SKL's Walking Blog

Alderney

Alderney Airport to Alderney Airport – 26th September 2023

The day started cloudy with an easterly wind which made the short flight in the little plane a bit bumpy but I actually enjoyed it – mon dieu. As far as flying goes, the smaller the better for me it seems.
Today is a circum-navigation of Alderney, the last island for me to conquer.

Only 20 seats – 10 each side and a narrow isle in between – and nothing blocking you off from the pilots.
He kneels up on his seat for the welcome speech etc.
Got about a mile to go to get to the coast and my starting point.
I assume that accountants and lawyers live in this street.
The official coastal path is about 10 but the guide boy has it at 13. While Mr. Google says 15. Not a prob, I’m a 20 a day man now.
The sign said ‘Sentry Post.’ I expect he dived into his concrete shell when the explosive type fell.
I though the sentry was for the airport but no. Nasty stuff went on.
All the locals had been forcibly moved off the island
so no witnesses.
I really can’t see them getting that ready for the return flight in time.
Loads of these info plaques, saves me regurgitating it.
The guide says to ignore this valley and head up the road a bit. Think I’ll just go down.
Got to the end and it is either climb that or go back.
However, I wouldn’t have gotten to see the gannets having a big party.
Gun pits and mounts all over the cliff tops.
Turning north up the west side of the island.
The odd sign is usually helpful.
More Victorian fort. The Cherokee ambassador came to stay and they built a special Tepee to make him feel at home.
This one has been turned into a house. Not sure about it.
The German gun post is sad!
Because it has swallowed a big stone and can’t get it out.
Forts to the left …
Forts to the right.
They mix in the Victorian with the WW2
This whole promontory is riddled with the trenches.
Braye harbour and the goats have abandoned their gun for a good forage.
I’ve seen a few of the wombles around but don’t get the connection.
Big fort that I’ll have to climb up to.
Could not find anything but football. Is it dangerous?
There is actually a little train but can’t wait for it to show.
Up on the fort and Braye below.
Next beach. Every frigging rock has a fort on it.
Right on the point. They were obvs moving a gun from one side to the other but can’t have been very big.
Now that is how you do a fort conversion.
We know why the rock is the way it is but what did our predecessors think was happening?
What a foghorn. Haven’t seen the like since the Isle of Man.
That giant from Jersey is just gulping down his cuppa-soup.
This one has been painted white and turned into flats.
Even the Romans were at it with the forts.
Le Belle France over the channel.
He’s finished his fortifying broth and now has the fists up, ‘Come on ye French bastards.’
Someone has added some protective blocks around the standing stone.
I think that some wee farmer starting that whole standing stones religion by accident. He just couldn’t be arsed dragging a big rock out of his newly cleared field and just forced it upright to give maximum tillage area.
All the caves to be.
Circuit complete. Now a mile and a bit to find something to eat in the burg.
Aha! Tooling down a cobbled street I discover this.
Swamp Hall? Don’t care as long as they feed me.
They didn’t. Kitchen closed. Heading back to the airport and realised you wanted one of these.
Channel Islands done face.