Thirsty Thursdays: Prosecco Sunset At The Food Dude At The Bottom of Fort Tourgis (Platte Saline), Alderney

“Sometimes I gaze at an Alderney sunset” – Not The Kinks.

Prosecco Sunset in Alderney

My return to the Channel Islands in July 2022 meant my Alderney debut having previously enjoyed Sark and Herm in 2009 and Jersey a few times including a 2015 return to Saint Helier. I arrived on a flight with 12 other passengers into Alderney International Airport where I was sat at the front with only the pilot and co-pilot in front of me. The views on the way in and out of the country were sensationalistic.

In front of the pilot on route till that there Alderney

Epic arrival into Alderney

Alderney International Airport

Arrival in Alderney

And the first thing I did after receiving my visa confirmation, clearing immigration and bag checks (cue slight tongue in cheek there) was head to the beach with The Food Dude for the famous “Prosecco Sunset“.

Prosecco sunsets with The Food Dude in Alderney

The Food Dude is a moving food truck, which is part of the La Ville Hotel network in Alderney. When the weather suits, they roll up at The Bottom of Fort Tourgis (Platte Saline), Alderney. They open up, cook up tasty dishes and serve a range of food and drinks here. Here’s the menu, which is where I had my first food and drink in Alderney.

Menu for the epic Prosecco Sunset in Alderney

I got a seat by the beach and ordered up a mixed drink Gin and Tonic ice cold can (£4) and a spicy chicken taco dish (£6). The Prosecco is priced at £20.00. You can pay in cash or card.

Thirsty Thursdays: Prosecco Sunset At The Bottom of Fort Tourgi (Platte Saline), Alderney

Thirsty Thursdays: Prosecco Sunset At The Bottom of Fort Tourgis (Platte Saline), Alderney

The spicy chicken tacos were delicious.

My gin and tonic tin with the spicy chicken tacos

Sadly in May 2022, I cracked my ribs, collar bone (shoulder bone) and had my shoulder out of position and had to wear a sling, but I still smiled.

My gin and tonic tin with the spicy chicken tacos

The venue for Prosecco Sunset is at the beach at the bottom of Fort Tourgis, which is to the left of us. That beach is known as Platte Saline and to the right of us are two other forts – Fort Doyle and Fort Grosnez. All of this is sort of in the north west to north central part of Alderney. The capital city Saint Anne is south.

Fort Grosnez and Fort Doyle, Alderney

Gin and Tonic for sunset

View out west

The view to the left, the west is partly of Fort Tourgis, but also of the English Channel stretch of water termed as The Swinge. Beyond all that, are two further treats…

1.Burhou Island – A Bird Sanctuary

In front of us is Burhou Island which is a bird sanctuary, and therefore of high interest for ornothologists. I didn’t tour it, but tours for budding bird addicts can be arranged.

View across The Swinge and Burhou Island

2.The Sunset Condor Ferry

Then I’m drifted back to July 2009, when on this very night I’d have been on board that very Condor ferry sailing in. This ferry is coming into either Cherbourg or Saint Peter Port, Guernsey. I see it with my own eyes munching my tacos, sipping gin and watching the sinking sun.

View across The Swinge and Burhou Island

You see back in 2008 – 2009, I worked on various ferries usually in the bar or restaurant. In 2009, I was on the Condor Ferries route!

With my crew working for Condor Ferries in 2009. It was fun, but my mind was elsewhere.

Working for Condor Ferries in 2009 – we got to do some sightseeing too – here by Chesil Beach in Dorset.

After that it’s time to drink up and head back to the capital city, Saint Anne for a night on the rip and a lovely stay at the La Ville Hotel. Here are a few more photos from my relaxing epic sunset experience here in Alderney.