British Summertime Blues: Monday, March 31st!

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. -St. Augustine (354-430)

Whenever anyone has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the offense cannot reach it. -Rene Descartes, philosopher and mathematician (1596-1650)  


Hello Post-Mortem Petros! Glad you enjoyed snail photos and "amusing" message! Truly sorry I was not able to join you for dissection of Byron's bidding and more sparring with the Twisted Twin Sisterhood! 

As you know, my Gran Fondo training regimen would not allow me to partake of more of your more than generous hospitality. However, I was hoping for some "overlefts", at least a couple of sandwiches made from the wonderful bread and pork of Saturday's divine dinner, but my pathetic support crew leaves much to be desired!
 
Stopped Bliss Bakery & Bistro in Peachland for a bite of lunch, thank you very much! Had a great roast beef sandwich, Sarge a turkey one, Flamin' Black Bean Soup but poor Coriandre had to make do with a gluten-free cookie and a Chai Latte as soup wasn't GF. Smooth sailing home although snow flurries on Coquihalla approaching summit. Home by just a few minutes after 5:00 pm. Unloaded car and then I had a quick shower. Went next door to have tasty dinner prepared by Clarisse. Back home around 8:00 pm to watch Foyle's War and then a fairly early night to read in bed before turning out light and dream of party and bidding Two Diamonds!
 

Trust Lynne is starting to feel better. Gang said she had a nasty cough. Perhaps you need to rub her chest with single malt! Thanks again for fabulous party. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: More of evening. Will send along remainder in following, text-free messages!

Patrick, Thanks for all the wonderful photos and also for the Bookers. Fred, Byron, Anne and I sampled it last night, celebrating my match play victory over Byron. Do you want me to pick up your clip-ons from the winery? Peter

Hi Booker T. & the MG's! Glad you liked rest of snapolas and that Bookers served you well as a celebratory drink. Congratulations on your golf victory over Byron. [Before I forget, please pass along his phone number/address as I can include him in our weekly bridge gathering if he is interested.]
 
We must belong to a mutual courier service society! Thanks for offer to collect clip-ons. Much appreciated. However, unless you plan to be in Vancouver before early May, Flamin' will be back in your neck of the woods on May long weekend with friends from Dartmouth and she said she would mule them back. I'm certain she will probably want to go to 8th Generation to taste and buy so please don't put yourself out. I popped up to MEC this morning, right at 10:00 am when store opened, and picked up another pair. Good to have a second pair to rotate using, from one ride to the next, as it allows them to dry out and thereby extends the usage life of both pairs. Did the same with my court shoes when I played squash and I still have a couple of pairs, (almost new), I use with my non-clip-on pedals, for errands and such.

Had arranged to go out with Robo Man and Whirlygig at 11:30 am, (To give me time to get back home with new shoes.), and we had a wonderful ride, (Missed the stunning views of lake, hills, mountains, however!), to Stanley Park. Gorgeous day and finally feels warm! Did an up-and-over of Lions Gate and then back, after a short jog along Spirit Trail into North Van. I accompanied lads back to intersection of Point Grey and Macdonald and then waved goodbye to dipsy-doodle my way around Kits Point to give me the extra distance I wanted to push me over 50 km by the time I was back at Bookers B & B! Stats for ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/471314243#.Uznmin8A07M.email
 

Coriandre has her Book Club this evening so I'm hoping to make significant inroads into my own "homework", Bernardo Atxaga's Obabakoak, Stories from a Village. He is a Basque writer and this work was suggested by Jon Artano, Basque himself, a very interesting young man I met at the VWF last year. Invited him to join our Book Club and he did so. As well, just had a message from Dermot Shirley, husband of Sara, [Young woman I worked with at UBC and who now is Whistler Wonder Woman with two Gran Fondos there, under her belt, and a third ride to Seattle, charity for cancer, coming up in June!], and he is on for this Sunday's gathering. We had them for dinner a month or so ago and I invited Dermot to join book club as he is an avid reader as well. Think he will be a wonderful addition to an already diverse and interesting group of chaps. Even have an engineer, Moe Tootoonian, from Iran!
 

One of NRBCers, [Non-Readers Book Club as Whirlygig and I are often only two who have read selection!], lives in Nanaimo and comes over to attend. He usually stays with Giggster as they have been close friends ever since they met, back in the '80's, in Toronto, when they were both working for McClelland & Stuart, I believe. Anyway, he is a bridge player so we often have a table Sunday afternoon of the gathering. Start playing shortly after Whirlygig collects Kurt from Horseshoe Bay.  Plenty of hootch, of course, so everyone is in fine fettle by the time the NRBC convenes at 7:00 pm!

 Must away as I need to make a salad to have with the cheese and tomatoe macaroni "overlefts" Rosita brought over earlier today. Cora Lee is not very happy as it isn't gluten-free and she has always loved her Mom's version of this simple but scrumptious dish. Fondestos to our still Favourite Naramations! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Flamin' "practicing" her nefarious skills at Black Widow on Friday! Cora Lee relaxing after an arduous afternoon of tasting; my mirror "selfie" with workstation; dinner that evening!         Hello St Ives People!

Thanks for last news-filled message! [I picked up a Vintage Railway Posters 2014 Diary somewhere in Cornwall and one of the nostalgic posters for March is of St Ives, Carbis Bay and Lelant so I am quite jealous of your  two-day break!] Sorry to hear about Sydney House but understand completely. In fact, I think you are quite right to make the difficult decision before you are "forced", for one reason or another, to do so. Much looking forward to Camel Valley's 2013 Bacchus but please hold the moths! [You wrote: "It was good but needs a couple more moths in the bottle." I understand that some wineries are adding moth-balls to speed up maturation process!

We certainly had a terrific two day break ourselves, [We both lead such busy, demanding lives the we obviously need "breaks" of this sort, much to our long-suffering children's annoyance!], in the Okanagan this past weekend.  Left at 6:45 am to drive the Hope-Princeton to arrive in Keremeos by 10:45 am only to find one of our favourites, Herder, closed, For Sale! Next one, Orofino, another favourite, closed as well. Later learned that most of the smaller places don't open until after Easter. Passed on Crowsnest as I have found their offerings "spotty" in past. On into Osoyoos to find Young & Wyse closed but owner would return in an hour if we could wait/return. Too thirsty to stick around so on towards Oliver where we finally struck it rich at Road 13, formerly Golden Mile until 2003. Wines very much improved since then and Joe Luckhurst, son of owners, now General Manager, once worked with Nicolina at Village Wines on 1st and Burrard. We had a grand time chatting and when I mentioned that we would all be going to Mexico in a few weeks for her wedding, he gave Flamin' a bottle of 2010 Sparkling Chenin as a congratulations gift!

On to Hester Creek for another lovely tasting. Vivacious young woman behind counter noticed Skate Canada logo on Sarge's jacket, (wind-cheater!), and we discovered she'd figure skated where Prince Valiant had done some of his training in Burnaby. She is now judging some competitions so Flamin' and Sarge both had much in common. AS a result we managed to recieve preferential treatment, ie., more and larger pours!

Into restaurant there for a very tasty Antipasto Platter, (cured meats, roasted vegetables local artisan cheeses, cremona mustard, fresh focaccia bread), which we all shared. Flamin' and I both had a bowl Tuscan White Bean Soup, (wilted greens, padano petals), and everyone had water as we needed to save ourselves for tastings ahead.

Onto Gehringer Brothers, almost immediately across road, to have a very enjoyable tasting with delightful Portuguese lady, (just back for a month visiting family), there. Then across valley to find both Stone Boat, (wonderful Pinotage!), and Qunta Ferreir, (another Portuguese grape-grower turned vintner), closed. Continued north into Oliver to find Fairview Cellars closed as well. Since were Sutherlands had cycled a few years ago, Sarge drove part of the route and then we made for Narmamata where we wanted to stop at Poplar Grove. Enjoyed another wonderful tasting here, (View is simply spectacular and building itself is a marvel.), and by chance couple beside us turned out to be up for 70th birthday party we were attending! Not only that but Byron and Ann Stuart live down the way from us at Leg 'n Boot Square!

Earlier, we had decided to have dinner at the Naramata Heritage Inn so we invited Ann and Byron to join us as they were staying there. Place was fully booked before we could make reservations so we were at Suite Dreams B & B, not al that far away, from either NHI or Lighthall's home where party was to be held. However, after checking into our quite comfy B &B with a stunning view of Okanagan Lake we decided to cook in as nobody wanted to be the designated driver and NHI was a bit too far to walk to and from, in the dark, up hill and down dale. Obviously, we had plenty of hootch and unit was well fixed in terms of kitchen utensils and very efficient bbq. We phoned the Stuarts to invite them but they felt much the same as we did, preferring not to have to leave the comfort of their lovely establishment either.

As you can well imagine, we had a wonderful evening and even managed to polish off four bottles of recent acquisitions while preparing dinner, with dinner and after dinner: Gehringer Brothers 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, 13.3% and Road 13 2011 Stemwinder, (Chardonnay & Viognier), to help with mixed salad, (Patrizzio), vegetables, (new potatoes done with sliced onions, in foil, Coriandre, on bbq, Sarge), and green beans, (Flamin'); 13.0%, Hester Creek 2011 Cabernet Franc, 13.8%, poifect with bbq'd steaks, Sarge and then a Poplar Grove 2013, Pint Gris, 13.5%, magnificent compliment to fresh strawberries we enjoyed for dessert!
 

Must away as I need to get organized to go to MEC for clip-ons as Whirlygig has propsied a ride out to Iona this morning. Day looks cloudy but dry. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

P, Sounds like a fun weekend and some good riding. Will catch on on the next therapy ride. I am good for a ride this morning for a couple hours -- maybe Iona? 10:30 start? W

Hi Driving School Instructor! Thanks again for tailoring your schedule to allow me to fit into outing. [Before I forget, I've asked Jugos dom Pedro to pass along Byron's phone number/address so we can include him in our weekly bridge gathering, if he is interested.] While I missed the stunning views of lake, hills, mountains in and around Naramata, it was such a gorgeous day here that the pain was assuaged somewhat! Let me know about Wednesday. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Stats for today's ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/471314243#.Uznmin8A07M.email

Hi Pat,

Sorry for the delay in replying, but I am in for Sunday. While the many messages appear to be in Byzantine code, I am guessing The Islay Inn is chez vous? What time? Other than charm, what else might I bring?
 
Hi Dermot!

Grand that you will join us this coming Sunday, April 6th at 7:00 pm. Yes, The Islay Inn/Island Inn, (Byzantine Code is necessary to keep our meetings secret from The Dreaded Sisterhood Malt Extermination Society!), is our place so I assume you will remember how to find us, once again. Come oozing charm and that will be all that is required unless you haven't finished reading Atxaga's Obabakoak. If this is the case you might want to stuff plenty of $5's in your wallet to pay any fines that might well be levied! I'm sure this will not be the case with someone as conscientious as you, however! See you Sunday. Regards to Whistler Wonder Woman! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Got the book from the fine bookworms of VPL yesterday. I will video myself reading as a preemptory strike against the tyranny of fines. See you Sunday

Hi Televideo Man!

I like your attitude! The best defense is offense! Actually, with technology available, perhaps you can just Skype us showing you finishing last page. Will still need to cross-examine you, however, face to face, to determine if you really read book in its entirety. See you in Kangaroo Court on Sunday! Cheers, Patrizzio, Il Giudice Impiccagione!
 
Please add me to the "regrets" list; I've just been assigned a last minute hearing in Chilliwack. Regards to all, Al

The patient has been discharged! I'm back at lunch.  Great; see you Thursday. 

Hi all, I hope you’re well. Here’s a scan of a full page that appeared in the Globe and Mail today, after David was interviewed. We’re quite pleased with it. Jonathan 

Hi Ayn!

Thanks for forwarding article. Please thank Jonathan as well. Also, didn't have time to comment on Vancouver Island musical. Perhaps we can take it to Minack next! When do you arrive in Bellingham? If things work out perhaps we could spend Friday night at Madroña Manor. Ferry might not be as busy later in evening and drive from Parksville to Tofino would probably be a more enjoyable trip if we didn't have to leave so early from Vancouver. Anyway, just a thought.
Love, Fondestos and Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio!

Hi Lisa and Jonathan!

Just a quick note of thank you to you and the rest of family for your generous invitation to join the Vogt Tofino Weekend. Certainly much appreciated and we are all looking forward to it and to seeing everyone. Thanks, as well, Jonathan, for Globe & Mail article which Ayn forwarded to us.

On the matter of Ayn's shawl/wrap, Lisa, I will be at UBC this coming Thursday and was wondering if anyone might be at home, some time mid-afternoon. If not, perhaps it could be left on the front porch somewhere and I could simply pop by and collect it. Not a big deal, in any event, and if not on Thursday, we can arrange another time that suits.

Again, thanks so much for wonderful invitation. All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Thanks Patrick. We’ll really look forward to seeing all of you. - Jonathan 

Hi Steak Man!

Sorry to take so long to reply to your message, Jarek. We spent the weekend in Naramata, wine-tasting and attending the 70th birthday of a close friend. Look forward to seeing you soon. Thanks again for lovely invitation. My mouth is already watering. Will try to arrange something before April 15th as that is when Durstons fly back to Winterpeg! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello parents, could one of you lovely retired folks call Casey from Dunbar lighting and see where he is now located and arrange to pick up the new shade, aka Grandma Dunn's lamp shade!! it should be $200? I believe how about the money will come back to you when my taxes are done or the first 15th of the month after Mexico. Love you!!! thank you!!

Hi Pushy De-Nested Child!

Your Grandfather said it was $100 just for house call! Which bill are you paying first? Cheers, Knee-cap Collection Agency!

Yeah I just discovered some pretty bad scratches on the bathroom counter that Crusty is not gentle. Thanks for coming but the place needs to be padded before he enters. xx

Hi Ms Obsessive!

Those "scratches" must have been there before as I took the cover and placed it on kitchen counter so it wouldn't get broken. No tools present either as Dusty said he wouldn't need any. Even put the small metal box which was on the cistern cover on a magazine on bathroom counter. Maggie's spirit claws? Cheers, Plumber's Assistant!

Hi Elly and Antonio!

Sarge forwarded your last message. Sounds like a pretty busy life, let alone full travel itinerary! Really looking forward to seeing you both. Take care of each other until we see you. Keep ironing your T-shirts, Antonio!!! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Saint Filmer!

Not sure if you are trying to convert me away from the Church of In Vino Veritas but I'm a True Believer in this faith so try selling your bibles elsewhere, Mormon Man! Enjoyed clip but it doesn't really appeal, prefer jazz.

On the other hand, the four of us had a terrific time sinning this past weekend, in the Okanagan. Take care of each other until we see you, some time in late July. More details later. Keep praying and drinking holy rum! Cheers, Patrizzio!

PS: Forgot to mention that John Wigle was at 70th party as he is a good friend of Birthday Girl's husband, Peter. He asked about you and David, Sally. Pic: John on right. 

Post-Bash/8th Generation/Summerland Blues: Sunday, March 30th!

Words are like money ... it is the stamp of custom alone that gives them circulation or value. -William Hazlitt, essayist (1778-1830) 

Words are the only things that last forever; they are more durable than the eternal hills. -William Hazlitt, essayist (1778-1830) 

Hi Fabulous Boithday Goil and Her Toy Boy!

Just a quick note, as I enjoy a piece of purloined birthday cake, to thank you both for the wonderful, wonderful evening. Such incredible food and drink and such a delight to meet Peter's charming sisters and their long-suffering husbands, as well as so many of your other friends, who obviously rank far higher on the social ladder than do we Granville Islanders!

Nonetheless, it was such great good fun that to be included, at all, was more than compensation for the many snubs, insults and malignings delivered throughout the course of an other wise fun-filled evening. On behalf of Flamin', Sarge and Coriandre, I , Patrizzio, bring good wishes and Buona Fortunas for the rest of your Seventieth Year, and beyond, Lovely Lynne, and hopes for better bridge cards, for you, Dom Jugos! Cheers, from the wrong side of the Granville Island railroad tracks, your hard scrabble, noisy and obnoxious, (at least one of us), hard drinking, bourbon guzzling, white lightning trash, yet adoring, (if not adorable), nay loving, friends!
 

Pics: A smattering of snapolas from last night's festivities! PS: More to follow!

Hi Patrick, Many thanks for the wonderful photos and your amusing e-mail. I'm only disappointed we had to wait so long for you to send the pics. Are we going to see you for breakfast? Lots of post-mortems going on here. Cheers from me and the goils. Peter 

Hi Lads! Trust you both enjoyed the weekend, gardening and Kamloops, as the case happened to be. We certainly had a terrific time wine-tasting and Lynne's 70th birthday party was a wonderful, wonderful affair. In spite of all the socializing and sipping I managed to get in two great rides. 

On Saturday, we left our B & B around 9:30 am to head south towards Penticton. Flamin' and Sarge only wanted to go as far as town so I left them when they peeled off Naramata Road to follow the Kettle Valley Bike Path. I didn't want to accompany them on it as it isn't paved at that point. Grade is far less steep so better for Flamin', particularly on return leg, as she hadn't ridden since last September/October in France, along canal/river. I continued on, out of Penticton, on Eastside Road, (east side of Skaha Lake), turning onto Mclean Creek Road, just past Blasted Church Vineyards, a route Sarge had pointed out to me when we drove up from Oliver on Friday. 

They had ridden it as part of their preparation for their biking holiday in italy a number of years ago. This route drops one down into Okanagan Falls and once there I was reasonably familair with roads/terrain, although I did discover the lovely road to Blue Mountain, an appointment only winery so I'd not been there before. Ride back was more than pleasurable as I had been bucking a very fiercesome  head wind, right out of the south, ever since leaving Naramata. Had about 85 km on the clock once I was past Lower Debeck Rd to take me back to our B & B so I knew I had about 8 km more to ride along N Naramata Rd if I wanted to log a 100+ km ride. Had never been on this stretch before so found it quite interesting. 

Had a little more than the required distance when I came to the turn-off for Chute Lake Rd so turned around here. Quite a climb so will have to explore next time. Ride back into the head wind wasn't quite as bad as I'd feared and I was able to maintain the 21.0 km/hr AVG that I'd managed with the wind at my back. Stats for ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/469825976#.UzdcOYImlk4.email

On Sunday, Flamin' had arranged to pick up a case of wine from 8th Generation just outside of Summerland but contact couldn't be there until noon. This being the case, I decided I'd ride there and meet gang at winery. 

I wanted to ride that leg as Gran Fondo starts out leaving Penticton by first looping around Summerland before heading down route I'd cycled to OK Falls. I'd ridden section from there to Oliver so I was trying to cover as many of the constituent parts as possibel. Most arduous section is back north, out of Oliver, over Fairview Mountain and thence to Penticton. I've only ridden easiest section of that leg, from Oliver itself to Fairview Golf Course which is basically at the base of the mountain. Sarge/Flamin' did most of it on same weekend they rode part I mentioned earlier. As well, have not ridden from Oliver, about half way to Osoyoos and back to Oliver but that is not overly taxing, relatively speaking, given generally flat terrain, although it is a continuous, long, gradual uphill climb. 

Easiest ride of the weekend as once I'd descended into Penticton, wind was at my back again and I literally whizzed north along the water, on 97, wind blasting me along to Summerland. I was past winery by 11:00 am so I spent remainder of the hour didpsy-doodling through the community bordered by the Okanagan Hwy, aforementioned 97, on the west, Landry Crescent on the north and Stoner Street on the south. Had 51+ km on the clock when I pulled into the winery parking lot at just a few minutes after 12:00 pm. Stats for ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/470816954#.Uzj1g5jRsQg.email

Primarily due to flat terrain and very strong wind I was able to achieve a an AVG of 23.1 km/hr so I was quite pleased as this is one of highest ever for me. Only drawback was that I left my clip-ons at winery! I had packed a small bag of clothes to change into, out of my soaked riding togs, and left my jacket and vest on a bench in tasting room, shoes on the floor nearbye. When I was changing in washroom Sarge loaded my bike and when I came out with the bag of dirty laundry, (Not to be confused with nearbye winery of same name!), he was back inside and brought over my jacket and vest to stuff them in same bag. I assumed he'd already packed my shoes and never thought to look for them as I was busying buying wine that Cora Lee had already tasted an insisted I should purchase! 

I was quite thirsty, as you might appreciate, but I didn't want to have any alcohol. Delightful woman behind counter gave me a large glass of the wonderful alcohol-free grape juice they produce and sell so that really hit the spot! Anyway, we loaded our purchases into car and took off for the Connector, 97C just north of Peachland. Had been on the road for about ten minutes when Flamin's phone rang and we were informed we'd left my shoes! Decided not to turn back as I've been thinking about buying a second pair, (Actually a "third" pair as my originals are waiting for me in France! However, I left those there on purpose!), so will need to do that reasonably early tomorrow morning, as soon as MEC opens.

That being the case, wondering if anyone is keen to ride, where and when? Let me know and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Birthday Goil, Lynne, and Byron; Peter, Sara, (former grad student of Lynne's), and Sarge; The Sisterhood in full, hostile mode! Joy Road Catering folks who did an incredible job. Sarge and I taking on all comers! Lake in front of our B & B this morning! 

 Just trying to figure out your plans for your Visit to our fair city. Wayne
 

G’day Wayne and Michelle Sorry about not responding earlier but everything seems to be happening here at once. As our tenants have now moved out we are finally at the point of moving to our Miami place this Wednesday with settlement on our Mermaid house two weeks later on the 14th of April. Once these two little events are over we can start finalising “The Trip”. Although there is not a lot left to be organised.

To date we are booked to arrive in Vancouver at lunch time on the 6th of May. On the morning of the 10th of May we board the Crown Princess for 7 action packed days cruising to Anchorage on the inside passage. From Anchorage we do a five day round trip to Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and McKinley Princess Lodge. Seems to be a lot of Princesses up your way? We return to Vancouver on the 22nd of May arriving at 7pm. 

After four more days in sunny Vancouver we fly on to Toronto on the morning of the 26th. After a side trip to Niagara Falls we depart Toronto by train for Montreal on the morning of the 29th. Boarding the overnight train from Montreal to Halifax on the 1st of June we eventually arrive at 6:30pm on the 2nd. At this stage we are proposing one night in Halifax and then hiring car and doing some sightseeing returning there on the 5th to catch our plane to New York on the 6th.

From New York we fly to Paris on the 10th of June with no definite plans till we fly out on the 24th of July to Singapore then on to Brisbane on the 28th.
We are both looking forward to our ”winter” holiday after selling and moving homes, it will be just the thing to recharge our batteries.
 

How’s the wedding plans going should be all organised by now? All the best, Tony 

Hi all. This message is meant mainly for those attending the lunch at Sage
April 3rd 2014.

Our agenda: 11:30-12:00 ... arrive, chat, 12:00-1:00 ... lunch, 1:00-2:00 ... updates: Ingrid Parent - UBC Libraries update, Nadine Baldwin - Heads-up re new extended health/travel insurance option, You - chat For your information, 21 will attend our 2014 lunch: Nadine Baldwin/Technical Services, George Brandak/Special Collections-Archives, Lore Brongers/Macmillan, Pat Dunn/Interlibrary Loans, Laurenda Daniells/Special Collections-Archives, Don Dennis/Systems, Ture Erickson/Sedgewick, Linda Joe/Asian Library, Janice Kreider/Collections,

Iza Laponce/Humanities-Social Sciences, Manny Madewan/Technical Services, Helen Mayoh/Science & Engineering, Doug McInnes/Administration, Ingrid Parent/University Librarian, Anne Piternick/School of Library & Archival Information, Margaret Price/Woodward, Bev Scott/Humanities-Social Sciences, Tom Shorthouse/Law, Allen Soroka/Law, Joan Whitney/Sedgewick, Frances Woodward/Special Collections-Archives. I've given our former Library location as best I can remember it to help identify us to Ingrid and our new member, Manny Madewan.
 

I don't ask people to send me their regrets, but a number usually do. I realize I should give you a list of them as well. They always send their best wishes and greetings to the group: Florence Doidge, Nancy Forbes, Margaret Friesen, Jocelyn Godolphin, Matt Hartman, Theresa Iverson, Helene Redding, Ann Rowley, Julie Stevens, Paul Thiele, Kirsten Walsh, Bill Watson, Elsie Wollaston.

Other details: Cheques: I deposited them all on March 28th 2014. Contract: I signed this and faxed it to Nick Yamada March 29th 2014.

JV: I assume the Library will get this to Nick Yamada early this week. I sent a reminder March 29th. This is a convenience to us as it means I don't have to make the payment until the day of the lunch. My thanks to Ingrid once again for this assistance.
 
Meal & drink tickets: Linda Joe will help me distribute these to you
as you arrive. Please place them by your plate to assist Nick's servers and make checking meal and drink details to the contract for
final reconciliation easy.

Name tags: Linda will also help me distribute these to you as you
arrive. I'll make them up with your name and Library location so all
you need to do is put them on. Please do this to assist Ingrid and Manny.

Lastly, our location on the east side of Sage MAY change slightly to the former bar area. If it does, those with mobility difficulties will not have to be concerned about getting to the lower level where  the Music Room used to be. See you later this week, Nadine

70th Birthday Bash/Naramata Bench Blue Mountain Blues: Saturday, March 29th!

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. -Joseph Addison, writer (1672-1719) 

Thank you for your email and snaps of Vancouver skyline. Looking as stunning as ever!
 

We just returned from a two day break in St Ives. To explain, we will be putting Sydney House on the market later this year and Gayle and I have been thinking about life after Sydney House! I am closer to 70 than 65 and we no longer want or need all the maintenance and upkeep associated with this place. Maur and Bill also want to move on. After a lot of soul searching both Gayle and I agree we need to declutter and move to a place where we do not have to think of maintenance, gardening and high energy bills which continue to escalate in England. 

My gorgeous grandson - 2 days old! No name yet x, Penny!

We also, quite frankly, just have too much 'stuff'. Anyway to cut a long story short, there is a company over here that builds retirement apartments in various parts of the country for, shall we say, the more mature of us! They have just built a new one in St Ives and were offering a two day stay free of charge in one of their furnished suites. Consequently, Gayle and I took the opportunity to see what the building and apartments were like. We had a great couple of days poking our noses around the place and talking to various existing owners and the on site Manager about life in one of their buildings. 

Funnily enough I was chatting to one of the first people to move into the building, a chap called Brian. Turns out he is a retired police officer and used to be Steve Cothey's partner on patrol car duties! Small world. The apartments are extremely attractive but quite small. A two bedroom is probably half the size of where we are now. You don't get a lot for your money! But I have to say suites are more than adequate for Gayle and I. Whether we move into one of their adult apartments remain to be seen but it gave us a good idea of how our scaled down life would be! We and if we do sell Sydney House we have decided to move to Southampton, Hythe to be precise. It makes perfect sense since we will be within walking distance of Marnie. Hythe town is a level 15 minute walk and we can take the ferry across to Southampton without the need of using the car. We will also be closer to Heathrow and, of course, all the main cruise ships leave from Southampton. Another plus for me is the cycling. No more ghastly Cornish hills!!
 

Black Widow, Upper Bench, Misconduct

While we were in St Ives we went for dinner at a seafood restaurant that Gudrun recommended. You select your own type and size of fish from their fresh display which they cook to your liking with a variety of seafood sauces. Very delicious.

Gayle is without her girls for Mothers Day tomorrow so I said I would take her out for breakfast and cook a nice Thai meal for her (which is what Krissy used to cook for her!)

We went to Camel Valley last week to try their 2013 Bacchus. It was good but needs a couple more moths in the bottle. I have bought you a bottle so will bring it over in September. All good wishes, Derek 

Stats for today's ride: 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/469825976#.UzdcOYImlk4.email

Sarge opened another Poplar Grove 2013, Pint Gris, 13.5% to have while we readied ourselves for Lynne's party. 

Blanton’s Gold Edition Bourbon - $135.10

Everybody loves bourbon, that’s a fact, and Blanton’s makes you love bourbon just that much more. A sour mash of corn, rye and malted barley aged in white oak barrels in warehouse “H”, this powerful bourbon has a nose of honey and heavy rye, followed by a peppered and honeyed palate. Best served straight, it has a long and delicious finish. Lukas Sopuch|Spirits Team|Legacy Liquor Store 
 

 

Beyond Hope-Princeton Blues: Friday, March 28th

The mind is the effect, not the cause. -Daniel C. Dennett, philosopher (b. 1942) 

Ayn, what a great way to start the day! I’m really glad you can all come to Tofino in August, even if it’s only for two nights. That’s wonderful! 

So we’re a go for two nights in Tofino…sounds like a Broadway musical

*TWO NIGHTS IN TOFINO – SOLD OUT*

Eiffel Tower's 125th Birthday!

Trump card:

MEANING:

noun:	1. In card games, a suit chosen to rank above the others.
	2. Something that gives an overriding, decisive advantage.

ETYMOLOGY:

An alteration of the word triumph, which was the name of an old card game. Earliest documented use: 1823.

Up at 4:33 am as I felt pretty good although I hadn't turned off my bedside lamp until just before 1:00 am. Had a hit of java and then started to pack the few remaining bits of cycling gear I had washed the night befoer and hung up to dry. Next packed a small lunch for the road, after choosing a number of CD's for our listening pleasure while on the highway and wine-tasting. 

I heard Cora Lee in the shower around 5:30 am and she appeared at 5:45 am, complaining that she couldn't sleep, once was up and "making noise!" I replied that I couldn't sleep as she had been conducting high velocity wind tunnel experiments all night! Must away, as I am off to shower and change and then have a bit of breakfast.

Keremeos by 10:45 am, Herder, closed, For Sale, Orofino, closed, passed on Crowsnest, into Osoyoos to find Young & Wyse closed but owner would return in an hour if we could wait/return. On towards Oliver where we finally struck it rich at Road 13, formerly Golden Mile, 2003. Wines very much improved since then and Joe Luckhurst, son of owners, now General Manager, once worked with Nicolina at Village Wines on 1st and Burrard. We had a grand time chatting and when I mentioned that we would all be going to Mexico in a few weeks for her wedding, he gave Flamin' a bottle of 2010 Sparkling Chenin as a congratulations gift!

Wine we drank while preparing dinner, with dinner and after dinner:

Gehringer Brothers 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, 13.3% and Road 13 2011 Stemwinder, (Chardonnay & Viognier), 13.0%, Hester Creek 2011 Cabernet Franc, 13.8%, poifect with bbq'd steaks; Poplar Grove 2013, Pint Gris, 13.5%, magnificent compliment to fresh strawberries we enjoyed for dessert!                            Hello Patrick, 

It was so great to all get together like this.. Even with you being at our table it was a fun visit. We made it work. My invitation remains open with no expiry date however it is void only when Steak is ordered. Just kidding. Look forward to our next get together.  We usually leave for the weekends to our cabin. So any Monday thru Friday breakfast visit work great for us just let us know. Sincerely, Jarek 

Angostura Trinidad & Tobago Caribbean Rum - $62.75

Distilled in Trinidad & Tobago by Master Distiller John Georges, this traditional Trinidadian rum is aged in ex-bourbon oak casks for seven years to develop deep-layered characteristics. Chocolate, honey and toffee provide a remarkably warm and mellow finish. Enjoy neat, over ice or in your favourite cocktail where its true character can shine. Darcy Sidhoo | Spirits Team | Legacy Liquor Store

Pre-Blast-Off Blues: Thursday, March 27th!

A pedestal is as much a prison as any small space. -Gloria Steinem, activist, editor (b. 1934) 

Dear Sir Patrick and Lady Coriander.Thanks for your usual newsy email. Apologies. I thought Ihad opened the Jacquie Lawson card.I remember opening an Xmas card. I must have thought it was the same one.No change since we last talked.Much work to finish off, mostly transport.Lots of singing as usual. Bach Choir and a solo this Sunday in church a negro spiritual. An extra practice for Beethoven ninth symphony tonight. I went to a violin concert with a market research friend last week before my afternoon shift. It was at St Martin and the Fields our usual haunt. V. good as usual. Glad cycling going well. I keep fitish walking and swimming as usual. Must dash to choir. Fondestos.

 

"Jane Jacobs, iconoclastic author of such works as the landmark Death and Life of Great American Cities and The Economy of Cities. Jacobs, in our view, was one of the great original thinkers of our age, who according to architectural critic Inga Saffron 'almost single-handedly launched the movement to stop America's cities from being paved over by highways, housing towers and high-handed urban renewal projects.' Written in 1961, Death and Life was a withering critique of the post-World War II planning establishment, which believed it could cure what ailed America's cities by replacing dense downtown neighborhoods with a monoculture of concrete public-housing towers. Mrs. Jacobs took the then-radical view that cities derived their richness from diversity itself -- their natural if sometimes scruffy mix of people, buildings and commerce. 

Jacobs and Robert Moses!

Her observations were initially derided as the quaint musings of a simple housewife with no academic degree. It didn't help that she was a woman commenting on a largely male profession, or that she wore her hair in a childish page-boy with self-cut bangs and owlish glasses. But Mrs. Jacobs had her revenge. Her revolutionary ideas have been thoroughly absorbed into mainstream thinking while her critics have been discredited with one public-housing implosion after another. A review in the New York Times grandly declared her book 'the most influential single work in the history of town planning.'" The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Jane Jacobs, Vintage, 1961

Hi Patrick, You don’t need to use your donor voucher for that event – it is part of the reception invitation. So you can use it another day! Ann
Hi Ann! Thanks so much! Things just keep getting better and better and better! Books, free tickets, wine, caviar! What's next? Cheers, Patrizzio!

P, hope you got a ride in lasterday and dodged the hail. We are just walking out the door, returning from K in the evening Saturday. Have a good trip to OK Noggin yourselves. Cell block 2736 G is now vacated. W

Hi C'lown(a) on the sustainable lam(b)!

Guess I'd better suit upin my rain-proof cat burglar togs and jimmy your back door to grab your malt to replace much of what was downed, here, lasterevening! More anon, but foist...

Hope to sneak in a short "stretch" ride shortly, on Brodie, as both forecast and sky suggest on-going showers. The Milionaires are coming for dinner, arrivng around 5:00 pm to have drinks here with Flamin' and Sarge as they curl at 6:30 pm. Won't be a late night as we are off at 6:30 am next morning. 

As it turns out, we are now going to take our bikes, having decided to let Domestique Coriandre meet us, probably in Okanagan Falls, on Saturday morning. Perhaps a variation of same on Sunday morning, before we head home. At any rate, trust you Interior Monologue cursing The Sisterhood, goes well in The Interior. Fondestos to Warden Kerry. Are you wearing an electronic shackle on your ankle? Might give you extra heft when you kick one of the West Van yappy mutts! Cheers, Dipsy Doodle Dipster Dunn!
Left at about 1:20 pm. No rain but forecast predicted some so I took my Brodie as I didn't want to have wet clip-ons to take upcountry. Seawall to Stanely Park, via Science World for a three Prospect Point Loops. Day turned out to be far drier than yesterday, (not a raindrop to be had!), and sun actually started to shine through heavy overcast as I made my way back from SP. English Bay looked magnificent, as if some molten metal had been drizzled over its surface, ribbons of silver lacing the water, different temperatures of current I suppose. Effect was magical whatever the underlying cause.  Bit of ahead wind on last leg of approach home but I pushed as hard as I could as I wanted to try to bring up AVG from 21.05, reading exiting park, to as close to 22.0 as I could manage. Felt pretty good to reach 51.07 km for AVG 21.7 km/hr over 2:21'26, MAX 53.5 km/hr, given I had far steeper hills to climb on this ride than during yesterday's outing, spread out over far fewer extended flat stretches.

Back home to shower and change and am now waiting for the arrival of The Millionaires. Time to set the table so must away. Cheers, Patrizzio! 
 Dear Allen Soroka,

Thanks for signing our action alert, "Please Protect Wild Thompson River Steelhead in the IFMP" Will you take a second to help the cause by asking your friends to sign too? There's a sample email below that you can forward to your friends. Thanks again -- together we're furthering protections for our native Salmon and Steelhead. Native Fish Society
---------
Note to forward to your friends:

Hi! I just signed the Native Fish Society's petition "Please Protect Wild Thompson River Steelhead in the IFMP". It's important. Will you sign it too? Here's the link:

http://alerts.nativefishsociety.org/campaign/30-please-protect-wild-thompson-river-steelhead-in-the-ifmp?token=3600&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition  Thanks! Allen Soroka

Hi Big Al! I signed the petition and posted it on my Facebook page. Buona Fortuna! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello IHOP Man! Just a quick note to say how much we enjoyed our wonderful breakfast and seeing you and your lovely wife and difficult brother, after all these years! I do hope we can accept your generous invitation for another breakfast in the not too, too distant future. Just to warn you, I will probably be ordering steak since you are paying! All the best for now, from Clara, Dusty and Corinne. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Sir James and Lady Patrizzia!

I'm impressed with your messaging, Sir James! Keep it up! Not sure if we've been to St Martin and the Fields. Usually frequent St Martin in the Fields, our usual haunt! Been a busy week with spotty, rainy weather. Back home to shower and change, after my Stanley Park jaunt, and await the arrival of The Millionaires. 

They had been skiing at Whistler and were staying in Vancouver for most of weekend. Cora Lee did some spicy chicken, saffron rice and double-baked cauliflower, all mouth-watering. I contributed an avocado/tomatoe saladin and Rosita brought back some of last night's dessert overlefts. Grogg brought some very tasty wines and Lurch three delectable cheeses, for appetizers, so everyone had full tummies by the end of the evening.

Must away as I have to finish packing for weekend and just had a call from Andrew, in Toronto. He was quite drunk and called from a bar near his place. He will turn 68 this coming Saturday and is already starting to celebrate! Fondestos to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Taken Tuesday evening at dinner with Sutherlands. Avery being fed by her mother, Beckster; Molly and Jake with Coriandre and Flamin'.

Hi Cousins, I hope this email finds you both well this week :)

I had lunch with Rick last Friday and he plans to come to Tofino with Lori for the 23rd and 24th of August. My mom, Patrick and Chloe have offered to accompany me for those same two nights. We would have to come back that Monday morning of the 25th due to my having to return to work. With my traveling to Winnipeg to take Grandma Dunn's ashes earlier in August and to celebrate my Grandpa's birthday I won't have much vacation time to use I'm afraid.

Thank you again for the wonderful Tofino lodgings and I hope our not being able to stay all four nights will not be too much of an inconvenience. Hope all the other Vogts are doing well!

In 1976 I went to Tofino with my Mom and Patrick on their honeymoon and we checked into the Wickininnish Inn and then ran into your Mom and Dad...it would have been May 16th that year. It was always great to be in the same room with your parents and I took such pride in the fact I was member of their family! Hugs to all, Ayn