Susan Calman embarks on more Grand Days Out in her vintage campervan, Helen, exploring the wonders of the British Isles. In this episode, she ventures to the Channel Islands, a group of British dependencies just off the French coast.
Susan begins her journey in Jersey, where she encounters the iconic Jersey cows and the famous Jersey Royal potatoes. She joins a sixth-generation farmer in harvesting potatoes on the steep slopes of Rozel Bay. Susan then rides an ancient horse plough and explores the island’s dramatic tidal range, which doubles the island’s size when the tide goes out. She hunts for giant snails with a conservationist and helps monitor the population of ‘Mother of Pearl’ Ormers, a Jersey delicacy.
Crossing the channel to Guernsey, Susan has the honor of firing the traditional noon-day cannon at Castle Cornet. She then discovers the natural turquoise waters of La Vallette bathing pools and meets a Channel swimmer, who shares the challenges of swimming from Britain to France. Susan supports the swimmer in training and learns about the elite club. Captivated by the island’s stunning scenery, she walks in the footsteps of French impressionist Renoir and discovers the saucy secrets of nude bathing that inspired his art.
Susan also visits ‘The Little Chapel’, the smallest consecrated chapel on earth, built with local donations of shells, pebbles, and china. She helps with restoration work, leaving her mark on this peaceful place. Finally, she meets a rare coppersmith, the last of his kind, and crafts a copper milk can, a traditional gift presented to Queen Elizabeth II for her coronation.
Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out: Channel Islands airs on Channel 5 on Thursday, 4 July 2024 at 9:00pm.
