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This trip, 37 strong, was admirably organised by Derek Steer through Travel Editions, whose charming Groups Manager, Jo Blair,
accompanied us, but was not our official guide; that was the equally charming Karen Blackwell, and the group was efficiently led,
on Derek’s behalf, by Ron Heasman.
We left Leatherhead at 6:00 on Monday morning and, via coach, EuroStar and TGV, reached the excellent Hotel les Grillions at
Talloires. In spite of the Paris traffic between Gare du Nore and Gard de Lyon, and the rush hour traffic leaving Annecy, we were
in time for by an aperitif in the garden before dinner and an early night.
We were impressed by the hotel,which is in a superb location, overlooking the lake and the mountains beyond; was well-appointed and
with a most welcoming staff.
Our admirable coach driver, Stan (which Karen emphasised was for Stanislas, not Stanley), was with us for the week.
On Tuesday our destination was Chamonix, where most people took the Montenvers-Mere de Glace train (one of only two surviving
rack-and-pinion trains in France) up to a height of 1913 metres, but unfortunately the Aiguille de Midi cable car, up to 3842
metres, was closed. The rest of the day was spent exploring the town, some of us on the little road train. It is, of course,
primarily a winter sports resort and at this time of year was quite quiet.
Wednesday we went to Evian, home of the famous water and an attractive lakeside town. Many of us took the opportunity to help
ourselves from a spout where it is free.
In the afternoon we moved on to Yvoires, a charming mediaeval village reminiscent of
Cornwall, though, like many Cornish villages, over touristified.
Thursday we crossed the border into Switzerland to visit Geneva. The morning was spent exploring the old town, many of us again by
the road train. This was the only day on which the weather let us down, with a colossal cloudburst, leaving a good inch of water
on the pavements. We then had a tour (by coach!) of the newer part of the city, which houses many of the international organizations
- the UN European HQ, the World Health Organisaion, International Labour Organisation, et al.
The demand from expats working for these, and many commercial companies, makes Geneva one of the most expensive cities in the world.
After dinner Travel Edition treated us to a tasting of Chartreuse - made nor far away in Voiron. The consensus was:
Green - avoid; Yellow and white - drinkable (just), but we were grateful for he educational opportunity!
The last day was closer, in Annecy. Most of us took a boat on the lake and spent the rest of the time wandering round the old town
(we were just in time for the market, which is always interesting). On the way back Karen announced that this was to be a Fondue
evening, to be followed by an entertainment to which we were all expected to contribute a poem. A few people actually did!
The journey home on Saturday was accomplished without incident. Hardings’ coach was awaiting us at St Pancras and we arrived back
at the Leisure Centre. A memorable week which, apart from the weather hiccup in Geneva, could not have been better.
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