We finally managed to hold our first outdoor event without having to cancel! At first the weather forecast predicted thunderstorms and rain but in the end, as you can see on the pictures, we were outside on the lawn of the Rebstock restaurant enjoying lovely warm, sunny weather. A joy to be holding such an […]
This year the Queens Birthday Party Cocktails were held at our fast becoming venue of choice – The Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola on 6th June where we were treated to some very tasty nibbles in the delightful Sala del Camino as our idea of holding the party in the grounds as originally planned were thwarted […]
After a real flurry of emails about whether or not we could walk if it rained there was general agreement that we could. Under that stress Diana Divo described herself as “not a manager but a worrier”. We find her a great organiser, and since worrying meant that she had reconnoitred our route 3 times, […]
This beautiful château was built between 1706 and 1712 by Gabriel Hernri de Mestral, and stands on a former fiefdom, and site of a medieval fortress. The seignory of Vullierens was passed through marriage, or inheritance until it became the property of the Bovet de Mestral family. A Vullierens noble family can be traced back […]
Molly Arnold from the NW Region suggested a trip to Gruyères and this writer devoid of any innovative ideas as to excursions, gratefully took up her recommendation. Under the coronavirus prevailing rules, we had to eat at a restaurant with outside tables, with adequate protection against inclement weather conditions, and with the restriction of 4 to […]
There was a small party of us wending our way like many a pilgrimaged before us up up up the hillside of Monte di S. Maria di Albigorio. We drove through the clouds and nestling, hidden among the trees above Tesserete, we found the Convento Santa Maria del Bigorio. Today it is a place of […]
After months of careful isolation, we were finally able to meet in person and talk one to one. Great though Zoom has been, it was a relief not to be peering at tiny rectangles on a computer screen. Many thanks to Rosemary for her account of this rather special day. Jan Powell It was a […]
We were lucky enough to be able to visit this beautiful garden in Vico Morcote both in March and on two occasion a month later in April. We saw the full range of magnolias, and camellias in March in good weather. Then in April when it was much warmer we saw the wonderful selection of […]
The Limmat walk was an excellent idea and I think all 10 participants were delighted to discover such a charming unknown walk in perfect weather and ideal company. Thank you so much, Diana. That we should have by chance arrived on Mike’s last day at the Cheese Shop was a strange coincidence. Sad […]
Covid-19 provided the excellent idea for an afternoon meeting out-of-doors. Following a snack and good chat outside Richi’s friendly little bar we set off up the Allmend beside the meandering Sihl for a lovely autumn walk. We watched dozens of dogs playing with each other and with the teasing crows and our conversations also covered […]