It seems as if we have launched from Bonne Nuit fairly regularly over the last couple on months, which is not a problem as it is always enjoyable. On reflection we have headed west every time, again not an issue as there is plenty of entertaining paddling along that stretch of coast. Today though as is the tradition on Remembrance Day we headed east to land in front of the Jersey Canoe Club cottage at Egypt.
Although we were there to observe two minutes silence we still experienced a surprisingly varied paddle and only covered a total distance of 4 nautical miles.
Bonne Nuit harbour was the departure point. The pier was built in 1872 and today provides shelter to a number of local craft. It is the finishing point for the annual Sark to Jersey Rowing race.
From further away the harbour its location under the highest land on the Island is apparent.
Nicky passing just to east of La Crete Fort it was built in 1834 for the magnificent sum of £971. Today it is available for rent from Jersey Heritage. It sleeps 4 adults and a child under 11, when it was built it provided accommodation for 1 officer and 30 other ranks.
Belle Hougue is one of my favourite headlands and the waves which form seem just right for sea kayak surfing. Today we had missed the best of the spring tide but still spent an enjoyable 20 minutes playing in the tidal race.
We landed on the small pebble beach in front of Egypt. There is an interesting history in this area, which has been described elsewhere but today we were coming to pay our respects on Remembrance Sunday.
The 17 members of Jersey Canoe Club paid their respects in front of the monument which, commemorates Operation Hardtack, an allied landing into occupied Jersey at Christmas in 1943.
This nearby bench is inscribed "In appreciation of past and present members of the Special Boat Service"
We did take time to explore the cottage at Egypt, which is looked after by the Canoe Club and is available to hire by its members. It is just a great place to wake up and have breakfast, sitting in the warm summer sunshine.
On the way back to Bonne Nuit we did practice rescues in what was left of the moving water off Belle Hougue. No photographic evidence though as I was busy swimming. The water was surprisingly warm, despite it being the second week of November.
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