So many flowers

The variety of kinds and colors of flowers continue to amaze us.  Hydrangeas are breaking out in full                        bloom with their immense flower heads. We see so many different colors.

And there's huge lily's,

 roses,

and other unique beauties;  .... we haven't learned their names yet:

".... Flower buds are nodding, Swayed by gentle breeze..."

"...Everywhere is beauty; Life is at its morn.

Praise to God we offer For the new day born.

"In sky and land and river wide, The work of God I see.

Oh may my heart be full of thanks

For all he gives to me."

('Beauty Everywhere'-Children's Songbook)

The Island Walk

                                                 The Island Walk -  June 11th

The Rotary Club organizes an annual Island Walk for charity benefit in honor of the Queen's birthday celebration. We walked 12 miles; it was a nice sunny day; got sunburned but loved the heat and the beauty, and got to see more interesting parts of Guernsey.

                                                     A sandy beach near the trail. 

The first time seeing a field this big. 

A German bunker, from the Occupation. 

Ancient fortification.

Rocky shores

And gorgeous colored flowers

and more.

                              Flower clusters growing out of the cracks in a rock wall.  

                                 

                                                    The way we feel some days :)

Tides

We have been intrigued by the tide changes.  Approximately every 6 hours it has changed from a low point to a high point.

 St. Peter Port Harbor Marina wall by the street... at Low tide.

Same wall at High tide - a difference of 10 meters, or about 32 feet that day.

(We've seen pictures of high water being at the top of the wall)

Low tide view of the Marina entrance.  

It's interesting to watch the water flow in and out of this opening.

High tide view of the Marina entrance.

       The docks in the Marina are supported by large pillars that allow the 

docks to float up and down with the tide changes.

At High tide......

Looking toward the Marina entrance ...the docks at a lower tide.

A view of Low tide in another area; sea bottom is very rocky in most areas around the island.

                                                            High tide

Small boats moored on a cable or an anchor just rest on the sea bottom at low tide.

While we were taking pictures of low tide here, we saw people far out by the rocks, so Elder Dame walked down to see what they were doing;  they were digging for Ormers - also called Abalones.  He had nice conversation with several men.

Note:

With light factors being different at the times these comparison tide photos were taken, hope you're able to see why we have been fascinated with the tides :) 

Guernsey Liberation Day

  At the end of World War ll, on May 9th, 1945, the German occupation of the island was ended.  They have a huge Liberation Day celebration every year.  I got a few pictures in between downpours  of rain.                           Main port street with people, food and souvenir booths.

Vintage cars, and jeeps were parked for viewing after the motor cavalcade.

Car owners dressed in the style of the day.

Fun pedaling for the youngsters.

Stilt Walkers 

French market, food booths, entertainment - lots to see and do for everyone.

There were fireworks at night to end the celebration. 

More sites in England

Following the conference, the Senior couple group drove to Bath to tour the ancient Roman Bath ruins.   Using an audio device we listened to explanations and history of the baths as we walked through the facility.                     a picture of the main pool...

                              This was a unique half-circle apartment building in Bath.

                             In the city of Wells, we walked through the Wells Cathedral.

The front has a gallery of sculptures.. starting at the lower niches with biblical scenes, it rises through kings, bishops, angels to the twelve apostles with Christ over all.

We drove through this pretty mountain area, called Cheddar Gorge

The earth is so beautiful, and has so much variety!

And back on Guernsey the Bluebells were blossoming all over the island.

There is a spot they call the Bluebell Woods.  We went for a walk to check it out - oh my!

"For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies...

...hill and vale, and tree and flower, Sun and moon and stars of light..

Lord of all, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise !!

Trip to Senior's Conference

April 11, our Ferry ride to Poole was on the "fast ferry" which usually takes 3 hours.  Even though it had a turbine problem and took 4 hours, it was so much better than the old 7 hour ferry we had to take in January when coming to the island :)    This one wasn't drafty and cold; the seating was nicer, too.

              We loved our time in the temple; so grateful we could go.  It fills our hearts with peace,                                       deepens our love for the Savior,  and strengthens our souls.

Touring the Royal Windsor Castle

The changing of the Guard

At Oxford University.... One of the colleges, named New College - distinguished for drama and music.    Some scenes connected with a Harry Potter Triwizard Tournament were filmed here. 

The Dining Hall in Christchurch college, where they said Harry Potter's meal time was filmed.  There were lines of tourists walking through to see it.

The "head table" area. 

However, when I got back to my computer and checked the facts, I found out they got inspiration from looking at this dining hall, and designed a replica inside their movie studio for filming the Hogwart's Dining Hall scenes. 

Stonehenge, a mysterious ancient religious site, out in the middle of a large green field.

We arrived at Trowbridge for the Senior Missionary Couples conference.  We were spiritually uplifted, enjoyed the discussions, getting acquainted activities, and associating with the other couples.