Peter Taylor – Page 15

Gins hikers summit Point de la Chalune

29 Aug 19. Richard Saynor led a fine hike up almost 1000 m in fine weather from la Chèvrerie. Our team with Richard comprised Mervyn, Philip, Frank and PeterT. Lunch on the summit of the Pt de la Chalune (2116m) gave us a fantastic view across atmospheric mountains. A circuit of the peak concluded we enjoyed a welcome beer at the hostelry. Magical day. Thanks Richard.

Summit photo. Peter, Philip, Richard, Mervyn, Frank (in front)

GIN Van Men

15 Aug 2019. A team of six started out on the 720m ascent from Noiraigue to the Creux du Van (in the Jura above Lac Neuchatel) on a day promising mixed weather. In the event a pleasant hike, masterminded by our intrepid leader Peter Drew, up took us to a superb overlook and the start of the Creux itself and where we were joined by the general populace who had walked over from the upper car parks. A quick shower (which brought out some interesting gear) refreshed us and we were soon back down into the dryer forest and a very convivial and warm lunch at Ferme Robert, where all but one of us had saucisse rôti and röesti but where all was washed down with the usual fine beers. A very pleasant visit to this Swiss treasure.

Peter, Frank, Mervyn, Mark and Thatcher yearning to be off..

Team At Ferme Robert — Frank, Thatcher, Mervyn

Peter, Mark, Peter

Mr Fantastic Plastic — Essential mountain kit.

We walked ianticlockwise — Van à la carte

GINS bike ride 6 Aug 19. Two hills to Gex and new bike path

Welcome new biker Philip Jenkins🚲🎊🎈🥾

The regular crew sent in their excuses but Philip and I enjoyed a very pleasant ride in warm weather ahead of the storm. Inevitably a Bonmont then via Vesancy to our favorite Belle View Hotel café in Gex. The set menu seems to be pork and tagliatelle on Tuesdays and I can report that it went down well with beer. The route back was downhill, down-storm and down the old rail-track on the great new bike path back to Divonne, starting (not surprisingly) from Gex’s

old station.

Philip and I found we had quite a bit in common mountain-wise, including climbing on Dorset’s dangerous cliffs, Avon, Cornwall, Mt Blanc, Reunion, Stromboli, Etna and many others. Philip is also a devotee of Indonesia and has led many hikes in the pre-Alps with the French Alpine Club.

GINs Biking – Over the hills to Gilly

Great ride before (or in ?) the canicule up past Genolier, Bassins and Le Vaud before swooping down into Gilly and Peter Drews favourite terrace. Porc and spaghetti was excellent, as was the beer, and the company. A day among many to remember. Peter T, Peter D, Steve and Mark.

Magic.

GINs Hiking – Ascent of Le Prarion 18 July 2019

5 intrepid GIN hikers set off from Coppet on a sunny day but with forecast

clouds for Chamonix. The sun shone all day however and we had a splendid hike over the Prarion summit (1931m) up 820m on a fine and airy ridge from Vaudagne. One member attempted to start the hike with two right boots but managed to fit well in to Peter’s running shoes which were only a few sizes too big. After a steady ascent and summit traverse with admittedly stupendous views we calmed ourselves with some Brasserie du Mt Blanc Bierre Blonde on a terrace at the top with similar stunning views up the mountain, memorably also of the train crawling up to the Nid d’Aigle. The Aig. du Midi and the whole Mt Blanc wall of rock and ice saluted us. We stumbled back down through the cooling forest, dodging speeding bikers, but with some fine memories. Attending – David College, Robert Pashley, Mark Warren, Mervyn Powell, Peter Taylor.

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Gins Biking. Tour de France

Gentle tour of the Pays de Gex with nice lunch in Gex. Mervyn kept his shoe together with rubber bands, Mark finessed and Steve cruised it. Dave Gernand joined us for the first part and we look forward to more from him. We did a good turn too – we helped rescue an Italian driver with two front wheels firmly in a ditch. Pleasant biking in pleasant company. P

Gins Hike up the Dent d’Oche 4 July 19

Gins Mervyn. Richard and Peter with aspirant from Evian, Freddie, scaled the Dent d’Oche which sits at 2222m (or 2221m). With over 1000m of denivellation, up some atmospheric heights, using chains and with some scrambling, this is an interesting and challenging hike. The chamois were not scared of us and provided some good photo ops. A memorable day with good chums. Thanks Mervyn for organising and driving, and to Brian Hardy and Denise for the showers, dip in the swimming pool and tea and cake above the Lake at Evian.