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
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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.
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.
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.
Snow Shoeing Racket 6 Feb 2020
A fine day out from over and beyond Marchairuz organised by Rob and attended by Richard, Mark and Philip. Fine sun, good fresh snow and the following are quotes from attendees (I bailed out with a touch of the Coronavirus (cold)).
“The trail was 8.8 kms but only half of our normal 499 metres ascent!”
Quotes from Richard (above) and Mark.
“You are right it was lovely weather and a great snowshoe – 8.8km and 256m height difference.The valley from Marchairuz towards the Givrine was a first for most of us. It’s less frequented than coming from the other side. The snowshoe tracks were marked with polls but we were the first on most of it since the last snowfall.
Next date planned is 18 February; I hope you are available to join us.”
