So You Want to Live on Sark

In 1965 while on holiday, Ken and Chris Davies bought a two acre property on the small feudal Island of Sark, in the British Channel Islands just off the coast of France. Leaving their jobs as district nurse and advertising executive in London, England they set up a guest house. It was a steep learning curve, as they had not done anything like this before. Chris had to learn to master a solid fuel cooker, cook for up to fourteen guests, and cope without motor transport, as cars were forbidden. Guests were met by horse and carriage and cycling was the main means of transport. Eventually Chris and Ken developed a smallholding as they had prime land, and it was a good idea to be as self-supporting as possible. So much had to be imported to this tiny Island, just five kilometers by three, with a population of just 500. They had to learn to drive a donkey and cart; milk goats and look after 200 hens and hives of bees. Many were the amusing incidents before they became proficient. Chris also practiced as a private district nurse, helping the only doctor on the Island. She had to visit her patients by bicycle or tractor and we meet several local characters like the farmer 'Hap' and his daughter Annie. 'So You want to Live on Sark' is an entertaining true story of Chris and Ken's struggles to survive. It is full of incidents; some funny some sad and we meet many characters as we follow their progress from new arrivals to experienced residents of this unique island. Chris has illustrated each of the chapters with a 'cartoon-type' sketch, and there are one or two drawings of local buildings as well as many black and white photos. This is a second edition as the first is almost out of print: it has proved very popular. Since the first edition, Chris Davies Curtis has written two other memoir books; 'From a Feudal Isle to Aotearoa, ' where the family travel to New Zealand by ship, buy a Bedford van to live in. They tour both the North and South Islands, getting jobs when the money runs out. 'From Queen's Nurse to Godzone' Tells of Chris' earlier days as a district nurse in London in the 60s and in New Zealand in the 70s. Both these books are also illustrated by the author