by Will Sirett

Created on: May 19, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

I was only young, single and wondering what to do with my vacation time that was looming up in the distance. Where should I go, what should I do?

I had been the proud owner of a Ford Escort 1.3 litre saloon car for a few months and, as I love to drive, decided that I should drive down south to where I didn't know but south it was.

My mother had an uncle living in Poole in Dorset, a lovely part of the world. He lived with his wife, Margaret and dog Blue, in a quaint cottage on the edge of a country estate. He was truly a country man and used to make garden furniture to order for the many local people who knew him well.

It was a surprise when I eventually landed at their home and told them of my wish to travel far and wide but was racking my brains to think where I could go. After some dinner we got to thinking. Uncle Jack, I still called him that, offered Jersey in the Channel Islands as a destination. Great I thought, but how do I get there? We got the maps out and plotted a route for me to follow.

It was later in the evening when I departed and realised that I would have to stop off on the way to Portsmouth, my port for the ferry to Jersey.

As the light slowly faded and it began to rain heavily I came to the conclusion that I would have to find somewhere to sleep for the night. I sighted a giant stag situated on the right hand side of the road and not long after a welcome sign directing me to a farm house and bed.

The next morning I set off for Portsmouth and looked forward to finding my destination as I had to park my car as I was booked as a foot passenger on the ferry. The car park company secure your vehicle in cages until your return and bus you to the port terminal or so I thought. I had missed the bus, and, as I did not wish to wait for an age, decided to walk.

The ferry departed at 19:00 hours on the dot and I wondered what I would do for the next twelve hours until we docked in St Helier. Occasionally I was awoken by kids running up and down the corridors on the ship but fought to stay in a dream-like sleep.

I awoke next morning feeling queasy and was hoping not to embarrass myself by being ill. We sighted land and I felt a whole lot better. Landing was great, the gang way was put into place and we were allowed off the ship.

I found a hotel to use as a base and looked to go exploring. I ventured into the countryside and walked for hours. It was great to have very little traffic, very hot sunshine and to be finally on my own.

My landlady suggested visiting St

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