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.
Blog
Gins hikers summit Point de la Chalune
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)
Culture Group
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
GIN Van Men
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
GINS bike ride 6 Aug 19. Two hills to Gex and new bike path
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.
Sailing, July 30, 2019
Just 3 sailing today: Philip Jenkins, Dave Gwilliam and myself.
We started with an almost flat calm but then the wind got up to a very pleasant force 3. Unfortunately there was a lot of water in the bilges so I spent much of the time below deck mopping it out and leaving the other 2 to sail the boat. I believe the water tank must have ruptured – need to check it out later.
We all needed a beer at the end.
Photographer was so incompetent he could not find the button to make a selfie!!
Wine tasting, July 26, 2019
On Friday July 26, Martin Vaughan hosted the latest ‘wine connoisseurs’ tasting…… 9 members responded…….6 wines were selected from 6 islands around the world……Brian Allardyce surpassed himself with 3 correct wines and their related islands……..chapeau!
Our next sessions are:
David Gwilliam in August
David Stieber in September
Ian Cappin in October
Myself Terry in November
Come and join us for our next sessions…….a warm ‘wining’ awaits you…..
GINs Biking – Over the hills to Gilly
Great ride before (or in ?) the canicule up past Genolier, Bassins and Le Vaud before swooping down into Gilly and Peter Drews favourite terrace. Porc and spaghetti was excellent, as was the beer, and the company. A day among many to remember. Peter T, Peter D, Steve and Mark.
Magic.
GINs Hiking – Ascent of Le Prarion 18 July 2019
5 intrepid GIN hikers set off from Coppet on a sunny day but with forecast
clouds for Chamonix. The sun shone all day however and we had a splendid hike over the Prarion summit (1931m) up 820m on a fine and airy ridge from Vaudagne. One member attempted to start the hike with two right boots but managed to fit well in to Peter’s running shoes which were only a few sizes too big. After a steady ascent and summit traverse with admittedly stupendous views we calmed ourselves with some Brasserie du Mt Blanc Bierre Blonde on a terrace at the top with similar stunning views up the mountain, memorably also of the train crawling up to the Nid d’Aigle. The Aig. du Midi and the whole Mt Blanc wall of rock and ice saluted us. We stumbled back down through the cooling forest, dodging speeding bikers, but with some fine memories. Attending – David College, Robert Pashley, Mark Warren, Mervyn Powell, Peter Taylor.
Continue reading “GINs Hiking – Ascent of Le Prarion 18 July 2019”
GIN sailing, July 10th
Perfect weather for a lovely sail. Sunny with force 3 gusting 4. Crew this time was Dave G, Mervyn, myself plus Lynda (fellow boat owner and official photographer). Nothing dramatic, just across the lake a few times, but enough wind to decide on life jackets. Also discussed the man overboard procedure which we’ll practice in a subsequent outing.
Knot tests
And some essential rehydration (thanks to Mervyn for providing the beer)
