Blog – Page 34 – GIN Club

Hiking group (French Section) also kicks off!

With the border still closed, we on the French side of the border have become frustrated with the Hiking Group steeling a march on us, starting their exploits last Thursday 14 May.

So not to be outdone, the “GIN and French” sub-group group (Mark, Philip and Richard) went on an outing on Wednesday 20 May from the Chapelle de Rianmont, Vesancy up to the Baraque de Touppinet, a relatively easy 12 kms return walk with a height difference of 565 metres but given the state of fitness of at least this writer (Mark), that was enough of a challenge at this stage of the season. Fabulous views, superb weather, passable picnics.

We are in contact with our Swiss friends and hoping to arrange a hike where we can meet up for a picnic while respecting social distancing and our common frontier.

Biking Team to formally recommence

I wanted to restart the biking group, albeit several of us in CH have been meeting over the restricted period. I will suggest a plan after asking around on the favourite day of the week. Stay safe, Peter

Hiking Group (CH section) restarts in Jura

Leader Rob Pashley steered the first Post CV19 hike through initially foggy trails above Arzier. “I have run up this track” he announced as we looked on and pondered this incomprehensible feat. Nevertheless we managed the struggle up and along to Mt Roux for a fine lunch with whisky and ouzo with a grand view out over the lake to match. It was great to be back out with chums again, although we missed our cross border amis. The news came out the evening before, the border looks set to be open on 15 June. Bravo! Attending (with social distancing) :- Robert P, Mervyn, Drew, Steve, David C, Peter T.

Gentle descent. A decent start to the year!

Hiking Group (CH Subsection only for now)

New diary entries made starting on Thursday 14 May, every two weeks, leader/organiser David College.

Donizetti does Tudors

A real treat from the Met this week. They are streaming one opera per night free and this week has 3 Donizetti operas.

Last night was Anne Boleyn with Anna Netrebko superb in the title role. a shame if anyone missed it.

Tonight (Wed April 29) it’s Mary Stuart with Joyce DiDonato playing Mary.

Tomorrow it’s Roberto Devereux starring Sondra Radvanovsky and Elīna Garanča. I’m told it’s worth watching for Sondra Radvanovsky’s acting alone and Elīna Garanča is always very easy on the eye. They are both excellent voices too.

Check out these free operas at
https://www.metopera.org/user-information/nightly-met-opera-streams/

All activities off at present

Here’s a sad sight. This was our agenda in February

And here it is for April, everything cancelled due to the social distancing rules

Walk in Arboretum with Magnolias

Organised walks are off at the moment to avoid groups of more than 5. But I would highly recommend individual walks in the Arboretum at Aubonne. Especially at this time of year while the magnolias are at their best.

I went last Friday with Lynda and it was almost deserted.

Cultural things to do during the coronavirus lockdown

Opera from the Met

I’ve just learnt that the New York Metropolitan opera are providing free streamings of some of their great opera broadcasts from the last 14 years.

Further details here

https://www.vulture.com/2020/03/coronavirus-the-metropolitan-opera-to-stream-free-operas.html

The stream will be free and will present encores of The Met’s acclaimed Live in HD series. The performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. EST and will be available to stream for 20 hours. The first week’s schedule, outlined below, will be featuring timeless classics as Carmen, La Bohème, and La Traviata.

Virtual museum tours

Here is a link to information about some of the world’s great museums which are offering virtual tours via the web. I’ve not looked at any of these yet but the list is impressive.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

GINs Snowshoes Givrine to La Cure 3 March 2020

A compact team guided by Mark Warren and driven by Richard headed up to Givrine with an arc route to La Cure. Rob, Mark Watts, Steve, Paul, David S and Drew gave sundry excuses. This turned out to be a truly exhilarating day out. Fantastic deep powder snow conditions and bright sun gave us a real treat as we entered the forest into the oblivion. The trees were more loaded than Schilligers in November, and many small branches were bent over the virgin trail waiting to dump us with powder. About 180m up to a barn and then down the long trail to a fondu at Chez Mamac, La Cure. 7 km but enough. Super day and company. Also attending Philip and Peter T. Thanks to Richard for taking the train back to fetch the car while the rest of us drank beers and vin chaud by a warm stove.

It’s tough but somebody has to do these things

Racket on Mt Rond 20 Feb 2020

A motley crew of 6, missing Drew excused with a cold, ascended from a crowded carpark at Col de la Faucille into the quiet and peaceful snowy forest in perfect weather and then on up to Mt Rond for fantastic views in 360°. Fresh snow powder added to the fun, especially on the steeper descent. Lunch later in Refuge de Florimont was as good as it gets. Even a whisky flask was employed to round us off. Attending – Mark Warren (leader – merci Mark), Rob Pashley (he got all the whiskey), Richard Saynor, Philip Jenkins, Steve Long and Peter Taylor. Not 499 m but memorable, great fun and company.