As a horribly long period of lockdowns and other constraints was gradually lifting and as summer was at last arriving, we seized upon the chance to hold our first lunch together for over one year.
BRA Members and friends congregated outside the charming old restaurant that nestles inside the walls of this elegant 18th Century castle (which also houses the Swiss National Museum in French-speaking Switzerland).
Recent weather patterns had provided the area with more than its fair share of storms, but the sun was shining. Alas, the forecast anticipated that yet another storm would arrive exactly whilst we took lunch outdoors. Fortunately, adequate space existed within the cosy interior for everyone.
The forecast storm, by the way, never made an appearance.
We were treated to a lunch of the excellent standard by which this restaurant is renowned, with the opportunity to indulge in high quality local wines. Local produce is drawn upon wherever possible and even the vegetables offered were grown in the Chateau’s beautifully laid-out “Potager”.
The informality of these lunches was particularly beneficial on this occasion as many guests had enjoyed no social contact with others during so many months of enforced isolation. BRA had again demonstrated one of its prime membership benefits.
Organisers Jan Powell and Pam Walsh were praised for their excellent organisation.
In turn, they invited ideas and recommendations for further events to be organised during what was hoped to be a future unconstrained by the barriers of the recent past.
Alan Baker
