Rain was forecast, but only seriously after midday. Cancel or what ? Mike H indicated his preference to stop after lunch gave me the idea to ascend to St Cergue and return by train after lunch. There seemed to be a small dry window between 9 am and noon so a flyer went out expecting little response.
With Himalayan returnees doing their washing and with others including Rob, Nicolas, Rudi, RichardS, MikeM and Stephen providing reasonable excuses for absence, I was pleased in the event that seven signed up.
Attending :- Mike H, Peter D, Peter S, Mark 2rs, Nathan, Andrew, Philip and me Peter T. No dogs, but heck – 3 Peters !
We assembled at the parking at 585m above Genolier station, which in W3W is greet.wiser.sailors (something to do with our sailing contingent ?). Setting out at 10.15 am, with the dry window seeming to hold, we were in good cheer. It was almost T-shirt weather, and in fact one participant eventually did strip down to just that.
Heading over the train tracks the route turns sharp left for a kilometre before a right turn up a steeper forest trail at 690m taking us through the Côtes de Genolier.
This trail takes one to the upper track at 830m from which it is almost a direct if slightly winding line to St Cergue. The pace was such that there was much time for chatting and a serious discussion of how to cultivate leeks ensued.
Stopping for a breather at the Parapente Seat to take in the view we could see misty swathes of rain approaching from the south west.
Philip managed to identify a leafy lambs-ear plant as mallain, with internet assistance. We duly contiuned happy with the knowledge that we had already covered 360m of the 470m for the planned hike. After the pleasant traverse across the cliff with steep drops on the left we chanced upon a herd of unfazed chamois in the forest, the St Cergue mafia.
It was not long before we arrived, still in the dry, in St Cergue, 1044m. I had hoped to book a table at the restaurant Les Cytises but, a little worringly, it had not been accessible by phone. The reason was found to be that it had permanently closed in June after failing. So eight hungry hikers marched into St Cergue looking for lunch. Despite not booking a table, the Cafe Restaurant du Jura took us in warmly and provide a 4 a-side table for 8 in a nook of its main salle.
After a small beer apero, we enjoyed a rather fine meal – the plats du jour being either lasagne or pork with fettuccine, with good service. Comfortingly the expected rain had arrived and was tumbling down outside. We toasted absent friends and ourselves, and the conversation roamed between, inter-alia, the changing zeitgeist, Trump, vegetable growing, Garsington opera and the fact that in 100 years from now everyone alive today will be dead.
All too soon coffee then the bill arrived and we had to depart for the 2.03 pm train, which left from the station a five minute stroll in the light rain away.
Snoozing in the luxury of the warm carriage it was hard to get up after La Joie Clinique to press the button for the Sus Châtel stop.
We made it back to the cars without any serious wetness. A pleasant short and dry hike of 450m and 6km with a fine warm lunch and a good chance to chat and chew the fat. With my thanks to all who joined.
Next GIN hike Thursday 9 November. I will be travelling. Please would someone come forward to lead that day, Merçi.
