The Fishing Cats of Fort d'Auvergne

by David Cabeldu

‘The Fishing Cats of Fort d’Auvergne (and Other Stories)’ is a collection of recollections told from a young boy’s perspective, growing up in a busy seaside holiday hotel in Jersey during the nineteen fifties and sixties.
From the hotel's fishing cats to celebrity guests, these ‘snapshots in time’ add up to an intriguing glimpse into life in a gentler era long gone.
The narrative derives its content and flavour from the adjacent marine environment with its pristine beaches and huge tidal range, from the historic surroundings and colourful characters.
These brief glimpses, presented as bite size chapters encapsulate the relevant years into an entertaining and nostalgic read.

159 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2019

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book as I grew up in Jersey just a few years younger than David, and spent most of my childhood in the area. My grandmother lived close by in Roseville Street so this was our beach, but most importantly, my father was one of the Italian waiters, part of the Italian Brigade, that worked at the Fort D'Auvergne in the 50s and entered the waiters' races. I was so excited to see his photo in the group photo of family and staff taken in 1953 and to show it to my Mum who could name almost everyone in the photograph.
My dad always spoke fondly of his time there and the Cabeldu family who showed kindness to the Italians who were "Aliens" at that time. Apparently my father even made a rug for the hearth. I love the idea that Fawlty Towers may have been partly based on this hotel.
The rest of the book brought back great memories of my childhood. I could almost taste the pasties from Birds the baker.