Londoner, now also Swiss lives in Coppet with Jill and Kobie the Cobberdog. Ex DuPont and Conoco. Also TMcL (before then KPMG London, Manchester and Bristol). FCA and ATII. BSC Physics - Bristol 1973. Ex-President of NGO Norlha (closed down). Likes dogs, mountains, prog rock, bikes, hikes, climbs, swims, skis (x-country - down and uphill), raquetttes. But joints are getting creaky.
Peter Drew organised a GINclub lunch in Founex on the day of high winds. Nearly everone turned out, including new member Jeff Shane, welcome Jeff!
Attending were a score of Gintlemen – and who in no particular order were :
Alan Peters (rumoured not to have arrived but was with us in spirit) Alan Baker Brian Hewitt Brian Allardyce Bryan Clark David Gwilliam Drew Meek Ken Forrester Gerard Swart Gary Vannatter William Hogg Michael Hempstead Norman Eatough Paul Sochaczewski Peter Taylor Terence Gale Steve Long Mike Price Jeff Shane Peter Drew David Colledge
A very pleasant lunch with a chance to catch up with our chums.
Jeff Shane on the left talking aero stuff with AlanTwo Peddlers
Thanks to Peter D for organising this. The food, beer, red wine and Founex Chasselas were excellent.
With our honourable BLeader incapacitated – perhaps for the summer – Peter T and Peter D have taken control of biking Thursdays for the interim til Stephen is back on 2 wheels.
With a number of apologies, some sound and others more flimsy, four of us turned out at the Evenness at 10am on the morning of a really fine and warm day, shorts weather!
Attending – Mervyn, Ivan, PeterD, PeterT
PeterT had booked a table at Gilly on their sunny terrace for 12.30pm. The plan then was Bonmont (not the full top), Gingins, Givrins, Genolier, Le Muids, Bassins, Le Vaud, Burtigny, Gilly and home. This is quite a challenging ride for 4 non-E bikes and sadly it did not allow time for coffee stops at some of the watering holes we passed along the way.
There were many agricultural vehicles out and about, some very large. We were overtaken near God’s Crossing by a large muck spreader. One comment was that it was like being overtaken by the Daily Mail. There were quite a number of bikers about, many of whom were on racing road bikes and who had little problem overtaking us.
All went well until Ivan stopped to pick up what might have been his brake block but found it was a spurious reflector. He then missed the junction at Givrins and we needed to reassemble at Genolier after guiding him back by phone.
The hill of La Joie Clinique is (after Bonmont) the “low” point of this ride and it is pushed back into dark recesses of one’s memory. But having passed it we were up in the fresh spring air as the day started to warm up.
Ivan, Mervyn and PeterD at Bassins. Not much more climbing to go !Selfie with all of us
We had fabulous views out over the Lake to the Alps on the road from Burtigny before dropping down to Gilly. Altogether the riding was brilliant as was the weather and the scenery even if our legs were a bit sore after all the climbing.
An excellent and refreshing lunch was devoured at around chf25 for three courses and some fine beer and great service, al fresco on the terrace. I was glad that I had remembered to bring a sun hat, and we all carried factor 50 cream.
All too soon it was nearly time to be off, so we called ahead to our BLeader who had spent the morning at Nyon hospital and was now at home. He invited us to call in at Arnex to check out his new BOOT and sample his home brew in return for our commiserations and moral support. We ambled back at a leisurely pace with some fabulous views to Mt Blanc. Sure enough the BOOT was real and the ale was too. Stephen seemed in good cheer, as was Kate. We shall have to help ensure this stays that way over the coming months. Merci for the fine beer Stephen.
The BOOT of our BLeader. At least it’s his left heel and he might be able to drive soon !
A fine day for a change and four of us with 3 dogs, Onyx, Rocco and Kobie, set out along the river from Sauverny down the river path. Rob had left his cocker spaniels at home but it was good to have him along. Neither Nicolas nor Rob had been down the river path before but for Mike H and I it is a regular dog walk. Mike M and Nessie had sent apologies and were missed.
Although it was a fine day, the previous days had been grim and rainy, and the path was extremely muddy, albeit we seemed to make good progress with little to trouble us. That meant there were no other dogs met along this normally busy path and we had the river pretty much to ourselves. The fresh green leaves made the forest especially beautiful and the river was in some spate. Onyx seemed to spend a lot of time trying to swim upstream while not moving along the ground and he revelled in the water while the other two splashed and paddled about.
We stopped for coffee at Log Beach Bay and enjoyed watching the dogs cavorting about. We returned the same way and looking back it was indeed a fine morning out for us and our dogs.
Cavorting in the wonderful Versoix River in full flowCoffee stop at Log Beach BayA Gintlemen’s best friend – for once Rob is drinking only coffee from his shot cup..
I set out this morning to head up to the Everness. I was wearing two jackets, a buff under my helmet and cycling shorts over my lycra leggings. It was cold and spitting with rain. I considered turning back, but I did not want to let my BLeader, PD, down. So I arrived to find Peter with Rudi and Nathan. Two e-bikers and two bikers. Rudi told us a tale of his tail-gate opening on the autoroute and his e-bike nearly falling out; happily he arrived intact.
PeterD suggested a normal Gex gambit opening, somewhat adventurous perhaps for a lunch at the Trois Tilluels in Genolier.
See https://www.aubergegenolier.ch
The rain systems for the day were coming from the Gex direction so it was with some relief that our Leader relented at Grilly and ordered a right turn into Divonne, enabling a coffee stop to be engineered at a warm favourite:-
http://www.au-coeur-des-saveurs.ch
We actually arrived in Crassier surprisingly dry, if a little chilled by the 7C temperatures, but coffee and croissants revived body and spirit and we set off to the inevitable Bonmont in good cheer. It was not long before the Hill of Legend was in front of us, and we turned left at the junction to ride the final few hundred metres to the summit.
Smiling might have been a little enforced at Bonmont top – but it was to be downhill from now on
We rolled down in 5C or below teperatures into Gingins, passing Givrins and thence to Genolier remaining amazingly dry still. It was a relief to enter to warm and pleasant restaurant at Les Trois T, and we began to fell even better after the first beer and fresh vegetarian roll starter. There followed sausage and mash and a wondrous dessert.
A good startBangers and mash, not quite just like me muvver used to makeSuper food and atmosphereWe face our just desserts
We discussed many topics including the excuses of absentees, several of whom were eating pork pies. The food was so good I immediately booked to bring my better half next Saturday. Good choice PeterD!
There remained the route home, billed as downhill all the way. It was not. We were into a slight headwind and the rain came as we passed Signy. Nevertheless a fine but unseasonably cold ride after a hesitant start, with a super lunch (set menu 27chf).
Sadly Ivan could not join us – he had a good excuse. Others had others…
In the event 3 of us (Mervyn, Peter D and me Peter T) turned out for what turned out to be a fine and sunny if chilly morning, at Everness, heading for Refuge de Florimont – we had biked up there on 31 March 22 for a full Gin Club lunch. Floriment is at 960m and is one of our more challenging rides with over 600m of up. However with no BLeader and no E-bikes we could take it slowly.
And slowly we started. Within 2 minutes Peter D had punctured on his replacement “fast” bike. We attempted a tube replacement but even after a trip back to his house Peter could not get any air into the new tube. So we all biked the 400m back to Peter’s house where he changed back onto one of his regular steeds (which had some form of faulty gear change – apparently he could not access the very lowest gears (somewhat necessary on a Florimont ride)). How he managed I’m not sure.
Not the best of starts – GIN puncturitis returns
Thus some 40 minutes later we set off again – Peter D seeming now to have the bit between his teeth led us up through the forest of the Bois de Portes, across La Versoix River and up into Grilly and the Train Track. A very pleasant ride to Gex followed as a precursor to the potentially very unpleasant ride up out of Gex through les Maladières to Florimont, pretty much all of it avoiding the main road but on good if sometimes somewhat steep tarmac.
Route up to and down from Florimont 37 km and 650m denivellation
The slope seemed unrelenting and we took time out to rest several times. My heart monitor afterwards showed 20 minutes at over 136 bpm and another 45 minutes above 115 bpm. This is not a ride the preparations for which involve a fondu the night before. In the event (for me at least and I believe for the others too, each in our private torment) it was not too bad and we arrived in time for our reservation shortly after midday.
Arrival at Florimont – thank the Lord
The beers were excellent (local craft brew) and the menu-de-jour lunch, at Eu17 for a big fresh salad, chicken pierrade (we cooked on a hot stone) and large baked potato, with sauces, fresh bread and followed by coffee gourmand, with good friendly service, rivalled the old days of the Vieux-Bois. And the view from our table was/is one of the best in the area. NB Peter D enjoyed a good-looking/tasting sauciflette.
View last year – same this year and from our table this year
We missed our BLeader from last year (gallivanting in Blighty)
A year ago it was a bit warmer, but note similar clothing to this year..
We settled up and it was time to go, wrapped warm for the still-cool air. This restaurant descent is one of the easiest, if a little steep at first, as it’s pretty much downhill all the way.
A very good ride (looking back) that tests the legs, with a fine lunch as reward. I’m tempted to drive up again soon. Recommended eatery.
The four members first meeting in Divonne and two plus Kobie going directly arrived at the Givrine parking rendezvous in good time for our scheduled 10am departure only to discover that the new pay parking system was creating more problems than the cost. The metres do not accept debit cards (the card operators charge too much for the liking of the Commune), the Twint QR card had been removed (what vandalism in St Cergue!) and there was little to no wifi connectivity precluding the use of the App “easypark”. (NB in future walk up to the station where 4G is stronger. Ed PT). There was however a traffic warden present to supervise the five or so cars in the carpark (one had a parking ticket) and to witness our plight and to enable Nathan to negotiate free parking. But all this came at a cost since we didn’t leave until 10h20.
Parking meter and rubbish bin
This season has been particularly bad for snow shoeing. We started off with winter wanders before any snow arrived and then only had arguably three “proper” snowshoe outings before we were out hiking again, albeit with some slippages. Although it had snowed Wednesday morning, the restaurant and the webcam indicated that it had all melted so we traipsed off at hiking speed only to discover there was much more snow hiding round the corner, including some still in the trees. Not enough to warrant our absent snowshoes but deep and fresh enough to give that lovely crunchy sound made through walking on fresh snow. Animal tracks were clear (hare and wild boar).
Kobie leads the way At least we were walking on the white stuff !Shady characters
It was lovely in the sunshine and we went to that extra post across a field, reaching the chalet Pré du Four for a pause, taken in the traditional GIN way.
Some white some red – Swiss apèro courtesy of Stephen who had been cleaning out his cellarAs good as it getsThe usual view – always uplifting
A quick phone call to the restaurant to ensure a late arrival wouldn’t create a lunch problem enabled us to enjoy the view of the Mont Blanc range for longer, then off we went on an easy snow covered path to Chez Mamac for our lunch, which we took outside, starting with welcome beers and cheese with cold meats.
Stone tree decorations en routeFirm snow descent towards La CureSnow runs out but the smiles remainAt Mamac. Let’s start with beer and cold meats !Nathan finds a friendSo does KobieFondu !
Chez Mamac is famous for its trifon – a fondue saucepan partitioned into three parts – enabling a choice of three different cheeses. The usual intellectual conversation scarcely covered Scottish independence but included Crédit Suisse and other banking problems, Shackleton and antarctica, and end of the snowshoe season and start of the hiking one. As the baker from St Cergue had delivered insufficient tartlets, we moved directly from main course to coffee.
All 7 of usSun shine round table
Despite the temptation to take the train, we unanimously decided to leg it back to Givrine, which was mostly over snow! And so freak blizzards aside, ended the 2022/23 snowshoe season with a snow hike.
The way backDog guard
Mark handed the gavel back to Peter for the 2023 summer hiking season. Next hike 30 March 2023 – La Vuache led by Philip.
Participants: PeterT plus Kobie, NathanF, MervynP, RichardS, StephenL and Mark2R
Distance 11km; height difference 320m.
PS – Many thanks to Mark for leading us through this relatively snow-free winter. We had some memorable outings. We look forward to more in 23/24. PT et al.
Mark2rs our SS Leader, chose this hike early “Due to the lack of snow both actual and forecast in the Jura, I am proposing our classic end of March outing a month early.”
Indeed there was a sad lack of snow but higher up the skiers seemed happy on the artificial stuff.
Meeting at Divonne at 9.30am were –
Mark2T
PeterT + Kobie
LarryF
NathanF
MikeM
RobP
MervynP
Mark2R
Three joined directly at the Crozet Télécabine at 10.00
RichardS
PhilipJ – but not for lunch
DavidC
It was a splendidly good turn-out for this classic (heck, the hiking outings don’t attract as many) perhaps lured out by Franck and Katy’s hospitality (esp. le génépi) at La Loge. Very little wind was forecast and although the day was cloudy, we could see the white of the freezing cloud on the trees high on the skyline and Richard promised sun even higher. The first question seemed to be – carry snow shoes or not? According to Mark “Katy advises snowshoes as there are areas with accumulated snow and it can be slippery with the negative over night temperatures” but some decided to leave them in the cars. For some it was wise advice.
So, to the télécabine (Nathan said that he had always hiked up until now but he seemed prepared to join us in the lift). With our tickets in hand “The télécabine costs €9; the return “free” offer is valid one year, so if the tickets are not punched on the return, keep them as they could be useful if we walk up to the Grand Mont Rond later and wish to take the télécabine down from the Petit Mont Rond – they are becoming sticklers there and could charge €5 for the down trip” it was a matter of getting Kobie (free for dogs but not us old-dogs) and the team up the metal stairs and into cabins. The stairs were easy but Kobie had to be pulled hard in to the moving cabin, others may have been pushed.
Artificially arriving onto artificial snow, Kobie shorn of his winter fur
Safely out onto the artificial snow at Le Fierney at 1300m after a ride up of 700m or so, it was a little cold as we were in the cloud. Dodging the zipping skiers we crossed the slope to pick up the track that would take us to the Col de Crozet. Normally snow-covered it was completely dry.
Starting out – Larry, Mark, Nathan, Rob, David, Philip, Mike, Richard, Mervyn, Mark
In order to avoid the ski-piste (dogs and skiers don’t mix well) we took a turn right up a grassy hill. There followed the need to cross a steep snow patch; this was our Hilary Step and it tested the mettle of the party.
Ghosts of the hillSun starting to appearThe tricky Hilary Step
Mettle tested, we were on our way across easier gradients as the sun began to shine through and we summited (mathematicians might disagree) the col at the viewing platform. Views indeed there were excellent including Mt Blanc in its/her radiance. Time for some sustenance and gold-flecked Sambucca and other things in flasks appeared, as well as a bottle of Luins, and we toasted our good fortune under a blue sky.
The bar at the colViews North WestDog breakfasting in the clearing mistCleared mist and the Alps
Richard had heard that a party of 14 had also booked lunch at La Loge, so we said our goodbyes to Philip who had an appointment, and steadily pushed on down past the top of the Lelex lift to the Ref de la Loge. In fact it was some while before we all arrived as Katy’s slippery paths materialised and slowed down some of the party, indeed snow shoes were utilised after three falls for one member (but no submission or knockout).
Beer starts and a friendly waiterIs wine the answer Larry ?
We sat out in the warm sun on adjoining then merged tables in an as-good-as-it-gets setting. Beers preceded wines (red and white excellent) and good food (chicken and rice, or cheese sort of en croute with salad, followed by tart and genepi). We toasted absent friends naming a few (well most of us seemed to be around the table) and our discussions covered the usual subjects; health, Scottish independence, Brexit, Northern Ireland, Boris, Trump, Ukraine, Putin, war, music, art, watches, rugby, dogs and the weather. Larry told us the secret to ageing well (it is a secret still).
Blessed by the sun, Mike and the author
Laos, the dog du Refuge was absent – not as we suspected down in Lelex with lady friends, but locked up to prevent that. Kobie did his begging rounds of the tables. There was much banter with other parties and with our hosts. Various members acted as serving wenches, one member using his flat-topped head. A large and friendly looking fellow came over to chat – he was the vicar of the valley. It was good to see such good humour in a man of the cloth, possibly helped by years of génépi. I liked his dog-question method of introduction.
The friendly local vicar. We did not need another blessing though.Génépi waiter was friendlyRob about to limbo dance How does an 87 year old look like a 40 year old mountain guide ? Wine and tarts the answer ?
All too soon it was time to revisit the terrors of the slippery traverse path back up to the col and then the amble back down gentle slopes to the T-Cabine where Mark2ts kindly treated us to his (black! no sugar!) coffee (merçi Mark).
Kobie had behaved and I think members almost did too.
Gintlemen on the piste
Another splendid Franck and Katy Loge classic, not on snow shoes but with super weather allowing us to be outside in the sun. Thanks Mark for organising.
I believe Richard recorded 323m. I had less but I think my recording stopped. Between 6 and 7 Km.
Following the outing in January I considered that we needed to ensure we recorded a ride in February. The weather was mild and sunny and the turnout excellent. Mark, Peter D and me on push-bikes and Paul, Nathan and Reinier on E-Bikes. Several apologies were received of a variety of quality of substance – but we missed them all. (As we were now at 50% e-bikes, a record, it seems churlish to retain the e-moniker for those on e bikes). In the event it seemed to work well with the party managing to hold pretty well together.
Reinier, Paul, PeterD, Nathan and Markand me PeterT
Photos at the Everness start – 10.30am so not too early.
As many of us had not been out on our bikes for weeks/months, this was going to have to be a fairly easy ride, albeit we had little time to stop for coffee as lunch at Founex Tennis Club at 12.30 had been booked.
So we set off through the Bois de Ports, across the bridge over the Versoix River and up to Grilly to the bike trail which we followed to Gex. The usual road up to Vesancy was taken at a gallop (I think I recorded 134 seconds at over 147 bpm on the hill). No time for coffee so we carried on in the sunshine down through St Gix and the track at the Jura foot (the hills looked magnificent in the sunshine with mist on the tops). It was hard but I turned right to avoid a Bonmont and we descended to Tranchepied from the Creux de Chène, down to Borex and then Arnex-sur-Nyon (almost stopping at Stephen’s (where was our leader ?)) before turning back for Founex where we arrived on time at the Tennis Club.
Nathan turned off just before the Club as he had an appointment, but the remaining five enjoyed an excellent lunch (salads and saucisse and tagliatelle) courtesy of Ismael and his team. The beers were excellent too – it was good to relax after a first ride in the sunny (spring?) weather. There was much talk about watches after the recent Patek-Philippe visit. Time for coffee then off home for a siesta.
I recorded 36 km and 422m from my home. Thanks to all for a fine short outing.
The forecast for this hike had been coming down the pike a week before showing snow and cloud. In the event the snow held off (apart from some flurries while we were in have lunch) and excellent conditions for raquettes prevailed.
Ten GIN punters and two dogs started out from the parking at St Cergue Tancouez (Alt 1050m). Rob, Richard, Mervyn, Stephen, David, Mark2rs, Nicolas, Nathan, Larry (welcome to GINs Larry !) and me (Peter) and dogs Onyx and Kobie. Our first task was to work out how to pay for the parking using various apps or coins; these new meters and parking apps are wondrous things…
We set off across and up past Les Mouilles and into the dark pine woods. We were soon out into the wide open fields (see photo)
Looking back in the open fields with Mt Blanc visible
It was not long after this that Larry found that his snow-shoe technique was found wanting and he took them off for the rest of the hike. He coped admirably with the conditions thereafter in his Canadian snow boots. Even more amazing given that he turned out to be the most senior member of our party, by a good stretch.
Off up through the deep snowy forest and along the well-pounded snow trail up to the Fruitières de Nyon. There were super views across to the sunlit Alps but we were covered by the cloud all day and I do not recall a ray of sunlight until we got back down to the plain at the end of the day.
Richard, Stephen and Nathan close to the FdN
It was time to revive flagging spirits and bodies with some vino and Epicuro and Reisling became evident. Richard’s genepi was kept back for the upcoming fondu.
The wind was a bit chilly so we upped and left in the direction of Cabane Rochefort which we passed by just above and to the right of us. We were soon at the high point where the P team of 7 set off down Peter’s secret trail through deep snow forest. Rob led the R team of 3 down to the large tracks that traverse the Jura.
The P Team in the forestDogs generally keeping to the trail – the powder was deepRichard and Kobie in the deep woodsOnyx, Richard and Kobie far out on the trailLooking back by Richard
This very beautiful trail led us down eventually to an open valley some 60 metres below La Genolière – so it was necessary to hoof up a steep slope to gain the lunch cabane.
Richard and Stephen and dogs head up the final slopeLooking back down the slope just before La Genolière lunch spot .
On arrival at La Genolière (my regular Jura eatery), the resident and normally docile hound Moos proceeded to tear into Onyx, but diplomatic relations were soon re-established with Kobie’s help.
Fondu !8 fondus and 2 croutesKobie generally behaving
Once inside we were welcomed by the friendly staff and several other guests on the other tables. Warmth from the wood fire was welcome and we were soon into beers and apero platters of cheese and meats. It was a convivial and happy crew that tucked into the croutes and fondus. Larry began to identify us by our names and at one point Nicolas almost lost a lot of money in a bet with Larry about some obscure literary factoid (Larry read classics at the Sorbonne so don’t enter into any monetary argument with him about classics). There was some poetic discussion, nothing about Scottish independence, future events were aired, I think we all felt that it was just good to be alive. The fondu was warm and delicious, helped in no uncertain measure by the occasional pre-dunking of bread in genepi, as well as the fine chasselas (who’d have thought we’d be sitting here today drinking Chateau de Chasselas (Monty Python Hard Times sketch)).
See:-
or with John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson
Beer and wine – both good
All too soon it was time to go, but because the clock on the wall was running 8 minutes late, I misjudged the timing for the train and at 2.30pm it was too late : instead of being able to get the 2.50pm train at Givrine we would have to get the 3.50pm. No matter, we had time to wander and while the R team headed back down the main drag, the P team with dogs headed off into the woods again on deep powdery white stuff. A most pleasant and uneventful descent to La Givrine, at one point pivoting over a low wall.
The good news though was that we had time for a coffee (a real coffee) at the restaurant at La Givrine with plenty of time before the train. The chef there loves dogs so we were warmly welcomed in. And the apple tart was good too.
Suitably revived we joined the crowds of school children and others on the platform at La Givrine and bundled into the back carriage when the train arrived exactly on time. From St Cergue it was a short walk back to our cars at Tancouez.
We covered 10km and about 450m deniv (variable according to monitoring kit). My thanks to all for a very enjoyable outing and for giving Kobie hugs and encouragement. As I typed he is fast asleep on the sofa – knackered.
A bright and sunny day for a dog hike up above Divonne. Nicolas and Onyx, Mike (Muller) and Nessie, Mike’s Canadian friend Peter, me and Kobie.
We met up in the car park by the old gare in Divonne. Peter introduced himself and Kobie plastered the front of his nice light-coloured jeans with French mud.
Introductions over we headed off up past the casino and golf course to the icy woodland trail of Mt Mussy. Onyx proceeded to disappear into the forest for something over 20 minutes and a search plan was made. We whistled and made loud noises. In the event he reappeared with a relieved Nicolas as we reassembled at the upper parking.
On up across to the sunny summit area with fabulous views out across the Lac and across to the Jura. Dogs seemed to be behaving, so were the GINs. A pleasant walk round the hill and back along the long level trail chatting all the while, and not only the dogs.
We descended the icy path above the old Vieux-Bois restaurant and I was impressed by the ice dancing exhibited by our members, with no sticks or raquettes. This time Kobie went AWOL for 10 minutes, so Nicolas was relieved that it wasn’t just Onyx who went straying. Nessie was on top form, but then she was on the long line Mike uses to trip people up with.
Back across the Grand Source and a dip for the thirsty dogs.
fine walk in tricky conditions enjoyed by men and dogs. 7km and 300m deniv.
