British Travel Journal | Autumn 2019

Others had their beautiful pink snouts on show - each one
uniquely cute and charming. Some quietly scuttled away,
while others didn’t seem too fussed about us at all. The
islanders treat them like little kings (and queens) feeding
them when they come to their gardens - perhaps one of
the reasons they are doing so well.
There are not many people who know more about our
adorable British tiggywinkles than the Alderney Wildlife
Trust - the island’s only organisation dedicated to the
protection of the natural environment and local wildlife.
Take part in one of their activities, walks or tours and
your money will be put towards funding many essential
projects in conserving their island. (alderneywildlife.org)
DAY TWO
Breakfast at The Victorian is excellent. Home prepared by
Ally, made with local produce fresh from the fisherman or
farm-to-fork and served in the pretty dining room.
Choose from healthy smoothies, continental,
porridge, pancakes, a full Victorian House breakfast – or
pre-order for overnight oats, soaked apples, or (as I did) a
grilled kipper with a poached egg.
Alderney is about self-adventure, and, as Andrew
from Cycle & Surf described it, “There’s nothing to do
on Alderney, but there just isn’t enough time to do it
all”. While Alderney might not have a tourism brochure
packed with must-visit attractions and gift shops for its
visitors, there was so much to go and see – to investigate
- to explore. You could stay for weeks, months, years and
still find somewhere new and exciting to spend a lazy day.
The Victoria provided us with a delicious packed
lunch, picnic-style, and off we went on our bikes - in
search of our own slice of this Alderney magic.
We had a map, but one of the things I liked best about
Alderney was that we didn’t need it. The enjoyment is
in following the paths and discovering places as you go.
It’s easy to lose yourself in the natural beauty, enjoying
Alderney is
about selfadventure,
and, as
Andrew
from Cycle
& Surf
described
it, “There’s
nothing
to do on
Alderney,
but there
just isn’t
enough time
to do it all.”
the moment, and seeing where the day takes you.
And with the coastline of never-ending stretches of
white-gold beaches, never too far out of sight, you can
always get back on track, if needed.
Just 10 minutes into our journey and we came across
a Blue Plaque - at the home where John Arlott, English
journalist, author and famous cricket commentator for
the BBC’s Test Match Special lived.
There are several more Blue Plaques dotted across
the island - you can even pick up a leaflet showing the
Blue Plaque Trail. Other distinguished people who
were born or lived in Alderney include John Wesley,
Founder of Methodism; TH ‘Tim’ White, a writer best
known for publishing “The Sword in the Stone” and
author Elisabeth Beresford, famous for creating The
‘Wombles’.
I wonder if the island's adorable blonde hedgehogs
could have inspired Elisabeth’s furry, long-nosed
burrowing creatures (who lived peacefully under the
parkland of Wimbledon Common, emerging secretly
to clean up and repurpose the rubbish left behind by
humans).
After passing the cute 18 hole golf course, Alderney’s
colourful puffin statue, and the ‘Nunnery’, we arrived
at Mannez Lighthouse, where if you are visiting May to
September tours are available every Sunday.
Overlooking Fort Les Hommeaux Florains, with the
sun shining and not a single soul in sight, we munched
our way through our fresh crab sandwiches. The views
were spectacular - easily one of the most peaceful
picnics, just us and the birds, the gentle swashing of
the waves below – one of the many highlights. à
78 BritishTravelJournal.com