This time, I thought, the memories of that summer when I was nineteen, footloose and fancy free, full of romantic ideals and at the start of my life adventure, would stand the test of the passing years. I've always wanted to return to Guernsey, where I fell in love with life and the man of my dreams, so recently I thought, 'Just do it'... and booked a holiday online for myself and eldest son.
In contrast to my original journey by train from London and overnight Ferry, the morning flight from Manchester Airport was quick and comfortable, depositing us at our Hotel in St Peter Port before lunch. The walk down to town was familiar as the house where I'd stayed is still there, only a couple of doors away from the Grange Lodge Hotel. We found somewhere to eat, but I was more interested in locating familiar places where I instructed Mark to take my picture to compare with old photos I'd copied onto my Tablet.
In 1957, after a long dark winter spent in a Fashion Photographer's darkroom, I'd taken a summer job with Studio Story in Pollet Street, St Peter Port. There I was given a 35mm camera and told to go out and practise taking pictures. I soon met the rest of the crew, Betty, an older woman just divorced, a couple on their way round the world, whose names I can't recall and Tim, a lovely guy who I didn't know was gay, until later, because I didn't even know about 'gays' before that became the accepted term. I was that innocent!
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| St Peter Port |
I spent mornings around the town and harbour and afternoons on the beaches, taking the bus or getting a ride on the back of a scooter. I loved taking pictures of sunbathing families, children paddling and making sand castles. The sun shone and I got a healthy tan. A couple of evenings a week I was assigned to one hotel or another to photograph happy people dining, drinking and dancing.
One evening at the Hermitage Hotel I was approached by a member of the band, the double bass player, who wanted a picture of the band. Another evening at The Channel Islands Hotel, the same musician asked me to photograph him playing vibraphone on stage as part of the cabaret. He seemed very nervous and glad to see a familiar face and after his performance came to talk to me.... asking would I like drink? It was late and I was ready to leave, so we walked to a late night cafe.
A fine romance changed my life. Gone were my aspirations to be a photojournalist, travelling round the world. Love took over reason, emotion ruled my senses. Being with Him was all I desired. Evenings were now spent at The Hermitage, which had the bonus of hosting many of the Big Bands of the time who I met. Cab Calloway kissed my hand, though I didn't know at the time how famous he'd been in years past, his big hit being "Minnie the Moocher", before I was born.
My one day off a week we spent on Herm, the most romantic little island one could imagine. Walking round the coast until we arrived at the wonderful Shell beach, to swim in the warm sea and laze on the soft sand, which was composed of tiny shells. Then the walk back across the island to return on the small open boat with outboard motor in the warm evening twilight. I was in bliss!
So what am I learning, on this retrospective journey? That I am not the same person I was then? But more than that... I may have moved on but there are still some romantic illusions to let go of... that holding onto disappointed expectations, resentments and unfulfilled dreams can only hold me back from fulfillment in life. It is an interesting visit so far!