How do you have the most epic day in Guernsey? You truly live like a local … but like a local who’s hosting someone from out of town so that you’re showing them the finer parts of Guernsey, know what I mean?

*Start EVERY Saturday with a 5K Park Run (so you can collect your T-Shirt)*

Perhaps we have Park Runs in the United States. If we do, I don’t know about them. They are all the rage here in the UK and for good reason. You acquire status T-shirts as you hit run milestones — 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, etc. You get the idea. You also get T-Shirts for volunteering and rotating various positions.

*Jo asking me how I think I’ll do before I start the 5K race (having not run for awhile)*

I’m of two minds about a 5k. One, I’ve completed a 140.6 mile Ironman, so I see a 5k as a training run rather than a competition. That is, I don’t feel the need to be regularly running to step into a 5k run. Put in me in half-marathon and that’s a different story. But admittedly, I hadn’t been doing much cardio. If I was serious about my time, I would have started at the front. Instead, I was socializing at the back when the time started.

*Over 250 participants getting ready to start the 5k Guernsey Park Run*

*Happy with my time for my first run in Guernsey. Plenty of room for improvement.*

I will say that this was the hardest 5k I’ve ever run because of the course itself. With the rabbit holes and rocks protruding everywhere, I was more worried about twisting my ankle in week 2 of my 52 week trip than I was about my time.

*Finishing the 5K is my favorite part of the race!*

*Yes! Sweaty finisher pictures. The BEST!*

After a good run, it’s always lovely to have a plunge in the water and then coffee and breakfast by the beach. I can see why this easily becomes a Saturday ritual for the residents of Guernsey.

*Beautiful beach-side cafe right near the finishing line of the 5k run*

*Would you give these two guys a key to the Guernsey Tower? They did!*

Next up, John took me to the Guernsey Tower where you can get a full 360 degree look around the island. It’s a good walk up, but totally worth the views. What’s more, it’s a private viewing. They give you a key and you lock up behind you so that you’re the only one in the tower for a full 30 minutes. Nice work!

*John gave me the honor of unlocking said Tower*

*Stairs up are a bit steep, but worth the climb*

*Views are spectacular (but I never feel like the selfies capture it)*

*View from the Guernsey Tower (one of many)*

*This is the Guernsey Castle which is where we’re going next.*

And, of course, there are many more. The challenge with a blog is the editing process. What to leave out vs. share. Even the pictures I’ve included in the Gallery of Guernsey is not comprehensive, per se. It’s simpy overwhelming how much beauty there is to take in. For example:

*Garden on the way to the Guernsey Castle*

My mother-in-law, Connie Knies plans entire trips to view gardens like this one. They are stunningly beautiful and are tucked away between incredible architecture in between sweeping views of the English Channel. Where do you spend your time taking pictures and capturing the moment? How do you choose to share your experience (if at all)?

From the outside, the Guernsey Castle doesn’t do justice to what’s hidden inside. There’s so much tucked away inside to discover. Here are just a few snap shots to give you a feel of what’s there to discover.

Towering walls of protection (with well kept grass)

Costumes for kids and adults like me who just want to have more fun touring

Small arches that may have “sunk” over time

And more epic views out from the castle walls

And that’s the “Gentleman’s Pool” I swam in yesterday

You get the idea. Lots to see and do. The Castle can be an all-day affair. John and I spent several hours poking around. We did a 2-hour tour and then managed to do a few of the adjoining museums and still came away feeling we could have done more if we wanted to. The thing is huge, expansive and lots going on to witness. It’s rich in history while still serving as a culture icon of Guernsey today. It holds a balance of old and current in a very unique way.

*Helped fix John’s son’s eBike before heading to dinner. Happy days!*

This church is the closest placed to a pub anywhere in the world (to the left)

Victor Hugo is not so sure why I’m sitting on his bench, but he’ll allow it.

John Hibbs standing in front of the oldest restaurant in Guernsey

For our final act, John took me to the oldest restaurant in Guernsey, La Nautique. We had a fabulous meal for our last night together and I so enjoyed all of our time. We do so much and yet my favorite parts were soaking in the ocean and pools chatting about life (and possibly moving to Guernsey in the future).

You can be sure I’ll be back to Guernsey. This was a first visit and introduction to an incredible place I had not yet known. Thank you, John!

Guernsey Run, Castle & Tower (July 12, 2025)

Guernsey Keynote (July 11, 2025)