Marla loved the 2008 book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and when she heard it was going to be on Netflix she said we had to watch it! I really enjoyed the film directed by Mike Newell and starring Lily James as a writer who strikes up a pen pal correspondence with a pig farmer played by Michiel Huisman. The book and the film combine a story of courage during the German occupation, tragedy,…and a love story. As I watched the movie I couldn’t help but reminisce about another Pen pal love story, ….one about my sister Patty. 

Many years ago in California, Patty casually mentioned to me on the phone about a pen pal friend of hers who lived on the Island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands by the name of Vic Richer. To be honest, Guernsey hadn’t really entered my lexicon  before! I didn’t think too much of what she said until later I heard her pen pal was coming to visit her in California! Wow,…one should never underestimate the power of the written word. The idea of writing a love letter is so romantic and quaint in an almost 19th century way.  The image above is Guernsey’s main city, Saint Peter Port, Vic’s hometown, taken by his son, Steve Richer.

My Mom called to say Vic was coming to San Francisco, and I should come home to meet him.

Using my contorted “Dick Gentry logic” I thought the “Li Po Lounge”, an old dive bar in San Francisco’s Chinatown, a perfect place to vet this stranger from an island in the English Channel! I thought if I could get him off his game a bit I could penetrate the real Vic Richer. Well, it didn’t take me long to see they were both totally smitten. Patty was getting married and moving to Guernsey! I will always remember seeing my Dad with tears coming down his cheeks at the airport as we all said “goodbye.” I had never seen my Dad cry before!

St. Peter Port at low tide.

We traveled to Guernsey at least 25 times over the years to see the family. We often went in January before going to a textile fair in Frankfurt, Germany. We would stay up half the night reminiscing, talking about the family, and life on Guernsey. It was a wonderful time!

Patty & Vic’s two children, Suzanne and Stephen, near their home on Le Foulon Road.

On early trips we would love exploring the island parish churches, graveyards, beaches, and quaint country lanes.

On one trip we visited Le Trepied Dolman near Perelle Bay. This was used in Neolithic times for a burial site and mentioned as a place much later where witches would gather. Check the Youtube link on Le Trepied Dolman.

Patty and Marla take a closer look.

My Mom was able to visit a few times and it was one of her very favorite places. The tall building in the background is Elizabeth College where my nephew Stephen attended. The school was founded in 1563!

Patty and the kids met us at the airport in St. Peter Port when possible. It was often quite difficult to fly in foggy January. On two trips we attempted to land but had to return to London with the bad weather. I remember a trip when we kept trying to land, but had to fly to Dinard, France to refuel. With jets and modern navigation it is very easy to travel there today!

So many fun memories of family, driving on the left side of the road, Cream Teas, Patty’s Danish ham and potato dinners, walking everywhere, …and my sister’s voice!

We are dining at the Wellington Boot, a favorite of theirs.

Exploring St. Peter Port was always a fun adventure! I loved the tiny lanes, steep steps, and walkways!

When our girls were older we took them to Guernsey to visit in the summer. On this trip both our girls competed in a swim meet at the Beau Sejour Leisure Center. Stacy, our youngest, slipped on the blocks during her race, got back up and still won!

For some reason I was fascinated by the Foulon Cemetery, down the street from Patty’s house. 

On almost every trip to Guernsey we would take a walk to “Blue Mountain” with beautiful views over St. Peter Port. This great photo was taken by my nieces’s husband, Chris. The island on the left is Herm, popular for day visits. In the center is tiny Jethou. On the right is the gorgeous island of Sark, on one of my iconic places list for sure!

The family window shopping in the Commercial Arcade in St. Peter Port. Marla loved looking at the jewelry shops.

One of my favorite areas was on Mill Street which heads up the hill from town. On early visits the street had a number of antique shops which I loved visiting!

I found this 1784 John Sellers map of Guernsey on one of my visits. I treasure this map and all the memories of those precious days!

Chris took this photo of Candie Gardens in St. Peter Port.

Marla and I at the Candie Gardens years ago.

My sister in quiet contemplation.

My sister passed away July 12, 2000.This was a visit in 2014 to her grave at the Foulon Cemetery. I was so happy and truly blessed to have been able to visit her and the family so many times!We truly loved our 2014 trip to see the family in Guernsey! We visited with Vic and even went to the Island of Sark with him for lunch.  Stephen and his wife Karen live in Edinburgh while Suzanne and Chris reside in St. Peter Port. I can’t wait to reconnect with them this summer in Edinburgh!

***On future posts I’ll talk about “Guernsey during the German occupation”, and “Traveling to the Enchanted Island of Guernsey.” Don’t forget to watch The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society film on Netflix.

Photos: Dick Gentry, Chris George, Stephen Richer.