A MOST 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
 

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.   

 

                    tea and a berry smoothy to start breakfast

                                   Lowering the zodiacs 

 

RNLI LIFEBOAT 

 

           I forgot to mention Victor Hugo lived here an here he                    finished Les Misérables and another book

A life-size bronze donkey and foal statue, titled  "Matilda" in the market square represents Guernsey's cultural heritage. 

                                        Victor Hugo

                                             My Hat
    

ISILES OF SCILLY

 ISILES OF SCILLY: 

 

 

Today we arrive early at the Isles of Scilly. The anchorages here can be somewhat tricky due to weather. We are told we have a plan A & B for anchorage and that is all. The Seas are calm and the winds light so it looks good. 

We will have to clear customs individually with a face to face inspection this morning. We will do two landings on Tresco and St Mary’s. 

The Isles of Scilly are England’s only archipelago, located 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall.

 
Scilly includes more than 200 islands, islets and rocks, including St Mary’s, St Martin's, Tresco, Bryher and St Agnes. Scilly has been part of the Duchy since the beginning of the 14th century. The whole archipelago is a National Landscape and Conservation Area. In 1975, the Isles of Scilly were designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Nearly 70% of the islands 2,500 permanent residents are employed by tourism.

The combination of climate and location has enabled the Isles of Scilly to enjoy a rich and versatile flora and fauna. From rare migratory birds to no Dutch Elm Disease, the islands' biodiversity is unique, and with the help of a number of major stakeholders and the island communities, well maintained.

Think of it this way, the Isles of Scilly are the first landfall for many migrating species of birds.  

Interesting to me is there is Viking history here. 
The Isles of Scilly were known to Norse seafarers as Syllingar and served as a strategic maritime base during the Viking Age.

Vikings used the islands for raids, temporary settlement, and shelter between the 8th and 11th centuries, taking advantage of their position between Cornwall, Ireland, and Brittany. 

The Orkneyinga saga records that in the mid-12th century, the Viking Sweyn Asleifsson "went south, under Ireland, and seized a barge belonging to some monks in Syllingar and plundered it”.

The islands served as a key resting point and base for Viking crews operating in the Celtic Sea.
Legend states that in AD 986, the Norse king Olaf I Tryggvason was converted to Christianity by a seer in the Scillies.

Our first landing was to the Island of St Mary and the town of Hugh Town. Here we landed at a protected harbor and enjoyed a walkabout. In Hugh Town, one finds shops and cafes along the main street. This town has a pleasant small town vibe, very friendly,  warm and welcoming. 

We had just missed the World Pilot Gig Championship which is held over the bank holiday. 

Keep reading to see a picture of a gig. 



Back on the ship, as we were walking to our room the odor of cooking burgers permeated the hall. I knew it was BBQ day for lunch. 



After lunch it was time for our second landing in the island of Tresco. 

On Tresco, we find the Tresco Abbey Gardens, a premier horticultural attraction, featuring over 20,000 subtropical plants from the southern hemisphere and Mediterranean regions due to a unique, frost-free climate.

We enjoyed a stroll around the gardens. 

We finished the day with dinner and the evening briefing on tomorrows activities. 




 

                                     Streets of Hugh

                                         The Harbor 

                                  The RNLI Life Boat

                                     Da Ship MS FRAM

                                  Here it is folks a GIG

                                         BBQ TIME!!

            Tinder pit where you board zodiacs of a tender boar

                                  Really nice beaches 

                                        The Gardens 

 
            Yes I bought a Sweater in Hugh, nice Irish wool