Numbers of participants for the lunch fluctuated wildly in the last week before the event, but in the end, 21 hungry diners turned up on time at La Croix Blanche in Ferney Voltaire. The restaurant opened last year after the complete restoration of the building which was delayed by the pandemic. This historic site was constructed around the same time as the Chateau de Voltaire in the 18th century and was originally used as a workshop. More recently, in the 1960s, it served as the social club for Bernie Cornfeld’s IOS staff, but then became derelict after the collapse of that company.
We were placed at two long tables on the ground floor and other diners were probably grateful to be well away from the chatter by being placed on the first floor. Two new members, Jeff Crudgington and Ralph Wares, were welcomed and introduced themselves to the group. Contacts were made and intimations of interests in our various activities were carefully noted.
Everyone opted for the three-course menu, which made things easier for the chef, the serving staff and not least, the organizer! The bill reflected that 11 carafes of St Joseph and Chardonnay were consumed. Discussion was animated in true GIN style, before we all ventured back into the cold at around 14.00.
It was great to meet up with old and new friends and sample the local French cuisine.
Present: Brian Allardyce, John Burley, Bryan Clarke, David Colledge, Jeff Crudgington, Trevor Davies, Norman Eatough, Ken Forrester, Harry Leefe, Stephen Long, Rudi Pluss, Mike Price, Tony Raeburn, Richard Saynor, Paul Sochaczewski, Peter Taylor, Wouter van Ginneken, Gary Vannatter, Ralph Wares, Mark Warren, Mark Watts