Glenda van der Maas kisses the dockside from which her great-grandparents departed for New Zealand in 1874. (0976954)

MORE than 130 years ago, Suzanne and James Gavet set sail from Guernsey for New Zealand.

Yesterday their great-granddaughter, Glenda van der Maas, 74, became the first descendant to return to the island.

‘I came on this cruise specifically to come to Guernsey,’ she said stepping ashore from the 86,700-tonne Eurodam, which moored off St Peter Port yesterday.

‘I only have four or five hours here, but it really is the highlight of the trip. I feel very connected with this place. I have always liked islands and water. It’s in my blood.’

Also, thanks to a letter published in the Guernsey Press, she was greeted by distant cousins descended from family members who stayed in Guernsey.

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