Category: Walking

A group of 11 (12, Paul can’t count) GIN E-Z Walkers took a stroll around the often-overlooked corners of Grand Saconnex. For some walkers it was a return to old stomping grounds, where their younger selves jogged and took children for nature walks.

The event began with mild chaos, as folks unused to the particularities of driving in an urban environment failed to find the entrance to the underground car park. The organizer had astutely removed the gates to the car park but the honest walkers nevertheless purchased parking tickets, fearful of the demonic Grand Saconnex Meter Maids.

The walk took us past a cute church, houses of the rich and famous, a few UN missions (India’s new mission, under construction, is huge, and led to discussions about that country’s geopolitical intentions), farms, a forest, a small nature reserve, WHO, and tunnel construction.

At the last section, a tour of the Domaine de Penthes, the group separated into three splinter groups.

A few hardy souls attempted a steep short cut that left them huffing, the main group went straight to Domaine de Penthes, and a third group elected to save their energy and not to make the descent and subsequent ascent at this park. They were instructed to wait at the chateau, but being of independent demeanor, returned straightaway to the restaurant and started drinking before others arrived. This independence might be a violation of GIN etiquette, but on the other hand, it might be the new normal and their initiative should be applauded and emulated in the future. Time will tell.

In the Domaine de Penthes, Richard pointed out the exploding sequoia (too dramatic a tale to recount here). One walker sighted what he swore was the famous (and elusive) Grand Saconnex yeti, but admitted it might have been a large squirrel.

Lunch ensued, at which point Paul’s sloppy organizational skills were revealed, when the eight walkers who stayed for lunch were told that the plat du jour was finished and people had to order from the (more expensive than planned) menu. There were some grumbles, alleviated by beer and good food. Lunch conversation included such earth-shattering topics such as Tim’s career-highlight as Captain Corcoran in HMS Pinafore, whether Monty Don knows best how to grow a wildflower meadow, whether Colin Powell should have resigned rather than tell lies about Weapons of Mass Destruction, and how print-on-demand is changing the publishing industry.

Distance, about 7.2 km, time, almost three hours. Some walkers suggested this walk was on the hard end of the E-Z walking scale.

Richard Saynor, John Burley, Mike Price, Marks (2Rs & 2Ts), Norman Eatough, Tim Goodyear, Brian Allardyce, Philippe Jenkins, Wouter van Ginneken, Hubert Pettingell, Paul S.

Some of the above is true.

Seven of us ( Hubert, Mark Warren, Mark Watts, Norman, Philip,  Tim and myself) set out to explore the banks of the Rhone (see the map below for the route). We started walking downstream at the Moulin des Frères. With a small parking area and a picnic zone this is a favourite spot for weekend sailors – there is also a stop for the pleasure boats that travel between the lake and the Verbois dam. As we left the area Norman pointed out the site of the old leper colony. This was  one of the many ‘maladières’ administered by the diocese of Geneva (which covered a large area between  the Jura and the Alps).

The first part of the walk was along the riverside – the sun filtering through the trees was very pleasant. The path, like those on the rest of the walk, is well maintained. Before long we saw signs of the Givaudan factory: boundary fences and (clean!) effluent flowing into the river. This factory, founded at the end of the 19^th century is a  world leader in the production of fragrances for products ranging from washing-up liquid to expensive perfumes.

Soon afterwards we crossed the Passerelle de Chèvres. This footbridge (which takes its name from the nearby village) passes over the remains of the dam of a former hydroelectric station. The plant, which was the first in the Canton de Geneve, functioned from 1898  to 1943, when it was superseded by the one at Verbois. The dam and the associated buildings can be made out quite clearly on the 1904 map. (By the way, I stole the maps from https://map.geo.admin.ch. You can find full set of modern and historical Swiss maps there.)

Turning left after the footbridge we continued upstream through wooded countryside crossing several small streams. At a point about halfway between the Passerelle de Chèvres and our starting point we turned right and, after a short, steep climb, headed inland. From this point we could see the massive buildings of Le Lignon. Constructed in the early 1960s Le Lignon is one of the largest apartment complexes in the world. In contrast, the area we were crossing, Deuxfonds, is surprisingly rural sandwiched as it is between the two arms of the Rhone and largely inaccessible to traffic.

We soon reached our second footbridge, the Passerelle du Lignon. This footbridge was built in the 1970s by Sappro, a pipeline operator. The footbridge supports a pipeline transporting petroleum products from France to the Vernier storage area.

Back in the woods we continued downstream towards our starting point. The weather gods, apart from bestowing  a couple of showers on us, had been kind. We all agreed that the area is surprisingly rural and isolated despite being so close to the town.

After some further adventures we met back at the Auberge de Vernier for a very welcome beer and lunch.

On exactly 10am 16 GIN walkers set off on the “wild side” (expression from Alan Baker) of the Divonne river – direction Crassier. After some time (see the two pictures on the bridge – taken by Tim Goodyear). Norman Eatough gave us an interesting explanation of the origin of the area, notably the Canal de Crans which we walked along, and which supplied water to the Château de Coppet.

He also told us that he went to the Divonne Tourist Office two years ago saying that the path was very muddy. The Office took his advice and now the muddy parts are covered with splendid wooden decking. According to Norman this must have cost them a small fortune, which Divonne taxpayers, such as Mark Warren, John Burley and myself, have helped financing. We also visited the viewpoint of the “Marais des Bidonnes” (see map) and even saw one cow (see picture) of the “aurochs” herd that lives there.

Our group then split in two: one going on to Crassier and visiting a local pond (see picture) and the other returning to Divonne on a path next to the old railway track, which is now converted into a bicycle-cum-walking road. This stretch of track had continued to Nyon, but was not paying for itself and when the Geneva-Lausanne autoroute cut through it, that was the end of it.

At about 12:30 everybody met up for our lunch (see picture) at “Le Bon Accueil”, which provided us with a delicious and well-presented three-course meal. At 14:30 we all went home – after an enjoyable walk and lunch, which gave us the opportunity to get to know each other better and to benefit from the Divonne environment.

Wouter van Ginneken (with help from Tim Goodyear and Norman Eatough).

For Norman Eatough’s first GIN walk, the weather was perfect: sunny, around 25°.

Meeting at Les Gravines restaurant, we walked upstream close to La Versoix, which always manages an impressive volume, even after days without rain, as several remarked. Norman ventured an explanation: in the limestone region of the Jura, rain dissolves the rock and forms big underground lakes. These release water progressively, evening out the flow.

We arrived at a timber mill and its millrace, where Mike explained that the water used to drive a turbine, providing street-lighting for Versoix many decades ago. This was closed down and could only resume if a fish-ladder was built. It was not possible to peer over the steep slope to see whether this requirement has been implemented.

Norman explained that the notice deviating walkers up the road and through the woods, which we ignored, was due to the collapse of a wooden footbridge further up the millrace; we suddenly arrived at the further metal footbridge, 
and he realised that the broken footbridge had been totally dismantled since his last visit. It doesn’t seem likely that the wooden one will be rebuilt, as the metal one suffices perfectly. A scramble up a steep slope ensued, survived by all and we climbed further, accompanied by soothing Water Music (acknowledgement to G.F. Händel) until emerging on to the Collex-La Bâtie road:

We progressed to the Bossy road on a track mercifully dry of its usual trying mud and relaxed for 15 minutes on the benches of the recreation area, where a charming circle of tinies and their teachers greeted us.

We crossed La Versoix over the Pont de Bossy and turned immediately right along a pretty path down the right bank, where a photo was taken at a little beach:

We emerged into sunlight for the 5 minutes down to La Bâtie and the much-regretted Auberge des Chasseurs, whîch a few of us remembered in its heyday.

The assembly was invited to peer down and observe the Prise d’eau/intake of water from La Versoix into the Canal de Versoix: photos below. This was built around 1766, to supply water when France conceived a plan to rival Geneva commercially by building a new settlement 2 km North of Versoix-le-Bourg (where La Versoix enters Lac Léman), called Versoix-la-Ville. Voltaire pointed out that the Pays de Gex produces nothing and needs supplies from Savoie. The canal descends imperceptibly until entering the Lac du Léman beyond Montfleury: it is an engineering triumph. Despite a new dead-straight road being built to connect Versoix-la-Ville to then-French Meyrin and thus Lyon, the project never really got off the ground, only one factory and a couple of houses being built, and was abandoned when France’s Foreign Minister, Le Duc de Choiseul, appointed by King Louis XV to organise the project, fell into disgrace (sadly no details were supplied in Norman’s Histoire de Versoix).
Versoix became Swiss and Geneva was connected to Switzerland along the lake after the Napoleonic wars in 1815.

A short stretch of tarmac brought us to the charming path along the shady canal, with dappled sunshine adding to the experience. Crossing a final footbridge, we arrived back at Les Gravines after 2h15 actual walking, there to imbibe a refreshing canette or two and enjoy a very fresh green salad and either the plat du jour or a pizza: two comedians had clearly preferred the tastier inner delights thereof:

Norman was profusely thanked for his outing, which was new to the majority, then intellectual conversations rocked the place.

Norman

We met at the parking lot of Mont Mussy at 10:00am.

The group of 10 GIN walkers started  our 5.8 km walk  “Boucle de Mont  Mussy/Mourex” with a positive elevation of 156m, on time.

The first part of the walk through the forest presented some inclines and was rather rocky. This caused some stragglers, after a loud yodle the front runners stopped and the group  got together again.

We noted that quite a few trees had been cut down and large stacks of firewood were placed alongside the path. After reaching Mont Mourex the walking became much easier. Several stops were made to enjoy the views of Lake Geneva and the city of Geneva.

We met quite  a few walkers with dogs and some of  us chatted with the dog owners.

On the way down to the Mourex parking lot we enjoyed the beautiful wild flowers. 

Looping back to Mont Mussy was easy going and we all arrived back at our cars at 12:00 pm.

Alan and I led a group of 5 cars to the parking lot behind the restaurant Au Bon Accueil, where we enjoyed a good lunch and glass of beer.

The walk and lunch were appreciated by all the participants.

A dozen of us met up in brilliant sunshine in the parking lot of the Lycée internationale in Ferney and set off on the 5 km cross-border loop through Ornex and Collex-Bossy.  It is the eighth time that this exhibition has taken place and 47 works of art were on display.  Most of the artists were local, including some exhibits from school classes in both France and Switzerland.  The materials used were very varied, but some of the more fragile pieces had suffered somewhat from  the recent “intempéries” that have plagued us this summer. However, each one was carefully studied along with the accompanying explanatory boards, and various sage critiques were proferred.

Our path went through pastures, orchards, vineyards and woods and was actually a revelation to some who lived in the vicinity and were not aware of what lay on their doorsteps.  It made us realise how lucky we are to live in such beautiful surroundings and in particular, the views of the Jura were superb against such a clear blue sky.

The standard of the exhibits was somewhat varied, but each showed a certain degree of imagination and inventiveness.  In particular, three children’s swings made almost entirely from old bicycle tyres and inner tubes were impressive, as were a set of three collages using dead honey bees.

A short muddy section through the Ornex woods had to be negotiated with care amid the odd complaint that was completely ignored!  We emerged from the forest onto the brand new cycle/walking path that led us back to the cars.

Eight of us then proceeded to the Rajpoute restaurant where for the first time for some of us, our health passes were scanned at the door, as is now the law in France.  A copious and tasty three course meal followed, washed down by Kingfisher beer for some and a surprisingly fine Indian red wine for others.

Attending: Tom Boult, Norman Eatough, Mik Ferran, Dave Gernandt, Philip Jenkins, Rob Mackenzie, Mike Price, Richard Saynor, Paul Sochaczewski, David Stieber, Gerry Swart and Mark Warren.  Apologies from many, mostly because of being visited by, or visiting, families cut off by the pandemic.

John Burley organised the walk from Vich to Begnins and back. Unfortunately, due to injury, he was unable to participate and Tim Goodyear and I volunteered to lead the walk so that it could continue. There was rain overnight before the walk but none was forecast for the day, so the walk was on. There were 14 participants. The route up to Begnins was through fields and vineyards on agricultural roads which did not present any difficulty from the rain but did require caution for cars when crossing the Rte de Gland. The path then skirted the cemetery with a great view of the lake and alps (wasted on the residents), then around the playing fields. Steps led down to the anti-tank fortifications at the La Crosette picnic area. We then followed the line of the Sentier des Toblerones beside the Serine back to Vich. The previous night’s rain meant the river was flowing well and there was a fresh and pleasant aroma to the forest. There were some muddy areas and tree roots to negotiate. Back in Vich after 1h:45, we went to the terrace at La Croix Verte for an enjoyable lunch. Paul to the opportunity of a nearby birthday to gift (and sign) some of his books to interested readers. There was a toast to John, wishing him a speedy recovery.

The aim of the walk was to get a group of ten to fifteen men out on a two hour walk which was going through an area which would be of interest  and was going to be easy walking for all, and then go to a nearby restaurant for a  good meal and put the world on the right path in the conversations.

All turned up on time at the meeting place at the Camping des Cheseaux just west of the village of St-Cergue where there was plenty of parking along the roadside and we then started the walk along the road to the hamlet of La St-Cergue as the paths over the meadows were muddy after recent heavy rain which would have been to easy to slip and fall on, so we stayed on the road all the time.

The Vuarne is a dale to the north of the Barillette hill and the slope of the road there is much less than the earlier part of the walk. A feature there is a pond with a well built wall around it but with no entrance, and by the roadside is a stone with a small metal plate screwed on it and engraved with “La pierre à Vogler”. A farmer who had grazed her cows there had been asked about it but did not know anything about it. Maybe she was in a hurry to start milking the cows.

When we reached the path leading up to the pass between the Barillette and the Dole we turned back and headed down at a slightly faster speed than on the way up. We were lucky to have Philip Jenkins in the group who was able to point out different features of the wayside plants and these were then photographed by Tim Goodyear. When passing through the hamlet of La St-Cergue we were allowed to photograph a pack of sled dogs which were housed in the garden of a chalet there and were not in the least upset by our interest in them. A pleasant change from the guard dogs sometimes found in house gardens.

The restaurant we had booked was the Maison de Ville in the middle of the village and we were joined for the meal by Brian Allardyce who was not able to go on the walk as he is recovering from an operation, so that made the group up to twelve. We were all seated at a long table and were very well fed. At the end of the meal Alan Baker gave a short speech as walk coordinator and we then went out to our nearby cars. By this time it had started to rain so we were lucky with the weather on the walk.

The men on the walk were:

Alan Baker, Barry Armstrong, Tim Goodyear, Gerry Swart, Mark Warren, Mike Price, Paul Sochaczewski , Philip Jenkins, Richard Saynor, Rob MacKenzie, Wouter Van Ginneken.

Rob MacKenzie

2021.07.19

The Swiss metéo promised a relatively dry morning so 16 walkers gathered at the bridge at Sauverny on Wednesday morning for a walk along the Versoix river and back through the Versoix woods. We had heavy rain the day before so the path was expected to be muddy and did not disappoint, however nobody fell and nobody got hurt. The path down, which keeps a view of the Versoix on the right, was new to several of the walkers making this a journey of exploration.

Several sections of this walk follow Swiss National hike #3, Alpine Panorama Trail, which runs for 510 km from Rorschach beside Bodensee to Geneva. So these sections were well signposted. However the leader insisted on following smaller paths where possible with the result that we nearly lost part of the party.

After about an hour we came to a decision. The path straight ahead was know to contain a large boulder which would be difficult to scramble over, especially if wet, so several of us took a short cut, up a steep bank and through a field we later learnt was out of bounds and onto the main footpath through the woods. The other part of the group continued on beside the river to pont de Bossy and then caught us up.

We then returned along good paths through the woods, before joining our original path beside the river and returning to the parking. Overall about 6.5 km.

This was probably the largest GIN gathering since the start of the lockdown in March 2020. Long live the freedom!

Fourteen of us then went to the Vieux Bois in Divonne for a convivial, and unbelievably cheap, meal. An added bonus: this was the first day that France allowed more than 6 people at a table in a restaurant.

Four members volunteered to lead future walks as follows

July 14	Rob Mackenzie
July 28	John Burley
Aug 11	Mike Price
Aug 25	Gerry Swart

They should share their plans with Alan Baker, the walking group coordinator.

Participants: Alan Baker, Bill Westermeyer, Bryan Clark, David Gwilliam, Drew Meek, Gerry Swart, John Burley, Mark Warren, Mark Watts, Mike Price, Paul Sochaczewski, Richard Saynor, Rob Mackenzie, Thatcher Shellaby, Tim Goodyear, Wouter van Ginneken.

This trip beyond the usual geographical scope of our walks was delayed until the daily deluge had abated and the pathway through this amazing series of gorges had a chance to dry out somewhat. A sudden improvement in the weather forecast triggered the organiser to copy General Eisenhower’s 5 June 1944 decision of “Let’s go…”

The Areuse Gorges lie within the Jura foothills, close to Neuchatel, and form an often-hidden area of the scenic Val-de-Travers region. Cared for by a local charity, the route follows the River Areuse for 11 kms between Noiraigue and the outskirts of either Bole or Boudry. For much of its way, it skirts the river as the Areuse meanders leisurely, followed by periods as a raging torrent forcing its way through two narrow and deeply incised canyons and white-water rafting country. Local publicity informs us that the path climbs 52 metres and descends 334 metres, with a duration of 2 hours and 43 minutes of “family friendly but moderately difficult” walking. OK – This is what faced our gallant team.

The group of six members arrived by car or train at the pretty village station in Noiraigue, fortified themselves with a coffee, managed not to be tempted to take an early morning absinthe and headed off in glorious sunshine along what was initially a straight, surfaced path alongside a babbling brook. A large gathering of lady hikers had already disappeared from sight, the only remaining sounds coming from the river itself and a variety of Skimmers and other birds. Everything changed some 30 minutes later, when we ventured into the upper of the 2 prime gorges. A sleepy stream suddenly became a cascading torrent. The pathway became a mix of jagged rocks and glutinous mud. The fun had begun.

As this expedition took the group to an area perhaps not known to some readers, more than the normal number of photos are included in this trip report. They tell a story that need not be repeated in detail in writing! We crossed several bridges, the ancient and arched one of which offers the picture postcard image of the Areuse in full fury (as it was on 28 May). The number of slippery wooden steps negotiated at times felt endless, even before our hungry band reached the halfway stage. Suddenly – and like a mirage – some houses appeared in sight. We had reached Champ du Moulin and its Hotel/Restaurant de la Truite.

All thoughts of surviving on a picnic lunch were instantly forgotten as we sat in an oasis of sunshine outside this welcoming restaurant, tucking into – you’ve guessed it – excellent trout, our throats lubricated by Neuchâteloise wine. Then, the second half of our trek was to be faced. This path had almost survived the ravages of a long winter followed by a very wet spring. The mud seemed even more glutinous, the steps steeper and the rocks sharper.
The result was the stunning sight of a torrent thundering almost below our feet as it fought its way through the second gorge. Minor deterrents were all taken in good spirit, no walker tripping or slipping but a small number of us found ourselves inadvertently crossing the river and following a surfaced road for a while. Mobile phones soon brought us back in line! As suddenly as the second gorge had started, it ended, and a signpost pointed our group towards Bole. Little did your scribe know that this track led steeply up to road level via a good 100 slippery wooden steps followed by an even longer walk to Bole station. The short train journey back to Noiraigue came as a welcome chance to recharge our energy batteries.

Well – Was it worth the 100 kms+ journey from our homes? The conclusion of this group was a resounding YES and a recommendation that some future walks be conducted in other areas of natural beauty or of specific historic etc interest. Long summer days and an easing of Covid-19 restrictions offer possibilities as long as we avoid exceedingly popular tourist destinations during “Le Saison”.
Thinking caps on, please…..

Here are some of the photos. The full set is to be found at this link