Elizabeth Castle	About 10 nautic miles off the French coasts of Brittany and Normandy we find the Channel Islands Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark. Jersey is 117 km² and is the biggest. It has allegiance to the queen, and a governor represents the crown. It has it’s own parliament and is self governed. In August 2007 I visited this beautiful island. Here are my impressions on it.
It is a quaint little island with a mild climate. With 90.000 inhabitants one could compare it with an average small German town, yet it is completely different. The island is divided into 12 parishes. It has it’s own money, the Jersey Pound which is linked to Sterling and has the same value. It also has it’s own stamps, it' ouwn prison, it's own police and it’s own government, practically everything that makes a state be a real state. On the occasions of special events volunteer policemen help out to regulate the traffic or do other necessary work. Just consider the unemployment rate of 0,15%.	The frog, the animal of the island, a statue in the centre of St. Helier
La Corbière Lighthouse	Jersey is a mainly rural island with beautiful hilly landscapes, rocky and sandy beaches, picturesque old houses and castles, and narrow roads. The speed limit on the island is a maximum of 40 mph, with many areas limited to 30, 20 and 15 mph. Jersey has an international airport and harbour and thus is connected to the whole world. Many tourists come in summer as well as season workers, mainly from Poland and Portugal. There also is a wildlife conservation park on the island.
The cultural standard is high in Jersey. In the capital town St. Helier there is an Opera House with many international guest artists performing. Every year it has the Eisteddfod Festival of Performing Arts, a competition that includes drama, music, and dance. It also has a symphony orchestra and 9 ballet schools scattered all over the island.	Street in St. Aubin with reataurants, guest houses and the Methodist church
Battle of Flowers	The most outstanding event of the year is the Battle of Flowers which takes place on the second Thursday in August in the afternoon and the following Friday in the evening. It was held for the first time in 1902 to celebrate the Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. On the Thursday afternoon most of the shops and offices are closed, and most buses do not operate. Everybody wants to see the battle which is a big parade of picturesque and fancy floats passing along the street between St. Helier and St. Aubin. Here you can find photos of the Battle of Flowers 2007.
There are also many possibilities for sports. Due to the sea breezes it is ideal for sailing. Water skiing, jet skiing, wind surfing, and diving are possible, with wetsuit hire. Indoor swimming pools with large slides are great fun if it rains. It offers horse racing and large and good golf facilities. Rugby and football is being played as well. However, neither UEFA nor FIFA accept the national team of Jersey as a member, although they are applying for membership. But who cares about football?	Horse racing in Les Landes, St. Quen

More about the island Jersey More about the Battle of Flowers

 

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