Lucy Ford learns that there is much more to Jersey than TV detective Jim Bergerac

Bergerac and Gerald Durrell are the first things that spring to mind when I think of the island of Jersey.

Its history under occupation is not something I know a great deal about.

However, it was 70 years ago last week when the island was liberated from the Nazis after five years.

On the morning of May 9, 1945, German troops surrendered to the Allies and a Union Flag was flown from the balcony of the Pomme d’Or Hotel in St Helier.

Liberation Day is still regarded as the most important in the island’s calendar and locals gather annually in front of the hotel in Liberation Square to watch the traditional flag raising ceremony that marks the moment when their freedom was restored.

Reminders of the Germans’ desire to create a ‘fortress island’ are dotted around the island. Observation towers and bunkers built during the occupation are still in place looking down over the sea.

One of these stark reminders is the Jersey War Tunnels. It’s said to be Jersey’s most visited tourist attraction and is located on the outskirts of St Helier.

It tells the story of the occupation from beginning to end with interactive exhibitions, video displays and many accounts from the locals who experienced it all first hand.

Nazis used prisoners from across Europe to dig out the tunnels that were first intended to be a barracks and underground ammunition store but eventually became a military hospital.

It was never finished entirely and some half-dug tunnels are left eerily abandoned as though it were yesterday.

So when the opportunity to visit Jersey came my way, I grabbed it with gusto.

However, my glee was shortlived when I learnt I would be sailing there.

I’m not good on boats. I get seasick in the bath. The thought of a four-and-a-half-hour, 100-mile trip on choppy (so I imagined) waters was not one I was savouring.

I could picture myself lying on the deck for the entire voyage, head spinning and feeling like I had had a heavy night out with Jack Daniels.

However I had a strong word with myself and armed with a supply of anti-sickness tablets and ginger biscuits, I headed for Poole.

We (my other half and I along with the car) were booked on the first commercial voyage of the Condor Liberation trimaran fast ferry that was heading to Jersey via Guernsey.

The ship had previously been laid up in a shipyard in Australia since 2010 – but Condor Ferries has acquired her to run between Poole and the Channel Islands, and this was her inaugural sail.

It was quite the occasion.

Local television news crews were on board interviewing passengers and as we sailed away from the harbour, school children and locals waved us off from the shore.

The journey was much smoother than I had expected, despite the ‘so bad it’s almost good’ safety video rap (Google it..).

I even managed a cracking full English breakfast from one of the food concessions – I wanted to take full advantage of feeling normal on a boat. I’m such a trooper...

Oxford Mail:
St Aubin harbour at low tide

After a brief stop in Guernsey we arrived at our destination port of St Helier.

The weather wasn’t on our side during the visit, so we took shelter in the car and drove along the windy coastal roads to see where they would take us.

The island is nine miles long and five miles wide and has an endless supply of stunning views, first-class beaches and hidden cafes.

We watched the kite surfers at St Ouens Bay, witnessed a storm come in over the Atlantic behind the Corbiere lighthouse, ate ice-cream in St Aubin, found the pub where Jim Bergerac used to drink with the all-knowing Charlie (it was being renovated) and took a very windy walk on St Brelade’s Bay beach.

There is so much to see and do here and we didn’t even scratch the surface. In May alone there are Liberation celebrations as well as the Jersey Food Festival, Jersey Boat Show and Spring Walking Week.

This June will see the Natwest Island Games take place, where athletes from 24 islands around the world compete. That’s not to mention a cider festival, Tennerfest, at which where restaurants across the island offer £10 menus, Jersey International Motoring festival and Jersey Live featuring artists such as Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller and The Prodigy to name but a few.

The list of events goes on.

Jersey was a surprise to me. I knew it would be interesting – but I don’t think my visit did it justice. I have made a promise to myself to return when there’s a bit of sunshine and I shall carry on exploring this beautiful, liberated island in the middle of the sea.

FACT FILE

Condor Ferries operates a year-round service to the Channel Islands from Poole with its new state-of-the-art trimaran fast ferry Condor Liberation, alongside a conventional ferry service from Portsmouth.
Prices start from under £50pp for a car and two passengers each way.
For reservations visit Condorferries.com or call 0845 609 1024. www.morvanhotels.com/our-hotels/monterey-hotel/