Life . . . Reframed: St. Helier, Jersey

August 6

Sarge drove us into St. Helier, the main town here on Jersey which dates back to Roman times. We went first to Bean Around The World - Edwina’s son Dave’s very successful coffee shop over here. The place was packed when we arrived, and each time through the day when we walked past it, it was still packed. The bathrooms in the coffee shop are really fun, especially if you’re a Star Wars fan! http://www.beanaroundtheworld.co.uk

Bean Around The World - Jersey version.

Inside the Bean - fun, warm, inviting atmosphere.

Very creative washroom - done up to look like the inside
of a spaceship (I think!)

Ooooh, another one of those mini sinks.

House of mirrors - figure out which door opens to the toilet!

The other toilet. Hilarious. That's a water soaker in the frame!

Picture signed by someone famous. I forgot to ask!

Dave is highly involved in the community and is currently busy planning a fundraising “Hoedown” for September which will close down the entire block of the street. Sarge had some errands to run, so Dave took us on a walking tour of part of the town. He is an immensely popular and well-known figure in town - it seemed like every other person was saying hi or had something to discuss with him. He has an infectious enthusiasm for the town and the island - it’s pretty clear to me why his business is so successful.

David working the crowd at The Bean

I think this was a Spiderman mask or something.
David is always up to something.
Not sure what it's all about! Glen is very interested.

There is a beautiful old covered market in the middle of town, where you can buy vegetables, baked goods, and assorted other goodies. Across the street is the fish market. Both are beautiful old places, and I took a lot of pictures! The town itself is so full of history and gorgeous old buildings. I just don’t get tired of these places.

The Market Building - built in 1882

Store inside the market. Looks like a storefront from my
childhood in Winnipeg.

Food stall in the market. So pretty.

Central fountain in the market.

One of the entrances.

There's a huge marina in town with lots of impressive-looking yachts. The steam clock here beats the Gastown clock hands-down - check it out.

Big Susie - not one of the impressive yachts, but a fun old boat.

Now THIS is a steam clock!

Front Marina walk in St. Helier

I liked these cast-iron "rope" posts outside the nautical museum.

There are a couple of pubs here with interesting names:

No, I can't do the laundry - I have to go to the office. I hope to close a big deal

Wonder how much they had had to drink when they thought up this name?

Britain has really got traffic figured out. After my initial fear of roundabouts, I started to see how sensible they are. And the way pedestrians cross the street? There's almost always a little island in the middle so you can cross halfway and then cross again when it's clear.