ISLES BETTER; Jersey and Guernsey month by month.
WHERE can you find superb French food, stunning beaches, rolling meadows, historic buildings and warm summer sunshine?The Channel Islands - and they're easy to get to. Condor Ferries (0845 345 2000/www.condorferries.co.uk) runs a daily service from Poole in Dorset. Aurigny Airlines (www.aurigny.com) flies from Gatwick to Jersey from pounds 49 return. Bristol and Manchester flights start on March 29.
JERSEY (www.jersey. com/festivals or 01534 500777)
March 26-April 4 - Spring Garden Festival
Guided walks, arboretum tours, Victorian re-enactments at the Lost Garden Of Rozel and open gardens in the company of UK experts. Starts with the Royal Jersey Horticultural Society's spring show, including the International Camellia show.
April 17-25 - A Taste Of Jersey In Springtime
A week of food demonstrations, farm visits, themed "foodie" walks, and wine and food tastings of newly-harvested Jersey Royals, local vegetables, wine, honey, seafood and shellfish and local delicacies.
June 25-27 - Jersey Revels
To celebrate the 800th anniversary of Jersey's unique relationship with the English Crown, Gorey, and its surrounds, comes alive with a medieval extravaganza. Includes crafts, a siege of the Castle, jousting, falconry and ships in the harbour.
July 18-25 - Jersey in Bloom
Enjoy Jersey at its floral best with open gardens, demonstrations and environmental walks with experts.
August 9-13 - Battle Of Flowers
Flower-festooned floats, musicians, dancers and entertainers provide one of the highlights of the island's summer events calendar.
GUERNSEY (www.visitguernsey.com or 01481 723552)
Good Food April
April 2004 sees Guernsey's hotels and restaurants taking part in an eating out promotion and competing for the Naturally Guernsey Culinary Award judged by TV chef Brian Turner.
April 2-4 - Guernsey Blues Festival
Three days of concerts and workshops, headlined by the UK's top bottleneck and blues guitarists Michael Messer and Ed Genis at St James Concert Hall. For details, visit www.weekendblues.org
April 24-May 1 - Spring Walking Week
Programmes cover topics from folklore and retracing the footsteps of Victor Hugo (who was exiled in Guernsey for 15 years) to the history of different areas of the island.
May 9 - Liberation Day
Guernsey's annual celebration of 1945, commencing with a morning Church Parade and Remembrance, followed by a carnival on St Peter Port's seafront. Visit the Medieval Quarter and multi-activity area. The day builds to a firework spectacular over the harbour.
April 24-25 - Condor Ferries Honda F4SA Guernsey powerboat Grand Prix
Ten races, with two held at each venue, including Guernsey. Races last 45-60 minutes and cover 30-50 miles as close to shore as possible.
CAPTION(S):
RELAX: Guernsey's pretty harbours (left), and Jersey's imposing Gorey castle
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| Title Annotation: | Features |
|---|---|
| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
| Date: | Mar 24, 2004 |
| Words: | 432 |
| Previous Article: | Simply the west; CREAM OF THE ACTION DOWN IN CIDER COUNTRY. |
| Next Article: | Lighten up time. |
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