The sun spread her beams through the freezing winter’s evening sky click to enlarge‘We regret to announce a delay to Aurigny’s 1300 flight to Dinard,’ came the announcement over Guernsey Airport’s public address.
Joey’s not well
Sadly, Joey wasn’t feeling well and had to be taken to Sick Bay in his hanger whilst a replacement Trilander was found.
‘Joey’s very old,’ said the Duty Manager, ‘and parts keep failing.’
‘I know the feeling,’ I replied.
Shivery cold
Three hours later, a younger Tango Oscar was ready and waiting for us to board.
The strong north wind was shivery freezing cold as we climbed into the aircraft’s tiny seats. ‘I’m told the heater works well on this aircraft,’ the Captain cheerily told us. It did, but it took half the flight to start to warm us up.It was so cold the Captain wore a scarf click to enlargeWith a strong tail wind, we landed in Dinard some twenty five minutes later at 1730, collected our Avis hire car, and by 2100 we were having an excellent meal in the restaurant of Le Logis de Brionne.
‘Here’s to Joey having a full recovery,’ I said to Lin as we tried a good glass of Sancerre.
Piers and Lin
Les Andelys…
…somewhere visited by Play d’eau
in 2004
Fleming 55
Having drawn pretty pictures on my shoulder, two incisions were made click to enlargeI know it’s winter but it has nothing to do with a Frozen Shoulder – really. It’s where the range of shoulder movement becomes progressively restricted.
2011
Having had my left shoulder operated on successfully in November 2011, my consultant at the time advised there was a 20% chance of the Frozen Shoulder condition migrating to the right shoulder within a few years.
2015
He was right.
As predicted, movement began to deteriorate in my right shoulder. My consultant at Guernsey’s Medical Specialist Group, Mr Armstrong (what a great name for an arm and shoulder consultant!) examined me, and booked me in for a shoulder operation, an ‘Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression’.
Princess Elizabeth Hospital
Last Wednesday it all happened. I checked in as a Day Patient at 0730 hrs and donned one of those awful gowns which flaunts your bottom to the world. My embarrassment was heightened when I was handed a pair of paper underpants ‘to preserve my modesty’.
The moment I was wheeled to theatre, a nurse never left my side. And when I woke up after the op, a nurse was there beside me. Now I could, of course, say it’s because of my magnetic personality and great looks, or maybe they were concerned I’d do a ‘runner’.
Reality was that they were excellent nurses, being allowed to nurse. A general anaesthetic and two small keyhole incisions was all it had taken to unfreeze the shoulder.
I felt so looked after. So cared for. So much so that Lin collected me at 1400 hrs.
Guernsey has a great medical service.
Piers
From the recovery suite of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Joey, the courageous Trilander of Aurigny Air Services. Can you see his smiley face? click to enlargeI had to attend a 3 hour meeting in Dubai the other day. The round trip took 6 days. How crazy is that!
The route from Guernsey was to Dinard, Rennes, Paris de Gaulle, Dubai (for the 3 hour meeting), Paris de Gaulle, Rennes, Dinard and finally home to Guernsey, using small, big and huge planes, taxis, hire cars and hotels.
Aurigny – Norman French for Alderney
Aurigny Air Services was launched in 1968 with a fleet of small 12 seat Trilanders. Soon, short childrens’ stories of Joey the Trilander were being published. Joey had a bright red nose, big eyes and a lovely smile. He was strong and very courageous.
Ever since our children were tiny, we read them the stories of Joey and his exploits.
I flew on Joey
It was raining, blowing and really dull, but imagine my excitement as the airport bus drove us (us = 4 passengers) the 50m drive from Guernsey’s International airport departure door to an Aurigny Trilander.On the return journey, I was at the back of the long thin Trilander click to enlargeIt was Joey!
Squeezing through a tiny access to my seat, I climbed in and fastened my seatbelt. Joey started. With full power on his three engines, the small plane rattled a bit (he’s rather old) as we took off and flew the short journey to Dinard, landing so sweetly at this tiny country airport.
The return to Guernsey
And Joey was there, six days later, to fly me home. I’m sure he winked when under my breath I said, ‘Hello again.’
Soon after take-off, Joey flew into cloud and the turbulence started. It was bumpy, and became more and more bumpy the closer we flew to Guernsey. The rain was so heavy it started to leak into the plane and drip on me.
Joey tried to land but couldn’t see the runway at the minimum height of 200′. With full power he roared as he overshot, climbed away and completed another circuit.
Even though the Captain was helping all he could, the weather was still nasty so Joey had to overshoot again. Rather than keep trying he flew us back to Dinard.
After refuelling Joey, the Captain checked the weather and decided to have another go.
Joey was determined. Yes, it was still bumpy, but he managed to see the runway through the rain at the last moment and land.Airborne from Dinard we climbed above the cloud as the sun set click to enlargeBy now, it was late but I knew Lin would be there to meet me.
As I climbed out of Joey, I looked back and thanked him for being so clever. You know? I’m sure he winked again as he was towed towards a warm hanger for the night.
Joey’s fun zone
Enjoy visiting Joey’s fun zone and hearing one of his latest daring exploits.
Piers
From the imaginary cockpit of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
(All photographs taken with a Smartphone)
Joey was helped by his Captain click to enlarge
G-JOEY proudly displays the Puffin logo of the airline click to enlarge
A kingfisher watches for his lunch near to Play d’eau click to enlargeIt was a sudden flash of colour that caught my attention as I was changing some light bulbs in the Pilot House. Orange and turquoise.
Looking up, I espied a Kingfisher on the wall by Play d’eau.
Camera
You never have a camera to hand when you need one, do you? So whilst Lin brought me the camera and changed lenses, I kept watch on this fragile bundle of colour.
Just about ready – and he flew off! I waited and kept waiting. And then he appeared again, fluttering those turquoise wings until he settled on the wall some 5′ above the waterline, watching for his lunch.
Success. And welcome to a new resident in Beaucette Marina!
Piers and Lin
from the hide on Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Having so enjoyed my stay in The Victoria Wing being thoroughly spoiled by the nursing staff and Chef Dave, I returned to take some pics of the team and Chef Dave’s food.
One thing leads to another
The pics were liked so much that they reached the eyes of my consultant, Mr Owen Cole, and Debbie Guillot, CEO of The Medical Specialist Group.
A meeting was arranged with Ms Guillot, her Deputy CEO, and the Communications and Marketing Manager.
The upshot is that du Pré Guernsey Ltd has been engaged as an advisor to the CEO’s team to re-design The Medical Specialist Group’s new web-site, and also that of The Victoria Wing.Claudine and a selection of her nursing staff click to enlargeThat includes the design, branding, colours as well as new wording and photography. Exciting.
The Medical Specialist Group provides emergency and elective specialist medical services for the Bailiwick of Guernsey within the secondary health care framework of Guernsey, in partnership with the Health and Social Services Department.
The Plan is…
The plan is for the websites to go live in early September which will coincide well with our next trip to South Africa (more of this to come in another post!).
The emphasis of the new sites is to concentrate on patient care.
So maybe this is a good opportunity for me to give something back to the staff who gave so much to me when I had my prostate op.
Here are some of the pics…
Cod with a red pepper sauce click to enlarge
Monk fish, so succulent click to enlarge
Chef Dave and lamb chops click to enlarge
Meringue anyone? click to enlarge
A mango delicious click to enlarge
This time it’s a strawberry delicious click to enlarge
Piers and Lin
from the design studio of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Piers has a corker of a red eye click to enlargeRed, green, red – is it a preferred channel marker? A port hand marker with seaweed?
“Woke up, got out of bed…”
As the song goes, “Woke up, got out of bed, dragged a comb across my head”. And then I looked in the mirror, and saw an horrific sight! A red eye looking back at me.
For some unknown reason, it was completely bloodshot. Possibly not the prettiest sight know to man.
How?
How did it happen? No ‘eyedea’. It just happened. No pain, no blurred vision. It was just red. No feeling of anything being in the eye.
It’s interesting watching peoples’ reaction. Some see, study for a second or so, and look at the other eye as though there was nothing wrong. Others look, frown, come closer and say in a somewhat accusatory tone, “What on earth is wrong with your eye?” Subtle and caring…
No, I’ve not become a vampire. Just a bit self conscious!
Piers and Nurse Lin
from the sick bay of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
First, holes were drilled into the granite walls Granite dust flew everywhere click to enlargeFollowing our previous post (The Trumpet shall sound), we can happily report that the walls didn’t fall down.
Just in case
Just to be on the safe side, Beaucette Marina is making sure the walls won’t fall down.
For the last two months, Matt and Jake of Geomarine quarry engineers have been working in Beaucette marina, pegging walls with two metre rods, strapping with cable, and on part of the west wall, covering with netting.
Why now?
Following surveys by the States of Guernsey in the late 1960s, before the east wall was blasted by The Royal Engineers to create an entrance from the sea to the quarry, concern was raised over the stability of the quarry’s walls.
However, detailed inspection proved the walls to be stable.
But that was 45 years ago. A recent survey from geologists raised fresh concerns over certain areas, and especially part of the west wall which just happens to be where Play d’eau is moored!
Reinforcing
The work has involved drilling deep holes into the rock face, inserting hundreds of two metre rods and fixing them with grout before strapping heavy gauge cable between them.2m long rods were fixed with grout click to enlargeIn one particular area of the west wall, where Play d’eau is moored, netting has been hung as well.
With 316 stainless steel being used throughout, the netting is covered in a heavy grey plastic coating.
Teas and Coffees
We have to admit, it’s been somewhat noisy. What with the hammer drilling, the pneumatic clipping to hold the nets together and the screaming grinding of the hundreds of rods, echoes reverberated around the quarry.
Seeing the men working so hard, suspended and hanging down the walls by ropes, we felt we had to give them regular hot teas and coffees. One sugar each, with just a spalsh of milk, twice a day, please.
The spin off was periods of glorious peace as they downed tools to refresh themselves. Time to hear the oyster catchers again, time to revel in the quiet, yet all too soon shattered as the air compressor re-started heralding the bursting into life of the heavy power tools.Nets were hung and clipped together click to enlargeAh, well, not too long until the next round of teas and coffees.
Piers and Lin
from the anechoic chamber of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
It was Alain, the trumpeter from the Cornouaille Jazz Band! He’d arrived in St Peter Port from Port La Forêt in his 6m yacht and could we meet.
Parking on St Peter Port’s Victoria Pier there was no mistaking Alain’s bright red yacht. He told me that 40 years ago his father had sailed with him to Guernsey in this very yacht.
Not having been back in all that time, he felt it was right to make the pilgrimage and at the same to meet Lin and I again.
An audience
After some delicious Breton Cidre, Alain produced his piccolo trumpet. ‘Just for you,’ he said.Alain played on the back of Play d’eau… click to enlargeAlain played and played, ending with the British National Anthem. Cries of ‘Encore’ and ‘Bravo’ came from the impromptu audience that had gathered on the adjacent piers.
A visit to Play d’eau
The next day, Alain joined us on board Play d’eau. Jason, a Frenchman who lives in Guernsey and keeps his yacht, Bullet, next to us, joined the party to ensure we didn’t miss any conversation.
Lin had made some delicious canapés, and with bottles of Guernsey cider we toasted Port la Forêt and the Cornouaille Jazz Band. When the cider was exhausted, rosé appeared.
Before leaving, Alain produced his trumpet again declaring it was only right to play on Play d’eau, in Beaucette.
Alain played his heart out. His piccolo trumpet echoing around the Beaucette’s quarry walls. Again, an audience appeared. After many encores, it was, sadly, time to go.
A two-way promise
…and the whole of Beaucette was rewarded click to enlargeWe promised to return to Port la Forêt and in return Alain promised to bring his band to play on Play d’eau en masse.
One condition. Breton Cidre.
Piers and Lin
from the bandstand of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Diccon and family gaze out to sea on the south coast click to enlargeAs one son and his family left, another arrived.
So excited
As soon as Diccon and Charlottes’ two children, Oscar and Maia, scrambled down the Flybe aircraft steps, they started running towards the terminal building leaving Mum and Dad behind. Baggage in hand, all four emerged from Customs and the children ran into our arms.
With cries of ‘Can we go to the beach?’ and ‘Can we go on the boat?’ we find the car, drive to Beaucette Marina and board Play d’eau. The sun is out in all her shining glory and it’s hot.
Beaches and Walks
Suitably smothered with oils and lotions for protection from the blazing sun, L’Ancresse and Pembroke Bay were first on the list. Walking along the coast line past Fort Doyle and Fort Le Marchand, low tide showed off the vast sandy beaches where explorations of pools, worm casts and seaweed brought squeals of delight.
South Coast
Oscar makes the seagulls fly in Le Petit Bôt Bay click to enlargeWaking to a slight overcast, a walk along the south coast from Saints Bay to Petit Bôt Bay with its Loop-holed Tower and mandatory tea-room was eagerly chosen.
With so many roads closed we couldn’t leave a car at Petit Bôt Bay. Simple. We’d walk both ways!
Instead of potential rain, the skies cleared and the sun shone. With wellies and rain coats in rucksacks rather than suntan lotion, some of us were somewhat reddened by the time we returned.
Beaucette Restaurant
A meal out saw us at Beaucette Restaurant (again) with all six of us. With cushions for Oscar and Maia, we spent the next two hours eating, laughing, and being spoiled for choice. The wines were good as well…
Until next time
Low tide shows off acres of sandy beach at L’Ancresse Bay click to enlargeOur time together went far too quickly and the now all too familiar drive to the airport saw us motoring along the coast road. Errors on their boarding passes meant a close shave to missing their flight, but they didn’t.
Lin and I gave yet more hugs to the children, waved goodbye, and headed for the car.
With no more family to take their place, there were no more shriekings and no more clamourings of ‘What are we doing tomorrow?’. Play d’eau seemed empty when we returned. But soon we found the odd shell, sprinklings of sand and sticky finger marks. Memories. Glorious!
Until next time. Mmmm.
Piers and Lin
from the memory banks of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Ricky takes the family to Herm for the afternoon click to enlargeA treat! Our eldest and his family flew over to stay with us on Play d’eau for a long Bank Holiday weekend.
The sun comes out
Mid-afternoon last Saturday, we met his family at Guernsey’s airport and took the coast road back to Beaucette. In a display of welcome to Guernsey, out came the sun banishing the grey clouds to England and creating a clear blue sky just for us.
Gloriously indulgent
With the excited children safely tucked up in their bunks and with two-way radios just in case (!) we climbed the pontoon walkway for dinner in the Beaucette Restaurant.
Yet again, Chef James delighted us all with Seafood specials, lobster and crab tians, lamb, and fish and chips. Cholesterol level challenging deserts appeared closely followed by teas and coffees and chocolates.
We lingered over two lovely bottles of wine (a fragrant New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and a mellow South African Boschendal Cabernet and Merlot blend) and glasses of Muscat for desert. What a gloriously indulgent way to start a holiday.Hammering off at a crazily high speed click to enlargeBeing low tide, we had to negotiate the steep walkways back down to the pontoons…
Sunday
Excitement levels were high. Breakfast disappeared in a trice. In no time at all we were in the cars bound for Pembroke Bay. The son of a couple on a neighbouring boat was with us.
The sun was hot, the air clear and filled with ozone, sea and sun tan lotion. ‘Ice cream’ was the cry. ‘Cricket first’ was the response.
Exhausted (parents more than children) and all ice-creamed up, we headed back to Play d’eau for lunch. Whilst children played more cricket, football, and bounced on Beaucette’s trampoline, we dozed and slept a while.
Monday
It might have rained a bit in the night, but spirits were in no way dampened. After lunch, Ricky, Beaucette’s Marina Manager, took the family to explore Herm on his crazily fast RIB whilst we took our daughter-in-law back to the airport. Sadly, she had to be back at work the next day.
Tuesday
The son of a couple on a neighbouring boat joined us for cricket at L’Ancresse Bay click to enlargeWith more beach and cricket, our grandson ended up determined to swim. Despite warning it would be cold, he ran into the water and swam for fifteen minutes. A brave, determined, young man at eleven years old.
Wednesday – all change
Whilst our eldest packed, I went to the airport to collect another of our sons, his wife and two children. For a period, we were all together with the four grandchildren running around shrieking and causing mayhem – exactly what grandchildren should do!
After lunch it was back to the airport to drop off our eldest and his two children for their return flight to the mainland.
Piers
from the Pilot house of Play d’eau
Fleming 55
These were the voyages of Piers and Lin du Pré aboard their Fleming 55
Having so enjoyed my stay in 
