Gentlemen in Nyon
It should have been Dave, Rudi, Peter D and myself but I’d suggested a late start time and Dave had an engagement at 18:00 and didn’t trust me to get him back in time. He knows me too well!
Slightly better breeze than last week, still only top end of force 2 but enough for a pleasant sail. Again 2 tacks to Prangins and then hoisted the spinnaker for the return. Hoisted it inside the forestay – whoops. Easily corrected since not much wind and then a pleasant run almost back to Crans.
Our season started late due to the Covid scare. Then it really started, although we limited the number on the boat to 4 for social distancing.
First outing was September 2. Apart from Mark and Dave only Tony Keefer signed up. Deborah brought him to Crans so she joined us and we had a very pleasant gentle drift before ending up with a couple of beers in the buvette. Sadly no photos.
September 9 was the first outing to be oversubscribed. Six wanted to sail so we took the first 4 to reply: Mark, Dave, Peter D, Phillip. A lovely little breeze took us across the lake then up to Prangins (just 2 tacks). Then we hoisted the spinnaker for a downwind run home. The wind dropped at exactly that time so we had a slow spinnaker drift for a while then started the motor and opened the beers. Still a good day out.
That left Rob MacKenzie and Rudi so we had another outing on Friday (September 11). Unfortunately Rudi could not come so is was only Rob and myself plus a stowaway who was tossed overboard. Again not much wind but a pleasant drift.
10am sunny morning and five of us set off from Divonne car park. The peloton (short of Long) ambled up to Bonmont to help me get B165, and thence swooped down and across to Givrins for a coffee on a sunny terrace, avoiding patisseries available as we had a table booked at the Auberge de Gilly at noon. We sped over via Coinsins and Vich in a single breakaway and were soon ensconced around a round table drinking beer and then tucking into the rather fine fare they provide there. Recommended and at a good price. We set off back in warm sun via Trelex and Grens and were soon back at the start. 55 km or so. 300m deniv? A fine day out with time for a siesta, or in my case a powerpoint presentation in Mongolian.
Attending : Peter Drew, Mervyn, Philip, Mark Wtts and me.
Thursday 27 Aug 2020.
A motley crew of 8 led by Rob Pashley started off from the Col du Marchairuz 1448m in fresh mountain air at 9 am in fine sunny weather. David C, Drew, Mark (Watts), Mervyn, Richard S, and two Peters D and T were in attendance. Fresh dew and sparkling light saw us swiftly across to Mt Tendre 1678m in regulation 2.5 hours, after much up and down. Spotting the Chalet du Mt Tendre a kilometre further away and 60m down we arrived for an unexpected terrace lunch involving beer and various versions of rösti, assisted by Canadian, Italian and Scottish firewater which helped the coffees go down, as well as speed the return traverse. On the way back, Rob’s pork pie which was beginning to get legs of its own was torn apart by voracious hikers. Great views and a fine hike were rounded off by beers and panachés at Marchairuz. Memorable again. According to Richard, grosso modo, 17 km and 700 m denivellation.
A small team of 3 assembled at 9 bells on the Col de la Columbière in fair weather, promising heat. Our route in Guide Franck was described as 618m dénivellation, and 3.5 hours. We had a suspicion, proved correct later, that it was closer to 980m and 6 hours with stops. We left the crowds at the Col (oddly, all going up the other side of the Col from us) and after a pleasant traverse we headed up through la Combe des Fours (with distant bouqetin) and on up left on a narrowing flower-filled crest to the Pd’A. Over 30 lammergeiers were whirling in front, behind, above and below us as we gazed out on fantastic views including the dominant N face of Pte Percée and lady Mt Blanc in the wings. Returning via the same route then up towards Tête d’Auferrand where we took lunch and some reviving Scottish fluid. Fine views of the Jalouvre from the top of the Td’A gave rise to an interesting descent to the Col and large panachées. Attending and suffering from leg cramp – Richard, Robert, Peter. August apologies – from the rest of the team.
Steve had chosen a fairly gentle 22 km and 600 m deniv hike for us on 23 July, albeit it was billed at 10% to 15% less than this. A hot morning and the forest trail up provided shade – and stickiness. Fine clear views from the view point gave way to terrapins, coffee and bells at St Cergue. A clockwise route up and through field and forest brought us to a lunch spot at the edge of the forest with a fine view above Arzier where some 40 kites whirled above us. We meandered down and explored the cool glory of the Bois de Chêne before downing some welcome and refreshing beer at Pashley kennels (thanks Rob!). Thanks also to our leader for a very pleasant outing.
Attending : Steve (leader), Rob (Beers), Philip, Mark Wn, Peter T.
Apologies from – you know who you are… sorry we missed you.
Several of our chums had sent apologies, including Peter at the 11th hour, but 4 intrepid musketeers met up at La Blonnière near Annecy on Thursday. David had chosen the longer but gentler route up through meadows filled with wildflowers and fragrant pine forests. As temperatures were rising, this proved to be the most sensible approach to the imposing limestone mountain that is Le Parmelan (1,856m). Coming out into the sunshine, the going got tougher up a rocky path and we witnessed Stephen forging ahead with his usual élan. The effort was certainly worth it as we attained the incredible lapiaz landscape and marvelled at the deep fissures, some of which still contained snow.
We stopped for lunch in a shady spot just before the summit and then enjoyed some welcome beers/shandies at the refuge. The 360 degree panorama afforded clear views of Lakes Annecy and Léman and many of our favourite mountains in the Alps and the Jura. On the way down, we had to make a choice and this time took the steeper but shorter Grand Montoir with its chains and ledges. Apart from the odd slip and trip, and a manageable case of cramp, we descended safely to the cars.
Unfortunately, the bars in Dingy-Saint-Clair were all closed, so whilst the Vaudois enjoyed cold beers in Mervyn’s garden, your scribe had a large aptly-named GIN and tonic in Ornex. Many thanks to David for organising this very enjoyable hike.
Present: David, Mervyn, Stephen and Richard
A somewhat reduced group from the Lockdown Peleton assembled at the Divonne Lake on Weds 1 July in fine sun. We attempted to explore the fine 2019 bike path from Divonne to Gex, and particularly a new 2020 section on to Ornay (as Richard had told us it went there) – but none of us knew where Ornay was. We reached the very end (Ornay?) after a traversing a small missing piece of track, but although rideable the last part was still officially closed, opening 17th July.
Satisfied we had pushed it to the end, we retreated to Gex and then Vesancy and Bonmont, me with a slow rear puncture. As one of us had just had a Covid19 test and was not yet apprised of the result (eventually negative) we aborted the usual terrace lunch and headed back in the sunshine. Next time.
Attending, Long, Taylor, Watts.
Apologies, Mervyn, Peter D, Philip, Tim.
Our first real (non-borderline) meet of the season in the Vallée Verte. Richard had organised hot weather and a fine route. A motley crew of 4 Fr and 5 CH members assembled in the strong sun at 9.30 am in Villard for the 800m climb up through forest and meadows of long grass and flowers, while serenaded with birdsong to the Pointe de Miribel via Plaine Rouge. Our strength was sapped as we ascended the final hot and steep section, but there was a nice breeze to assist cooling as we were blessed by the final crosses below the summit. On top we took in the stunning 360 view to Lac Leman and the Alps, and settling to some wine and a picnic, we recovered in body and spirit, helped by some stronger Scottish and Italian potions.
A steep descent took us down through shady woods to the café at Villard for some panachés. A fine and challenging first hike. Merci to Richard for leading us faultlessly. Wherever did Philip leave his poles ?
Attending Richard, Mark Wn, Philip, Freddie, Mervyn, Steve, Rob, David C, Peter T.
For our second Swiss/French barely legal hiking lunch, Philip chose the Noirmont. The two parties ascended from their respective countries, again the Swiss team (David, Peter D, Peter T and Steve) was given the more challenging route and it arrive a little en retard, having commenced at La Cure and followed a question mark shaped line up around the Creux de Croue and the North Ridge. The French team (Philip, Mark, Richard), also attacked the N Ridge from the valley floor, less distance but a continuous rise.
At the summit gathering the chosen wine was suitably Negroamaro, and we spent a pleasant and sunny 90 minutes lunching and catching up on news and views, with 360 views over the Jura hills. There was elation in the elevation. Too soon we had to part, this time the CH team had an easy direct descent, while the FR team tussled with their vertige.
Apologies from Rob, Mervyn and Mark W (possibly others).
