Back to chatting about Jersey.
As a family myself, husband and two children spent lovely holidays staying with Mum in her B&B, taking along other friends and family over the years. Time soon passes and Mum got older. I kept in touch with her regularly but did not see her so often. As my children were older we did not have the family holidays together. Mum was not able to fly over to visit us for the Christmas period each year as she had done in the past.
When speaking with her over the phone Mum would always insist everything was “fine and rosy”. However, around the time she reached 80 her health had deteriorated. After an anxious phone call from her neighbour I flew over to assess the situation; it wasn’t great.
As soon as I saw her I realised it would take a lot longer to get things sorted than the few days I had planned. Having done what was initially possible, making arrangements for medical treatment and other assistance, I explained to her friend and neighbour Lil that I would sort out a longer visit as soon as possible, which I did. But more was needed; my short then longer visits eventually extended to my being in Jersey for nearly six years. Though very ill Mum struggled on and was determined not to let go.
To support us financially I had to find work. Jersey has two industries – finance and tourism. With my background there were plenty of varied and interesting types of work. My first job was as a cook in a private house, a family with three sons, the youngest still at high school. The other two worked with their father, a successful builder who also owned and ran a garden centre. It was a beautiful home in a secluded valley and the family were a joy to work for. They fully understood the need for me to keep an eye on my Mum and make sure things were running OK for her.
After a year I was asked to take on and run a cafe on a campsite. This was quite a challenge, providing three different “meals” each day:
- Breakfast (8-10am); cooked “full English” plus options
- Morning Snack (10.30-12); Fresh scones, baking and hot tea and coffee
- Evening Meal (5-7.30pm); various hot dishes and savouries
There were around 200 campers on site, not all eating every day but quite enough to keep us extremely busy. The camp was owned by an old friend from Sheffield who had married a Jersey farmer – Jersey Royal potatoes in abundance!
I was the cook, ably assisted by a young couple who served tables, stacked the dishwashers and prepared veggies and salads. The days were long, the work hard – but satisfying. Fortunately the campsite was only a few minutes’ drive away from Mum. The camping season ran from Easter to the end of September. It was the hardest job I have ever done and I really didn’t want to do another season.
During that winter I was a family cook to a couple with three small girls – another lovely job. The following season offered up a beach cafe in the daytime and helping out in the evening at a French restaurant. The chef-proprietor was a true Frenchman who shouted loudly and banged pots and pans furiously ….. an absolute nightmare but I learned an awful lot! He was a truly talented man!
By this time Mum was in hospital for very long periods. She was very poorly and was developing dementia, not great but it had it’s funnier side! The nursing staff, a number of whom were Irish, became very fond of her and treated her very well – even when she accused them of placing a bomb under her bed! They all took this as a joke, knowing it was her condition.
In her more lucid moments she could be great fun. I went every evening to sit with her and each time she would accuse me of never visiting!. So I knew my next job needed to be more 9-5 and less demanding than the catering business. I was in luck; there’s a lovely, long established department store in St Helier, just round the corner from the hospital. My friend from the campsite knew the Manager at de Gruchy’s and told him of my situation. I went for a chat with the personnel boss and ended up being offered the job of managing the Edinburgh Crystal department! This franchise was already run efficiently by three local ladies part-time. However, there was a need for a “head figure” to deal with customers and front the set up and non of the current team wanted to work full-time or accept the additional responsibility.
The whole floor understood the situation with my Mum. The hospital would phone with emergency calls to deal with her and I would dash off down the road to calm her down – or at least try! Eventually, one evening I was asked to stay over and sat holding Mum’s hand as she passed peacefully away. What thoughts and memories pass through your mind at times such as these ……..
During my years on Jersey there were many visits back to Sheffield and the UK. By now my children were grown up and leading their own successful lives. My daughter was highly qualified in physiotherapy, married and had provided me with my first (and only!) grandson. My son had graduated from University and was living and working in London. They had been very supportive through the years, as had other members of my family. I was never entirely alone, even though I haven’t previously mentioned them. In fact Mum had been heartened by a phone call from Clint Eastwood (yes, that Clint Eastwood!). My Californian cousin was in Jersey on a visit and had arranged for the surprise – and it really was!! My Mum couldn’t believe it was true!
Sadly, the next visit for any of the family was for her funeral.
For me I knew it was time to move on and return to Sheffield.
Bye for now.
Gran E Bakes 