Now in St Peter Port, Guernsey after a brief stop in Alderney - both in the Channel Islands, both very English despite being so close to France - only 8 miles from Alderney to France! (Alderney made a great decision in 1204 to side with England even though English possessions in France had been lost.) Had a wonderful sail both from Cherbourg to Alderney and then from Alderney to Guernsey. Cycled round Alderney - some wonderful beaches, extraordinary bird islands (puffins which we didn't get close enough to see as it's nesting season and gannets which we saw thousands of - there are about 6,000 nesting pairs here - exceptional flyers, bit like the red arrows but they also dive into the sea) and also many forts and gun emplacements both from Napoleonic times and WWII. Alderney's population was evacuated in WWII and even now has only grown again to about 2,500 - so beautifully unspoilt, unhurried and friendly. Great history from Roman times, through Elizabethan (a leading Elizabethan warship recently found off Alderney) and Napoleonic times to WWII. Now about to explore Guernsey. Photos to follow. Next blog soon! Hope everyone well.
Best wishes
Iain and Helen
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