Foggy Bottom Blues: Tuesday, January 14th

Compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to mankind. -Albert Schweitzer, philosopher, physician, musician, Nobel laureate (1875-1965) 

Intransigent:

MEANING:

adjective: Unwilling to compromise, especially from an extreme position. noun: One who refuses to compromise.

ETYMOLOGY:

Via Spanish/French, from Latin in- (not) + transigere (to settle). Ultimately from the Indo-European root ag- (to drive, draw), which is also the fount of such words as act, agent, agitate, litigate, synagogue, and ambassador. Earliest documented use: 1879. 

Stats for today's ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/430180201#.UtXePKaJWbo.email

Whirlygig!

How fare thee, Dear Friend? I fear that today's Wordsmithing brings us a a word which can be applied equally to both The Sisterhood, (adjective), and The Brotherhood, (noun), but sad to say, to you and Robo Man, fortunately not to Il Conduttore, it goes without saying, the soul of reason, flexibility and accommodation!

Don't be so bloody mindedly intransigent and let yer Island Pal know what transpired laster evening. Hope all goes as well as can be expected, injury-wise, if not stubborn-wise! Cheers, Il Conduttore!

P, appreciate your concern. I intended to get back to you laster eve but various forms intransigence got in my way -- none of which was my own.

Making my own complaints seem trivial this was the last text I got from Mark last night : 'At this point it looks like an uphill climb ahead of him. We are not very hopeful of a recovery...'

My injured hip issue is hematoma -- something like a large blood blister that can take as much a month to deflate. Apparently very common in bruising that happens in areas like the hip and thigh where blood vessels are fairly large. It begins fairly hard to the touch and then gets softer and enlarged which is what happened after my ride lasterday which was somewhat alarming. Of course in my relief at the 'norbal' nature of the hematoma I forgot to ask about my wrist...
 

Are you suggesting a new name for the dwindling peloton: 'in transit gents'?

Thanks for the invite to join the visiting throngs at the Madrona Faulty Towers. It seems like I should try to make it work next week if the weather holds and the crowds dwindle. Too bad none of the wine is 'ready' to drink... I think a little discrete testing is in order. Fond regards to all, G                                                                Hi Giorgio!

Glad to learn that you don't have to have your leg amputated! However, I do think you are carrying the latest theme of the NRBC too, too far: Blood's a Rover, Blood: The Stuff of Life and now this hematoma/blood blister  nonsense! Enough already!
 

Sad news about Mark's Dad. I plan to send him a quick note after I send this missive.

Plenty of room even without the dwindled crowds so don't stay away on their account. You decide on timing, of course. Plan on some discrete tasting once I've located the hidden surveillance cameras. Forecast suggests it will be cloudy but no rain so think I'll head for Bowser today and try to log a 100km ride now that I don't have the VI Chapter of the intransigent Sisterhood to deal with. Just Cimcky and I and our ever so discrete corkscrew! Cheers, Il Conduttore!
 

Pics: Last two snaps taken about 30 minutes after first three. Fog bank is enveloping me! 

Hi Marcus!

Just a quick note to say that Giorgio informed me about your Dad's deteriorating health. Very difficult situation so just wanted to say I empathize with you and your family.  That being said, I trust things go as well as they can under circumstances. Thinking of you and Susan. All the best, Patrizzio!

Healthy New Year to you Rebecca!

Lovely to hear from you. Trust all goes well. At the moment, Corinne and I are house/cat sitting on Vancouver Island for friends who are in Nassau for a few weeks. Their home is ocean front property so it is a gorgeous situation. Corinne left for Vancouver this morning to catch an early ferry. She has a number of meetings and appointments to attend over next few days. She will return on Thursday with her parents who will stay with us for a week or so.

Close friends, Jean and John Anderson, from Victoria, stayed overnight this past Sunday. More friends from Vancouver arrive on Friday, for the weekend, so it will be a busy time while here.

Still think fondly of our time in Paris, staying in your gorgeous, comfortable apartment. All the best for now. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pic: Cimcky, my lazy cat charge!  

Hi Patti: In case you are interested. We stayed in 14564. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

P, I am not done with this blood theme yet. Good pics from the towers. At first glance the perspective was lost and I thought the pics were from high elevation looking way down at the water. 'ave a bloody good and safe ride today. W  

Hi again, Patti! Trust all goes well.  All the best to you, Gavin and The Goils for now. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello Storm Tossed Suffolk People!

Grand to hear from you, Linda. Yes, Neffiès and environs seem very far away at the moment. You mention England being rocked by storms and heavy rain. Last message I had from couple whose home we occupied last August, in Cornwall, near Truro, included a description of the destruction of the 19th Century tower at the end of the pier at Portreath!
 

Although no longer in France, we are still drinking some French wine, although not as much as I'd like! Fondestos from Cora Lee to you, LL, and Sir T, and Lady Jennifer and Lord Derick.  Cheers, Patrizzio!

PS: Don't sell your wonderful house in Neffiès until we arrange a house exchange in Vancouver! 

Hi Big Al!

Grand to hear from you. Thanks for tip on Word Hippo! Have been in Parksville since this past Thursday. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Rose and Joe! Trust Mexico is treating you well.  Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thanks, Pat, Dad died about an hour ago. Mark

Hi Mark!

Coincidentally, I just had a text from George informing me of your Father's death. Deepest sympathy and sincere condolences from both Corinne and I. I know from personal experience that the death of a parent, however expected, still comes as a shock. Our hearts go out to you and your family. Although we did not know your Dad, we grieve with you and for you and the extended family. Once again, heartfelt condolences. Corinne and Patrick.

Hi Giggster!

Just settling down with a cup of freshly brewed java, (Salt Spring Metta Espresso!), after showering and changing. Thank you for the text informing me of the death of Mark's Dad. Coincidentally, I had just sent him a message expressing my concern and he replied telling me that his father had died about an hour earlier. You both have been through the emotional wringer. At any rate, if there is to be a service and I'm back in Vancouver, I would certainly like to attend, even though I never met Aubrey, out of respect for Mark. Please let me know when you might know.
 

Given your orientation to the snaps I sent earlier, you are either taking too, too much prescribed medication or else over self-medicating or both! If you go blind don't blame me. For my part I have to keep the chain de-greaser in Grogg's locked wine cellar. Great vintage at MEC! Not ready to drink/savour, unfortunately, but alright to guzzle or knock back! Funny how Grogg is so intransigent when it comes to poundage! Bloody 'ell! Back from my ride about 4:30 pm and must say I am pleased with ride. First 100+km of my stay here and it really was most enjoyable for a whole slew of reasons. In the first instance it was very foggy when I started out a few minutes after 12:00pm. Stayed that way for duration of outing and was even thicker the further north I rode, mainly due to the fact that I was very close to the water once I reached Qualicum Beach. The stretch between there and Qualicum Bay/Bowser/Deep Bay and beyond offered the densest pea soup. Felt like I was in a B movie from the '50's waiting for The Creature from the Black Lagoon to lurch out at me from the shrouded shoulders of the highway. 

Not very much traffic once I left Qualicum Beach behind so it was quite peaceful, the fog muffling whatever sounds there were. Perfect temperature as well. I was dressed warmly but never overheated, even on the long, long grades, particularly heading south out of Qualicum Bay on the return. Must reiterate that I think that my Prospect Point Hill routine has paid off as I never really felt that any of the climbs were overly challenging. Not so a number of years ago so I suspect Cornwall and Languedoc have helped as well.

Fog left but a few droplets of water on my jacket sleeves but road surfaces were mostly quite dry. This was confirmed when I rinsed my bike off, once back. Very little grit to wash away. Am planning to give it a thorough cleaning tomorrow as I probably won't ride as far. Not really any other riders around as I saw only two or three people, either in Parksville or near Qualicum Beach but only one other lone individual, like myself, outside Bowser. Wind was a bit of a factor but I still can't figure out where it's coming from! Seemed like I was heading into it when I left but it was blowing just as steadily, into my face, on return trip. Must be some sort of north easterly or north westerly that hits as a cross wind of sorts, depending on direction road takes relative to the contours/undulations of the landscape/shoreline. Mildly malevolent whatever the real reason! Positively Iona-ish at times but not for maddeningly long stretches I'm happy to say. 
 

Think you and the other "gents in transit" would quite enjoy such an outing. Even be able to ride side by each for goodly portions of route as there happen to be long, long passing lanes, double lanes each way, north of Qualicum Beach and again north of Bowser. I rode to within 10 km of Fanny Bay and plan to go that far on next long ride. Should give me 120 km for return trip so Whistler Gran Fondo distance without the crippling ascents, of course. But a start!
 
Ride: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/430180201#.UtXePKaJWbo.email

 

Just Cimcky and I for dinner but I've a fridge full of wonderful overlefts and loads of books. Don't even seem to have time for the auto-massage chair, (I really like it and used it twice when Grogg/Lurch were still here.), but will definitely book a session this evening before I stretch out on the couch, the fire blazing, the cat purring and the malt tippling. What else is a poor boy to do when the Swedish masseuses stayed behind in Languedoc! Fondestos to your own private Sisterhood. I trust they are ministering to your every need! Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Pics: Virtual Cat Beast stepped out of computer screen threatening to lick me to death! Bridge on patio this evening, anybody?

Hello Sara Jane!

Trust 2014 is treating you well and that you are cycling in spite of the crazy Vancouver weather. Have been in Nanoose Bay/Parksville since last Thursday.
Let me know when we might get together, (cycling/dining), in February as we are here until January 27th.  Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pat, 27 degrees in Nassau - wouldn't that be nice. Quite a bit warmer than Bermuda at this time of year. Much further south, of course. Hope Greg has some bottles (still full) in his wine cellar when he returns! 

Sylvia made a moussaka dish from the kale recipe book for tonight's dinner and it was very good. It had kale, mushrooms, egg plant, zuccini, onion as well as ground lamb with some chesse on top. Fortunately, we will be able to have it over 2 nights.
 
Good forecast over the next 3 days and I'm hoping to turn the pedals on one of the good days. Hope Comox is a nice change. It certainly is picturesque looking out to the water. Ray

Hi Raymond!
 
Glad you seem to be using the kale recipe book. The moussaka sounds very tasty indeed. Must say that I'm not faring too, too badly, even if I'm just finishing off "overlefts", trying to clean out the fridge. Have barely touched the remainder of the wonderful beef roast Francesca did on Friday night. Tomorrow's dinner with baked potatoes. Already looking forward to it! Glad you are feeling up to riding.
 

Just talked to Corinne a few minutes ago. She doesn't sound very good as cold has settled in her chest and she has a terrible cough. Hope she won't pass it to her parents when they come over on Thursday. Hello to Sylvia. I trust she is ministering to your every need! Cheers, Patrizzio

Hi Kurt!

Trust you are going over your manuscript with a fine tooth comb! I'm sharpening my red pencil!!!

Hello to Natalia. I trust she is ministering to your every need! I hope you are still planning on dinner on Thursday. You are welcome to stay the night if you don't want to drive home after imbibing. However, you decide. Plenty of room with three bedrooms downstairs. If you feel industrious that rolled salmon appetizer would be fabulous for Thursday but not a big deal if it takes too, too much time/effort, given short notice. Just thought I'd mention it as it was so delectable time you served it when we were over. Anyway, confirm you are coming and if so, approximate arrival time. I think you had mentioned somewhere around 3:30-4:00 pm but +/- is fine as well. Cheers, Patrizzio

Hi Bill! Congratulations on your "retirement preparation leave"! Nice work if you can get it!!!Cheers, Patrizzio