Blog – Page 37 – GIN Club

GINs Snow Shoeing

7 Feb 2019 Enjoyable inaugural snow-shoe event, up to Vermeilleys from La Givrine for a fondue in snowy (good) then rainy (not so good) conditions, under the guidance of Mark Warren. With Robert Mackenzie, David Stiebor, Robert Pashley, Richard Saynor and me. Cheese Trifon fondue was excellent as was the chasselas. Sadly not all made it, but we regrouped for a tea at the end. Photos to follow. Peter

GINS XC Skiing – 6 Feb 19 – Lajoux

Fantastic Jura Ski Trails

Following a number of apologies for absence, Mark and I spent a great day out on the far trails of Lajoux (the second Jura ridge) in perfect weather. While the usual grey and soupy cloud covered the whole of the Lake Geneva Region, the Jura basked in calm sunshine. Mark langlaufed, while I skated, but we kept together and completed the 19km of the Combe de la Chèvre which takes in the Forêt de la Massacre. There were many friendly folk out there enjoying the sun with warm smiles and greetings, and the youngest we met was only 15 months, fast asleep in a pulk. Exhausting but brilliant, and rounded off at Lajoux with apple tarte and hot chocolate. Thanks Mark for driving. Peter

Skiing in Megève, 2019-02-05

A great day’s skiing in Megève, brilliantly led by Mervyn, in glorious sunshine and near perfect snow conditions. Also hardly anyone on the slopes.

Participants Mervyn, David, Mark plus honorary member Brian.

Official – walking is our most dangerous activity

Sadly, Bryan Clark tripped on a tree stump during last week’s walk at Prangins and cracked 3 ribs. That makes walking our most dangerous activity – until someone falls off a chair at bridge!!

Gins X Country

Subject: GINs Cross-country ski outings – Wednesdays
Date: 23 January 2019 at 13:51:41 CET
To: Mark Watts

Dear Mark and GINs gentlemen all

As promised and a bit belatedly I am now in a position (after my foot operation) to propose some XC ski days out up in the Jura. And the snow is currently perfect.

In fact these will more likely be half days as we all know that that is as much as we can take in one outing.

I propose meeting at the usual parking by the fountains at Divonne Lake carpark at 9.30 am, where we can sort out transport and target location (there is more up there than La Vattay) on the following dates:-

Wednesdays

30 January
6,13,20,27 February
6,13,20,27 March
3 April

Lunches and/or drinks can follow.

Please feel free to extend this to friends and better halves.

Looking forward to seeing you and to some sunshine and healthy exercise out on the trails.

Best wishes

Peter

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.