Today we said farewell to Jersey and the gorgeous Merton Hotel. Although we have only been here for a few short days, I think I speak for both of us, when I say, how much we have enjoyed our stay. It has been a long time since  I have felt so relaxed and calm and have found my first experience of the Channel Islands, extremely rewarding.

The Merton Hotel in St Helier was comfortable and the staff hospitable. Our stay at this family run establishment was superb; if any of you travel to Jersey, I would highly recommend a stay here. The breakfast, choice of restaurants and facilities was second to none and certainly made our stay all the more enjoyable. Nothing was too much for the staff at The Merton and without exception they accommodated our every need. When you travel somewhere new, you want to feel rested and congenial in your surroundings. The Merton Hotel offered us the best experience we could have asked for; the mark of a good hotel with a five star level of service.

Darrell went to the gym this morning for a swim and sauna, while I relaxed watching a bit of television in bed. After another great breakfast, we leisurely packed our bags and left the hotel, catching a taxi to Liberation Bus Station, where we caught the bus to the airport. Sat on the top deck once again, we were driven the short journey across the island. Sitting there, looking out the window, the rain pouring down, I was struck by the similarities to the UK and southern Britain where I live, but I was also reminded how different this place is. Quirky, charming; a shining jewel in the English Channel.

My late Grandmother, spent many happy years in Jersey and was a frequent visitor, always enjoying her stay and it's easy to see why. I did have the secure feeling I get when I am home in the United Kingdom, but I also felt like I was in a foreign country and all the excitement that goes with that.

Arriving at the small airport, I was sad to be leaving this largest Channel Island and looked forward to the day I would return, because I surely will. I don't always say that about places I visit, but Jersey really does have a special place in my heart. With my family leaving near St Helier, I now have the perfect excuse, to hop on a plane and once again say a big hello!

The plane journey back to Southampton was horrendous, I hated every minute of it. The turbulence was worse than anything I have ever experienced before and I was hanging on to the seat in front for dear life. Of course I have been on small planes before and understand the flight is very different to a large 747, travelling to Asia, but this was a nightmare for me - a frequent flyer with a fear of flying!

I have taken home some wonderful memories of my time in Jersey and spent some valuable time with my Cousins and of course my husband. We both had the few days together we needed, to keep on battling towards our goals and eventually coming back together again on a permanent basis. Thanks Jersey, for showing us, there is life after death!

After the constant rain yesterday, there was a break in the deluge this morning. For the first time in many months, I actually had a few hours extra sleep, waking at a far more civilized 7am. Following a good nights sleep, I was looking forward to the day ahead. Feeling relaxed is important now, as I rapidly approach my fiftieth Birthday, I need to wind down a little from time to time, without stress, tension and most importantly anxiety, something that has become all to familiar in recent times. Spending a night with my partner, after such a long time apart, has been the tonic I have needed to carry on living, at a very difficult time.

We took a short walk from the hotel towards the bus stop in Beach Roach, catching the bus to Mount Orgueil Castle, a landmark in Jersey. This castle looks stunning from a distance, as you drive along the coast road towards this majestic outpost. Sadly the weather wasn't brilliant, but we were still able to stand and admire this building through the cloud and occasional sunshine, avoiding the rain for now.

We climbed the steps to a vantage point, looking out across to France; the views were stunning. I felt completely chilled, just standing there, thinking, contemplating and enjoying the peace and quiet, not a sound could be heard and that felt good. It's been a long time, since I have felt so untroubled; I was almost nonchalant in my repose, without a care in the World. All that mattered was hear and now and time spent with my husband, on an island that was quickly capturing my imagination!

As the weather turned sour, we took the bus from Gorey Pier, just below the castle and headed back into St Helier, where we walked around the historic streets, window shopping and visiting local attractions. It's been a while since Darrell and I have done this, probably since we both lived in Spain, so I was determined to savour the experience. St Helier was far busier than I thought it would be, but it really did have a continental feel about it, a part of the World both of us have lived in and somewhere we love to visit. Of course just over the water in France, Darrell and I used to own a small house ourselves, so flying to Jersey, really did feel like coming home!

In the evening my Cousin Phoebe picked Darrell and I up from our hotel and drove us to a eerily quiet restaurant, along the cost road to St Aubin, where for the first time ever, I sat down and met my Aunt Helen's son George, his girlfriend Tasha and of course lovely Phoebe. In truth I have met George once before, when he was a very small baby, but as my circumstances changed and life took me to very different parts of the World, I never really spent time with this side of my family, which was a real shame.

My Aunt Helen and Uncle John moved to Jersey many years ago with their young family, forging a new successful life away from the rat race in Britain. They have never looked back and are happy and content in their new life. George works on the Island and is now dating the lovely Tasha, who like Darrell and I, has travelled extensively across the World, always returning to the home she loves in Jersey. Phoebe has just finished her A levels and has singed a record deal with a leading music company. Not only does my little cousin sing beautifully, but she also writes her own music and is very talented. We listened to several of her songs and were deeply moved by the impression they left on us. I feel sure this young lady, only seventeen years old, will become the success she deserves.

As we all sat there talking, I was struck by the character of these young people, a far cry from most their age these days. All of them are secure and happy with who they are and accommodating and welcoming towards Darrell and I. We were all born in different era's from contrasting generations, but with my Aunt and Uncle away on a cruise, these guys were happy to  meet us and offer a glimpse into there idyllic Island lives; now there isn't many who would do that!

As I grow older, in the twilight of my years, I am always grateful to spend time in the company of my younger Cousins, both here, Portsmouth where I live or in my home town of Fareham. At one time, our little Hampshire family was the biggest in the County, but as time has moved on, our once inordinate menage has become scattered across the World, just like Phoebe and George, leaving smaller links to the past in their wake.

Meeting my extended family unit was the highlight of my trip to Jersey. These are two incredibly talented and well brought up youngsters, who I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with. Of course it would be amazing to come back to this largest of Channel Islands, since our family connection goes back a very long way, but with my life the way it is and Darrell living on the other side of the World, it does make it difficult to navigate these British Isles as much as we would like. Nevertheless, I would hope to return soon and start once again where we left off!

In June I was due to visit family in the Channel Islands, on the island of Jersey, but I pulled out due to a short lived illness. The Merton Hotel, where I was due to stay in St Helier, allowed me to rebook the hotel for November when Darrell arrived from Australia. This is highly unusual, that a hotel would allow someone to change the date of their booking, at no extra cost, especially at such short notice - of course I wasn't complaining; it allowed Darrell and I some valuable time together, away from the pressure of daily life.

We caught the train to Southampton airport, just a few miles down the road from Portsmouth, a regional airport, that really does take the hassle out of flying. There are no queues or hoards of people and the whole process of catching a flight couldn't be easier. This is an airport we have used many times before, especially when we used to fly to our home in Alicante, avoiding the traditional crush at London airports. After a quick coffee at Costa, bacon roll and cup of green tea,  we were quickly ushered through customs; wham bam, all done in half an hour!

As a person who hates flying, I really wasn't looking forward to the thirty minute flight on board the small Blue Islands plane. After flying on a slightly bigger airplane in Cambodia, I was well aware of what to expect in such a confined cabin. You can feel every bump in the sky, every piece of turbulence and each rush of air that passes by as you head towards your destination. However for the most part, the flight was good and trouble free, just a little turbulence at the end of our journey as we descended towards the Island of Jersey!

We took the number 15 bus from the airport, to the capital St Helier. At a cost of two pounds the trip was cheap enough and the half hour drive along the rugged Jersey coast line was pretty smooth and wonderfully picturesque, as we sat on the top deck, watching the scenery pass by. The rain was falling, which was pretty much what we expected and the sun did make an appearance on occasion, just to make us feel like we were on holiday, no matter how short the duration!

After arriving at 'Liberation Bus Station,' we caught a taxi to the Merton Hotel, a short distance away. When you take a cab in Jersey, remember to take one of the yellow topped vehicles. Prices are strictly regulated and controlled, so you can be sure you are not paying over the odds for your journey. Darrell and I paid a few pounds for the rather pleasant ride, well worth the extra expense, avoiding walking around the city in the pouring rain.

After unpacking, umbrella in hand, we took a leisurely twenty minute walk into the city centre, taking in the sites and admiring the statue in Liberation Square, to commemorate the 50th anniversary in 1995, since the end of Nazi occupation and the end of the Second World War. This beautiful place is steeped in history, around every corner and down every small lane. With a distinctly French feel, it was a relaxing setting to explore. The mix of English and French can be a little confusing at times, but it makes for a unique destination, one I instantly fell in love with!

We had an early dinner at our favourite pizza restuarant, Pizza Express, where we were served by a rather pretentious Frenchman, who clearly thought himself more superior than the customers he was serving. There are a lot of French nationals working on the island it seems, bus drivers and shop workers, just two professions where we noticed a predominance of foreign workers. Well, when you work in a tax haven, where wages are high, why wouldn't you travel to this Channel Island to find work?

On the way back to the Merton Hotel, I popped into the Cancer Research shop, where I met  the lovely Manager. I wanted to get a picture of her with Clayborne, the Cancer Reserch teddy, who accompanies me on my travels across the World. I suppose for Clayborne, this was a bit of a homecoming, rather like it was for me. Much of my family come from the Channel Islands and with my Aunt Helen, husband John and there children currently living near St Helier, this was most certainly a place to call home, a special part of the British Isles!