The good weather in August continues so it was time to head up the Jura again from L’Isle (previously 16 Sept 2021), this time without cold rain and hypothermia.
Attending Messrs Hempstead and Rocco, Mark2ts, Finkelstein, Neivens and for lunch only, Mr R Saynor. No Kobie, as I had booked a table in the Buvette de Châtel for lunch.
This next bit was copy pasted from the 2021 Blog.
We assembled à l’heure at 10 am at the parking at the station at L’Isle, a place worth visiting for its magnificent chateau. First then some culture:-
“Also known as the “Petit Versaille de l’Isle”, this magnificent château was built in 1696 by Charles de Chandieu, a Lieutenant General in the Swiss Guard. It was the first regional monument of classical architecture.
Built in 1696 by Charles de Chandieu, the Château de l’Isle is a monument steeped in history. Originating from around 1700 during the classical era in France, this building greatly resembles that of the architectural movement of the time, where the Château de Versailles was built.
The, “La Vénoge” river has enabled the Château to benefit from a beautiful French garden, as well as a river basin bordered by two tree-lined paths. At first the Chandieu family lived in the old residence until the end of the 18th century. François Louis Roulet of Neuchâtel was the first to live there in the 19th century, and then it was handed down through marriage to the Cornaz Family of Montet Cudrefin.
In 1876, the commune of l’Isle bought and restored the château. Today it houses the municipal department of housing and classrooms. Since 1941, the château has been a listed building.”
It was indeed going to be a warm day, and for a 750m denivellation, we were going to sweat our way up. Happily most of the ascent was in the shade.
We passed by the château and it’s about-to-open Brocante in the grounds, some old and slow moving items there too.
The early part starts from 660m gently and gradually rises up, after 7.5km to the summit plateau. A long hike that for opposite reasons from 2021 we found quite trying.
We were making steady progress and not hanging about at all. In fact we arrived 30 minutes before the 1pm time of the table I had booked.
On the way up we traversed a short stretch of road, carrying a number of cars full of folk going up to eat at the Buvette. It was going to be busy up there.
At the Buvette (1395m) we were uplifted by the beaming smile of Richard who had been hoping to hike down to meet us, and only slightly disappointed that we were early. No worries we were soon ensonced at a corner table and supplied with beers from the friendly waitress.
The food was great (well my En-croute-with an egg was), the beers too, and we had no need for desserts, only coffee. Some chf 35 per head – good for Switzerland.
As usual, apart from remembering absent friends, my recollection of the lunch conversation ended up limited – and realising this would be the case I dictated this wording at the time :-
“Swiss Chateau theory and GINI coefficients (Mike), death, electric cars (Mark as his Audi has pegged out), cancel (actually Cancer – thanks Richard), Portugal, Temu, female Dentists and their warmth (patients with bald heads), no Scottish Independence, dental appointment as an excuse, Friday, excuses, excuses excuses, excuses, excuses excuses Mark Warren (?) excuses (sic).”
Also how a certain member’s spouse had been locked out of her car at Signy Centre owing to ignoring the “CHANGE THE BATTERY KEY” for several weeks, and the best ways to solve the problem, after the event.
All too soon it was time to descend and we said our farewells to Richard who was heading down to the Lac de Joux.
We set compass for the north and passed by a herd of cows, unnerving Rocco (who had been very well behaved at lunch!).
After a couple of kilometres we headed off down and right. A sketchy section on our maps showed no path connecting two tracks and the way we wanted to go. Nathan’s simple advice was “wing it”, so we did and it worked fine. Down in the clearly unfrequented Combe à Berger a series of quite remote trails led in 5 or 6 km to the outskirts of L’Isle reached shortly thereafter. Just before the edge of the forest it began to rain heavily and we donned jackets. We had heard the roll of thunder several times on the way down, but it seems back over the Lac de Joux area. The rain stopped after 2 minutes.
Some of the party (not Rocco) were now showing signs of being the worse for wear. Were we missing the digestifs (RS had some but we passed on it after our lunch) ? Last time the descent passed quickly. It had been 16.5km in total and 750m up and down in some heat, happily a bit more shaded in descent. We found salvation at the kiosk next to the château with cokes and ice creams.
On the way home (thanks Mike for driving) the temperature showed 33C on the autoroute. I was home by 6pm.
A long and steady hike but take plenty of water in hot weather, and good rain gear in poor weather…
