Category: Hiking

The sign up for the hike on the 4^th of July got off to a very slow start. Mark and I were beginning to think we were becoming the Millwall FC of the GIN group (Millwall is an English football club whose supporters are wont to chant ‘No one likes us but we don’t care’). Fortunately, the pace picked up and we were eight in principle but seven with a late withdrawal by Philip Jenkins. Hope you are feeling better Philip.

Getting to the Col du Marchairuz was not helped by a major redesign of the road network in Begnins which necessitated a fairly lengthy diversion. Worth bearing in mind if you are headed that way. Probably it will be one of those rush jobs beloved by the Swiss so like Versoix and Bellevue the road will probably only be blocked for a couple of years!

So Mark W, Nathan, Paul, Peter D, Rob, Ross and myself set off with Mike M and Nessie joining us for lunch. Rocco, my spaniel was planning to join but heard stories of fierce cows from Kobie and decided discretion was the better part of valour.

It was a brisk 15 degrees when we set off and, despite MeteoSuisses predictions, more than just overcast but actually raining. Fortunately the rain stayed light and eventually gave up altogether. We set off from the corner of the Hotel’s terrace, descending for a while before following the ridge south west. The vegetation was much remarked upon – dense was deemed insufficiently poetic, lush was considered but exuberant was settled on. The rain followed by warmth of the last few weeks has produced a huge amount of growth. The presence of snails and slugs was also notable and there was some discussion of snail farming. Photos exist of a bit of three way snail action taking place in the middle of the footpath but since this is a family blog with sensitive readers such as Peter T, I don’t propose to add them.

Given the plethora of elections taking place there was some discussion of politics. Rob professed optimism for the SNP’s prospects – plus ca change – while Mike H discovered that some deluded soul was standing in Putney for the ‘Rejoin the EU Party’ so voted for that. 288 people joined me in that and we came last! Rob’s favoured party did a little better (but not much!)

The route loops around south and then comes back north east towards the Hotel, in slightly better weather but not sufficiently better for us to consider eating outside. The interior dining room was packed and a good, mostly röesti lunch was had with appropriate liquid refreshment. This was followed by an historic apricot tart – worth the trip – was the general verdict. It was also agreed that a hike ending at a restaurant was a good plan with stiffened ancient legs having only the car park to traverse.

Much enjoyed by all participants and particularly by me since, for one reason or another, I haven’t managed to get to many walks this year.

All the best

Mike

P.S. When dropping Ross off in Coppet I spent 10 minutes in the Pas de Ian Fleming exhibition in the Mairie. There is not a huge amount there but it is interesting to learn of Fleming’s life in 1930’s Geneva, the use of Coppet as a location in the book Goldfinger and see contemporary photos. Closes soon.

20 June 2024

This was going to be a bit of touch and go. The weather forecast was iffy as well as being uncertain, but then I’m not so sure.. some softness was expected at first and a great deal of softness later.

9 hikers turned out at the parking at Tancouez near St Cergue just after 10 am on the second longest day of the year. Despite the forecast, there were no late withdrawals. My plan was to hike up to the Vermeilley Hut, then to the Carroz Hut and down to La Givrine returning on the little red train to St Cergue.

In no particular order we were :- Mervyn, Ross, Nicholas, Nathan, Marks 2ts and 2rs, Richard F, Peter S and me Peter T, with hounds Onyx and Kobie.

It was spitting with rain at the start but nine (Ok eleven) were mostly smiling :-

We paid for the parking (I had thought mistakenly that it was free there) and set off. Almost immediatley we entered a field of Alpine meadow flowers untouched by cattle herds – we were transported into Arcadia. With lifted spirits the misty rain seemed to disappear a little.

Upwards and onwards across cow pastures past Les Agozats and into the woods. The Leader was marked down a little for leading the team across/through a wire fence which required some acrobatic efforts to overcome – at least it was not electrified.

Once in the woods the rain became less of a factor and we were swiftly up past Mont Roux and into a section on the map marked as Pible à Gaudin. (I looked up “Pible” in Google and Chat GPT – it stumped them). Some gates with large latches followed and we reached a section which the leader had previously forewarned was “a little sketchy”. Encouragement was given to not lose heart, and off we set up into the wilderness, off trail. In fact the worst of it was the wet leaves of the greenery on the less than obvious and rather unused and sketchy path..

We were however soon up then down into Combe Froide, in our case Combe Damp.

Passing a farmer who advised cows were ahead we leashed the hounds and skirted round the electric fence to the Vermeilley Hut at 1320m. This is a nice eatery in winter but in summer it’s just a rather smelly cow hut, and although it was just after midday, it was not a suitable picnic spot. Besides, misty rain was blowing in still.

I must say I was impressed that there was not much of a mutiny when I urged us all on for another hour in search of the Carroz Hut where we might find a more suitable lunchery. After a bit of a tramp up the trans Jura Road we passed the same picnic spot where we had lunched three years before in sunshine, and I recall a bank of snow for the white wine.

We successfully reached the Carroz Hut at 1508m at 1pm or so, finding a work crew there doing remediation inside. Outside there was a choice, either sit at the nice new tables but somewhat exposed to the wind, or squat round the back on a low plank. We nearly all chose the former. Indeed it was breezy, but not too cold and the rain had stopped. Heck even the sun began to make an appearance.

We toasted absent friends with white and red, the dogs had pigs ears, sandwiches were munched in the wind, and finally we were treated to a magnificent view across the Lake to the Alps. These are the good days.

Forecast heavy rain had not materialsed – for once (again..) we were in luck. Realising we needed to get moving to catch the 14.48 train at La Givrine, the party was assembled for the downward trail.

The first half of this section involves a 2km gentle walk down through the most beautiful forests that the Jura have to offer. This area is well worth a visit.

We reached the road that leads to La Genolière (another winter hut for food but just a cowshed in summer) and turned right easily down to the station where we arrived with over 18 minutes to spare.

The train ride back to St Cergue preceded a short stroll back to the cars. Thanks to all who attended and for your forbearance in holding out til 1 pm for the lunch spot at Carroz which did the trick. And to him up there who provided some sun for our picnic. The rain came in later..

I received apologies from 10 or so including Rob, Thatcher, MikeH, MikeM, Rudi, Stephen, Bill, Philip, David and RichardS – I may have missed others. Sadly you all missed a decent hike in fine Jura country and Ok weather. 13.2 Km and 560m (thanks Nathan).

The weather had suddenly turned warm and out of the woodwork crawled the following 12 candidates for the Ascension Day picnic hike starting at Arzier at 10 ish.

Meeting at Divonne 9.30am

Richard S

Mark2rs

Philip

Mervyn

Nathan

Ralph

Mark2ts

Meeting at Arzier at 10am- ish

PeterT (plus Kobie)

Ross (travelling with PT)

RobP

Rudi

Larry 

There were apologies from Thatcher, PeterS, MikeM, and others had standing excuses (MikeH in the Med, Stephen in recovery mode, Bill away) etc. 

We welcomed Ross on his first hike. Ross lives in Coppet and hails from downunder (Aus). His interests include inter alia : mountaineering/climbing, hiking, motorbikes, guitar and playing the didgeridoo.

In the event only Ralph had braved the start with shorts, some other gintlemen having adaptable kit reverted to shorts later on.

We started up (heck it was Ascension Day) into the forest, steeply at first in the bright sunshine, but gradually the slope eased off and the usual early grumblings subsided.

The weather was indeed warming up and the sun shone through the trees as we reach the Charteuse d’Oujon – the ancient monastery in a clearing in the forest. We said our prayers and passed through the grassy walled sacred place in wonderment, but found we needed to scale the wall to exit.

Once back into the forest we continued up and into a field which we found contained a large herd of sedentary cows. It was not long before the situation changed and the back of our train were being stampeded down the track.

We escaped them and another herd without incident and headed on up towards the Fruitère de Nyon. The perceptive may have picked up that the Leader was (not lost but) wavering between various route options, although after a while it became obvious that we were going to be headed for Givrine rather than La Cure (as in 2021).

As time was passing (we were past the 1 pm lunch hard stop), a direct ascent was chosen to reach the Leader’s chosen lunch spot just down from Cabane Rochefort, the steep trajectory was much appreciated by Larry who was happy to be testing his heart.

We were blessed with an excellent array of waiters offering biscuits, crisps, vegetable dips, nuts, wines, coffees, and stonger liquids. Richard’s bottle contained Disaronno (for the record). It was remarked that here was a liquid that started with “dis” and ended with “no”; it tasted excellent. Sadly the view in front of us extended only to Lac Leman, as the Alps were behind white fluffy stuff. Some became sleepy in the warm sun.

At some point in the proceedings we drank a toast to absent friends. Discussions ranged between topics of world concern including independence efforts, to the price of carrots. All of a sudden another Cobberdog from the same breeder (DogKing in Barcelona) appeared, Poppy a miniature 2 year old. Kobie showed little interest as he was making steady progress in finding a way into Larry’s pack to access a remaindered salami sandwich.

It was at around 2.20 pm that the Leader realised that we would need to get packed up smartish and out on the trial to catch the 3.48pm train at La Givrine. A short hike up past Cabane Rochefort led to the pleasant forest trail back through a gap in the wall and past La Genolière at some distance. We were a little strung out, but needed to press on to make our train rdv. It was a pleasant walk up through grassy fields and then down the tarmac track to La Givrine (it was not possible to use the forest trails as the summer barbed wire fences were out in force). It was touch and go for the back markers, but we all made it in time and were soon ensconced in the train which took us to Arzier where we waved goodbye to Rob and Rudi who stayed on to descend further.

The sting in the tail was a 75m hike up from the train station to the cars. Altogether 14km and 700m, a little shorter than April 21 where we reached La Givrine, but we had a similar height gain.

PS That evening Kobie went to his basement bed as soon as he had had his foot wash at 5 pm. He reappeared the next morning. No supper needed. Larry’s sandwich (and happily not the plastic lid of his tin of nuts) had topped up all the other treats that he had cajoled from pickniking gintlemen. Thanks to all for the fun, and for putting up with my hound. PT

————————————————————

Appendix 1 Chartreuse D’Oujon

Chartreuse is first of all the name of a mountain massif, which gave its name to a religious order which was founded there in the 11th century. This order founded monasteries (called Carthusian monasteries) around the world. Many are no longer in operation but the name has remained on the buildings or places. The nuns of this order are also called Chartreuse, a liqueur produced by monks, and other works directly or indirectly related to the history of the religious order. 

The Chartreuse Notre-Dame d'Oujon, founded in 1146, located in a clearing in the Jura in the territory of the commune of Arzier-Le Muids in Switzerland, is the oldest chartreuse in this country1. It was abolished in 1537 during the Reformation. Archaeological excavations undertaken in 1945 brought to light the remains of its buildings2.

The Carthusian Order, resulting from the second reform of Benedictine monasticism, was founded in 1084 in the mountainous massif of Chartreuse, above Grenoble in Dauphiné, by Saint Bruno, schoolmaster from Reims and German from Cologne. The founder seeks purity and devotion to God by isolating the monk from the influences of the outside world. Which explains the choice of isolated places to shelter the Carthusian communities. The very architecture of the monastery reflects the ideal of eremitic life of the community which generally has no more than a dozen monks. Each of them spends most of their time in their cell (small house with garden) and the common areas are designed on the model of those of the Benedictines.

The order spreads from the Chartreuse massif towards the north. The slopes of the Jura, then quite inhospitable, are sparsely populated and isolation is one of the qualities sought by the community. However, the site chosen around 1146 is not too far from a fairly important communication route leading to Saint-Cergue. The name Oujon undoubtedly comes from the topography of the place, the Latin word augio meaning “trough”. We do not know the precise date of the consecration of the Notre-Dame church. During its installation and over the centuries, the charterhouse received numerous donations, in particular from Olivier de Mont (Lord of Mont-le-Grand whose ruins of the castle are still visible on the territory of the current commune of Mont-sur-Rolle). The Chartreuse became an important lordship and sometimes came into territorial conflict with its neighbors, such as the lords of Mont and Genolier as well as the abbeys of Bonmont and Saint-Claude.

In 1306, the monastery founded the parish of Arzier.

A fire struck the Chartreuse in 1536, while the Reformation was raging in the country of Vaud under Bernese domination. The Carthusians, in 1537, then asked the Bernese representatives for authorization to rebuild, but this was refused. The last three monks were expelled8, which marked the end of the existence of the Carthusian monastery of Oujon, after four centuries of existence2. The ruins were gradually pillaged by the inhabitants of the region, so that only the foundations and a few walls were unearthed by the first archaeologists in 1945. The following excavations were undertaken in the 1970s. The site is now highlighted and can be visited; it is classified as a Swiss cultural property of national importance9. The furniture discovered during the excavations is preserved by the Nyon historical museum3.

Appendix 2 The Flyer was :-

“The weather is improving and 9 May is Ascension Day, which augurs well for those wishing to ascend.

I am therefore thinking of another start from Arzier, “up and over” and returning by train.

 See below – this might be 700m ascent (see below) and 13km, but I remember it being quite gentle. I’ll vary the route from last time, a little, and we could finish at La Givrine if desired (there is a bar there).

The start will be at the parking at What3Words   losing.hiding.outsiders  or  unhappily.rots.vines , in the bend of the road after Arzier just as it turns sharp left towards St Cergue. 

At 10 am -ish  on Thursday 9 May 24.

Those wishing to meet at Divonne at car pool should do so at 9.30am.

While we could lunch inside somewhere, as the weather forecast seems so good and the other Ascension day hikers will be out and eating at the huts, I propose a picnic. So please bring a picnic etc. 

We last did this walk on 15 April 2021 when there was still snow about up there. This time no masks needed, and I now know the train timetable like the back of my hand …

Please advise me by Weds evening if you are coming.

Likely I’ll be taking Kobie, on a leash. 

Best foot forward

Peter”

With the end of the snow-shoe season and our dear Snow-Shoe Leader in Dubai/on his way home from Australia, snow had returned to the Jura with a vengeance. After the daffodil visit two weeks ago, here was the white stuff again..!

Time then to return to Mamac near La Cure for a trifon or three!

12 signed up for this. Richards Saynor and Wiley, Roberts O’Riordan and Pashley, Peters Strebel and Taylor (blogger), Larry, Andrew, Philip, Mark2ts, David, Mervyn. No dogs !

I had advised that snow-shoes would not be necessary, and perhaps in the end this was just the case, but it was close. At one point we almost lost RobP in a drift.

We set off at 10.30 am or so from La Givrine having set our Easypark Apps to pay the arm-and-a-leg at the parking (there were very few others). The initial direction was vaguely towards La Genolière but at the forest we set off up left towards the Pré du Four chalet.

At one point a cattle grid appeared in the road, with a little snow on the bars. Larry decided to show us how to perform a Canadian forward roll after trying to use his sticks in the middle of the grid as he tottered forward. Happily he rolled over onto the far side of the grid with only his pride hurt and a stick down in the grid. Larry “Cattle Grid” French he will be. Philip was about to try to repeat this feat but we managed to dissuade him.

We soon safely reached the Pré du Four (1395m and our high point) where we found a suitable sofa..

It was time for Apèros and Larry had brought a bottle from near Morges (not broken in the Canadian Roll), plus nuts ! And some rosé appeared. And RichardS was still hawking the Poire William of Daffodil hike fame.

As we were enjoying our libations a section of the chalet roof’s covering of snow and ice came loose and careered down on startled drinkers who managed to jump out of the way. Happily not much was spilt. Second safety incident survived.. phew!

Happily there was no rush to get to the restaurant as we had plenty of time, so we gradually reformed and set off downwards to Les Coppettes in thickening snow, that must have drifted.

As we descended the snow level reduced and it became quite pleasant. On the right we noticed some eery and snowy shapes, the subject of some conjecture.

Whatever they were, we were allowed safe passage and soon were down at Mamac.

Beers, wines and trifons duly arrived, with bread and boiled potatoes. A couple of our team went for the healthy option – sausage and lentils.

There was much discussion and banter, dictums and Keats, even Shakespeare quotations. Suffice to say that it will remain in confidence.

RobertO left early to catch a train, while the remnant 11 took coffee and then trundled out in still reasonably bright but cold conditions for the final trek back up to the cars. On the way nobody fell over, for a change.

Thanks to Mark for the final coffees !

A fine hike, repeating almost that of 1 February when the Snow-Shoe Team found only grass. 10.5km and 321m.

I must have missed essential events/discussion points/dictums etc. Would participants please add them in leaving their comments.

This was the start of the hiking season, following the ending of the snow shoe season at the end of March.

Mark2ts had checked out the daffodils a few days earlier (before the snow returned) and had written:-

“Gentlemen,

I will lead the hike next Thursday. It will be from la Givrine to Sonnailley via La Dôle. 

Distance 14km, height gain ~700m.

The intent is to see the daffodils at Sonnailley close to being at their best. I’ve tried this hike the last 2 years but been too late each time so we’ve been met with a host of golden dandelions. Hopefully this time will be better. I was there yesterday and they were close to being in full bloom.

I assume this is suitable for dogs. The cows are not yet up there so the fences should not yet be energised. “

This seemed a good promise but at least one member was not a believer and had written :-

“Well, there weren’t any daffodils on the last two occasions so I’m going to pass this time.

Besides. it’s still the ski season and I’ll be in Saas Fee.”

Clearly, while the fences were not energized, neither was the Hiking Group and there must have been a number of other non-believers because only four and a dog signed up. The absentees missed a fabulous outing.

It was cold and windy but sunny as we fiddled with the parking apps at La Givrine (it was over CHF10 per car for 10 am to 4 pm or so). Attending :-

Flower expert – Mark2ts with RichardS, Nathan and Kobie and me (PeterT).

There was now snow in sight as we set off – but this would change as we ascended past Couvaloup (FERMÉ) and up the trails to the upper ski slope. Added to the cold was the wind which rose as we rose. Happily I found that I had at least one glove, whereas Richard (who rarely uses them) had none.

We found ourselves at the foot of the North Face of La Dôle, but it somehow seemed a bit more serious than just that, in the biting wind. This was verging on a snow shoe outing without snow shoes.

We made steady progress up the interminable snow slope, passing a man with his 5 year old grandson, clearly being hardened for higher things. The north wind was cold and strong.

At least the wind seemed to die down a little in the lee of the ridge and the snow was fresh and powdery. Once out onto the summit by the radar dome there was a sudden appearance of grass and a warmer feel.

It was in the partial lee of the wind, by the radar dome, that a bottle of Luins appeared as well as a number of crunchy apèros. The view was spectacular. Somewhere out there a GIN skier was sliding down a mountain instead of having a snifter with us. We drank to the health of Harry who was having a surgical procedure that day.

Now that the hard part was done we were able to relax a bit and we hopped and skipped along the summit path and down the ridge towards the French border (and the location of our famous June 2020 encounter).

As we exited the forest and among the crocuses we looked over the valley to the promised daffodil fields, but from this distance we could see no bright yellow flutterings at all. Just a bit of lighter green.

It was not long however before we began to have hallucinations – were those indeed the daffodils coming into focus? As we approached the unexpected bunches increased until a full host of golden daffodils enveloped us. We had succeeded on the third attempt, to find the holy golden grail.

We reached the Yellow Hill of the promised land for lunch where we settled down among the bunches.

It was a sunny spot, the wind had died down and the sun was shining and warming us. A pleasant sandwich lunch followed, washed down with white, red and Poire Williams. We raised a glass to the health of absentees, the majority of the hiking group…

Kobie had his own food but that did not stop him attempting to acquire more. Nathan fell asleep at one point. It was a very pleasant lunch spot. As good as it gets. And then Mark brought out his strong, black, unsweetened coffee.

It was after an hour or so of sun soaking that we heaved oursleves onto our feet and set off up the very pleasant trail that led back towards La Givrine. The wooded and stony trail is very pleasant here and with the warm sun and easy slope we enjoyed a pleasant stroll back up and over to Couvaloup. It was here that we could have had a beer or coffee, but it was closed.

We hobbled back down to the vehicles, our backs warmed by the sun. We had toiled through cold wind and snow up to the sunshine, a warming afternoon and had indeed seen the holy grail of the hosts of daffodils.

Indeed about 14km and close to 700m give or take – but Richard reckoned it was 681m. Thanks Mark for a great hike and for providing proof that the yellow wonders do indeed exist around Sonnailleys.

Finally, a sunny break in the weather allowed us to undertake our annual hike by the Lac de Joux, our previous attempt a fortnight ago having been aborted.  Eleven GINhikers had signed up with six indicating that they would meet us at the parking spot at the Southern end of the lake and five of us meeting in Divonne.  Whilst the former group, mostly driving directly from Vaud, had no difficulties in reaching the lake at the appointed time, the knock-on effects of an accident on the autoroute led to Divonne being paralysed by traffic.  Access to the autoroute was impossible and attempts to pass through Crassier were thwarted by long queues.  No alternative but for our noble driver Ralph to do a u-turn and double back via Gex and the Faucille.  Needless to say, our arrival was predicted to be delayed by half an hour, so team A with three impatient doggies sensibly set off around the lake to Le Rocheray where they enjoyed a coffee in the bright sunshine.  Team B arrived and although thoroughly caffeine-starved, elected to press on to try to keep to our schedule.  

The water level in the lake, like many others in the region, was high but with no wind and blue skies, the surface was smooth and afforded wonderful reflections of the opposite bank.  

Photo stops were made on much-reduced spits of shingle and the path close to the lakeside was much appreciated.  

After the only significant climb of the hike, a brief pit stop was made where alcoholic refreshment was made available, outer garments were discarded and telephone calls made.  Shortly after setting off again past the town of Le Lieu, we entered the forest and immediately, to the delight of our four-legged companions, we met a 16-strong herd of chamois. 

 A respectful distance was maintained on both sides and the wild bunch made their exits down a steep bank.  The dogs were once again let free to roam until we were accosted by an irate amateur photographer who insisted that they be leashed as we were on a reserve, despite a complete lack of warning signs.  Kobie, Rocco and Onyx were duly tethered and we continued through the forest.  Twenty minutes later, we espied another smaller group of chamois, with almost as many photographers equipped with massive telephoto lenses.  These were probably unnecessary as the animals were quite unperturbed by human presence and could be approached quite closely.

We dropped down some steep rocky paths until the picturesque sight of Le Pont lay before us at the end of the lake.  

A brisk stroll along the promenade led us to our lunch stop, the Brasserie des Combières, who had been pre-warned of our delayed arrival.  Unfortunately, Nathan had to avail himself of the train at 13.00 back to his car as he had an appointment to maintain in Geneva, but the remaining ten were seated at a very (almost too) sunny inside table.  After what seemed like an age, thirsts were quenched by large jugs of beer and other beverages.  Conversations reached their usual heady intellectual heights and covered a wide range of subjects, with the mandatory nod to Scottish Independence.  Plats de jour, pizzas and hamburgers were dutifully devoured, coffee was consumed and then a decision had to be made about our return.  

A gap in the bus timetable at that time of the day restricted our choices to either continuing around the lake for 10 kms or so, taking two hours or more, or returning to the train station.  Our gastronomic appetites had been sated, but our physical appetites weren’t so strong as to persuade us to complete the Full Monty, so we trudged back through Le Pont and awaited the little red and white train back to Le Solliat.  Tickets were purchased and on the otherwise pleasant 15 minute trip, we were “entertained” by some extremely rowdy and chanting students and led someone to suggest that they were Millwall (sorry) fans!

A fifteen-minute stroll from the train stop brought us back to cars and we left for our various destinations.   We had hiked about 15 kms and climbed 200 metres.

The big question is, can Peter relax now and hand over the reins to Mark for snowshoeing in 2 week’s time?

Participants:  Peter T, Nicholas, Mark 2tts, Peter S, Nathan, Mervyn, David C, Andrew, Ralph, Mike H, Richard S.  

Thanks to Peters S and T and Ralph for contributing photos.

Rain was forecast, but only seriously after midday. Cancel or what ? Mike H indicated his preference to stop after lunch gave me the idea to ascend to St Cergue and return by train after lunch. There seemed to be a small dry window between 9 am and noon so a flyer went out expecting little response.

With Himalayan returnees doing their washing and with others including Rob, Nicolas, Rudi, RichardS, MikeM and Stephen providing reasonable excuses for absence, I was pleased in the event that seven signed up.

Attending :- Mike H, Peter D, Peter S, Mark 2rs, Nathan, Andrew, Philip and me Peter T. No dogs, but heck – 3 Peters !

We assembled at the parking at 585m above Genolier station, which in W3W is greet.wiser.sailors (something to do with our sailing contingent ?). Setting out at 10.15 am, with the dry window seeming to hold, we were in good cheer. It was almost T-shirt weather, and in fact one participant eventually did strip down to just that.

Heading over the train tracks the route turns sharp left for a kilometre before a right turn up a steeper forest trail at 690m taking us through the Côtes de Genolier.

This trail takes one to the upper track at 830m from which it is almost a direct if slightly winding line to St Cergue. The pace was such that there was much time for chatting and a serious discussion of how to cultivate leeks ensued.

Stopping for a breather at the Parapente Seat to take in the view we could see misty swathes of rain approaching from the south west.

Philip managed to identify a leafy lambs-ear plant as mallain, with internet assistance. We duly contiuned happy with the knowledge that we had already covered 360m of the 470m for the planned hike. After the pleasant traverse across the cliff with steep drops on the left we chanced upon a herd of unfazed chamois in the forest, the St Cergue mafia.

It was not long before we arrived, still in the dry, in St Cergue, 1044m. I had hoped to book a table at the restaurant Les Cytises but, a little worringly, it had not been accessible by phone. The reason was found to be that it had permanently closed in June after failing. So eight hungry hikers marched into St Cergue looking for lunch. Despite not booking a table, the Cafe Restaurant du Jura took us in warmly and provide a 4 a-side table for 8 in a nook of its main salle.

After a small beer apero, we enjoyed a rather fine meal – the plats du jour being either lasagne or pork with fettuccine, with good service. Comfortingly the expected rain had arrived and was tumbling down outside. We toasted absent friends and ourselves, and the conversation roamed between, inter-alia, the changing zeitgeist, Trump, vegetable growing, Garsington opera and the fact that in 100 years from now everyone alive today will be dead.

All too soon coffee then the bill arrived and we had to depart for the 2.03 pm train, which left from the station a five minute stroll in the light rain away.

Snoozing in the luxury of the warm carriage it was hard to get up after La Joie Clinique to press the button for the Sus Châtel stop.

We made it back to the cars without any serious wetness. A pleasant short and dry hike of 450m and 6km with a fine warm lunch and a good chance to chat and chew the fat. With my thanks to all who joined.

Next GIN hike Thursday 9 November. I will be travelling. Please would someone come forward to lead that day, Merçi.