Jersey: a pretty little island from across the pond Story by Ian Leatt, photos by Jim Leatt
I
n the Channel Islands, just north of France’s Brittany and west of Normandy, lies Jersey, where I am from. Being governed by Her Majesty, the citizens speak English, but also many speak French. They do have their own language, Jerriais Francais, which you would hear mostly on the farms. The island is surrounded with so many beautiful walks from the headlands of the north, with their steep cliffs some 470 feet in elevation, to the south where you lay on the white sand catching some warm summer rays. I have come to learn that you never truly appreciate the place you live until you leave it and return for a visit. Jersey clearly has four seasons, unlike Canada where some would argue there are only two: winter and summer. You can travel to Jersey any time of the year and find spectacular gardens; the everchanging seasons leave your eyes wide open if you know where to go and what to look for. Let me explain. Spring arrives and blooms abound. The island comes to life with wallflowers, night-scented stock, tulips, crocus and fields and fields of daffodils. A visually stunning sight befalls your eyes no matter the direction you look. Fields and fields of potatoes in early spring are covered in plastic which, once removed, reveals the dark green leaf and the colour of life. When the potatoes are ready for picking in March, the island goes a little crazy. Everyone talks about their first batch of the year. I know it sounds a little odd to the uninitiated, but, until you experience the true joy of a ‘Jersey Royal’ potato you cannot imagine what it is like. The potato itself has a very white flesh. The “mids” (young potatoes) are typically the best, being small at one inch in size. Washed (no need to peel), boiled in salted water with heaps of mint and served with melted butter, they taste like heaven. The locals make a big thing about their potatoes and are very protective. They bear, after all, the royal stamp of approval. 18 • 2020
Issue 4
A view of the sea
localgardener.net
