European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 12, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                I s la n is by Bill Walker staff writer Sark a 2-Mie-$quare Fleck of land Between Jersey and Guernsey is a remnant of the Middle Ages. It is a fiefdom with its own ruler and is the smallest Independent state remaining in the British  Seigneur of Sark leads a population of 40 landowners and approximately 600 residents. As the present Seigneur John Michael Beaumont explained to stripes reporter j. King Cruger several years ago Quot this really is a Feudal society but it Only works because there is a consensus of thought Between All of us. If i tried imposing my own Way it just would t  Sark is unique for its Lack of motorcars. Beaumont s predecessor As ruler of the Island Dame Sybil once told an interviewer the ban on motor traffic was hers. Quot i believe there should be one spot on Earth where modern transportation can be forgotten Quot she said. Each of the 40 landowners has a tractor for farming. 14 stripes Magazine May 12, 1994 take a step Back into the Middle Ages a even the local doctor makes House Calls on a tractor. A few Small electric vehicles Are now allowed on the Island a gesture to elderly islanders who have difficulty biking. Tourists arrive on High Speed oceangoing catamarans from Guernsey and Jersey. The boats shuttle into la Maselle Harbor several times a Day in summer. A taxi trailer pulled by a tractor hauls visitors up the Hill to town. Return fare from Jersey including the Carriage tour is about $40 for adults $27 for children. Most tourists Only stay about four hours and usually gel around on rented bikes or take the Standard horse Ancl Carriage Tours. Visitors with More time often choose to walk the Island. A Carriage tour is often booked As part of the Day trip plan. The tour begins at the main Crossroads where visitors Hoard the eight passenger Carriage. For the next half hour the Carriage navigates the narrow dirt roads of the Island. There is a Brief Stop at the Seigneurie the estate of the Feudal ruler. The gardens of the Seigneurie Are open to the Public and occasionally the Seigneur comes out to meet visitors. A a a a a. A a a a -. A. I he most efficient Way to see the 3-mile-Long by 1 i mile wide Island is to rent a bicycle from Jackson s Cycle hire on the Avenue the main Road of the Island. All Day rental is approximately $4. From Jackson s it takes about 15 minutes of energetic peddling to reach la Coupee the causeway which. Connects Sark with a smaller part of the Island called Little Sark. The causeway drops off sharply on each Side offering unobstructed panoramic views of the Ocean nearly 300 feet below. Little Sark is lightly populated and Ideal for the hiker who wants to walk the Cliffs and Oceanside Meadows. Another Way to see the Island coastline is by boat. Local Fisherman George Guille Skippers his 26-foot Craft on a three hour journey that he Calls a nature discovery trip. Cost is about $1 7 for adults $7.50 for children. There Are hotels guestrooms and three campgrounds on the Island. A amps photos by Bill Walker one of the most Scenic stretches is la Coupee a causeway which connects Sark with a smaller part called Little Sark. Pottery leads shopping list while visiting the islands a hand painted pottery is a specially pm Jersey. The Best display is at Jersey pottery in Gorey Village near Mont org Eil castle., pearls Gold and perfume Are touted As bargains in the tax free shops of Guernsey and Jersey but prices seem about the same As  the continent. The Gold Centre at the North end of five mile Road along Jersey s St Ouen s Bay usually attracts a Large number of tour buses. The King Street pedestrian shopping precinct in the Center of St. Holier on Jersey has the single Best area of shops in the islands. Again prices seem about the same As in the rest , despite the lavish tax free advertisements. O l j v a ,. On Guernsey handicrafts Are on Sale in he stalls of the old Guernsey. Market on Market Square St. Peter port on thursday afternoons. There i a permanent display at Oatlands a Craft Center with Brick Stone Silver pottery glassblowing and other  displayed. The Center is on Braye Road in St. Sampson and is open from 10 . Until 5 . Clarily in summer. To is dosed sundays in Winter. 1 he Best collection of shops on Guernsey is grouped in the High Street the Pollet Smith Street and commercial Arcade. Market Street in the old Quarter has a Charm of its own and some interesting shops a a a Bill Walker May 12, 1994 stripes Magazine 15