From rat race to island pace

By Kirsten Parker-George

FOR Thomas Jones and Rachel Tracey, leaving the hustle and bustle of the city to live and work in Herm was not a difficult decision.

Thomas Jones, pictured with Rachel Tracey and children Ryan and Morgan outside the pub. (0414158)

Along with their two children, Morgan, 6, and Ryan, 3, the couple left their south London home so that Thomas could take up the role of manager at the Mermaid Tavern.
After 20 years of working in the hospitality industry, culminating in his previous job as food and beverage manager at the 1,022-room Cumberland Hotel, he is looking forward to the challenge that working and living in a small island presents.
Having worked at various hotels in Guernsey in the early 1990s, Thomas needed no persuasion to return to the Bailiwick on a permanent basis, bringing his young family with him.
Although Rachel had never heard of Herm, coming to the island for an interview convinced her it would be the right move to make.
'I was very nervous about being interviewed but saw that the island was just beautiful.
'The job came at the right time for us.
'It was time to leave the rat race and experience a quieter life,' she said.
Moving the children from inner-city life was also a major factor.
'Morgan and Ryan will get more chances to do well here. Morgan has left a class of over 30 children to become one of eight pupils,' said Rachel.
The safe environment and healthy outdoor lifestyle were not the only reason for the family taking the plunge.
With extensive renovations taking place at the tavern over the winter, Thomas is relishing the challenge of being involved with the project as it evolves.
With an extended kitchen and new all-weather conservatory area, the courtyard has changed dramatically and Thomas is convinced it will impress.
'We are focusing on creating fresh-food menus with a healthy edge using local produce from local suppliers,' he explained.
The new-look menus include the addition of a hog/spit roast, a made-to-order menu for babies called 'pots for tots' and the only black-rock grill interactive-cooking concept in the Channel Islands.
While Thomas is busy working at the pub, Rachel and the children are adjusting to life away from the bright lights of London and the erratic weather has certainly taken some getting used to, as Rachel explained.
'My mum came to visit and arrived in Guernsey on the Saturday, where we went to meet her. Unfortunately, all boats were then cancelled and we were stranded.
'We made it back home the following Tuesday.'
But even the inclement weather can't dampen the family's spirits.
The children love their new home and have settled into Herm life with ease.
'Ryan and I like the beaches,' said Morgan.
'Herm is different because we have a slide here and we didn't have a garden in London.'
With the tourist season starting in just a few weeks' time, Thomas is preparing himself for the influx of visitors.
'I am looking forward to the challenge of vast numbers of people arriving in the summer and can't wait to create enough interesting ideas to keep people coming back again and again.'