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It’s a good job we came home today from our seven-day stay in Guernsey. We’ve been blessed with largely good (fine, dry and sunny) weather all week, but this morning dawned wet and miserable, and once we’d driven around the island one final time and gotten to the airport, an ever-thickening blanket of fog greeted us. We thought at one point that our flight might be delayed, but we arrived back to Gatwick and then home in good time.

Looking back, it’s been a thoroughly enjoyable week and one of the best weeks away for a long time. Guernsey’s scenery really is stunning, and whether it’s coastal walks or driving around tree-lined lines, there’s something pretty around almost every corner. The ‘hedge veg’ is unique and quintessentially Guernsey (local householders sell their homegrown fruit and vegetables and homemade jams and chutneys at the side of the road and buyers put their money in an honesty box), and the residents warm and welcoming.

We stayed in Torteval, one of the ten parishes on the island. It is the smallest, as well as being the most western. The pretty little church in the centre of the parish was built in 1818 and has reportedly one of the oldest bells in the Channel Islands. It also has the tallest steeple in Guernsey, intended to be used as a marker for ships out at sea. So, rather than remember our final, wet journey around the island, here are some pictures of St Philippe de Torteval that were taken in the early evening on Tuesday. Just one of many happy memories from one of the most happiest of holidays.

Today’s planned trip to Herm obviously wasn’t meant to be. With cloudy skies and moderate winds, we decided that the 20-minute boat trip across the Channel was too much of a risk. So, after breakfast we packed the car and headed to the northwestern part of the island, where most of Guernsey’s attractions are based.

Disappointing, though, was the verdict. Guernsey Candles weren’t making candles, Fletcher’s Freesias weren’t growing many Freesias and Oaklands Park, like the other two, was selling a lot of tourist ‘souvenirs’ in its large complex of gift shops. Not the same as it once was, apparently, when there was all manner of activities for the young and old to do. Nothing unique here any more, move on.

Told to leave Samurez Park as we were gatecrashing set-up for the Motorfair this weekend (there was nothing on the gates to show no public entry, though), it was back to Le Friquet Garden centre for tea, teacakes and a bakewell slice. Our unscheduled stop wasn’t without reward, though, as I found a classic car book at a very reasonable £4.99. Fully sated, Nik and I were then dropped off at Fermain Bay, just south of St Peter Port.

We did the 2-mile walk along the cliff path in 40 minutes, and one steep forest staircase aside, enjoyed the stroll along the sea’s edge, the waves breaking below and with uninterrupted views of Herm and Sark to our right. With the sun now shining, it really was quite a warm workout, so we stopped at Fort George for a breather and to take photos of the natural, sea-filled bathing pools.

Andrew and Sheila met us for a final late lunch at Portelet, and from there we walked up the hill and along the jagged and fern-lined cliff path to Pleinmont Tower. We stopped en route to grab more pictures of Le Hanois lighthouse, something of a literal beacon of Guernsey for me, as it was the first landmark I saw as we banked into the island on our flight in from London last Saturday.

The evening was spent catching up with Doug and Marion at Le Friquet Hotel, where we feasted on a value-packed and delicious three-course dinner. The calves’ liver was melt in the mouth smooth, while the mash and red wine jus added even more flavour. Jovial and lots of fun, it was back to Fort Grey for one last photo opportunity, this time in the dark. One final game of cards ended the day perfectly, but also closed the door on the last evening of our stay.

Today was air show day. Along with other clusters of early spectators, we lined the top of Castle Cornet just past the harbour to watch the 135-minute display. Starting with the Battle of Britain Memorial fly past, starring the Lancaster Bomber, the Hurricane and the Spitfire, the trio of WWII aeroplanes came in from neighbouring Jersey. The threesome made a formidable sight, the Lancaster looking like the shadow of something quite sinister as it hung over St Peter Port town.

Followed by a F16 fighter jet, the surprisingly nimble Blades aero-acrobatic team and the Breitling wing walkers to name but a few, the airborne displays were traditionally completed by the Red Arrows, who looped the loop and speedily darted this way and that in the sky in front of us. Castle Cornet really was the best viewpoint from which to see Guernsey’s Battle of Britain Air Display, as the stars of the skies are at your level, making photographs that much easier. The fact that an enormous cruise liner had chose to dock between Guernsey and Herm just added to the occasion.

Air show done and dusted, with aching legs we walked to the end of the pier to the pretty lighthouse, before heading home on the bus for tea and chocolate biscuits. Once we’d prepped dinner we then went out once more to chase the setting sun on the west coast, just like last night. Fort Grey was my preferred choice, but as that and a darkening orange sky in the same viewfinder were looking unlikely, we settled for Grandes Rocques Bay and Les Grandes Rocques headland.

It was another stunning sunset too, right until the last minute. Bang on cue, the sun got bashful and ducked behind a passing strip of cloud. Never mind, we still had fun clambering over the rocks and former military strongholds, trying to encourage the golden orb to set and the breakwater waves to make spectacular sprays over the rocks, so the three of us could capture them forever on memory card.