Alderney Trip. Day One

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1 Alderney Trip Alderney is the third largest and the most northern of the Channel Islands. It lies approximately 10 miles west of the Cherbourg Peninsular. Alderney boasts some of the best opportunities available for saltwater fishing in the British Isles. This maybe why some of the local fishermen say that a bad day in Alderney is still better than a good day on the mainland! Day One The journey time is approximately 3 hours for a direct crossing on Big Blue, however most of our charters will involve fishing on route, not so direct as they say so be prepared for a leisurely sail from Portland to Alderney. Albeit only 58 miles away from Portland it will fill your first day with an exciting taster of fishing to come during this 4 day tour. During our sail it would be rude not to visit one of the wrecks and participate in a little wreck fishing. This most westerly Channel Island has powerful tides and a rocky coastline. Over the centuries this has proved the undoing of dozens of ships, including one known as the Elizabethan wreck. Each shipwreck represents a moment frozen in time. Alderney s Elizabethan wreck is thought to be the only known wreck of an English warship from the Elizabethan age. Originally discovered in The Elizabethan vessel is known to have sunk towards the end of the sixteenth century. It may have been even one of the ships which fought against the Spanish Armada. Typical fish in these shores whilst wreck fishing can include pollack, cod, ling and conger. Other notable wrecks on Alderney include: Sailing ship Liverpool a massive 3,400-ton 4-master which sank in Cats Bay in Le Puits Jervais, just off the headland, was the scene of the wrecking of the 1,500- ton Shell tanker Point Law, which broke up where she lay. In Clonque Bay the SS Emily Everson was claimed by the rocks. The wreck can be seen at low tide. On a very low tide you can even walk out and look inside its boiler, but great care should be taken as the tide comes in very quickly

2 As we approach our first evening we anchor into the ports of Alderney giving you the chance to leave your fishing tackle on board safely whilst you treat yourself to the hosting of one of the many Bed and breakfasts within a short stroll of our mooring. We can organise a bed and breakfast for you as part of your package if desired. Braye having easy access with its predominantly westerly or South Westerly facing winds is a secure and comfortable mooring place, it is also the main Harbour in Alderney and therefore the most obvious point for mooring or anchoring. If shelter is not available due to the wind for Braye, then it is only a short trip to Longis Bay on the other side of the island. Overall the island s weather is typically mild, and its sea experiences somewhat powerful tides, its has many rocky outcrops and offers various sandy but sheltered bays which provide excellent protection for young fish. These specifically perfect conditions for fish mean a varied and abundant stock and supply of fish all year round, increasing the chance to catch some magnificent fish specimens, and increasing the chance of the novice fisher to hook there very own catch to be proud of including catching pollack, garfish or wrasse using a float only. It is a known fact that Many of the British records are fish that have been caught in Alderney. The more experienced fishermen might catch a sole, bass, plaice, skate, tope, turbot, bream or brill. Seasonally in winter, a test of your skills and strength can be a challenge against the wily and powerful thick-lipped grey mullet. More exotic species of fish in these waters include red gurnards, couches sea bream, bull Huss (shark family), codling and smooth-hounds, or even gilt-head bream, Pandora s bream, coal-fish and triggerfish. The Autumn season brings good opportunities for catching conger eels, with rays being a more common catch too. Day Two & Three For the less fish orientated guests there is plenty of historical sight seeing made easily available and accessible, and shopping. These two days will be leisurely days to explore some of the sights of Alderney and will be a free for you to spend as you wish. These include:

3 ALDERNEY MUSEUM...started in 1966, displaying a record of Alderney s fascinating history, collections are exclusive of Alderney, and cover its geology, archaeology, natural environment and its social history. It displays incredible exhibits relating early Iron Age pottery, the Gallo-Roman occupation, as well as the building of Braye Harbour our first stop on entering Alderney, the breakwater, associated defensive forts and gun batteries by the British government, materials from the German Occupation, the islanders mass evacuation in 1940, their return in 1945, the remains of a wreck from the Elizabethan period, all but a few of Alderney Museum exhibits. MANNEZ LIGHTHOUSE...situated at the eastern end of the island at Quesnard Point, built to act as a guide and to warn vessels of passing shipping of the treacherous waters around the island. The tower rises 105ft (32 metres) painted white with a central black band making it more visible to shipping during daylight. Its light beam (four white flashes every 15 seconds) carries across 12 sea miles. Automated in 1997, now monitored and controlled from the Trinity House Central Planning Unit at Harwich, Essex. Guided tours are available It is a steep climb to the top of the tower but stunning views of Alderney s coastline and beyond are well worth the effort. When the train is running, you can travel out to Mannez on Alderney s railway. ALDERNEY'S RAILWAY...created to help with the construction of the Victorian Breakwater at Braye Harbour, trains delivered stone during this construction project and was officially opened by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Channel Islands only train can be experienced by travel in old Tube carriages pulled by a diesel engine. The miniature railway can be seen at Mannez Lighthouse which is one of the line this train takes. CHURCH...Until the mid-18th century, almost the entire population of Alderney lived in the town, developed from the original nucleated village settlement in a hollow around the Bourgage and the old church (currently located in the centre of St. Anne and surrounded by a well cared-for churchyard), consecrated in 1850 and built to the design of Mr George Gilbert Scott, acknowledged as one of the finest Victorian buildings in the Channel Islands. Scott was one of the most prolific architects of the 19th century and apart from a considerable amount of restoration work on ecclesiastical buildings, including Westminster Abbey, he was also responsible for the Albert Memorial in London (recently restored), the Foreign Office and the St Pancras Station Hotel. The church is often referred to as the cathedral church of the Channel Islands because of its size but the original intention was that it should serve not only as a parish church for the island but also as the garrison church for the military stationed here in the mid 19th century; a time when the island was

4 being heavily fortified against any potential threat of invasion by France, only a few miles away. THE NUNNERY...A Roman fort, found at the bottom of Bluestone Hill, found at the western end of Longis beach the small fort, known in 16th century as Les Murs de Bas, or Lower Fort, and known today as the Nunnery. On the hill above is Fort Essex, which was originally built in Tudor times and was known variously as Les Murs de Haut, Upper Fort, and Essex Castle; during the Victorian era in the 1850s much of this was rebuilt and added to and it became Essex Barracks and Hospital. It too like the Nunnery was fortified during the Second World War by the Germans and called by them Burg Essex. After recent archaeological investigations it is now considered to be almost certainly Roman in origin. Its shape resemblances the five Roman so-called signal-station forts on the Yorkshire coast. This fort is the first evidence of military construction in Alderney. In addition the fort was used during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, as a hospital and married quarters in Victorian times and was converted to a German strong point in the Second World War. The Alderney fort was to defend the anchorage and harbour at Longis Bay, and the nearby Roman settlement. There is no official public access to the interior of the Nunnery as it is still occupied, much of the site can be seen from the exterior and the beach so there is plenty to explore. For the more fish minded guests you may want to experience some of the different fishing opportunities at hand, these include: BANK FISHING...available with the likelihood of catching turbot, brill and bass. SHORELINE FISHING...offering dozens of perfect angling locations, with miles of coastline undisturbed. Platte Saline beach is one of the popular haunts with fisherman, and is easily accessible and ideal for a catch of sole. The famous granite breakwater, jutting three-quarters of a mile (1km) into the sea with deep water either side, is unsurpassed in Britain. Again as stated earlier if the wind is too strong on the north side of the island, you can simply drive a mile to the south coast, as the beauty of such an experience is having shelter rather than being blown sideways. INLAND FISHING...in one of the lakes or reservoirs is another fishing experience in Alderney, and common carp and mirror carp can be fished for at the well known man made

5 lake of Corblets Reservoir. Fishing for carp here though is on a strictly catch and release basis. Fishermen must use unhooking mats and barbless hooks to minimise the distress to the fish. This allows the carp to breed and develop into the monster size fish that can be enjoyed catching today. REEF FISHING...off Alderney will attract tope, congers, Pollack, bream and rays. Day Four This will be our return journey home, again leisurely and repeating our outward journey in reverse. The last opportunity on this tour to do some wreck fishing with view of taking you almost guaranteed catch home for your tea, fresh from the Alderney seas. On returning to Portland we will pass some of the beauty spots available to view from sea, a different visual perspective than from that of the local bus or car, cycle ride or walk. These may include portland Bill, Old Harry's Rock, Pulpit Rock, Chesil Cove. We will then head back to the marina for you to depart Big Blue taking with you your very own fresh catch and long lasting memories of an enjoyable fishing experience and a desire to do it all again with Big Blue in the future. We want to ensure we build a lasting rapport with you and that you become a regular visitor on Big Blue. PRICE FOR THIS FOUR DAY EXPERIENCE IS... plus cost of Bed and Breakfast if you require us to book that for you, alternatively you may wish to select your own accommodation from the many Bed and Breakfasts available.