Author: Mark Watts

Nerdy type who enjoys mathematics, computer programming and web programming (including this site). Avid collector of degrees. Other interests are music, especially opera and choral, cryptic crosswords (only The Times Quick Cryptic, not the 15X15), sailing, skiing (cross country and downhill), hiking and biking. Used to also love running until poor knees let me down.

Walk at Prangins, January 22, 2019

This walk was led by Brian Allardyce and took us from the  plage de Promenthoux, through the Domaine Imperial Golf Club , past the Villa Rose and back to our cars.

We had a grand turnout of 12:- Brian Allardyce, Alan Baker, Tom Boult, John Burley, Bryan Clark, Dave Gernandt, Tim Goodyear, Dave Gwilliam, Tony Raeburn, Richard Saynor, Mark Warren, Mark Watts. Eight of us stayed on for lunch at La Barcarolle.

Sadly Bryan took a nasty tumble and may have broken a rib. This just goes to show that all activities, except sitting at home drinking a beer, are dangerous.

Here is a photo of the group in front of the new GIN clubhouse.

Second annual Dave Knewstubb memorial ski outing to Champéry

There were four of us for this event on January 16th : Mervyn, Peter, David, Mark, plus we were joined by two of Mervyn’s chums, Brian and Alun, declared GIN members for the day. Mervyn and Brian led us in some great skiing all over the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil and into Avoriaz with lunch at Les Brochaux.

Good weather, good snow, great company and great skiing. Thanks to all.

On our return Mervyn and Peter were foolhardy enough to ski down the Swiss Wall (Chavanette), apparently without falling??. For once David and Mark displayed more sense.

This was the second Dave Knewstubb memorial ski trip since the outing last year has been retroactively declared the first. Bit of history rewriting here.

 

GIN sailing, September 13, 2018

Only Rob, Thatcher and Mark but a great afternoon’s sail.

It started out with no wind at all but we were clearly on the Southern edge of a little storm. Within a few minutes of hoisting the main we had to put a reef in and only unrolled half the genoa but still flew across to the other side of the lake, avoiding going North into the storm.

Once the wind eased a bit we practised our man overboard manoeuvre, including a “heave to” approach demonstrated by Rob.

 

Hove to with genny backed

Then genny fully out, shook out the reef and a calm sail and motor home.

Just avoided getting boarded by the local pirates

Hike Chaumont to Le Vuache

The first hike of the 2018 season.

Organised by David Colledge, included Jeremy & Mark

Jereremy’s Strava track

Met in Chavannes Centre car park at 07:30, drove to Chaumont, hiked to summit of Le Vuache (3.4km, 480m ascent) and back (slightly further).

Lunch in La Cave de la Ferme in nearby Frangy – highly recommended with 4 course lunch at €16.5.

Back home before 15:00.

A great day out, much thanks to David.

Jeremy and David at the summit
Now Mark and David
Surprisingly managed to get all 3 of us in in this selfie.

Skiing, Champery, Jan 17, 2018

First annual Dave Knewstubb ski outing

First downhill trip of the season. Not the best weather forecast so only Mervyn and Mark. Initialy looked like there may be no skiing but the lifts opened just after this photo.

Then interesting skiing with initially lousy visibility but gradually getting better. Great powder and a fabulous lunch. Then had to put chains on to get out of Champery.

The GIN ski group was first introduced to this area by Dave Knewstubb so we have named this event the first annual Dave Knewstubb ski outing. Already looking forward to the second.

Opportunity for Welsh members

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