Posts Tagged ‘coastal defences’

Big in the Bailiwicks

Monday, October 24th, 2011

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Well just Alderney so far, which is in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, but we’re on our way. The trip to Fort Clonque – a mid-nineteenth century British coastal battery connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway – was a resounding success. Eleven of us, connected to one degree or another through Oxford’s famous Catweazle Club, flew out there at the beginning of October to enjoy some sea, sand and songwriting, and to play a gig at the Campania, a pub in the main town, St Anne.

The gig went down well and was a good chance to meet some locals, who were friendly and welcoming, if slightly bemused by our performances. But we were also charmed by the lanscape, some of it picturesue like the craggy cliffs and beautiful white beaches, some of it post agri-industrial like the abandoned farm machinery, steam cranes and water pumps, and the extensive Second World War coastal fortifications. (more…)