Jersey 2007
Monday 27th August
St Malo (Pronounced ‘San Ma loo’)
According to the nice Condor Ferry lady…
Our most stressful day, awake at 6am… except Mike decided 5:45 am would be more advantageous, much to the very great annoyance of other leaders. First minibus had to leave at 6:45am, yes 6:45am. Still all of us were in plenty of time for the ferry and proceeded to join the queue for the departure gate. All except Mike that is how decided to lose his boarding pass 5 minutes after receiving it, we reckon he posted it with his postcards. Condor ferries were as incredulous as we were but still decided to give him another one…
Saint Malo was a stunning day and far better than expected, the thought of wasting 10 hours in a French town was quite scary, still toilet stops etc. managed to waste the odd 10 minutes here and there… Echoes of ” 9 hours 35 minutes to go…” soon faded away as it became apparent that the weather was indded going to be gorgeous, just like the old town of Saint Malo. A briek walk through the walled city was followed by Clive hopelessly trying to buy 10 large croissants, George completely disowned the whole group when he started ‘doing the dad thing’ of speaking English in a French accent… (at least I only said it only once).
Clive mysteriously disappeared whenever any other purchasing or speaking was needed, best left to those who have just done GCSE’s.
French people really do look French and English people really do look Dulux white with large beer bellies, the French really do walk around town with baguettes like a staus symbol, the English still ask for English breakfast tea and moan when they only get half a cup. Welcome to 62nd in France. After a period of shopping we found a lovely picturesque beach with a stunning backdrop. Lee and Clive tried a conversation with a French gentleman who appeared from nowhere, but as we don’t speak French and he didn’t speak English, there was rather a long period of awkard silence. Nice chap though.
Dinner followed, the Scouts were presented with 7 Euro’s each and told to but french food, so they bought french fries (didn’t see that one coming). Clive, Ray, Lee and Mike ate a horse steak each, (we think it’s name was Shergar), anyway tasted lovely. The evening was rounded off with a stroll round the old city walls, holding up the public with copious photograph opportunities. Beautiful views though, and a rather interesting signpost.
The ferry was delayed going home and the last minibus group were even kicked out of St Helier ferry terminal as they wanted to lock up. About 11pm we returned to hit the sleeping bags.
