We were lucky with the weather. The morning was bright and clear but with a cold Bise blowing. Sixteen of us assembled before 10:00 in the Arboretum car park for a coffee and chat before setting out on the walk.
Unfortunately all the magnolia blossom was killed off by the hard frost the previous week, which nullified the declared intent, but we still enjoyed a very pleasant stroll of about 5km through this beautiful park. The total denivelation was about 200m, more than usual for the walking group, which led to some grumbles which were completely ignored by the leader.
We all got back to the cars and set off home by 12:30. Some of us apparently enjoyed the route so much that they then tried to retrace it by car!! They know who they are!!
The team
Left to right: Rob Mackenzie, John Burley, Philip Jenkins, Richard Saynor, Paul Sochaczewski, Dave Gernandt, Bryan Clark, Alan Baker, Thatcher Shellaby, Michael Hempstead, Tim Goodyear, Drew Meek, Brian Allardyce, John Webb, Mark Warren, Mark Watts (behind the camera).Tarn with blasted magnoliaSense of balance requiredAubonne’s electricity sourceSome usual suspects
The snowshoe team had to leave their equipment behind for this hike round Lac de Joux, hardly any white stuff was in evidence. Richard led us on a merry saunter clockwise round the lake from position 5 o’clock at Le Sentier. Attending too were Mervyn, Rob, Steve and Peter, with Michael Hempstead meeting at 10.30am at the 8 o’clock position. Peter (el coward) had previously decided that his feet would not sustain a 23 km jaunt and had left his car at Le Pont at the bottom (top if looking on a map) end of the Lac and had biked in the frozen dawn to the start at the top (bottom on map) to chain his bike at the carpark.
A bright and sunny but a little chilly morning saw the team springing passing Jaeger LeCoultre factory and on up the western side of the Lake in the reflected glare of the sun off the lake, frozen at the edge. Pup Rocco had given blood on time and Michael was thus on Swiss time to rendezvous and swing into gear for the amble down (or up) the lake. Politics, Royal Family squabbles, rugby, Scottish independence, Scottish dependence, Scotch, Scottish fish dispute (Sturgeon and Salmond), vaccines etc occupied our conversation and the views were inspirational too.
We encountered few folk, but one fellow advised us of a herd of chamois on the trail up ahead. Sure enough this was the same herd as seen last year and featured in the local press. They were clearly very used to hikers and we were allowed some close up shots.
A sunny slope out of the rising breeze looking out over the Lac above Le Pont catered for our lunch spot and after opening grappa (Richard’s not David’s) we were lubricated with Epesses, Fechy and (red) Fetzer, closed off with Lagavulin. A most pleasant picnic finally had to be ended and we set off again down to the bottom (top) of the lake. Peter then decided that as his feet were (oddly) uncomplaining and that perhaps he should wait to drive, that he would indeed continue and try and complete the circuit, and wistfully eyed his car as the peloton sped past it at Le Pont. Indeed we engaged in absorbing conversations along the speedy second leg of 11km back to the car, passing inter alia, Richard’s fine boats, lashed to a tree high above the water line. The final section of board walk above the marsh gave way to the start and end point with Michael having still another hour to go to his car at the 8 position – he said he would be OK if he kept moving. Peter donned his bike helmet and headed off back down (up) the lake in the chilling air to complete a double circuit to serve him right for cowardice.
A pleasant walk, not as hard as its 23km and 200m denivellation seemed to promise. A pleasant bike ride too. Thanks to Richard for Swiss-clock precision leading of this fine snow-shoe fill-in. The hiking group will now take over unless there is a substantial snowfall in the coming days in March… (it’s in the forecast folks..).
Apologies :- Mark W, Mark W, Thatcher, Drew, John.
Peter at Le Pont before his bike to the top (bottom) of the Lac. Note the frost…View down (up) the Lac from where we met MichaelOpposite view at same point, the team taking coffeeFine morning, fine viewsMore of the sameView across to L’Abbaye and a patch of snow !Along the ridge in the forestLong and short with Dent de Vaulion (a recent snow shoe summit) and Lac Brenet on the leftTeam enjoying the sun. Richard Saynor, Mervyn Powell, Rob Pashley, Steve Long, Michael HempsteadChamois showing offLunch at Le Pont – slightly less sun than would have been idealHeading up (down) the final legRichard, proud captain, and his boatsHike map with Peter’s heart rate by colour (not a lot..). I have two others for the bike legs (P). From my watch – not a Jaeger LeCoultre…
There were 14 of us (Alan B, Brian A, Bryan C, Trevor D, David S, Tim G, John B, Mike C, Mike P, Paul S, Phillip J, Richard S, Tom B and MarkLW) and a dog who set off down the Grand Rue towards the Pont de Grilly/Pont Bugnon). Grilly has a history going back to at least Roman times and was famous in the 13th century for a certain Jean de Grilly or Grailly who effectively ran Aquitaine for Edward I of England. Its actual bridge which dates from the 17th century was the principal crossing from the Mont Mussy to Coppet until the development of Divonne; it spans the River Versoix (the boundary between France and Switzerland) and there is still an albeit unmanned customs post. Mme de Stael famously escaped from France to Coppet over it.
Our walk continued along the riverside towards the Moulin de Grilly. This Moulin is privately owned but there is an interesting explanation of the use of watermills in the Pays de Gex – including wood cutting, diamonds for the watch trade, generating electricity and of course food. At this time, we had beautiful views over both the alps and the Jura and could see woods and fields with little evidence of human construction. A grey heron, a great white egret as well as crows gave a safari aspect with horses making the loudest noise.
After a loop of five kilometres, we were back at our starting place by the Auberge de Grilly where ten of us concluded the morning with an excellent lunch.
A lovely morning which was further improved by only having the rain when we came out from lunch.
We were 10 on today’s walk. We walked beside the Versoix river down to Versoix, then back up to the starting point along the canal. Most people were unaware of the route we took and so it was very successful. Then 6 of us had lunch in Les Gravines, and very good it was!
The starting point is directly underneath the autoroute at the point where it is elevated at the Vengeron. If you take the back road behind Versoix heading towards Geneva, you find the Sports club of Versoix, then a bit further on you pass Les Gravines Restaurant. The starting point is to the left immediately after that restaurant and directly under the autoroute where it is easy to park.
Organised walks are off at the moment to avoid groups of more than 5. But I would highly recommend individual walks in the Arboretum at Aubonne. Especially at this time of year while the magnolias are at their best.
I went last Friday with Lynda and it was almost deserted.
12 members of this fast expanding group celebrated St George’s Day in style by penetrating this large mixed deciduous and coniferous forest at a perfect time of the year. Leaves were bursting forth their spring greenery, tracks were dry and we had the expanse of the Bois de Chênes almost to ourselves. Whilst no Sangliers made an appearance and bird song was rather scarce, our group and its various conversations made up for whatever nature did not provide.
As always, the Auberge de Coinsins – one of GIN’s favourite lunch locations – offered us a wide-ranging selection of lunchtime and a la carte meals, enjoyed outside in the sun, on their large terrace.
Watch the website for news on forthcoming walks, all of which are of course open to all our GIN members. Also, do offer us new ideas for future expeditions, please. Alan Baker”.
Fourteen of us on a little known walk from chateau Voltaire in the centre of Ferney to the airport perimeter fence and back by a different route. Ably guided by Richard Saynor with Mark Warren as sweeper. Most then had lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Sadly, Bryan Clark tripped on a tree stump during last week’s walk at Prangins and cracked 3 ribs. That makes walking our most dangerous activity – until someone falls off a chair at bridge!!
This walk was led by Brian Allardyce and took us from the plage de Promenthoux, through the Domaine Imperial Golf Club , past the Villa Rose and back to our cars.
We had a grand turnout of 12:- Brian Allardyce, Alan Baker, Tom Boult, John Burley, Bryan Clark, Dave Gernandt, Tim Goodyear, Dave Gwilliam, Tony Raeburn, Richard Saynor, Mark Warren, Mark Watts. Eight of us stayed on for lunch at La Barcarolle.
Sadly Bryan took a nasty tumble and may have broken a rib. This just goes to show that all activities, except sitting at home drinking a beer, are dangerous.
Here is a photo of the group in front of the new GIN clubhouse.
Our 5 April walk along the old Versoix Canal was most pleasant and the sun eventually came out to add to our good cheer. Full marks go to Brian Allardyce for suggesting and organising it. Seven of us (Brian Allardyce, Alan Baker, John Burley, Ian Cappin, Mike Clayton, Mike Price and Tony Raeburn) walked the 4+ kms, with 6 continuing on (by car) to Commugny to partake of delicious pizzas etc. During lunch, we prepared some forward planning for spring and summer walks. Watch this space.
