It was not unusual for a Hawk jet to startle walkers as they hiked to the headland, but this aircraft was flying really low. On its second approach it came even closer, perhaps only 30 feet over our heads. Then we could see that it wasn’t a Hawk jet at all, but a yellow cigar-shaped space-ship.

It landed on the heather, the lid opened, and out stepped a family of aliens. Their form was humanoid, but it was obvious that these were not of our species due to their bright purple peeling skin. The mother of the group approached and stretched her hand out to me. I almost took it, but with seconds to spare I saw that this was a trick. If I made physical contact with the alien, then I too would become contaminated with the purple skin complaint. Worse still, I would risk possible abduction to the home planet as the latest recruit to the alien species.