Blog – Page 33 – GIN Club

Walk at Prangins, January 22, 2019

This walk was led by Brian Allardyce and took us from the plage de Promenthoux, through the Domaine Imperial Golf Club , past the Villa Rose and back to our cars.

We had a grand turnout of 12:- Brian Allardyce, Alan Baker, Tom Boult, John Burley, Bryan Clark, Dave Gernandt, Tim Goodyear, Dave Gwilliam, Tony Raeburn, Richard Saynor, Mark Warren, Mark Watts. Eight of us stayed on for lunch at La Barcarolle.

Sadly Bryan took a nasty tumble and may have broken a rib. This just goes to show that all activities, except sitting at home drinking a beer, are dangerous.

Here is a photo of the group in front of the new GIN clubhouse.

Second annual Dave Knewstubb memorial ski outing to Champéry

There were four of us for this event on January 16th : Mervyn, Peter, David, Mark, plus we were joined by two of Mervyn’s chums, Brian and Alun, declared GIN members for the day. Mervyn and Brian led us in some great skiing all over the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil and into Avoriaz with lunch at Les Brochaux.

Good weather, good snow, great company and great skiing. Thanks to all.

On our return Mervyn and Peter were foolhardy enough to ski down the Swiss Wall (Chavanette), apparently without falling??. For once David and Mark displayed more sense.

This was the second Dave Knewstubb memorial ski trip since the outing last year has been retroactively declared the first. Bit of history rewriting here.

Jeremy Brown still a member of hiking

Although Jeremy has now moved to England he asked to remain on the distribution for the hiking group in case there are any more 4 day hikes in the future.

I’ll ask Jeremy to update his details in the web site so we’ve all got his address and phone number.

Wine Tasting

I can’t resist posting the exploit of Tony Keefer and Tony Raeburn of identifying correctly 6 out of the 6 French wines at our blind tasting yesterday.

Cheers, chin, salud, prost etc.

GIN Hiking: Pic Chaussy, Tour D’Ai and Tour des Muverans

GIN Hikers have been actively taking advantage of the fantastic weather with day hikes to Pic Chaussy, (August 28)

Tour d’Ai above Leysin, (September 11)

which turned out to be somewhat more demanding than anticipated!

and a magnificent 4 day adventure doing the

Tour des Muverans (September 16-19)

via the rather spooky valley of Derborence

(which had been decimated by a major landslide in the 18th century)

and magnificent views from Chalet Rambert.

Many thanks to David for initiating the day hikes and Thatcher

for his excellent leadership of the TdM.

Commiserations to Peter and a speedy recovery for his back condition

which limited his participation.

GIN sailing, September 13, 2018

Only Rob, Thatcher and Mark but a great afternoon’s sail.

It started out with no wind at all but we were clearly on the Southern edge of a little storm. Within a few minutes of hoisting the main we had to put a reef in and only unrolled half the genoa but still flew across to the other side of the lake, avoiding going North into the storm.

Once the wind eased a bit we practised our man overboard manoeuvre, including a “heave to” approach demonstrated by Rob.

Then genny fully out, shook out the reef and a calm sail and motor home.

Just avoided getting boarded by the local pirates

GIN sailing September 5, 2018

Great afternoon in a gentle breeze.

Peter Drew, Rudi Pluss, Dave Gwilliam, Mark Watts

GIN sailing, August 15, 2018

A great day for a sail. Sadly only Mark, Dave and Tony K.

Steady Force 3. Tacked up to Michael Schumacher’s house then turned round for very pleasant beam reach all the way home with the obligatory beers.

Bike Team Reach Jura Top 19 July 2018

Team-Blue, bikers reached the top of the Jura at the Col above La Rippe, right next to the French border (sadly no bar/café). We took it gently and stopped at the P’tit Bard for some drink and energy bars on the way up. It was hot lower down. About 1000 m up, and down.

Descending was easier, and faster.