This annual lunch, the first since 26 Nov 2021, had been planned for Nov/Dec 2023, but for various health and related reasons had to be rescheduled to 2024. Again I chose Founex Tennis Club Restaurant – but maybe next time we shall venture further afield – France perhaps.
17 Gintlemen and 13 better halves attended an increase of 6 from 2021:-
| 1 | Mark2rs | Christine |
| 2 | Nicolas | |
| 3 | Stephen | Kate |
| 4 | PeterT | Jill |
| 5 | Mark2ts | Lynda |
| 6 | Larry | Nicole |
| 7 | Paul | Monique |
| 8 | Richard | Carol |
| 9 | Nathan | |
| 10 | Rudi | Vibeke |
| 11 | Philip | Jackie |
| 12 | Ralph | Pat |
| 13 | Robert ORiordan (new member) | |
| 14 | David | Rose |
| 15 | Drew | Kate |
| 16 | MikeM | Tineke |
| 17 | Mervyn |
We were all seated on four tables (6,6,8 and 10) and ready to go by 12.15pm and a variety of pre-ordered meals were efficiently served preceded by a small salad. One interesting feature was that the filets de perche (ordered by 13 of us) price had increased from 22 in 2021 to 41 francs. I pointed this out to Ismaël, but he explained that at that time it was a Friday and on that day prices for fish are reduced (currently 24). In the end we managed to get a 10% discount in our bill.
Peter T gave a short speech (perhaps too long according to his partner) welcoming everyone, especially partners who could now be reassured, after reading the Blogs, and seeing us in the flesh – we are not simply a bunch of alcoholics. We really do love hiking in the wonderful hills and countryside nearby – we are so lucky to live here – in Nyon…
He remembered absent friends – sadly missed – especially Rob (working in Guadelopue (or was it Guatemala?)), MikeH (skiing), PeterD (travelling), Thatcher (skiing), Bill (back in Colorado), and Peter Strebel and Rose, out hiking with the UN.
New member Robert has just joined us – he is based in St Cergue. Those now present who were not around at the lunch in 2021 :- Nicolas (sadly Stephanie had a professional (dressed-up) lunch to attend in Geneva), Nathan, MikeM and Tineke, Rudi and Vibeke, Ralph and Pat, and Larry and Monique.
Thanking leaders for leading safely and volunteers for driving, virtual awards were virtually presented to
RichardS for being our spiritual leader with his Bottle of Many Spirits, and
Mark2ts for his reliable Caffeine supply, hot, strong and black no sugar, complete with paper cups.
Also thanked were our vintners with particular mention to Larry for carrying bottles up and down (when not drunk (the bottle not Larry)), along with a cold cooler. Also thanked were the hikers who have so warmly tolerated (seemingly) Peter’s big fluffy dog, Kobie. Kobie loves everyone, as well as hiking and eating. Other dogs have joined us too – Onyx and Nessie as well as Rocco, mostly impeccably behaved.
The virtual prize for the highest attendance in 2023 was shared by Mark2rs and Mervyn with 13, and in 2022 won outright by Stephen again for 13. Larry runs away with our elder-statesman virtual medal.
A Record of the hikes over the past 3 years was circulated for members’ archives or the wpb. (See below). It is visible that we are slightly slowing down, at least as compared with 2021, with 550m average denivellation per hike and average distance 12.8km. In 2022 these were 577m and 12.6km and in 2021 – 730m and 13.8km.
Every year we have completed 17 hikes, max denivellation 1270m in 2021 round Columbey de Gex, and max length 24km in 2022 round Lac de Joux.
PeterT closed with thanking all for coming and said that we all look forward to a safe and happy hiking season in 2024, about to commence. We all wished David good luck with his cataract operation on the 29th and Stephen for his replacement knee operation on 1 March.
The bill was settled amicably at chf50 per person, albeit perhaps not entirely fairly given the range in meal prices (21 to 52) and that some took dessert. Suffice to say that after suggesting this method, PeterT paid the tip and the slight top up needed. It was the quickest and simplest way. Perhaps in future we should check beforehand that this club “tradition” should continue.
The skies were grey and chilly when we spilled out, but I (PeterT) had time for a nice hike in the forest with Kobie.
Until the next Annual Lunch – safe hiking!
