Gentlemen in Nyon
Three intrepid peddlers started out from Divonne, two in shorts. We had a splendid short ride on two hills via Bonmont and Vesancy to Gex where we took the excellent plat du jour at L’Essentiel on the main Street. There remained the fast and excellent bike path back to the start. Cloudy but no rain!
Attending
Peters T and D, Philip J.
Seven intrepid hikers (David, Frank, Mervyn,Paul, Rob, Werner and myself) met last Thursday at Les Bioux by the shores of the Lac de Joux and set off on an anti-clockwise direction around the lake. The weather forecast had not been too promising, so we were all equipped to complete the circuit in comfort. The path follows the shore very closely and is a mix of asphalt, grass, rocks, shingle and in places, wooden duckboards. Being on schedule, we stopped for a welcome coffee break in Le Pont and then headed off towards our lunch destination. After a short time, we were treated to the sight of a herd of chamois, who seemed quite unconcerned at our approach.
We arrived at Les Esserts-de-Rive all intending to have pizzas, but in the end, some of us had fillets de perche and the others, pasta with chanterelles.
The sun shone for the final push back to Les Bioux where cold beers were awaiting. We had covered 23 kms and according to my GPS, had climbed a surprising 250 metres, considering that the path was relatively flat. Thanks to those that drove – David, Frank and Rob.
This was the last planned hike of the season, but hopefully we can squeeze in another one before the snows set in.
Mervyn had organised a challenging 3-day circuit anticlock-wise of the Dents-du-Midi starting at 1600m at Chindonne, an Auberge above the Valais. Eight of us gathered on the Tuesday 17 Sept, in promising weather, at 8 am, five of us had spent the night at Chindonne (some slept better than others).
Mervyn had assembled a crack sauntering team. Sadly missed were our hiking leader David C, Thatcher and Mark W1, Mark W2, and Peter D. In all then we were; Mervyn Powell, Philip Jenkins, Steve Long, Frank Ekman, Robert Pashley (Treasurer and keeper of the purse), Richard Saynor, and Peter Taylor. 46 km and 2600 m denivellation were promised, but I think the deni was higher, especially for three of us who ascended the Haute Cime.
Day 1 comprised a long traverse along the N side of the DdM, ascending and descending quite a bit (Nepali Flat). The path was narrow in places, some fine bridges were passed, the Dents loomed high above us, the views were sublime and the company was clearly in fine spirit. A chamois was spotted close to the path. Spirits were not dampened (much) by the surprise that the lunch-spot eatery was closed. As we descended in hot sun before the final 500m climb to the Susanfe Hut, Frank decided (wisely) that he had done enough and retired with dignity towards Champery and home. That final climb was impressive and quite tough involving narrow ledges and chains. An exhausted crew of 7 slumped into chairs at the hut at 2100m with welcome beers and a trio of sheep-dog puppies to play with, before a fine meal of soup, spaghetti carbonara and a dessert, washed down with some decent red wine that our Treasurer (as always) assured us we had the funds for. We toasted absent friends. Pass the Pig was played and Steve scored a big zero, Jeremy and Mervyn winning the rounds, but Richard scored highest in total.
Day 2. An early start after a good breakfast gave us access to the desolate Col de Susanfe some 400m above the hut in partial sun. Here the team split with 3 electing to try the ascent of Haut Cime up 765m to 3257m. The saner 4/7ths descended to the hut planned for that night, the Auberge de Salanfe at 1900m where they tucked into a large lunch (despite having packed lunches from the previous Cabane) and telephoto’d the HC team on the summit. The HC team had struggled up the steep, loose and seemingly precarious trail to the top for spectacular views and the spotting of a bird unkown to Philip. The descent was not as bad as we expected it to be and we met a biker hiking to the top with his machine. Meanwhile the Auberge team spent the afternoon at the arsenic mines, wondering what use the arsenic was mined for. They also played trains and speleo’d the mine a bit. After beer and hot showers we sat down a feast of pork and pasta, washed down with some excellent wine our Treasurer payed for. Pass the Pig was won by Grand-Hog Rob, winning both rounds, the second in one turn.
Day 3. Morning before dawn, the fog was dark and dank and we set off up to the Col de Jorat 400m above. We caught glimpses of fabulous views through the spilling fog, out across the cloud blanket of the Valais, and up to the sunlit soaring towers of the Dents. An endless switchback path 1100m down to Mex challenged our limbs, but the coffee and tart we took there compensated somewhat. Oddly we were ahead of schedule, this had not been a day of pure sauntering. Too early for lunch we set off on a 3 hour and 600 m hike up back to Chindonne. Peter forsook the short-cut (for a change) but one member took it. Congratulatory beers were taken before a fine lunch provided by Edward the friendly American owner of the Chindonne Auberge. Thanks to Mervyn for organising impeccably, to Rob for keeping our finances regular and to all for their fun and good company.
Photos with more to follow from the team
Peter’s iPhone : https://photos.app.goo.gl/scsF2ANn9sq7bC1u5
Richard’s photo selection : https://photos.app.goo.gl/sD8XJVhcfb3HrYAc9
Our illustrious leader was unavailable (holiday in Crete) but did send us this
so we were ably led by Peter D: up the hill at Bonmont, over to Gex, then to Echenevex to find a closed restaurant and on to the Maison Blanche golf club for lunch and well earned beers.
After lunch we returned to Gex where we found the old railway line and followed it all the way back into Divonne.
A great bike ride. Thanks to Peter and Steve for waiting for me.
Total of 52 km (a few further for Steve) and 545 m dénivellation
Dave selected some excellent Italian reds for this tasting and laid on a good spread including a superb brie.
There were 6 wines with the descriptions Dave found on the internet below
Full body, nice and beautiful aroma. Purple and velvet color. Nice balance of tannin and low acidity. Scent of leather, slightly earthy, dominent of dark plum, dark berries.
Clear, medium ruby. Clean, moderate intensity aroma of blackberry, violet. Dry, high acidity, strong tannins, full body and prolonged finish.
Dark cherry colour, an intense nose of ripe red berries, slightly spicy, reminiscent of juniper, cloves and violets, a rich prelude, full-bodied on the palate with distinct tannins, subtle nuances, a long, intense full-bodied wine from Sicily’s southern climes.
Corvina produces light to medium body wines with a light crimson coloring. The grapes’ naturally high acidity can make the wine somewhat tart with a slight, bitter almond note.[2] The finish is sometimes marked with sour-cherry notes
Bouquet is a bit flat with cherry notes. The palate delivered aromas of cherry, blackberry, dried plum, pepper notes followed by a sweetness. Spices could be a bit more. Noticeable Tannins but flat in acidity.
Medium ruby with slight watery rims. Classic nose of earthy characters and balsamic notes, plum and cherry, cedar wood and leather. On the palate well balanced, great acidity and good structure.
Details of all the wines, including prices
Participants: Dave Gwilliam (host), Brian Allardyce, David Stieber, Terry Gale, Mark Watts, Ian Cappin
Just Dave G, Peter D and I. Not much wind but a pleasant little sail in good company. We still felt we’d earned a beer at the end.
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)
As an opening venture, some of us have been reading Ian McEwan’s latest novel, Machines Like Me. We were meant to meet to discuss it, but it has proved impossible to get folk together so this blog will be our virtual meeting point.
I’ll just mention a few things I enjoyed, admitting straight away that I’m a long term McEwan fan, and hope that you will comment on what you thought.
Firstly, note that the title can be read in two ways, which immediately presents an ambivalence. Typical of his writing and central to this work, I enjoyed his weaving of the main theme, the moral dilemma facing society regarding machine intelligence , with the sub-plots of the dystopian Britain ( a simile for the Brexit future?) and the human stories.
I am not sure about the reason for his distortion of recent history, except perhaps to illustrate more vividly what the near future holds for the UK both politically and socially.
OK? Now lets have your views.
Tony
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, Mark, Peter
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.