Each year for the last 4 years we have had a hike early in the season to Sonnailley to see the fields of daffodils. A couple of times we arrived just after they’d finished and this time we arrived slightly too early. Still there were some daffodils on display and it was a very enjoyable first hike of the season.
Five of us: David C, Mervyn, Nathan and 2 Marks met at the parking in Divonne and drove up together to meet Peter, Steven, Ross, 2 Mikes: Hempstead and Mathews, and 2 dogs: Kobie and Rocko, at La Givrine.
It was a clear day with no prospect of rain but a strong, cold wind so we were all well wrapped up. After the usual fuss with the parking we were off. We walked up to Couvaloup de Crans, sadly closed midweek, and on to the top of the Dôle. Here we stopped, slightly sheltered from the strong wind, for refreshments. It being close to the birthday of one of the members a glass of crémant d’Alsace seemed appropriate.
On the way up we had seen about 6 daffodils so the prospect of seeing a field full of them seemed remote. On the other hand there were masses of crocuses.
The view from the Dôle was magnificent, we could see the whole lake and Mt Blanc in the distance. Sadly this is never properly captured in a photo.
Duly fortified we ventured out into the wind and began the descent to Sonnailley.
We’d got through the difficult bit of the descent and almost reached the plain when we realised we were semi dogless – Kobie was not with us. After much blowing on whistles there was still no sign so Peter went off on a hound hunt. The rest of us were on a gentle grass covered slope, in the sun and out of the wind, and it was already 1 o’clock so we decided to have lunch while waiting for the absent dog and master. This had been promoted as a daffodil hike and there was one solitary bunch in view with 5 flowers, somebody counted.
Peter and Kobie soon returned and we were treated to a selection of red wines courtesy of Peter, Stephen and Mervyn, followed by the inevitable black coffee from Mark. Some trouser legs were removed to reveal very white legs and all seemed well with the world as several layed out in the sunshine and maybe even had a sleep. Unfortunately our mean leader could not get comfortable so we all had to set off again towards Sonnailley.
We walked alongside the French border were the, bordering on illegal, entente cordiale hike had met up in Covid days, https://ginclub.website/home2/gentsinnyon/2020/05/31/hiking-section-ententes-cordially/, and finally saw some daffodils.
We then started the return via Sonnailley au Prince and a lovely path through the forest to arrive back at Couvaloup de Crans, sadly still closed, and on to la Givrine.
All agreed it was a great walk to start the season. 14 km and about 690 m.
Sorry not to have repeated this lovely hike with you guys. Anyway, Mark (2tts), very happy birthday – last one before the big one!
Great champagne, flowers, hike and blog Mark. Happy Birthday. Thanks again for the flower power. Kobie slept well that night. He did not even need any supper !