Flat Tire Blues: Thursday, January 16th

Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from that of their social environment. -Albert Einstein (1879-1955) 

Memoir is not an act of history but an act of memory, which is innately corrupt. -Mary Karr, (b. 1955) poet and memoirist

Dear Lucky(or is it Pozzo?):

Did notice that you didn’t actually make it to Fanny Bay that day but figured that you must be getting old and I was just trying to be polite. Regardless, the oysters are farmed at various locations on the stretch of ocean just north of Qualicum Beach up to and slightly north of Fanny Bay.
 

Glad to see that you are enjoying the natural environs. I recall that Natalia and I liked Little Qualicum Falls a bit better than Englishman River Falls. If you haven’t been, it’s worth the trip enroute to Cathedral Grove. You could stop in at Coombs Market for a reasonably-priced and tasty fish and chips.

See you soon. No need to roll out the red carpet!--Kurt

P, had a great ride with Ray who rode as strong as ever next to the one armed paper hanger. Must be all the kale. The temperature was just about right and the sky threatened rain the whole way but we never saw a drop. The wind at Iona may have been the lightest in living memory. It was nice to get a visit with Ray whom I had not seen for a month or more.

Please give my regards to the Smokephist and his long suffering partner. Be wary of his dipsomania. He will not leave until he has finished every drop of everything available. The wine guard cat has its work cut out tonight.
 

When you are back in town I will give you a lesson in re-tiring -- from one mechanically challenged to another. When you are as much as 50 kms away from home you have to be able to fix a flat. Fond regards to all the crew, W

Hi Patrice,

Working on Tomorrowland today and will come in for 1/2 day tomorrow. Colleen and I plan on catching the 5:00 tomorrow and the kids will not be  coming as Jesse has his function Saturday night and I felt Jake might as well stay home and they can go skiing seeing as we bought this ski pass for Grouse mountain and have only used it once.With the minimal snow and no more coming in sight I felt they better take advantage while we can.I have not had the time to look at another bike but will bring the trusty cannondale so we can hopefully get out for a ride. Let us know what we should bring food wise and anything else you think of. Have a great day and we'll talk to you soon. Cheers, Al

Dear Forked Tongue Sophist!

Fortunato indeed! Thanks for the one-upmanship tip on Little Qualicum Falls. I have always wondered about visiting as I have noticed a sign for site when en route to Fanny Bay, but in my dotage I didn't have the energy to seek them out. Cathedral Grove sounds interesting as well. Perhaps, while there, we will light some candles and say a few novenas for your soot black soul and lungs! Goats on the Roof, in Coombs, is closed until late February, Mr Smarty Pants, so thanks for the misinformation.
 

Just took my lame bike into Arowsmith Bikes into Parksville a short time ago. Supposed to be ready by 12:30 pm so I'll probably have time to go for a short ride before I put out the red carpet. I wouldn't think otherwise. How else to hide the land mines and other IED's that I have planned for you, and you alone, O Hubristic One!

Enjoy your last few fags as they may well be your last! Looking forward to the fireworks. Cheers, Il Malevolo Incendario

Hi Patricovich, Coincidentally I am in the hospital now. Hip was replaced on Tuesday. Walked, stood, and sat for 3 hours this morning. Only took 1 x Tylenol 3 and 1 x Celebrex today. I love that area of Vancouver Island. Have been there dozens of times. Can't wait to get home tomorrow. Dennis

Hi Dennisovitch!

Glad to hear that you are doing so well! Congratulations! Onward!! Fight!!!

Just took my lame bike into Arowsmith Bikes into Parksville a short time ago. Was supposed to be ready by 12:30 pm but when I went to pick it up, chap said he had been busy with customers so I have to return in about an hour!
 
Cora Lee will probably be here by 3:00 pm and friends from Nanaimo, coming for dinner, by 4:00 pm, so I'll probably just take a short spin to the the Englishman River Estuary, taking a dipsy-doodle through Rathtrevor Beach Park beforehand. Could be a great rehabilitative ride for you, once you can ride a non-stationary!
 

All the best with recovery. Sounds like you are feeling pretty comfortable. For my part, I didn't have any pain at all, post-surgery. I did take medication given to me while in hospital but only took a couple of Tylenol 3's once home, not for pain, but to help me sleep. I wasn't used to spending all night on my back!

Let me know if I can do anything for you once I'm back, after January 27th. Perhaps I can even persuade Admiral Barnacle to join me in a ride and we can come for visit to look at your scar! Hello and regards to Nurse Claire. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Could see our resident ducks this morning as no fog!  

Hi One-armed Bandit!

Glad to hear that you are doing so well! "Look Ma, No Hands!" Congratulations! Onward!! Fight!!! However, I wonder about the veracity of the wind, as reported, at Iona, being "the lightest in living memory". Exhibit A: "Memoir is not an act of history but an act of memory, which is innately corrupt. -Mary Karr, (b. 1955) poet and memoirist"

Took my lame bike into Arowsmith Bikes into Parksville a short time ago. Was supposed to be ready by 12:30 pm but when I went to pick it up, chap said he had been busy with customers so I have to return in about an hour!
 

Cora Lee will probably be here by 3:00 pm and Natasha/Voditchka Man by 4:00 pm, so I'll probably just take a short spin to the the Englishman River Estuary, taking a dipsy-doodle through Rathtrevor Beach Park beforehand. Could be a great rehabilitative ride for you, until you are ready for Blood Red Gap/Ill Winds Loop!

Hello and fond regards to Kerry Nightingale and Nurse's Aid, Tia Moma Mia Maria. Cheers, Il Conduttore! 

Hi Big Al! Just a short note to say please don't worry about bringing any food for tomorrow. You will be pressed for time and won't arrive here until close to 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm, all things falling into place. We'll eat dinner shortly after you arrive, with no hitches to delay your journey. If you have time and inclination you could, perhaps, bring something for appetizers on Saturday. We can work out menu for rest of stay once you are here. Looking forward to having you both here. Should be fun. Cheers, Patrizzio!

PS: Give us a shout if you don't catch 5:00 pm ferry. We'll probably eat dinner without you  if that turns out to be the case, but I'm sure there will be plenty of overlefts! 

Yes I hiked into Englishman River Falls park about 15 years ago. The sleeping on the back is hard for me too. How long was it until you could sleep on your side? How long was it until you were out riding? 3 months I presume because of the 90 degree precaution. Do you want your OASIS program book back?