GIN Hikers Annual Lunch 21 January 2026

This was the third post COVID winter lunch for GIN Hikers and our better halves, if any, and 26 attended at the Auberge de Founex on a cold and foggy Wednesday lunchtime. I chose winter because it is cold and foggy and therefore many are keen to get out and enjoy warm company and a good lunch. Maybe we should have a picnic outside in the summer where we could enjoy some Luins or Primitivo with our hounds too.

This bi-annual (so far) lunch is a great chance to meet the many partners of whom we hear so much out on the trails. Of course they hear and read quite a bit about us.

The previous lunches were held at the Founex Tennis Club, and the change of venue for 2026 did catch out at least one member.

The attendance list and some of the apologists appeared as follows, thank you all for coming.

It was sad that we heard that Andrew has pneumonia. Also we missed several partners in particular Caroline Hempstead, Vibeke Pluss, Rose College and Heather Pashley. I think I got most of the other apologists right, apologies if this is not so. Also of particular note – Larry is still in Canada and Drew has returned to Australia (donating some of his whisky to Rob) – we shall miss them.

We were given a set menu of salad, filets de perche and tiramisu with red fruits for CHF 35, which we sluiced down with beers and (good) wines from the locality, followed by coffee. It was all tasty and well appreciated (I believe). Sadly the auberge had prepared only 25 plats du jour, telling us/me that we had only ordered 25. Clearly this was not the case as they had set 26 place settings and we had already consumed 26 salads. The upshot was that Stephen was the first to be served a salad and the last (by far) to get his main course. In his usual courteous way he did not complain, too loudly.

PeterT gave a short address, too long for some perhaps, and I’m not sure everyone had their hearing aids in properly or I may have been too softly spoken for others as I was later advised by my strongest critic. For this my apologies. I do not recall hecklers which was a pleasant plus.

I had handed around a paper copy of the hiking stats for the past two years (as above). If any who did not attend wish to get a copy please let me know and I will send you one. It’s great to see that we keep active and have a solid base of members willing to lead/organise hikes and snow shoe outings.

A separate summary of the 5 year totals was not provided although I did mention the averages we recorded:-

(Errors and omissions accepted)

A welcome for new members, Peter Solomon and Chris Newton, was made real in that they are really welcome as they are not only fun gintlemen but also they bring down the average age of members considerably.

I recounted some highlights of the year, the best of course was the two day hike up from Champéry with some memorable scenery food and beverage, and the dog room was fun too.

Formal awards are not necessary but I felt it important to register Mark2ts for his black strong coffee, Mervyn for his milks, and Richard for the ubiqitous and famous Bottle (see separate Blog), Rob for his Scottish fluids and Mark for the Website (reminder – would members ensure that you pay him the chf10 he has requested to keep the site up and running).

I gave a short Safety Contact (merçi DuPont) showing my LifeVac device designed to prevent people dying from choking (as I have nearly done 4 times recently). It is to be used after heimlick and other back slapping manoeuvres have failed.

All in all it seemed to go well. We are fortunate to have a great club with enduring friendships, be (mostly) healthy, live in safe and wonderful place with fabulous hiking on our doorsteps, have partners who put up with us disappearing on alternate Thursdays, and have members who volunteer (and who also seem to put up with Rocco and Kobie). May we continue to enjoy the physical, emotional and spiritual (sic) rewards for many years to come. If we use it we won’t lose it and those who keep active seem to live longer.

Onwards upwards

Peter