Guernsey visitors

The first of May, Cruise ships began making their stops in St. Peter Port.  The passengers generally have 6 to 8 hours to see some sites on Guernsey before re boarding and the ship sails on to places south, like Spain, or the Mediterranean area. 

A cruise ship anchored outside the port....

Several Sunday's this month we had some cruise passengers come to church.

This is a picture after church with the Cox's who were from Middleton, ID

President Cope who is second counselor in the Stake presidency visited us on the 20th.

He is a fun energetic man.  We loved having him here.

A young couple from the Poole Stake came to Guernsey to attend a wedding of a friend, so we offered them a stay at our place.  They were delightful, and willing to be speakers in Sacrament Meeting :)   He is 6 feet, 9 inches tall.  Several places in our house have a low ceiling, so he had to bend down a lot... but that's probably a normal for him where ever he goes :)    
  Ben and Kizzy Furbank ...

Most homes and apartment buildings in Guernsey are painted very light tones, usually white

 or cream colored.  But a few places are the bright exception ....

April beauty and activities

The first of April, tulip flower beds along the pier front were beautiful.  

Our Stake Visitors on Easter Sunday were Alan and Tracey Au. (Originally - he's from China, and she's from New Zealand.)  We had a branch dinner together after church. It was sunny, so the conservatory was warm enough for the event.

We had two investigators attend meetings that day - Joy ! 

These are our two little nursery children: Niclas and Libby.  They like to sit on the bottom ledge of the closet that is in the room, and play hide-and-seek behind the closet door.

Another Stake visitor came the end of April - Bro. Joseph Diamony;

he's from the Congo, but has lived in England several years. 

We've made wonderful friends from places all around the world...

all our dear brothers and sisters in the family of God. 

The Rhododendron bushes are in full bloom.  So gorgeous !

The neighbor farmer let his Guernsey heifers out for some fresh grass ...

A lovely purple pot of flowers by our front window.

From our bedroom window we see the Clamatis blossoms on the roof of the lower part of the house, next to the conservatory.   

This island trail was lined with blooming Hawthorne bushes ...

"All things bright and beautiful ..... the Lord God made them all."

(Children's Songbook, 231)

More London pictures

Another view of the big city from the London Eye

North side of St. Paul's Cathedral in London

 Steps in front of St. Paul's

In a National History Museum we saw this display in the mineralogy section:

We found it especially interesting because of what we read on the inscription :) 

More March events and visitors

Upon our return from London trip with Castleton's, we had a branch welcome home dinner for Joseph Mahy.  The weather was too cold to use the conservatory, so we crowded tables, chairs and people into our dining room..

Such lovely, sweet people !

The 25th of March our daughter Valerie and her Abby came to visit us.  JOY !

During our drive to show the island, one stop was to see a cement German bunker - one of many which were built on Guernsey during the W.W.II German Occupation.

Walking in the beauty of Candie Gardens, we got to see a Blue Heron up close...

Off to London with them, we were again at Elizabeth Tower; this time there were hundreds of flower bouquets in the fence near the gates where the terrorist attack had taken place the week before;

and on the edge of Parliament Square, which is across the street, in memory of those who had lost their life in the attack, and for the injured as well.  

We toured Windsor Castle ...

and Hampton Court - where they got to put on "Royal Robes"... which actually helped them keep warm. :) ...

and went to a Natural History Museum, and the Hyde Park Chapel and Visitors Center,  

just to name a few of the things we enjoyed seeing together.

A great time in London with Val and Abby. 

England with Casteton's

This is the famous clock tower - called Big Ben - which is part of the Parliament buildings ... (although we found out that "Ben" is the name of the bell inside the tower; the tower is officially Elizabeth Tower.)   Parliament was in session, so no tours were allowed.

On the way to tour Westminster Abby, we walked right in front of those gates being guarded by policeman.   It was just 1 week later that a terrorist attack took place in this area. A man drove his car into people walking on the sidewalk across Westminster Bridge, then ran from his car to this gate, pushed through and attacked the guards.  Sad indeed.

A view of the tower, Parliament bldg. and Westminster bridge from up in the London Eye, just as the sun was going down.

The London Eye - like a big Ferris Wheel, but you're inside an enclosed capsule and it moves slowly.

We visited lots of historical sites.  Just showing a few ...

Stonehenge,

Buckingham Palace.


And we had a fun afternoon at the studio where they filmed 'Harry Potter' movies,

and saw all the unique props and vehicles, houses, shops, Hogwarts Express, etc.

We had such a great time together.  Walked our legs off, but had a super time.
So glad they came to England !

March events and visitors

The only young man who's served a mission from Guernsey branch is Joseph Mahy.  He served in the Dallas Texas Mission, and returned home March 10th.  We took Sister Shirley with us to the ferry dock to meet him; she knew him all the while he was growing up, so he's like family to her.
                         Here is a picture of Elder Mahy with his father and Shirley:

 It has been great to have him in our meetings; he is a happy, energetic person !

That weekend, our daughter Sharee and 3 of her children came to visit us.  What JOY !

Sharee, Paul, Holly, and Claire.

(In January, Holly finished her mission to Costa Rica) 

That same weekend, the 3 Assistants to the President came to visit and work with our Elders. 

  Here is a picture after church of all the Elders, Joseph Mahy, and our grandson, Paul.

After lunch we took a drive to show the family around the island.

One stop was at the "Little Chapel" which fits it's name. The walls are covered with pieces of porcelain - inside and out.

Even sea shells were used to adorn the inside.

On Monday, the 13th, we flew to London to see the sites together.

Pretty Spring

     March had lots of rain and fog, but all nature on the island began to burst with more beauty:

Daffodils everywhere... and many varieties.

I've never seen so many daffodils; they are everywhere ! 

All kinds of flowers ...  The Camellia,

Hyacinth,

and others I can't name.

New growth on unique trees, 

and trees with huge blossoms.