Page 16 - The Islander - January '23

Page 16, The Islander

travel

The Channel Islands: Location, Location, Location

Previously submitted by the late Don Kiselewski, MCC, D.S., of Palm Beach Gardens Travel Leaders

How many times have
we heard those three words?
In the case of the group of
islands off the coast of France,
it couldn’t be truer. Because
of their location, the Channel
Islands have played a major
part in many endeavors. They
form a stepping stone between the frictions that have existed between those two nations.
England and France, and, The islands are a secluded location to enjoy a quiet life. And,
needless to say, we all know of probably the most interesting aspect of their location is their
emergence in international offshore banking. They are, you
Medicare could say, the “Cayman Islands” of the English Channel.

The location gave Channel Island “privateers” first
pickings of the ships (which may or may not have been in
trouble) that sailed through the English Channel. Today, the
islands are dotted with large nine-window, multistory homes.
open enrollMent This was the standard of the opulent bounty hunter of the Daffodil field in spring
sea. As with most government corruption, the privateer was
allowed to plunder because he had a license to do so. That
is, as long as the government officials got their share.
for 2023 European strife over the centuries. Because William the
The islands have also been safe haven for those escaping

Conqueror first captured the islands in 1066, before going on
to conquer England in the Battle of Hastings, the islanders
boast that, “This means that England was annexed to the
cHecK For Channel Islands, rather than the other way around.”

I’m not going to get in the middle of that one.
The Channel Islands are a group of five major islands
eXcItInG that have been divided into two “bailiwicks.” The name
bailiwick was established to define portions of the islands
for governing jurisdictions back in the days when barons
ruled the archipelago. The island of Jersey stands alone in
neW PLanS the Bailiwick of Jersey, while the islands of Alderney, Sark,
and Herm and Guernsey form the Bailiwick of Guernsey. St.
Hellier serves as the capital of Jersey Bailiwick, while St.
Peter Port is the capital of Guernsey. At one time before the
aLL neW bailiwicks were established in the Channel Islands, all of Seymour Tower Photos by Don Kiselewski
the islands were privately owned. There are still privately
owned islands within the group (e.g., the tiny “rock” of
BeneFItS Jethou), and they are not open to the public. In 1940, the Germans heavily bombed St. Peter Port, later
The location placed the islands in jeopardy during WWII.
Geographically, the islands spread over some 75 square

miles just off the Brittany and Normandy coast of France.
YoU are Jersey is the closest, just eight miles offshore. Likewise, it invading and capturing the island. During the period of their
occupation, they built a series of emplacements around the
is the largest of the islands followed by Guernsey and then
island for defense and observation. Today, a number of these
Alderney. The coast of England from Guernsey is 90 miles
entItLed to to the north, whereas Jersey is some 200 miles from the structures remain as a reminder of their occupation. The
Germans forced the local islanders to dig an underground
mother country. Ferries run between the islands and off the
adjacent shores of England and France. facility, which served as a hospital for wounded German
neW! in the world makeup. They realize a great degree of soldiers relocated from Europe’s mainland. Many of the
Politically, the Channel Islands have a unique position
older population who still reside there today vividly recall
maY cHanGe PLanS autonomy, although they pledged their allegiance to the the hardships they once endured.
A major portion of the islands are barren, due to the

English Crown over 800 years ago. However, this has not
JanUarY 1 tHrU marcH 31, 2023 kept them from “doing their own thing.” As mentioned, strong winds. However, the earth is harvested for an
caLL WItH QUeStIonS there is a formal allegiance to the Crown but they are not abundance of table vegetables, particularly tomatoes. They
even produce a tomato wine that they boast is not made
subject to the laws passed by the British Parliament, except
when acting upon their own consent. This relationship anywhere else. And, for those who enjoy milk products, it
has far reaching consequences in a unified Europe. The is hard to beat the products produced from the cow’s milk
Peter Gratzon islands are an “associate member” of the European Union from Guernsey and Jersey. Although similar, these are two
(EU), but not a full member and do not abide by many of distinct breeds and both produce exceptionally rich milk.
toP IndePendent the EU’s laws promulgated in Brussels. Nevertheless, the I can assure you that freshly baked scones with strawberry
jam and Guernsey cream can’t be beaten!
EU’s free-trade advantage is recognized. Currently, two
medIcare aGent lieutenant governors, one per bailiwick, represent the ties For total relaxation, again it’s the Channel Islands for
to the British Crown. location, with few people, no apparent poverty because
561-361-7173 and also trade with the euro, as well as the U.S. dollar and the hardworking islanders are surprisingly affluent, and a
The Channel Islands print their own sterling currency
relatively mild climate surrounded by the English Channel.
c: 561-289-9396 British pound sterling. Interestingly, the Channel islanders For those who really want to escape the outside world, a
visit to the three smaller islands in the Guernsey Bailiwick
will accept the British pound, but the British islanders will
not accept the Channel islanders’ pound. The Channel will send you back in time. No automobiles or television
islanders pay no taxes to Britain, and as a result, many goods are allowed on the islands. Those are the rules for total
time for a supplemeNtal plaN? and services are less expensive in the islands. The main relaxation, the old-fashioned way. Horse-drawn vehicles
choose aNy islands are contemporary financial hubs. Some 60 banks and tractors make up the means of getting around.

The Channel Islands are a haven for the fast contemporary
doctor/hospital/No referrals have offices in St. Peter Port alone. In addition to the British world in a relaxing atmosphere of yesteryear. Visit them and
banking facilities, American, Australian, Canadian and most
aNywhere iN the couNtry European nations are represented. Their popularity stems be pleasingly surprised at the “location.”
from the attractive “offshore banking” tax-haven status. The late Don Kiselewski wrote from his personal
appoiNted with major iNsuraNce carriers Because the French Cotentin Peninsula is so close, the experiences, having traveled in 122 countries and cruised
language has flown into the islands. The official language is the oceans, seas and rivers of the world. Palm Beach
No obligatioN/ English, although it is not unusual to hear Norman-French Gardens Travel Leaders, his family owned and operated
No fees/ (patois) spoken in the streets of St. Peter Port. Some of the agency, is located at Mirasol Town Square, 11360 North
No commissioN government agencies, assemblies, law courts and churches Jog Road, Building A, Suite 102-6, Palm Beach Gardens.
The agency has been serving the travel needs of the South
use modern French, but English is still taught in school.
call for iN-home appoiNtmeNt Interestingly, Jersey’s patois is different than Guernsey’s; Florida area for over a quarter of a century. Contact them
however, but nearly everyone speaks English. at (561) 694-9696 or Aussie@PBGTravel.com.