Today was the day i had planned to walk across to Lihou island - an even tinier lump of rock sticking out of the sea. It's connected to Guernsey by a causeway which is only open a for a few hours during low tide and daylight.
It's apparently a renowned bird sanctuary; i was just going for a different walk and get my feet wet.
Though, as i am seemingly unable to read a tide table, my plans have changed as the causeway is closed for the next few days, next opening is a week later.
With a change of plan i head up to Pleinmont on the SW tip on Guernsey. Here is one of the well known observation towers, this is MP3.
This was purely for observing the sea looking for enemy shipping. There's a gun emplacement nearby that the locals tried to destroy after the occupation - without realising how hard it was.
Hanois lighthouse, there are loads of lighthouses up and down the coasts of these islands.
Lihou island again; at the bottom of the cliff is the fairy ring. A historically insignificant ring of small stones that are now overgrown that someone assembled in the 1930s as they thought it would be nice. No-one has ever seen a fairy here...
I then move on to Torteval - where the bus almost stopped a few days ago. I find this site on Guernsey the most moving and somber, but also the most interesting.
Along the coast there are multiple other Observation towers into the distance.
it;s only a short walk down to the nearest, MP4
Up close to the monstrosity
Someone else lost their bike?
These towers are open and you're free to wander around inside. The metalwork is deteriorating in the sea air, but no sign of the concrete going anywhere.
inside MP4, the view out
It's entirely feasible to go up or down the levels, although today i'm not trusting that 80+ year old concrete, despite it looking ok.
from the front
A very imposing view, although by itself effectively harmless.
walking to the edge, a bit breezy up there so i keep well back.
visitors not welcome
these walls are thick, designed to resist a direct hit. Must be at least 1.40 thick. Still fascinated by that formwork.
Back up to where i started and parked the car; here there is another construction, this time a control post.
The lower level for observation
Inside the upper level. As the metalwork supporting the roof is decaying, the granite blocks have been installed by the preservation group.
First time i've seen inside here - iphone as a periscope, again, but the wind was very strong and was worried about losing grip.
An Aurigny prop flight on final approach to CGI. Can't help but think what would have happened if this had happened a little over 80 years ago.
Out of the car park at the control tower there's a little path
which leads to...
A trench, bunker and gun system
Wouldn't want to be trapped in here as the last line of defense...
22cm gun
entrance to the trenches and bunker system. Got to look hard to find an easy way in! Or just have a little previous knowledge
Around the gun emplacement, there are bunks for the crew to be immediately on hand. Not sure you'd get much sleep here anyway.
The whole complex is open for one to wander without charge, entirely at your leisure with your own thoughts and imagination. I find sometimes it's quite scary just thinking about what could have happened...
After a look around, time for lunch. Back up in Cobo bay there's the Rockmount.
Been passed here many times and never tried it either, so time for a little refreshment.
Sitting outside you order at the bar, which i didn't realise until i went and asked why no-one had come. Inside has server service.
With my final seafood choice of the week, I chose the crab and avocado salad. No pre-order!
I'm a little disappointed. I was expecting larger pieces of crab, rather than a pot of shredded meat. Didnt really taste very crabby or seafoody. Bear that in mind for next time. Salad dressing was nice though, not too sharp.
While eating a French lady approached from the next table and in poor english asked what i was eating, so i explained. She went back to her table where her husband was waiting and having now been there since before i arrived was bemused that there was no server. Of course, i offered my help; explained how/where to order, asked if they understood the menu, etc. One brief menu translation later and we're at the bar ordering some drinks, another crab salad and a burger with the meat cooked very, VERY rare. Guernsey rare is not the same as French rare
Nice to have been able to give back, for the all the countries where i have taken....
Cobo bay is a pretty little place. Nice beaches, and in the evening stunning sunsets
The water is very inviting, but i'm sure i;ve just seen an iceberg go floating past...
This afternoon, to the l'eree headland.
On the way up, a stop off an an ancient burial mound
While it's been cleaned up a little, it's supposedly from around 2500-3500BC; older than the pyramids. On the islands there are many such stone monuments.
Lihou Island again, just after high tide. The causeway is only open for 2-3 hours around low tide. But not today.
One of these...
With its accompanying bunker and gun system (Of course)
Still love the clarity and colour of the sea
Final visit for the day is to the Grandes Rocques Battery. Not as big as Fort Hommet, but still interesting to see.
The shuttering to make this gun turret is still in place - nearly 85 years on.
After an afternoon in the sun, some light refreshment before back to the hotel
Another event for the group this evening which i'm attending. On returning, time to catch up a little and then bed, its been a tiring day.
Not many of these left to go this week...