Might as Well be on The Rock Blues: Wednesday, January 15th

Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way. -Martin Luther King Jr., civil-rights leader (1929-1968) 

Greetings from the Tropics!

Can't remember if we marked them on calendar? Sharon and Crystal will be there Thursday at about 9:30AM (usually a bit before), to do the big house clean, They should do the downstairs bathroom, and the upstairs (the "usual") main upstairs areas. We'll pay them when we return.

Glad the biking is great, and the weather! Cheers, Grog (Enjoying the local Bahamian beers ie Sands, and Kalik.) 

Hello Tropicanoids!

Another foggy. foggy morning but mild so almost like being in the Tropics! All's well here. You didn't write Sharon and Crystal on calendar but you had mentioned them coming before you left. Cimcky misses Coriandre, I think, but we are doing just fine. He'll be in for 20/20 lovin' when gang arrives on Thursday. Who knows, Dusty may even paint his portrait. He is the perfect model when sleeping as he doesn't move an inch! Cheers, Patrizzio Pics: Fog bank this morning and a soundly sleeping cat.

Hi Thanks for the email and news.  You are such a good writer. Ron and family love the pictures. Your bike trip to HB sounds frustrating, but I admire your tenacity. Dinao is in Victoria, how long are you there?  She could come visit you, I am not sure of her schedule. I am planning to be in Van mid May!  I am off to teach yoga! Love Rhoda  

The Last of the Mohicans, endpaper illustration 1919

Hi Swami Ski,(or is it Guru Downward Facing Dog), and Ms Victoria! 

We are here until January 27th so you are welcome to visit, Dinao, (with a friend if you'd like), your schedule and interest allowing.
Great that you will be visiting Vancouver in mid-May, Levitating One, as we'll be back from destination wedding in Mexico for Nicole/Marvin by then. Let me know if you think you might wend your way north, Dinao. If you do, bring your bathing suit as there is a gorgeous hot tub on the deck and a very attentive pool boy! Cora Lee keeps him extremely busy fetching chilled white wine and appetizers! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Todd Gnissios

I never thanked you for your wonderful dinner. It was great to see you and catch up on your adventures. I will endeavour to get my place in a semblance of order soon so I can return the favour. Todd.

Hi Todd, look forward to dinner at your place. Hope your work is going well. I'm sure there's alot to be done. Take care, Corinne

Hello Duhlink and Goils!

Trust all the working girls are fine! Cora Lee, thanks for Todd's message. I guess you don't have his email address. I want to send him some snaps but cannot do so on LinkedIn. I'll ask him for his address and then post pics.

Hope you had a good night's sleep. I took out the chicken this morning. Just waiting for the Dirt Devils to arrive. Grogg didn't write Sharon and Crystal on calendar but he had mentioned them coming before they left. Chat before you leave for VI tomorrow. Cheers, Patrizzio/Dad! 

Hi Todd! Great to see you! I have a few snaps to send along. Do you have an email address I can use to get them to you? Cora Lee is coming over to Parksville tomorrow, with her parents. We will be here, house/cat sitting until January 27th. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Sanguine Man!

Trust all goes well in the busy metropolis! Seems as if Wordsmith is speaking directly to us about the tyranny of The Sisterhood:

Potentate

MEANING:

noun: One having great power, especially an autocratic person.

 Cheers, Patrizzio!


Hello Dearest Cruel Swiss/Lia Babysitters!

Trust 2014 is treating you well! I'm sure you are enjoying grand-parenting! Thank you for your kind wishes, news and wonderful pictures.  Fondestos and Cheers to one and all, Patrizzio!

P, just heading out to meet Ray for a wind free ride to Iona. I am looking forward to seeing him. Potentate indeed. You can imagine how true this rings with my sister and her bandits now that my father has parted. Safe riding today -- I mean in the massage chair of course with the wine guard cat. W

Hi Jean and John!

Thanks again for lovely visit and fabulous food and wine. Trust session with chiropractor went as well as can be expected and that you had a pleasant drive home. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Your visit and a soundly sleeping cat now that the hounds have departed!

 

Hi Stefano and Kathleen!

Trust 2014 is treating you both well! Thought I'd say hello from Madroña Manor now that I've been in Nanoose Bay/Parksville since last Thursday.  Fondestos and Cheers to one and all, Patrizzio!


Healthy New Year Stephano!

First, let me extend my sympathies to you on the death of your Uncle Aubrey. I learned about this yesterday, from both Mark and George. Again, sincere condolences. I am finally managing to get around to answering the horrendous number of messages that fell by the wayside over the course of the busy holidays. Sad that first message to you in 2014 should be to express sorrow.  
At any rate, I had been meaning to send along a brief message after I bumped into you at the UGC'c concert. Our family certainly enjoyed the marvellous performance. Didn't know that you were a member of the St Mary's choir. A man of many talents!

Did enjoy your poems. Perhaps I'll start writing some myself since the house is right on the water and eagles soar above the trees out front. Again, heartfelt sympathy. All the best, Patrizzio!

Healthy New Year, Declan and Maya!

First, let me extend my congratulations to you and David, (Great invitation, Declan!), on your coming wedding! I learned about this from Chloë's message earlier today. At any rate, I had been meaning to send along a brief message to thank you for the Christmas picture and season's wishes. I am finally managing to get around to answering the horrendous number of messages that fell by the wayside over the course of the busy holidays. Delighted that first message to you in 2014 should be to express congratulations! Onward! Congratulations to David, as well, of course. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Stats for today's ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/430653536#.Utc2iytdNBc.email

Dear Night Owl:

Thanks for letting me know about George/Mark. I heard about George falling on ice but was not aware of the extent of trauma he suffered. We have since spoken.

Did you pick up Fanny Bay oysters—the jewels of Vancouver Island—on your bike trip?

Yes we are coming tomorrow as planned. Before it gets dark as I want to check out the digs.

Sorry, but can’t pull off the appetizer at this time as I’ve been inundated with striking off completed tasks on the ‘to do’ list since we returned from holiday.

I think around 3:30 –4:00 p.m. +/- as previously mentioned. Thanks for the consideration of a sleepover but Natalia starts her work day at 6:00 a.m. A la prochaine. Moi!

Dear Blind as a Bat!

If you had bothered to read my missive with the scrutiny I assume you wish me to bring to bear on your labour of love, you will have realized that I did not, in fact, cycle to Fanny Bay. I was 10 km from the famed oyster beds but I have seen them on past rides, mounds of shucked shells waiting to be used on driveways or elsewhere. Too, too bad about the salmon but we don't usually eat with our meals anyway!

Will have Cimcky on alert between 3:30-4:00 pm so we will be ready to receive our Honoured Nanaimoids, as oppose dto Painful Hemorrhoids! I understand about Natalia's work, of course. Anyway, you decide when you want/need to leave if we haven't thrown you out earlier!
 

As I'd had a fairly lengthy ride yesterday, (almost to Fanny Bay!), I decided I would just go for a "stretch" ride today. With that in mind I decided to head for Englishman River Falls, out of Parksville, towards Coombs, off the Alberni Hwy. I've ridden there before, a number of times, and it is quite pleasant, mainly woodland with acreages along the way, once one is off the busy thoroughfare and heading towards Errington. Once in Parksville didn't take too, too long to find my way although I needed to do a bit of dipsy doodling until I actually connected with the Alberni Hwy.

Very foggy again but more than pleasant. Didn't stop to take a look at the Falls as I want to bring Cora Lee's parents here. I know Dusty will probably want to paint the river and the rock formations. Have you seen it? Not Niagara but still well worth a picnic or even just a quick gander, especially when weather is fine. At least in my opinion BUT we all know what you think of such advice!

Return leg is more than a piece of cake as it is pretty much all a downhill grade until one is back in Parksville itself. Wanted to log 60+km by the time I was back so did a number of loops of the Parksville Industrial Park before making my way across the Island Hwy E and back onto Northwest Bay Rd. Just as I was cresting the small hill past Beaver Creek Wharf Rd I thought I noticed a wobble in my rear tire so turned off onto Arbutus Dr, (I would normally have continued on to Wall Beach Rd and then meandered back to Madroña Dr that way, to log the extra, needed distance.), and assessed the situation. By the time I was but a block from home, I knew I had been incredibly lucky as I did have a flat! What a complete drag it would have been if such had developed when I was out near Englishman Falls! Can't even bear to think about The Burning Ground!
 
Anyway, once home I tried to re-inflate the tire, hoping the valve had somehow come loose but no luck. I plan to take bike into cycle shop in Parksville tomorrow morning. Will commandeer Grogg's Lexus, (Don't want to wait until Coramandel arrives with my vehicle.), as I know bike fits into it with back seats folded forward. 

Was planning to take it in anyway as I knew that I would probably have to have the gear cables readjusted. I had the drive train replaced, (Apparently I wore it out!), a week before coming over and I was told that this might be the case, after a week or so. Still, I cannot complain as this is probably only the third flat I've had in more than two years, if I remember correctly. First one was when we were in Falcon Lake, in June 2010, just a few months after I purchased bike. Of course I should be able to do all this myself BUT When in Rome do as the Romans! Not sure I'll be able to associate with the hoi polloi after spending time here! Millionaire by osmosis! Wine snob through discrete pilferage!!

Stats for today's ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/430653536#.Utc2iytdNBc.email

 

 Might take Grogg's bike for a ride if shop can't work on my bike right away. His steed isn't a carbon fibre so I'll get a workout just riding it on the flat! Anyway, looking forward to your visit. Just in case you have misplaced the coordinates:
Madroña Drive, Nanoose Bay, Patrizzio's cellulare! Travel safely. Cheers, Il Conduttore! 

Hello Wind Free Riders of the Iona Flatlands!

Trust your ride was enjoyable! Just chatted with Cora Lee a moment ago and she said it was quite warm in Vancouver today so you were probably riding in T-shirts! Who needs to travel to Nassau? We spit on the Caribbean!!! Anyway, looking forward to hearing about your ride today when you have a minute between icing your wrist, Whirlygig, and eating kale, Robo Man! Cheers, Il Conduttore! 

Hello Salt Mine Working Girl!

Trust your day underground was more than enjoyable! Just chatted with Cora Lee, (She sends her regards and is looking forward to arranging a dinner date when we return to Base Camp!), a moment ago and she said it was quite warm in Vancouver today so you were probably riding to and from the mine shaft in a T-shirt! Who needs to travel to Nassau? We spit on the Caribbean!!!

House belongs to friend, Grogg, (Gregg), whose Mom won $24.5 million in 2008. Only one other sibling, his brother Laurie! He and Lurchesca, (Francesca), bought this place about four years ago. Address is technically Nanoose Bay but they are closer to Parksville. Since they do a fair bit of travelling we have been asked to house/cat sit a number of times. Often we are away at same time so haven't been here for more than a year or so. Makes a very pleasant change when we can help out, however. Really have enjoyed getting to know this part of the province. Not sure I'd like to live here permanently but do enjoy a few weeks or a month. Anyway, looking forward to hearing about the ride you are planning for us as we sip Paul Mas Viognier in our camel packs! Bravo on your spin class! Is it heldh at Westpoint Multisport? Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Nice to hear from you, and Happy New Year!

I'll be in South Africa at the time, for the filming of the TV miniseries adaptation of The Book of Negroes. Sorry I can't make it to Vancouver at that time, but I hope to be able to do something along these lines another time. Best, Larry

Lads, Lawrence Hill cannot join us next month but I expect we can get him to join us another time which could be interesting. G               Excellent.

Please join us for our wedding on June 8th at Apple d’or.

2586 Naramata Road, Naramata, B.C.

Love, Maya & David

Maya and David'd wedding invite, just parents/kids/grannies and siblings, check out the Declan drawing, pretty cute!!

Great drawing...so you're not going? No and I'm fine with it. :)

Healthy New Year to you and Claire, Dennisovitch!

I had been meaning to send along a message to thank you for the info on riding in Tulum, ages ago. I am finally managing to get around to answering the horrendous number of messages that fell by the wayside over the course of the busy holidays. At any rate, when are you scheduled to have your hip replaced?  Onward! Fight!! Cheers, Patrizzio!