The previous Thursday had been a washout. So I suggested a Tonic (interim) hike to fill in before the next full hike.
As such this was to be a moderate (Tonic) hike, in part requested as such, and also because I had a bad back (after a Kobie-related incident) I wanted one too.
So a short hike in the forest above Gilly was planned, taking in the Combe de Bursins and the Sentier de Chatagnerie.
Ten turned out: Mike H, Mervyn, David, Ross, Richard W, Philip, Ralph, Mark2rs, PeterS and me, with two dogs Kobie and Rocco. The Bise was starting so we had bright clear weather and were generally sheltered by the forest.
From the initial parking, at 10 am, a 100m ascent led to the Molard Motorway, a forest track recently brought into top condition by some organisation with too much money. After about 30 minutes we reached a road coming down, and it was then I realised that very likely we were going to reach the lunch spot too early. Nothing for it but to make the hike a bit less moderate than planned, and up the road we went. It was not long before we reached the top where a fine view gave excuse for a photo opportunity.
From this vantage point there is a great view up to the Jura, with Arzier in full view. Leading back along a forest track we passed the erratic boulders deposited by the Rhône Glacier 10,000 years ago. In particular the Pierre à mille trous.
The wind was blowing a bit as we descended a ridge on the track, and soon we had a fine view over the Lake, with some believing the the Jet d’Eau was running, but I could not make it out.
A lady walking a horse overtook us (sic) before we descended a short way down to a forest track that took us to the Chataignerie Trail. It was a short pair of up and downs to the lunch area reached at an acceptable 12.15 or so.
Ten of us fitted around a picnic table with built in benches. Any more of us and we would have had to spread to another table. The sun shone, we were out of the wind, the craic was good, and my sandwich was too. Reds from Sicily and France helped conversation flow (too many subjects to relate). We drank to absent friends, I listed out all the apologies I had received, mostly substantive, especially as this was only a Tonic. Dogs were reasonably behaved, well, just.
Note – no dogs appear in the lunch photos !
Mervyn brought out his flask of Scottish fluid, but sadly M2ts was away in Blighty and there was no coffee. However people seemed happy and after it was all over we headed off down, then back up, to the cars, only about 20 minutes or so from the lunch stop. David suffered a slight knee problem on a descent – let’s hope he gets fully fit again soon. Otherwise we came through unscathed.
8km and 370m accomplished (as opposed to the 5.65km and 250m originally planned). Next hike next week, less moderate, perhaps.
Richard W not Richard S now corrected. Thanks Mark. Apols to both Richards