The 3rd lunch of the year was organised by Ken Forrester at the Auberge de la Reunion in Coinsins.
Everybody ate the fixed menu of Salade campagnarde, Filets de Perche and Glazed Meringue at a fixed price of CHF 36.
Those attending: Ken Forrester, Robert O’Riordan, Dave Gwilliam, Rudolf Staehelin, Mark Watts, Joe Kutzin, Mark Warren, Chris Morris, Robert Rankin, Peter Taylor, Norman Eatough, Martin Sadler, Brian Allardyce, Mike Price, Colin Carter, Gary Vannatter, Stephen Long, John Broadbridge.
Unfortunately no photos were taken but we all had a great time.
Rudolf will organise the next lunch sometime in July/August
Robert O Riordan kindly stepped up to the plate and organised a fondu lunch for the whole GinClub at the Basse Ruche. As this was a snow-shoe/hiking Thursday, Mark2ts organised a hike beforehand. This blog is thus in 2 parts, the pre-lunch hike, and then the lunch.
The Hike
Here is Mark’s note :- “I sent my original note while I was still in Tignes surrounded by snow so it had not occurred to me that most of the snow had disappeared from the Jura in the warm weather. I walked some of the planned route today and there is no need to bring snowshoes. The snow that is still there is mainly hard so no sinking in. It is slippery in places so crampons may be a good idea.
The plan is to mainly follow Peter Strebel’s plan B from 2 weeks ago, but we’ll need to set off early to be at Basse Ruche by midday. We’ll start at the Tancouex parking in St Cergue and follow the road and path up past La Borsatte to Mont Roux, then continue into the Fruitieres valley and return down the valley to Chalet Devant, possible apero stop, and then directly to Basse Ruche. It’s about 7.5 km with 360m ascent and should take about 2:45 hours according to Switzerland Mobility but I think we’ll be a little faster.
After lunch it’s just 1.5km back to the cars.
We’ll meet at Divonne at 8:30 or at the Tancouex parking in St Cergue ready to set off at 9:15.
Mark”
In the event 8 of us started out at Tancouez. Mark, Nathan, Ralph, RichardS, David, Philip, Mervyn and me, PeterT. I thought it best that, as this was primarily a lunch, Kobie should not come along too and he spent the day with Jill.
The weather was perfect for hiking and at times would have been not bad for snow shoeing, in patches, albeit we left our raquettes at home. We set off on time and Mark agreed to let me lead the pretty way towards Mt Roux.
The team pass Les Mouilles close to Tancouez, with La Dôle in the distance
We passed close to Les Agosats farm and headed NW towards Mt Roux.
Snow shoes might have been useful in places
We tracked up through the less-snowy forest until we reached the turn to Mt Roux at 1236m. Here a unanimous decision was taken to shorten the hike and head straight up to the Fruitières de Nyon for leisurely apèros before descending to the Basse Ruche. Mark’s planned longer outing might well have been tricky with some deep snow still about, and it would have left little time for a chat and an apèro drink. We arrived at the FdN before 11am and variousy disported ourselves on the dry grass near a single seat. We were the only folk about. A yellowish haze had come up from the Sahara and we could not see the normal alpine summits.
A magnificent seven
Some Rasteau appeared as did some honey liquor in Richard’s Bottle of many fluids, together with nibbles and Mark’s strong black coffee, and we enjoyed some calm downtime in the hazy warmth of the sun.
View of the alps…. with the desert dust spoiling the view a little, but giving us a nice sun screen.Leaving for the Basse Ruche
It was soon time to pack up and descend the steep slope (not in snow) down to the BR for lunch, where we arrived in Swiss timing for the midday GinClub Fondu session. We said good by to Nathan. With the walk back down to our cars later I clocked 7.5km and 325m.
The Lunch
We said hello to RobP (snowshoe leader, but sadly still crook), Ruedi, Gary, Jeff (Shane), Paul and RobertOR, 13 for lunch overall. There were a number of other AVS parties in the dining room and it was a (our) shame that we at our end did not all get to meet those at the other end of our table. It was a lively affair, certainly no room for a big Cobberdog.
Rob was in good formMeat came, then more meat.Much talk about marathonsThe far end. Gary talks with Rudi, Paul, Jeff and Robert in attendance.
The beers arrived followed by plentiful platters of meat. Then the fondu, with both bread and spuds, and chasselas, followed by fruit salad and coffee. Conversations flowed but not along the table, we were too spread out and the restaurant was busy. Altogether a very pleasant way to spend lunch.
All too soon we were finished and up and out down the short distance back to St Cergue and our cars. I think I put on a kilo – but one has to have a fondu at least once a year. It was a very tasty one and we all ate religiously. Thanks to Robert O and Mark.
(Note – I need to add RichardS’s photos too, but could not locate them at this late hour of Monday night)
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.
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.
General view.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Starting up the jeep track, it was hotAnd dryBut we made good progress, if a little strung out.View from the high point
We made good time to the Catheline (1445m), where we picked up Gary Vannatter, and onto la Loge (1436m) where Nathan Finkelstein was waiting.
Table 2 from table 1
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 MervynsYet more 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 ILCNThe two tables receiving genepi
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 routineFranck starts to perform the Genepi ceremonyWhich needs some theatricalityAnd a soliloquyKobie 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!Table 2La Loge with patrolling hounds
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.
Time to go
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 ChatelaineIt seemed even hotter going back down – it was…
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.
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.
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.
Ross Ralph MervynMark and John, no Matthew or Luke todayStephen PeterRichard and Philip, the soup was indeed excellentNot BryanNorman Mike FrankPaul TrevorWarm molten chocolate dessert, the other dessert needed a knife and forkRalph gave a speech, Gary appreciates
Ralph gave the organisers speech – which nicely rounded off the occasion.
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.
Philip, Gerry, Gary, RossWouter, Trevor, Paul, Richard and PhilipDave, Norman, Chris, Trevor and BillMark, David, Hubert, Joe and KenOur wonderful waitressTaking and giving ordersOne with the organiser (PT)
