There were 4 of us: Dave, Trevor, Gary and me, on a very still day. The weather forecast had been for a sunny day but had changed its mind at the last moment.
We motored across almost to the other side of the lake and somehow managed to sail back almost to Crans while all on board thought we were still heading for the French side. Maybe this is a reflection of how soporific it all became.
We still had a good time and got back to Port shortly after 4 to sort the boat and have a beer.
Greatest excitement was when Mark tried to turn the boat around so that Trevor could get on easily. Manoeuvre would have gone perfectly if I hadn’t forgotten to untie the rope to the mooring buoy. I was wondering why the boat behaved so strangely and managed to drag the buoy about a metre out of position. Oops!
Thank you for inviting me to join the Gin club. Gary Vannatter recommended your organization, as I very much enjoy golf, biking, boating, snow skiing etc…
Steve recalibrated this hike after the weather forecast seemed to preclude Morgins and the higher hills. Instead he chose the Barillette attracting a further 9 of us who signed up for the promise of a good hike and the possibility of a tasty fondue. Initial attempts to find the right trail were frustrated by loggers and at one point we descended back 60m downhill on the trail of pain. Happily Steve found the trail to paradise and even the sun came out. About 1000m up and about 3 hours of gently toil saw us at the mast for reasonable views over the lake.
Lunch at the Barillette was indeed worth the hike and we shared the cheerful room with a group of Swiss trekking tennis players who included a Swiss horn player. After beer, wine and a fine fondue (for 80% of us), and some Scottish fluid, we were serenaded to some fine horn playing/wind music. Tarte maison, coffee slipped down well and we fell out into some wet weather, but actually it stopped pretty soon and we enjoyed a pleasant descent to the cars at Bonmont (albeit some Bonmont regulars did not recognise the Bonmont cycle road and attempted a repeat ascent). Attending Steve, David, Philip, Mark W and Mark W, Mervyn, Peter T, Richard, Rob and Thatcher. Apologies from Drew M and Peter D. Total up 1030m. Distance unknown to me. Just in time before really bad weather came in, including snow to 1200m predicted.
Sun comes out on the ascentApproaching the summitThree hour before the mastFondu full aheadWith ChasselasThe Schublig and chips end Mark dips in Horn corner concertoFilming the hornThe Hornli Hut..Mike Horn ?Actually Pascal Loutan loutanp@gmail.com – Cor Des Alpes, Architecture, Atelier Proteger
Message from our leader.
Thanks for your patience as I considered the similar-looking roads to paradise or pain (and sometimes made the incorrect decision). However, we reached paradise (the Barillette restaurant) at the alloted hour and managed to avoid the pain of the real storm that hit later in the evening. We lost electricity for half an hour in the evening after one impressive lightening strike. As you say, a memorable walk for the turn out, the restaurant, the alcoholic consumption and, of course, the alphorn playing. Looking forward to reading the blog! Regards to all,Stephen
We were 10 on today’s walk. We walked beside the Versoix river down to Versoix, then back up to the starting point along the canal. Most people were unaware of the route we took and so it was very successful. Then 6 of us had lunch in Les Gravines, and very good it was!
The starting point is directly underneath the autoroute at the point where it is elevated at the Vengeron. If you take the back road behind Versoix heading towards Geneva, you find the Sports club of Versoix, then a bit further on you pass Les Gravines Restaurant. The starting point is to the left immediately after that restaurant and directly under the autoroute where it is easy to park.
Yet another beautiful sunny day, albeit with a strong but warm Bise wind. Four of us assembled at Lac de Divonne and set off in the usual direction towards Bonmont, at a leisurely pace untroubled by any possibility of forming a Groupetto behind Steve, who was otherwise occupied. Having dispensed with the formality of Bonmont we sidled down for a coffee in Givrins before swooping down to the Les Aberiaux restaurant by the port at Prangins for well needed beers and al fresco lunch. We toasted absent friends, who had really missed another great and not too challenging day out. A good lunch – beef/octopus and chips and coffees before winding our way back to God’s Crossing. Attending : Mervyn, Mark Watts, Peter D and Peter T.
Bonmont againLunch Les AberiauxPT and MWttDomestiques
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.
Rudi on the helm with Peter on the sheetAlways a wonderful sight to see the spinnaker flying
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.
The spinnaker team:- sheet, helm, guyCaptain Bligh
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.
This is how we treat stowawaysEssential beers after the sailing
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.
Bonmont (for me 165)Fine food (not meat honest!)Not smiling to order..Merci to all. Sorry we missed Steve, Paul and others.
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.
View back from Mt TendreLiquid end of lunchLunch Chalet du Mont TendreDavid looking cool Rob’s pork pie gets devoured Mervyn, Drew, Rob and Peter. Last of the summer wine.. It all ends with beer Local surveillanceSummit photo Drew, David, Mark, Mervyn, Richard, Peter, Peter, Rob
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.
The hike in Guide FranckTraverse from the Col de la ColombièreOven like heat in la Combe des FoursFlowery path to the Pt d’AlmetThe summit view back to the flowery path on the right of the forepeak. Notice large drop…Summit view. Col des Ânes, Pte Percée, Aravis, and Mt Blanc. With lammergeiers. Richard descending from the summit. Wider view of the ridge back to the Pd’A Descending the ridge.Lunch remotely captured.Col de la Colombière with Jalouvre and Pt Blanche. Interesting descent coming, followed by welcome Panachées.
