GAOS (Geneva Amateur Operatic Society), of which I am a member, is the biggest English-speaking musical society in the EU (this excludes the UK!). Having had to close down for most of the past 2 years, it is in dire financial straits and needs all the support it can get. Otherwise it could fold up. More about this situation is given below.
Its first production since Covid appeared is imminent. On 16 to 19 September a musical called the Little Shop of Horrors will play in the Théâtre de Marens, Nyon. Despite the “Amateur” in GAOS, the quality of performers, and indeed the whole production team, is outstanding.
Most GIN members live within easy reach of Nyon. If as many members as possible could buy tickets to see the show (only 39 fr) it might make the difference between survival or collapse of the Society, which would be a disaster for English-speaking musical enthusiasts in this part of the world. I’m sure the production will be suitable for children as well as adults.
Many thanks in advance,
Philip Jenkins
GAOS NEWS (4 September)
It is less than two weeks until the curtain rises on Little Shop of Horrors. We know it will be a great show, but we want to give you an update on ticket sales – to outline what this means for the society – and to ask you to double your efforts in reaching out to as many people as possible – and beyond our membership – to sell as many tickets as possible.
As of today we have sold 400 tickets. We need to sell 1000 to break even. Back in 2020 – when the show was due to open the production costs had already reached Chf 15,000, which could not be recouped by cancelling the show, as we were required to do. As we are proceeding we will incur further costs (theatre, rights, musicians, publicity) – and thus we need to reach the 1000 limit to avoid a significant loss.
Please therefore do all you can by advertising the show. The cast & production team have demonstrated their commitment to GAOS and we must give them our utmost support.
The commune of Divonne-les-Bains asked me to organise an exhibition that illustrates the history of relations – economic, social, cultural over the last one hundred years between the Pays de Gex and Geneva.
Entitled 100ans +1 de vie internationale: une région transformée. The exhibition is intended to mark the anniversary of 100 years of multilateralism in Geneva with the establishment of the League of Nations in 1920. It had to be postponed last year because of the pandemic.
A number of GIN Club members contributed to the preparation of the exhibition: David Gwilliam helped on the history of golf in Divonne; David Steiber recalled memories of the Investors Overseas Services; Mike Price and others helped with contacts in CERN; and Philip Jenkins, Richard Saynor and Mark Warren have produced a map of 10 cross-border walks in the area.
The exhibition will be held from 29 September – 24 October in the Maison du Quartier de la Gare in the centre of Divonne.
If at first you don’t succeed…….so at the third attempt, the weather favoured an ascent of the Pointe de Bellevue in Morgins, two years on from the first time Stephen proposed the hike. 10 eager hikers, seduced by the organiser’s enthusiasm, signed up for the climb. In the event, Rob, Mark2r and Mervyn had to pull out at short notice, leaving Stephen, PeterT, Mark2t, David, Richard, Philip and, new-comer to this group, Paul met at the church in Morgins more or less at the agreed hour of 09.30. The car sharing group from Divonne had a slow start due to heavy frontalier traffic but still managed to arrive ahead of David coming from Villars, who ensured that his somewhat tardy record was maintained.
The hike started from the town centre past an excellent boulangerie – but no time to sample its delights as the leader was on a mission to get to the top and onto the lunch-time restaurant. The leader had also neglected to tell the group that the 814m climb was almost straight up, intially through the hillside chalets on the road and then out into the open spaces.
Early stages….up and up from Morgins
The target in sight
The frequent procession of cars passing us on the way up also indicated that Stephen had been economical with the truth in not suggesting that the uphill pain could have been seriously curtailed. By the time the Portes de Culet had been reached, the group was well spread out, giving the early arrivers time to chat with other hikers and admire the view across to the Dents du Midi and Mont Blanc.
A breather at the Portes de Culet
Despite suggestions that there was an alternative, easier route circumnavigating the Bellevue peak, there was a unanimous will to attack the final ascent in order to get the promised views
Relaxing on the final ascent
.
The Pointe de Bellevue is in sight
Arrival at the top was staggered with the more reckless walkers bounding ahead whilst the experienced walkers savoured the ever-expanding vistas. By the time everyone was at the Pointe de Bellevue, most of the red wine had been consumed (partly due to sharing its benefits with two lively ladies who had passed us in a car and taken a shorter route up). However, Paul produced the means to toast Absinthe (or was it absent?) friends.
Sharing the Bellevue (and red wine) with 2 belles.
Conversation took a bizarre direction including a Rolls Royce and a crucifix….please defer to Peter for the full story. Since we were a little behind the exact schedule, the restaurant was phoned to suggest that we might be delayed by an hour only to hear that the chef went off duty at 14h. The group was rapidly assembled and a sense of urgency was given to the descent!
On the way down
Restaurant with a view
In the event, the advance party reached the Ferrage restaurant way before the “n0 croûte” time and we were all seated and drinking beer (or alternative) with time to spare to order. Lunch was spectacular for the view across to the Dents du Midi and the Muveran as well as the brochette specialities of the restaurant.
Menu du jour….a flaming sausage!
That’s what you call a lunch!
Dessert tarts were shared and coffees taken before a gentle 45 minute traverse back to Morgins through pleasant grass and woodland track until we hit the tarmac for the chalet dwellings on the outskirts of the town. The path passed above the 7 Peaks brewery, in the shadow of the 7 peaks of the Dents du Midi.
Despite the need for Mark to get back to host a drinks evening, a detour was taken to Stephen and Kate’s chalet, allowing a sampling of home brew beer, coffee and teas as desired. Kate had been watching our progress, even claiming to have seen us on the top of Bellevue from the chalet. Return to the town centre completed the 14km circuit about 7h30m after the start.
A great day out blessed with good weather, good views, good company and good exercise. Only sorry that not everyone was able to make it but I’m sure a repeat can be organised…………..
We met at the parking lot of Mont Mussy at 10:00am.
The group of 10 GIN walkers started our 5.8 km walk “Boucle de Mont Mussy/Mourex” with a positive elevation of 156m, on time.
The first part of the walk through the forest presented some inclines and was rather rocky. This caused some stragglers, after a loud yodle the front runners stopped and the group got together again.
We noted that quite a few trees had been cut down and large stacks of firewood were placed alongside the path. After reaching Mont Mourex the walking became much easier. Several stops were made to enjoy the views of Lake Geneva and the city of Geneva.
We met quite a few walkers with dogs and some of us chatted with the dog owners.
On the way down to the Mourex parking lot we enjoyed the beautiful wild flowers.
Looping back to Mont Mussy was easy going and we all arrived back at our cars at 12:00 pm.
Alan and I led a group of 5 cars to the parking lot behind the restaurant Au Bon Accueil, where we enjoyed a good lunch and glass of beer.
The walk and lunch were appreciated by all the participants.
A group of five regular bikers met at the Chavannes Hotel at 10h. Stephen, PeterT, Mark2Ts, e-Paul and e-Thatcher, with apologies from PeterD and Mervyn. Stephen’s promise of a gentle ride along the Jura was met with some scepticism, especially when he said there would be a warm up loop before the Bonmont ascent. However, he regained some credibility when a coffee stop was allowed at the new bakery between the new cycle shop and cycle museum in Crassier after an hour’s circuit through Grilly (F) and along the old railway track back to Switzerland. The impact was that the warm-up benefits were lost and the pedal up to Bonmont and the hill itself were more of a challenge than originally planned. The e-bikers kept the Taylor/Long competiton fair, not allowing slip streaming advantage. 240 Bonmonts in the previous year paid dividends and PeterT broke the morale of the challenger with a well-timed push on the final uphill slope.
The victor, with e-bike pace-setter and canine inspiration
From there it was downhill all the way to Givrin (except for that one short sharp hill). With lunch booked for 12.30h there was some concern that the leader might opt for a pre-prandial Genolier hill, up past the clinic. Some of the non e-bikers seemed to be slowing the pace in the hope of avoiding such a fate. They were successful and we cruised down from Genolier centre to the Auberge at Duillier for a very pleasant, leisurely lunch on the terrace, overlooking the vines, the lake and the Alps. Service was slow but the conversation was lively and when the food arrived it was worth waiting for. We uncovered the meaning of “gaslighting” (the act of manipulating a person by forcing them to question their thoughts) and then found many examples of potential use. This included the use of the description “gentle” for rides.
Main course is taking a while….lucky we had a starter.
…..we didn’t have a starter.
It was a direct ride back after lunch (except for Paul, who once again took his favourite Route 50 into Geneva) taking in the Landi carpark route and some slightly rougher tracks (to help Mark2Ts think about trading in his road bike). We split up at the God’s crossroads and made our separate ways home. We were on schedule (just) for Thatcher not to be late for his 15h swimming lesson with his grandchildren.
Statistics: Weather sunny, slight breeze. From Chavannes Hotel to God’s Crossroads 47km. ca. 2h30m saddle time, 552 elevation difference, 20.4km/hour average speed. Average: 1.6 beers/person and 2.1 coffees/person.
Mike Hempstead organised his fine debut-leader hike from the Col de Marchairuz followed by an excellent lunch at the restaurant terrace there.
The weather was not looking great – lowish cloud over the Jura, but it was dry and had the benefit of providing a very pleasant temperature.
Mike seemed to think we were ten, but in the event 11 of us turned up, one with a large dog/small golden bear. Despite following others, Mark W2tts took a holiday route to the start via Rolle after missing the Gland exit. He and Mark W2rrs were chatting intensely together.
Our leader arrived with his sports limo, but without his boots. In the event he cruised the route in his hush puppies. Rob had a close shave with the bear who tried to head butt his nose.
Attending : Mike H (Leader), Drew, David, Richard, Stephen, Rob, Thatcher, Philip, Peter (with Kobie) and Marks 2t and 2r. Apologies – Mervyn, Keith and others.
We set off on Mike’s planned 13km hike with 250m deniv – which in the event was more like 11.6km and 350m deniv – an anticlockwise loop to La Neuve and back. The going underfoot was mostly dry and pleasant, and with a fairly easy downhill start there was much crack. Kobie patrolled up and down the file of Gintleman hikers to keep us in order. The crux of the outward leg involved passing through two herds of cows intent on getting a close acquaintance to our small brown bear. Happily teamwork, fine dog-handling and some stick shaking prevailed and we hurried unmolested through the stampeding heifers.
We turned to return just before La Neuve, at which point Kobie decided to hoof off into the distance following a scent trail. That gave Mike the cue to provide some Swiss apéro wine to the patiently waiting team, while Peter went off to find his hound.
All reassembled, we headed back to the restaurant at the Col without incident arriving on time at 13.00 with a large table on the terrace for us all to fit around. Fine beer arrived. The usual banter included some reference to Scottish independence with the usual arguments. Indeed it was a most pleasant lunch with the majority going for Steak Tartare, even the sun appeared a little. Kobie managed to slip his leash and ran inside the restaurant to meet all the indoor diners, some of whom seemed to like him..
A fine day, nothing too hard but very convivial. A fine debut Mike.
Next hike – Stephen will organise a 700m ascent at Morgins if the weather allows on Thursday 2 Sept. With a mountain restaurant terrace lunch if so.
After the apéro and with prodigal bear
The first beer is the best beerEven the sun came out Panaché or beer, they were goodThe Plat du JourWine tooHappy Hound (Edited in Prisma app with Thota Vaikuntam)
A quick note to record that Peter Drew and Peter Taylor biked the three hills clockwise in good weather and before the heat on Thursday 12 August, followed by a fine beer overlooking the lake.
A dozen of us met up in brilliant sunshine in the parking lot of the Lycée internationale in Ferney and set off on the 5 km cross-border loop through Ornex and Collex-Bossy. It is the eighth time that this exhibition has taken place and 47 works of art were on display. Most of the artists were local, including some exhibits from school classes in both France and Switzerland. The materials used were very varied, but some of the more fragile pieces had suffered somewhat from the recent “intempéries” that have plagued us this summer. However, each one was carefully studied along with the accompanying explanatory boards, and various sage critiques were proferred.
Cover page
The route
Our path went through pastures, orchards, vineyards and woods and was actually a revelation to some who lived in the vicinity and were not aware of what lay on their doorsteps. It made us realise how lucky we are to live in such beautiful surroundings and in particular, the views of the Jura were superb against such a clear blue sky.
The Jura
In the sunshine
Shady characters in the shade
Past the sunflowers
Images of Svalbard
Emerging from the forest
The standard of the exhibits was somewhat varied, but each showed a certain degree of imagination and inventiveness. In particular, three children’s swings made almost entirely from old bicycle tyres and inner tubes were impressive, as were a set of three collages using dead honey bees.
A short muddy section through the Ornex woods had to be negotiated with care amid the odd complaint that was completely ignored! We emerged from the forest onto the brand new cycle/walking path that led us back to the cars.
Eight of us then proceeded to the Rajpoute restaurant where for the first time for some of us, our health passes were scanned at the door, as is now the law in France. A copious and tasty three course meal followed, washed down by Kingfisher beer for some and a surprisingly fine Indian red wine for others.
That’s not all yours, Norman!
Expended energy replaced!
Attending: Tom Boult, Norman Eatough, Mik Ferran, Dave Gernandt, Philip Jenkins, Rob Mackenzie, Mike Price, Richard Saynor, Paul Sochaczewski, David Stieber, Gerry Swart and Mark Warren. Apologies from many, mostly because of being visited by, or visiting, families cut off by the pandemic.
‘Twas with some trepidation that we set out to tackle the Mont d’Hermone on 5th August. Partly, because we had to traverse Geneva with its early morning traffic and roadworks and partly, because the weather forecast was following this summer’s unpredictable pattern. Well, the former was not a problem at all and everyone arrived in good time at the small unpronounceably-named village of Reyvroz in the depths of Haute Savoie. The latter did become a bit of an issue but more later on that. Seven stalwarts were in attendance and we had the pleasure of welcoming Keith Wynn to the group.
The route that we would follow was included in Janette Norton’s book “Walking in the Haute Savoie (North)” and apparently was her favourite walk and the last that she did before she sadly died in 2013. It promised extensive views over Lake Geneva, the Jura and the Alps, so hopes were high, but somewhat apprehensive!
Using perfect Swiss timing, we left the village as the church bell struck ten and sauntered off in good spirits. We had hardly warmed up our muscles when we turned onto a steep, stony jeep track which ascended unrelentingly until we reached the ridge which forms part of the GR Balcon de Léman. Although it was dry when we started and we were afforded beautiful views across the valley, the rain started after half an hour and rain gear was quickly donned. The promised views from the ridge were completely obscured by the rain clouds so we could only use our imagination! The rain was quite intense and two of us were not too shy to use our umbrellas!
Apart from a few deer, this rhino (previously identified as a hippo) was the only wildlife we saw
The crew having a break
We reached the chapel of Notre Dame d’Hermone in good time and considered our options for having lunch in the rain. There was a small ante-room to the chapel, the main part being barred by an iron gate, but as this was only a few metres square, it was certainly not conducive to eight burly hikers eating a picnic! Maybe it was the aura of the place, but the rains miraculously abated and we could stand outside around an (some said – sacrificial) altar and enjoy our well-earned lunches. These were washed down by Italian and Californian reds graciously supplied by Steve and Mervyn respectively and then, of course, Rob’s special whisky of the day.
Our goal – the Chapel of Notre Dame d’Hermone
Through the iron gate
At the high altar
Still eating and drinking
We left the chapel, and three ladies who were the only other humans we saw on the whole hike, and commenced our descent. The rains started again and we cautiously picked our way down the rocky track. Perhaps it was the euphoria of feasting on wild raspberries, or maybe the yearning to walk on different surfaces than jeep tracks, but we made the decision to take a smaller side path from the prescribed route. Things then became a little tricky as there was a dearth of signposts and conflicting views on the direction we should head. Anyway, using maps, various apps such as Google Maps and Maps.Me and blind instinct, we navigated unfrequented and sometimes, barely discernible paths to reach our destination. Our route was not without our having to occasionally retrace our steps on some tracks which petered out and there were also a few slips on muddy slopes. The hike organiser accepted unconditionally the full responsibility for all the confusion!
Descending a slippery slope
…..and after a muddy fall!
A momentary clearing in the weather
Our first thoughts upon reaching Reyvroz were where we could quench our thirsts. The advance party questioned a local who confirmed that there were no such premises before Thonon, but he was kind enough to offer us a beer chez lui. When we told him that there were eight of us, he recoiled somewhat, although a neighbour called out that he wouldn’t mind one!
So we set off in convoy seeking some refreshment, but it was not until we saw a sign to the Port of Sciez some 20 kms away that our hopes soared. After negotiating the most tricky entrance to a car park we had ever seen, we were soon sitting around a table by the marina enjoying a well-earned “pression”.
Back in the sunshine
Well, we got some good exercise, fresh air, fine drinks, good company, but unfortunately, not the extensive views that we could have enjoyed. Another time, maybe?!
Attendees: Bill, Rob, Steve, Mark, Mervyn, Keith, and Richards W and S. Regrets from the usual suspects, who were much missed.
John Burley organised the walk from Vich to Begnins and back. Unfortunately, due to injury, he was unable to participate and Tim Goodyear and I volunteered to lead the walk so that it could continue. There was rain overnight before the walk but none was forecast for the day, so the walk was on. There were 14 participants. The route up to Begnins was through fields and vineyards on agricultural roads which did not present any difficulty from the rain but did require caution for cars when crossing the Rte de Gland. The path then skirted the cemetery with a great view of the lake and alps (wasted on the residents), then around the playing fields. Steps led down to the anti-tank fortifications at the La Crosette picnic area. We then followed the line of the Sentier des Toblerones beside the Serine back to Vich. The previous night’s rain meant the river was flowing well and there was a fresh and pleasant aroma to the forest. There were some muddy areas and tree roots to negotiate. Back in Vich after 1h:45, we went to the terrace at La Croix Verte for an enjoyable lunch. Paul to the opportunity of a nearby birthday to gift (and sign) some of his books to interested readers. There was a toast to John, wishing him a speedy recovery.
