Lunch – GIN Club

GIN Hikers Annual Lunch 21 January 2026

This was the third post COVID winter lunch for GIN Hikers and our better halves, if any, and 26 attended at the Auberge de Founex on a cold and foggy Wednesday lunchtime. I chose winter because it is cold and foggy and therefore many are keen to get out and enjoy warm company and a good lunch. Maybe we should have a picnic outside in the summer where we could enjoy some Luins or Primitivo with our hounds too.

This bi-annual (so far) lunch is a great chance to meet the many partners of whom we hear so much out on the trails. Of course they hear and read quite a bit about us.

The previous lunches were held at the Founex Tennis Club, and the change of venue for 2026 did catch out at least one member.

The attendance list and some of the apologists appeared as follows, thank you all for coming.

It was sad that we heard that Andrew has pneumonia. Also we missed several partners in particular Caroline Hempstead, Vibeke Pluss, Rose College and Heather Pashley. I think I got most of the other apologists right, apologies if this is not so. Also of particular note – Larry is still in Canada and Drew has returned to Australia (donating some of his whisky to Rob) – we shall miss them.

Table 3- PeterSolomon, ChrisNewton, ChristineW, David ,Mark2rs, CatherineN, Rob

Table 2 : CarolS, Richard, Ralph, Lynda2ts, Mervyn, Mark2ts, PatW, Rudi, Harry

Table 1: RobertO, Gerry, UllaS, JillT, Stephen, KateL, MoniqueS, Paul, MikeH

We were given a set menu of salad, filets de perche and tiramisu with red fruits for CHF 35, which we sluiced down with beers and (good) wines from the locality, followed by coffee. It was all tasty and well appreciated (I believe). Sadly the auberge had prepared only 25 plats du jour, telling us/me that we had only ordered 25. Clearly this was not the case as they had set 26 place settings and we had already consumed 26 salads. The upshot was that Stephen was the first to be served a salad and the last (by far) to get his main course. In his usual courteous way he did not complain, too loudly.

PeterT gave a short address, too long for some perhaps, and I’m not sure everyone had their hearing aids in properly or I may have been too softly spoken for others as I was later advised by my strongest critic. For this my apologies. I do not recall hecklers which was a pleasant plus.

I had handed around a paper copy of the hiking stats for the past two years (as above). If any who did not attend wish to get a copy please let me know and I will send you one. It’s great to see that we keep active and have a solid base of members willing to lead/organise hikes and snow shoe outings.

A separate summary of the 5 year totals was not provided although I did mention the averages we recorded:-

(Errors and omissions accepted)

A welcome for new members, Peter Solomon and Chris Newton, was made real in that they are really welcome as they are not only fun gintlemen but also they bring down the average age of members considerably.

I recounted some highlights of the year, the best of course was the two day hike up from Champéry with some memorable scenery food and beverage, and the dog room was fun too.

Formal awards are not necessary but I felt it important to register Mark2ts for his black strong coffee, Mervyn for his milks, and Richard for the ubiqitous and famous Bottle (see separate Blog), Rob for his Scottish fluids and Mark for the Website (reminder – would members ensure that you pay him the chf10 he has requested to keep the site up and running).

I gave a short Safety Contact (merçi DuPont) showing my LifeVac device designed to prevent people dying from choking (as I have nearly done 4 times recently). It is to be used after heimlick and other back slapping manoeuvres have failed.

All in all it seemed to go well. We are fortunate to have a great club with enduring friendships, be (mostly) healthy, live in safe and wonderful place with fabulous hiking on our doorsteps, have partners who put up with us disappearing on alternate Thursdays, and have members who volunteer (and who also seem to put up with Rocco and Kobie). May we continue to enjoy the physical, emotional and spiritual (sic) rewards for many years to come. If we use it we won’t lose it and those who keep active seem to live longer.

Onwards upwards

Peter

Lunch October 8, 2025

A small group of Ginners enjoyed an excellent lunch at the Café du Raisin in Begnins on Wednesday 8 October, preceded by a walk through the charming vineyards surrounding the village. The view of the Vaud countryside and the lake was very good; unfortunately, the Alps were covered.

From left to right in the photo – Robert (O’Riordan), Rudolf (Staehelin accompanied by Daisy in the foreground), Bob Rankin (on his first outing as a new member), Jeff (Crudgington), Mark (Warren) and Gerry (Swart).

Local boy Al (Peters) and Norman (Eatough: he made it all the way from Thoiry) joined the group for lunch.

A good time was had by all.

Yvoire to Nernier and back

To my knowledge, this is the first time a GIN walk has involved a boat trip which requires the added challenge of not missing the boat!

Bravo to all participants – John Broadbridge, Tim Goodyear, Philip Jenkins, Robert O’Riordan, Richard Saynor, Nicolas Ulmer, Ralph Wares and Mark Warren – for being at the Nyon jetty in time for the departure of the MB Valais at 10h55.

It was a lovely day and the lake was calm, so we arrived in good form at Yvoire. Our walk was slightly extended following a request to visit the centre of Yvoire with its crowds and commercial activities, including many restaurants, before returning to the Porte de Nernier for a group photograph.

The walk itself of some 2 kilometres each way is straightforward with minimal height difference and welcome shade. Nernier is smaller and much less commercial than Yvoire; even so it has several restaurants, one of which, the Restaurant du Lac, gives onto the port. There have been mixed reports about this restaurant but its location is ideal and for us at any rate the food and service were excellent; we all chose the filet des perches (from Ireland) and many the café gourmand for dessert.

With our clear view of the jetty, we noted that with the boats stopping at Nernier, including the PS Montreux, there was no real need to walk back to Yvoire. But walking is what we did, visiting Nernier again by boat on our return to Nyon.

An enjoyable and convivial trip.

Total distance with diversions about 5kms with a height difference of 20 metres.

Mark Warren

GIN Walk 8 August 2025

Crozet to lunch at the Refuge de la Loge and back

This walk of some 8kms and height difference of 240m was more challenging than most GIN walks and took place on a Friday since the télécabines from Crozet do not operate on Wednesdays, our normal walk day. Even before we started, requests were made to include some wives who are members of the IWCN, but us being Gentlemen considered their club should be the ILCN. Despite the warning of “more challenging”, fifteen people signed up but to be fair several of those were also of the Hiking Group who were attracted by the lunch chez Franck and Kathy at la Loge. Franck himself was a bit taken aback by the numbers coming as it is principally only he and his wife who run the place. The logistics were further complicated by one person meeting up at La Catheline and another directly at la Loge following his early morning start from Crozet (620m) for a walk (trek, hike?) via the Crêt de la Neige (1720m), no doubt to give him an appetite.

So, thirteen of us and two dogs (Mike Muller and Nessie, Robert O’Riordan, Mervyn Powell, Richard Saynor, Rudolf Staehelin, Peter Taylor and Kobie, Wouter van Ginneken, Ralph and Pat Wares, Mark Warren, Mark and Lynda Watts and Bill Westermeyer) took the télécabines up to La Fierney (1300m).

There are several trails to the Catheline, none signposted. Apparently signage isn’t allowed in summer but is in winter, for reasons I don’t understand. One of the trails is a pleasant hike up to the Crêt de la Neige, another is extremely steep, another follows the ski track and another, the one we took, is mostly on jeep tracks to the Catheline with a steady slope upwards for about two kilometres following the contours of the mountains up to the table d’orientation at the Col de Crozet (1485m).

But we made good progress, if a little strung out.

We made good time to the Catheline (1445m), where we picked up Gary Vannatter, and onto la Loge (1436m) where Nathan Finkelstein was waiting.

In view of our numbers, Franck wanted us earlier rather than later over the lunch period. In the event we were there around midday and had two tables suitably protected from the sun by parasols, and beers and other cool drinks were rapidly consumed and reordered. A recent recruit to GIN was a bit confused as to who was Mervyn so everyone on that table called themselves and him Mervyn. Meanwhile, the real Mervyn was on the neighbouring table. It is difficult to give a resumé of the various conversations given there were two table and the GIN secrets act (anything embarrassing or slanderous said in GIN stays in GIN). However, discussions about where one member drank his first Leffe took us to the Roi d’Espagne in Brussels and onto the Duchy of Burgundy.

A table of Mervyns; almost an Eistedfodd of Mervyns

On a more sombre note, we drank to two former GIN members, John Webb and Barry Amstrong, who have recently passed away. John sent an email back in March after reading a blog – “Many thanks for keeping me in the loop even though I cannot participate. A great reminder of lovely times with a great bunch of fellows.” That about sums up our objective.

A table with a single Mervyn, and some welcome members of the ILCN

There was the usual choice of food produced meticulously by Franck and served by Kathy; Laos, who had welcomed us, kept watch with Kobie on any other walkers in the vicinity; and following the tartes aux myrtilles and coffee, Franck produced fifteen glasses of genepi to set us on our way.

Patrolling docks in a stick-watering routine

Franck starts to perform the Genepi ceremony

Kobie sniffs genepi as the nectar is delivered, sadly only one each and not 15 as we might have hoped..

A roar of approval and the ceremony is almost over. Bottoms up everyone!

La Loge is indeed a refuge not like any others I know. You take them on their terms, which are great, and enjoy. And we did.

We all left together for our return journey, leaving Gary, who generously offered to take up to three people back with him but had no takers, at la Catheline and onto La Fierney by the same route.

Mike and Nessie lead Kobie back to the Chatelaine

It seemed even hotter going back down – it was…

GIN LUNCH – 3 April 25

Jeff Crudgington writes

We were 26 “Gintlemen” for our lunch at the Auberge des Trois Tilleuls in Genolier village on Thursday 3rd April:

Norman Eatough

Peter Taylor

Chris Morris

Gary Van Natter

Mark Watts

Kent Forrester

Robert O’Riordan

Rudolph Staehelin (new member)

Trevor Davies

Stephen Long

John Burley

Peter Drew

Joe Kutzin

Drew Meek

Terry Gale

David Colledge

Mark Warren

Philip Jenkins

Mike Clayton

Richard Saynor

Reinier Tervooren

Mervyn Powell

Mike Price

Brian Allardyce

Jeff Shane

Jeffrey Crudgington

🍽🍷

Jeff

It was a fine lunch with excellent food, wine and service all at a good value price, in wonderful spring sunshine. Many thanks to new member Rudolf for sponsoring extra wine. We had the whole of the back room to ourselves. Jeff introduced the staff to us at the beginnng and again thanked them on our behalf at the end. This is a restaurant well worth revisiting.

Photos below taken at/after coffee. All self-explanatory.

Walk to Grilly and lunch, 7th March 2025

Ten walkers and a dog met in glorious springlike sunshine at the Place de l’ancienne Gare in Divonne les Bains for the 2.8km saunter along the old railway line to the Restaurant des Bergers in Grilly. The walk took us by the homes of two of the participants where we noted the wife of one was working hard in their garden pruning roses and the other participant joined us having sat on a bench in the sun waiting our arrival about 1km into our journey.

We were joined by the final participant at the restaurant itself so there were twelve of us who sat down to eat an excellent fondue washed down with a delightful Chablis.

After such a lunch, the return journey was most welcome.

Participants: Jeff C, Norman E, Mike M and Nessie, Robert O’R, Mike P, Richard S, Paul S, Rudolf S, Gerry S, Gary V, Ralph W and Mark 2R.

Ed: Many thanks to Mark for organising the walk and lunch and for the blog.

Lunch at Sur l’Ardoise 18 Sept 2024

Ralph Wares organised this lunch in Versonnex – at his local restaurant of choice, indeed an excellent choice – thanks Ralph!

His description of the optional pre-prandial walk follows :-

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“Walk around Versonnex prior to the Lunch at sur l’Ardoise!

We were a squad of 5 people who turned up outside the church in Versonnex, at 10 am.

John Burley, Stephen Long, Philip Jenkins, Richard Saynor, Mark Warren and Ralph Wares.

Despite heavy clouds we had not one drop or rain, of which the forecast was correct.

The route continued down a tarmac small road for 500 meters then onto sort of gravel paths around horse fields, avoiding any mud.

Then passing over a small quaint bridge, along a track for a mile then right turn leading towards one of the Cern outposts.

Prior to reaching the Cern building we took a Sharp left turn on a track leading to la Batie Golf club Collex -Bossy.

There were lots of mumbling about dry throats, so a 5-0 vote was to stop for a coffee, which John kindly paid for.

Fully refreshed we headed back in a circular loop turning right up the hill from the golf course, then right again at the top of the hill towards the Cern building picking up the original trail path to the church car park.

From a time perspective, the walk takes about 1.45 to 2 hours with a gentle stroll.

Stopping for coffee meant we had to speed up our pace slightly to arrive at the Restaurant in time. (5 mins drive from the Church to the restaurant).

We arrived just in time.

Several topics were discussed on route ranging from American politics, Uhhhhhh,Ukraine situation, and experiences related to pension fund providers.

Not sure my health app is working correctly but it suggests we took approx. 11,000 steps, which is around 7.5 to 8 km in distance about 500 Kcal.”

Ralph W.

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In my own case Mervyn and I chose to cycle to Versonnex after meeting at the Everness at 10 am. Mervyn had been in training – 400km or so around or near Lake Contanz. I felt out of shape and did some slip streaming and was grateful for two milky coffees at Gex.

We arrived on time to find regulars already enconced and beer was soon served. 16 attended and we had two tables, name badges were supplied to order (except Brian had a Bryan) :-

Brian Allardyce
Trevor Davies
Norman Eatough
Frank Ekman
Mike Price
Paul Sochaczewski
John Burley
Philip Jenkins
Ross Linsley
Stephen Long
Mervyn Powell
Richard Saynor
Peter Taylor
Gary Vannatter
Ralph Wares
Mark Warren

It was great to see and catch up with Frank again after 5 years since we last saw him on the Tour of the Dents du Midi – he descended to the valley on the second, rather long, day. He still lives up near the Salève.

The food was good, as was the house wine, service excellent and the banter matched. Starter of soup or another. Main courses were salmon or pork, and desserts were to die for (see photo), coffees followed. Not bad for Eu45.

Richard and Philip, the soup was indeed excellent

Warm molten chocolate dessert, the other dessert needed a knife and fork

Ralph gave the organisers speech – which nicely rounded off the occasion.

GIN Lunch 10 July 24 Auberge de Founex

It was a warm and sultry day so it was good to be outside on the terrace at the AdF but under their adjustable sliding roof. In the event after some late cancellations and late additions, some 19 turned out for what turned out to be a very pleasant meal.

	GIN Lunchers
	Auberge de Founex 12 noon
	10.Jul.24

1	Bill Martin
2	Chris Morris
3	Dave Gwilliam
4	David Bridge
5	Gary Vannater
6	Gerry Swart
7	Hubert Pettingell
8	Joe Kutzin
9	Ken Forrester
10	Mark Warren
11	Norman Eatough
12	Paul Sochaczewski
13	Philip Jenkins
14	Peter Taylor
15	Richard Saynor
16	Ross Linsley
17	Trevor Davies
18	Trevor Greenwood
19	Wouter van Ginneken

The Glunch Team

It was good to see some new faces, along with the usual sterling stalwarts.

Starting with some rather nice cool beer, we ploughed through green salads, a choice between pork milanese with pasta or crevettes with rice. I tried to read out the set menu to the team and was roundly chastised by Norman for pronouncing ail as ale and not isle. Wines flowed too, and while some took dessert, most ordered coffee.

Later a brief speech by the organiser covered various things including whether or not the assembled lunchers were Unlucky to not be out on exotic holidays, or on the other hand Lucky to be living here in the Terre Sainte in nice summer weather. Absent friends were recalled, including especially a reference to a note from Alan Baker that had been circulated to all participants that morning. Alan is making good progress getting installed back in Blighty and requests that we visit him, especially if we bring Swiss cheese and wine.

With a final showing of hands for both NL and England adherents, England should win 5-1 tonight based on this GIN supporter poll.

Next GIN lunch – per Richard, Ralph Wares will organise – watch out for his e-mail – in August.

Wouter, Trevor, Paul, Richard and Philip

GIN Bikers To Gilly 30 May 2024

The weather forecast was not great, perhaps even ominous. Despite this 3 of us turned out at the Everness at 10 am. It was not actually raining, yet.

Mervyn, Richard F, and me. One E-bike class, two working class. One member was wearing shorts. Also somewhat optimistically I then booked a table at the Auberge in Gilly for 12.30pm and hoped things would work out. As you may read, they did, but not in a way that I could have foreseen.

We set off with the wind behind us, past the International School and God’s Crossing to Arnex. Here our temporary leader (me) could sense the presence of home brew produced by our real Bike Leader, Stephen, recovering with a new knee. I called him up but sadly he was out shopping, and related that he still could not quite get his new knee to play on his VTT. It should not be Long before he is back in the saddle.

So, onwards we ploughed our way up to below Bonmont (we avoided the temptation) and out across towards Genolier. The fields of poppies were almost as good as last year.

The team hopeful of continued good weather, passing the poppy fields

As we were passing Gingins, Richard pointed out that we would be passing Mike Muller’s new house. Richard had been a little concerned, perhaps worried, that he had forgotten to fully charge his bike the previous night and the hills up above Genolier to Bassins and Le Vaud might be pushing it, literally. Cheerfully he suggested that we visit Mike and thus we turned left up a field road and there was Mike himself inviting us in for coffee.

Mike, Richard and Mervyn. Bikers Rest Coffee Stop.

Mike’s and Richard’s wives were reported to be out together hiking in Italy.

We readily accepted the offer for coffee and for a chance to look around Mike and Tineke’s brand new house, set in an idyllic location on the edge of the forest, surrounded by fields and with a fabulous view. Amusingly there were two young and attractive ladies in orange jump suits measuring the specifications of the property for the Plan Cadastral.

Mike explains the lay of the land to Mervyn.

A wonderful, bright and airy house, with a noticeable lack of clutter.

As we supped our coffee it began to rain, heavily. If we carried on biking to Gilly we would be late and wet. Instead we unanimously agreed that a far better plan would be to accept an offer of a lift in Mike’s car, and all four of us could lunch together in Gilly.

Mike duly drove us there with Nessie. We arrived refreshed and enjoyed a convivial and excellent 3 course meal with beers and coffee. I particularly enjoyed seeing the rain falling outside as we were eating. Nessie behaved prefectly, including when on my lap on the drive back to Gingins.

The sky had cleared and while Mike got back to wiring his home (connecting everything to the wi-fi), the three of us enjoyed the bike ride back across the fields (again avoiding the Bonmont temptation) and down to Gods Crossing where Richard turned back up to his home and Mervyn and I pedalled down to Founex and beyond.

A fine and unusual ride which could point the way forward for similar escapes in dodgy weather in the future. 33 km and 300m denivellation. Thanks to Mike for the coffee and the taxi-ride which saved our bacon.

Australian Cobberdog Rider – not actually Kobie – with thanks to RF and Meta AI – in better weather

GIN Hikers Lunch Founex 28 Feb 24

This annual lunch, the first since 26 Nov 2021, had been planned for Nov/Dec 2023, but for various health and related reasons had to be rescheduled to 2024. Again I chose Founex Tennis Club Restaurant – but maybe next time we shall venture further afield – France perhaps.

17 Gintlemen and 13 better halves attended an increase of 6 from 2021:-

1	Mark2rs	Christine
2	Nicolas
3	Stephen	Kate
4	PeterT	Jill
5	Mark2ts	Lynda
6	Larry	Nicole
7	Paul	Monique
8	Richard	Carol
9	Nathan
10	Rudi	Vibeke
11	Philip	Jackie
12	Ralph	Pat
13	Robert ORiordan (new member)
14	David	Rose
15	Drew	Kate
16	MikeM	Tineke
17	Mervyn

We were all seated on four tables (6,6,8 and 10) and ready to go by 12.15pm and a variety of pre-ordered meals were efficiently served preceded by a small salad. One interesting feature was that the filets de perche (ordered by 13 of us) price had increased from 22 in 2021 to 41 francs. I pointed this out to Ismaël, but he explained that at that time it was a Friday and on that day prices for fish are reduced (currently 24). In the end we managed to get a 10% discount in our bill.

Peter T gave a short speech (perhaps too long according to his partner) welcoming everyone, especially partners who could now be reassured, after reading the Blogs, and seeing us in the flesh – we are not simply a bunch of alcoholics. We really do love hiking in the wonderful hills and countryside nearby – we are so lucky to live here – in Nyon…

He remembered absent friends – sadly missed – especially Rob (working in Guadelopue (or was it Guatemala?)), MikeH (skiing), PeterD (travelling), Thatcher (skiing), Bill (back in Colorado), and Peter Strebel and Rose, out hiking with the UN.

New member Robert has just joined us – he is based in St Cergue. Those now present who were not around at the lunch in 2021 :- Nicolas (sadly Stephanie had a professional (dressed-up) lunch to attend in Geneva), Nathan, MikeM and Tineke, Rudi and Vibeke, Ralph and Pat, and Larry and Monique.

Thanking leaders for leading safely and volunteers for driving, virtual awards were virtually presented to

RichardS for being our spiritual leader with his Bottle of Many Spirits, and

Mark2ts for his reliable Caffeine supply, hot, strong and black no sugar, complete with paper cups.

Also thanked were our vintners with particular mention to Larry for carrying bottles up and down (when not drunk (the bottle not Larry)), along with a cold cooler. Also thanked were the hikers who have so warmly tolerated (seemingly) Peter’s big fluffy dog, Kobie. Kobie loves everyone, as well as hiking and eating. Other dogs have joined us too – Onyx and Nessie as well as Rocco, mostly impeccably behaved.

The virtual prize for the highest attendance in 2023 was shared by Mark2rs and Mervyn with 13, and in 2022 won outright by Stephen again for 13. Larry runs away with our elder-statesman virtual medal.

A Record of the hikes over the past 3 years was circulated for members’ archives or the wpb. (See below). It is visible that we are slightly slowing down, at least as compared with 2021, with 550m average denivellation per hike and average distance 12.8km. In 2022 these were 577m and 12.6km and in 2021 – 730m and 13.8km.

Every year we have completed 17 hikes, max denivellation 1270m in 2021 round Columbey de Gex, and max length 24km in 2022 round Lac de Joux.

PeterT closed with thanking all for coming and said that we all look forward to a safe and happy hiking season in 2024, about to commence. We all wished David good luck with his cataract operation on the 29th and Stephen for his replacement knee operation on 1 March.

The bill was settled amicably at chf50 per person, albeit perhaps not entirely fairly given the range in meal prices (21 to 52) and that some took dessert. Suffice to say that after suggesting this method, PeterT paid the tip and the slight top up needed. It was the quickest and simplest way. Perhaps in future we should check beforehand that this club “tradition” should continue.

The skies were grey and chilly when we spilled out, but I (PeterT) had time for a nice hike in the forest with Kobie.

Rose, Ralph and Pat with Nicole behind talking with Mervyn

Tineke, Stephen, Kate, Vibeke, Rudi and MikeM

Philip, Carol, Jackie, Mark2ts, Lynda and Richard

Robert, Monique, Paul Nicole and Larry, Mark2rs and Christine in the foreground

Until the next Annual Lunch – safe hiking!