Soggy Moose Travels

Saturday, May 9, 2026

OFF A CRUISE AND ON A CRUISE

DEBARKATION DAY

Yes as with all cruises there comes a debarkation day.   We were up early to get some packing done before breakfast. We bid farewell to the serving team and did our final packing and made our way to the gangway.

Off the ship and into the Taxi Queue. The line was not too bad and we were in no rush. Most people waiting were wanting to go to the train station and soon a bus arrived and took the lot of them to the station. We were then the only ones waiting for a taxi.   We got to our lodging at about 0930 and stowed our bags and went for a walkabout. First stop was Poundland for only those things one finds there. Then to Greggs (think starbucks/dunkin) for a morning drink of chocolate milk and orange juice.

Then back to the room to reorganize. I feel we will be constantly reorganizing the next few days. Still hope we can make it home with just carryon.

We took a short walk along the Marine Front to take in the fresh sea air.   Then off to Blakes for dinner and a drink. Sadly the kitchen was closed so we went next door for takeaway fish and chips. They were ok to good but definitely not as good as Blakes. We did enjoy catching ups with Joe and learning most of the other locals were busy or away. It is still always nice to visit Blakes.   We then called it a night.

Our cruise to Calais on 5/9/2026:  

As Lynn is having a bit of a rough go with her hip I thought a simple activity would be to take the P&O ferry to Calais France and back. Something I have always talked about doing. Our round trip fare for both of us was only £57. In our more mobile days we would have just walked to the ferry terminal, but today we have a cab on order.

For breakfast this morning I walked over to Greggs and got us a couple bacon rolls. They are big enough they will also serve as lunch.   Soon it was time to make our way to the P&O Ferry Terminal.

One must arrive no later than 2 hours prior to your ferry scheduled departure time. First you check in, then board a bus that takes you to passport control which is away from the terminal, then there is a random security check before you finally board the ferry.

  We made our way to Deck 8 and found some seats right up front affording us a nice view.   On the ferries there is a food market with hot and cold items. There is a kids play area. Then there is a Pet Lounge with nice size individual stalls for you to sit with your pet. They also sell dog treats. There is also a lounge where more food items are available as well as a full bar. There are also some gambling machines and duty free shopping.

On can also up grade for £29 pp to a more private lounge where drinks and food are included.

The crossing takes about 1.5 hours. Upon arrival you board a bus which takes you to the Calais Cruise Terminal. Here you can rent a car or take a shuttle into the city center.

In the Calais Ferry Terminal there is, I am guessing, a replica of the aircraft which first flew across the English Channel. On July 25, 1909, French aviator Louis Blériot made history by completing the first airplane flight across the English Channel, traveling from Calais, France, to Dover, England, in 36.5 minutes. Flying his self-designed Type XI monoplane, he won a £1,000 prize and solidified the practicality of aviation. The spot where he landed is just outside of Dover Castle and accessible by a short walk.

  As we were on the turnaround ferry to return to Dover we had about an hour wait before we started the return process. Passport Control, immigration, and security check points need to be navigated.   Back on the ferry we went to have a look at the Pet Lounge. (Photos Below)

We decided to have our dinner on the return trip and had a pepperoni pizza.   Upon our arrival we took a cab to the M&S store to get some breakfast items. This will save us some time in the morning before we take the train to London.   

Dover cruise Terminal was a train station, it was from here the rescued troops from Dunkirk were transported back to London.

Lynn Found Poundland

Premier Inn room, nice and adequate

Our Future Cruise Ship

The White Cliffs

OK F&C

Dover Ferry Terminal

Bus you take to board the Ferry

Lorry Deck om the Ferry

Louis Blériot aircraft

Another Pilgrimage Path

Thursday, May 7, 2026

A MOST WONDERFUL MORNING ON ALDERNEY

ALDERNEY

Today we visit lovely Alderney, we first visited her on a National Geographic sailing. Now my memory is refreshed and it was here I visited a hardware store.

We are only here for the morning and I am just walking into St Anne to find the hardware store, and maybe spot a hedgehog if I am lucky.

Alderney is famous for its unique population of blonde hedgehogs, a rare luecistic form of European hedgehog with a creamy colored spines, pink noses, and dark eyes. Due to recessive genes from inbred, introduced pets, over 50% of the island’s estimated 400–600 hedgehogs are blonde. They are best seen foraging at night from spring to autumn, The population is believed to have originated from a small number of pets introduced in the 1960s.

Alderney is the northernmost and third largest of the Channel Islands, acting as a self-governing British Crown Dependency within the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Covering roughly 3.5 by 1.5 miles with a population of 2,000, it is renowned for its tranquil, rugged beauty, extensive WWII history, and tax benefits, making it popular for quiet escapes.

Situated in the English Channel, close to the French coast. It is part of the British Isles but not the UK.

The main town is St Anne. The island uses pound sterling, along with Guernsey banknotes.

The Channel Islands are known for their diverse history from the Iron Age to Roman times and heavy German occupation fortifications during WWII, including labor camps.

Popular activities include hiking, birdwatching, and exploring beaches like Saye and Braye. The island is a hotspot for wildlife, including puffins and hedgehogs and a very large Northern Gannet colony.

The zodiacs were used to tender us into the dingy dock. From the dingy dock it is a 1 mile uphill walk to the center of St Anne.   I will add while the walk is uphill passing the cute residences with their flower gardens makes the walk enjoyable.   Another aspect of the walk was the friendliness of everyone and I do mean everyone greeted me with a “good morning” or “Hello”. These gestures of warm kindness made the walk most enjoyable.   Upon reaching town my first stop was at the hardware store. On our first visit I purchased a whisk in this fun shop. This visit I got some bag closures, a bottle opener, and Lynn a pair of gloves for our narrowboat trip in October.   I then walked to St Anne’s Church where I took pictures of the graveyard and in this beautiful little church.   I then started back to the dingy dock making a stop in a gift shop to get Lynn a hedgehog. Then closer to the dock a grocery store stop for a Lion chocolate bar.

Earlier, as I started my walk, I went to the RNLI Station to see if their shop was open. It was closed and no one was around. Yet on my return there were a couple of crew members in the station. I asked if they could open the shop as I saw a hat I liked. I explained that I wished to make a donation and get a hat. They were kind enough to oblige me. We had a good chat before I returned to the zodiac dock and back to the ship.

HX had a flash sale of older Hurtigruten items, I got a nice dry backpack.   I enjoy going to the knot tying session.

Then there was a backstage tour. Lynn went to the presentation on seaweed, then we missed the Svalbard info session, then we went to the D-Day presentation.   

We then settled our shipboard account. On HX and Hurtigruten tips are not expected, that said there is a crew fund where one can show ones appreciation. This is not publicized nor mentioned by the crew.   HX and Hurtigruten treat their crew well and this shows in the service they provide. They are engaging, happy and eager to perform their tasks with service above and beyond.   

Tomorrow we disembark in Dover and will be spending two nights there. I don’t think Lynn will sleep in anticipation of Poundland.     

RNLI Lifeboat

A fun hardware store, they have everything

Evidence of WWII

RNLI STATION

FROM THE ZODIAC

THESE ARE VERY NICE

CREW MESS

MILK STORAGE

SHIPS CONTROL CENTER

LAUNDRY

SEAWEED IN THE SCIENCE CENTER

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

A RAINY DAY IN ST PETERS PORT, GUERNSEY

CHANNEL ISLANDS - GUERNSEY:

We awoke to totally overcast skies and a bit of fog. I have a walking tour this morning and will be on the first zodiacs ashore. Lynn has decided to stay onboard and rest her hip. So I will be unsupervised in Guernsey.   

Situated roughly 30 miles from the Normandy coast and 70 miles from the south coast of England.

Guernsey has it’s own currency the Guernsey pound (GBP is accepted, but Guernsey notes are not always accepted in the UK).  

When William, Duke of Normandy (a descendant of the Vikings), invaded England in 1066, Guernsey was already his territory. Consequently, the Channel Islands became linked to the English Crown as part of the victors' territory, not the conquered territory.  

This is a return to Guernsey for me, I do remember rather enjoying this island. Maybe visit the hardware store again and find a treasure. (IT WAS CLOSED)

Guernsey is a self-governed British Crown Dependency located in the English Channel. Thus technically not part of the UK but under the British Crown. Known for its scenic coastlines, beaches, and historical sites like Castle Cornet.   

During WWII after Dunkirk Churchill evacuated troops from Guernsey. This is when the Nazis occupied the island. Guernsey became a highly developed fortress during this occupation. Over a year and a half of fortress building there were 20,000 tons of concrete poured each month. Bunkers and gun emplacements were built. There are about 28 km of deep tunnels on this island used to house and move troops. It was here the Nazis set up there most advanced radar post and communication center for the Atlantic Wolf Packs using Enigma.   

Guernsey has a deep, albeit subtle, connection to the Vikings, primarily through Norman heritage, which saw Norse settlers adopt the French language and customs, rather than long term colonization.

While Vikings likely targeted the Channel Islands for raids during the 9th century, their lasting influence is found in the islands' language, culture, and geography.

The name "Guernsey," along with its neighbors Jersey and Alderney, is of Old Norse origin, with the suffix "-ey" meaning "island," likely referring to them as "Green Islands”.

The Vikings, or "Northmen," settled in northern France (Normandy) and were ceded land by King Charles the Simple in 911 AD, with Rollo as their leader. Guernsey became part of this Duchy of Normandy in 933 AD.

The Norman-French language and legal systems, which still influence Guernsey today, were established by these second and third-generation Scandinavian settlers, who blended Old Norse with local customs. 

Arriving ashore by a 10-15 minute zodiac ride, I was glad the sea was calm making for a nice ride. The skies have been overcast and they opened up with a steady rain. This prompted me to stow my camera and rely on the cell phone camera.   I joined the walking tour and soon we were off learning about Guernsey. The people of Guernsey are known as donkeys often attributed to the steep streets of St Peter Port requiring beasts of burden, or a reputation for being stubborn.

The rain continued for most of the walk, I enjoyed it as it is what it is. I will say I was glad I decided on wearing the HX expedition jacket for rain protection.   I decided to abandon the tour just before their stop at the castle and explore a bit on my own. I meandered the cobble stone streets stopping in a few shops finding a present for Lynn. I also got a Guernsey wool hat.

  I did visit the city church and had a nice chat with a gentleman docent. We talked of the viking age and the WWII occupation. He and his family were life long residents of Guernsey. In the church they were serving tea and I met one of the local constables having a tea break. We had a nice chat about the area and being police officers.   

I did find a pub holding a Guinness World Record of being the closest pub to a church. Sadly it was not open as I would have had a pint.   

I then returned to the ship to have lunch with Lynn and write the blog.   It looks like this afternoon will be a laid back kinda day. So I will publish the blog early today.