Moulin Huet bay from a distance. 

Renoir painted on the island.  This framed a scene he captured on canvas.

If you’d like to read more about the painter’s time on the island please pop over to

https://thepoutingpensioner.blogspot.com/2019/08/moulin-huet.html?m=1

There are some lovely photos in that post. 

And finally, a couple of maps to help you find your bearings. 

And that really is The End for today!

Sorry to show so many pics of sea, but I am rather smitten by it ❤️. 

Hugs, Mary x. 

What Would Grace Wear - Prints

 

Hello my lovelies.

Well in this post I’ve quite surprised myself!

I’ve always seen myself as being fairly anti print. 

I’ve always felt that I avoid print, and that’s because the pattern and colour have to truly speak to me before I wear it, otherwise it feels as though the print is wearing me.  

And I think that would be my top tip for selecting a print that doesn’t hijack your body, only wear a print that sings to you. 

Having said that, it truly surprised me when I put together this collage of prints because I discovered that it turns out that this anti-print girl actually wears quite a lot of print.

But you can be assured that each and every print sings to me,  each and every time I wear it. 

So let’s get stuck in!

Firstly, I’ve always thought of print as being the domain of the top or the dress. 

But prints work equally well on the bottom half, on trousers or skirt.

A toile de jouey is fabulous for spring and summer. 

A riot of carefully partnered colours is ideal. 

And when in doubt, go for the animal print.

Like me, (or so I thought!), Grace wears few patterns on average, and here’s a selection of her choices. 

Here are more prints I adore. 

A dress from 2005, worn last summer. 

This Zara print has the 40s vibe I’m drawn to. 

And this Primark print has a 70s vibe. 

Denim can be the perfect backdrop for showcasing prints. 

This yellow floral Next dress always shouts out to me “Summer’s here!”.  The season only starts truly when this dress gets its first airing. 

This print is L O U D, and again it invokes a feel of the 40s (yes, that era again!).  This is what I call a Carmen Miranda dress and you’ve got to be feeling happy and confident when wearing a print like this, otherwise the print and your mood fight all day!

Yet again, this East print in muted colours again echoes those favoured 40s. 

And although I’m not fond of checks (they make me feel claustrophobic), a plaid design breaks up the regimented squares enough for me to wear a lumberjack shirt occasionally. 

Though I appear to have been braver in 1966 and could carry off the more disciplined squares in this madras check print. 

Sometimes a pop of print via a scarf is all an outfit needs. 

Now this is my all-time favourite print.  Yup, it’s got that 40s vibe again, but here in dress style as well as print.

The added bonus is that it has the authentic 40s slightly padded shoulder thing going on too, so when I wore it last year I was bang on trend for the low-key shoulder pad thing that seems to be trending in 2021. 

And here’s this printed 40s dress in all its glory, seen at the 1986 wedding for which it was bought, and worn on younger and definitely slimmer model!

Hmmnn, on reflection, that all-time fave claim may not have been the whole truth.

For this print has to be up there in joint top position. 

From 1974, a forest green and stone printed silk maxi dress (expensive!) ... and yes, again with that 40s vibe (puffed padded sleeve, cinched waist, discrete pussy cat bow neckline). 

Well, Lordy Lordy!  In this post I’ve taken you through the 60s, 70s, 80s, made much reference to the 40s, and packaged it all up nicely with things more current.

What a journey!

So what have we covered today on this journey ?

My advice is very clear on prints - 

only wear a print that you wholeheartedly love, otherwise it will wear you. 

Only wear bold prints on days when your confidence can stand up to all their loudness.

And for me on this very personal nostalgia trip today, what I’ve learned is that my heart loves a 40s print specifically, and along with that, a 40s style of dress. 

Every day’s a school day eh! 

Is there a style of print or an era that sings to you?

Hugs, Mary x.