Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head Blues: Sunday, March 16th!

When women love us, they forgive us everything, even our crimes; when they do not love us, they give us credit for nothing, not even our virtues. -Honore de Balzac, novelist (1799-1850)

Hi David and Pat!

Sorry that it has taken me almost a week to reply to your last missive, David! Trust the Barrel Tasting Weekends went well. Your Boudin sounds delicious. Perhaps we should conscript you into making some at the bbq on Thursday night! Even better, perhaps we'll just let you do all the cooking: "famous chicken/roast potatoes, homemade sourdough pizza", what more could we desire! Don't wish to make you work, however, since you will be on holiday, after all! 

Am curious to know where your accountant has his boat docked. Maybe we should take it out and give you a tour of Vancouver from the water! My friend, Admiral Barnacle, (He has his rum runner docked just down the way from us at Spruce Harbour Marina.), would be delighted to captain a harbour cruise! Mentioned your bean counter at dinner last night, with friends, and host, Paul, (former Chief Librarian of VPL and colleague of Corinne's), said it was probably time for you to get another accountant. If he can afford boat and moorage at Granville Island he must be doing pretty well, with someone's money!
 
If we do go to Edible Bistro then probably best to do that on Wednesday evening, your first night at The Annexe. Easy walking distance from our place, 7 minutes to cover 600 metres/.37 miles. Probably a tad more than a mile, (specifically 2.1 km or 1.3 miles, about 29 minutes, by foot, including a short trip by Aquabus), from L'Hermitage, as you suggest. Fondestos to you both from Coriandre. Cheers from a Former Jail-Bird, now Pannekoeken Patrizzio!

Hi Big Al!

Sorry that it has taken me more than a week to reply to your last missive. Really glad that you didn't injure yourself even more seriously. Incredible how much force can be generated in a fall of almost any kind. Quite a few years ago, now, we had about six people over for dinner, wonderful lamb chops as main course. Coriandre had opened the dishwasher, either to take a platter out or put something else in, can't recall just which. Nevertheless, she forgot she had left door down when she returned to table to sit down and join the rest of us. Before so doing, she had turned off the kitchen lights and dimmed the lights over the table, for "elegant dining ambience!" Little while later, after she had responded to cries for more of the delicious chops, she took the platter with remaining ones, intending to put them back in the oven to keep them warm. Due to where she was seated she went into the kitchen through the entrance-way closest to hallway. (As suspense heightens, music gets louder! I guess you know where this is going!)
 

I think I was up from the table to change the music and when I looked back towards the kitchen I saw Poor, Poor Cora Lee flying, airborne, literally sailing past the sink, the platter with the remaining chops stretched out in front of her. Slow motion for a few seconds and then a huge bang/crash as platter shattered and she hit the floor, chops hither and yon! Guests were shocked, as well they might be, at having the dinner party so rudely interrupted. All except Flash who wasted not a moment to gather up strewn chops, rinsed them quickly, put them on another plate and popped them into waiting oven, leaving Cora Lee to gather up the many shards while he returned to the table, hardly missing a beat in the conversation!

In fact, she was very, very lucky, like you, as she could well have sustained far more grievous injury, had she cracked her head on the floor, per esempio. Initially, she landed on her right palm and it stung for a bit she but didn't seem to have suffered much else, so party continued. At evening's end I suggested that she should clear table just to make sure that there were no broken bones but this was not met with much warmth. 

And then, around 2:00 am, the pain in her wrist became intolerable and she drove herself to UBC, (figuring both VGH or St Paul's would be crazy), to have it looked at. No breaks but she did get some pills for the pain. Sad to say but she's carrying a chip on her shoulder, to this day, as I was too drunk to be able to drive her, even though I told her I was so upset at the accident that it was the only consolation I could find! The Sisterhood! One is always in the wrong no matter what one tries to do!!! Fondestos to you both from Coriandre. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi again, Bicycle Thief!

Forgot to congratulate you on your junkyard mentality! Lucky you are not married to Coriandre as she'd have had a fitlet, what with all the other stuff you salvaged from your last work project! Must away as I want to see if I can go for a short ride shortly. Forecast, if it holds, says it will just be cloudy until 4:00 pm. Wish me luck. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello World Travellers, Elaine and Ted, Liz and Doug!

Sorry that it has taken me almost a week to reply to your last, fascinating missive. Sounds like a glorious, glorious time so trust nothing but more of the same for rest of holiday! Fondestos to The Gang of Four from Coriandre. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello Cruel Swiss!

Sorry that it has taken me a bit to reply to your last missive. We are delighted, of course, that you are pleased with the books. Please thank Corina, again, for being such a willing courier! Enjoyed all the family news and the darling photographs of Lia. You must be very proud grandparents as she is such a lovely thing. Fond regards to the parents, Sabine and Simon, as well, lest we forget about them in the delight over Lia! Regards, natürlich, to Nicolevitch, Architect Extraordinaire of Zurich and Michaelovitch, Student Extraordinaire of Basil!
 

With respect to my biking, the secret is quite simple, in fact: Malt Whisky! And plenty of it!!! Fondestos to you both, dear Eveline and Heinz, and to extended family, from Coriandre. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Tinsel Town Rattlesnake Momma!

I'm pretty sure the Swiss National Polizei were in touch with the RCMP to make sure that Avery had a similar transponder installed! Fondestos to you and the rattler. Love and Cheers, Dad! 

Hi Ginette!

Thanks for directions to your studio. I will email before arranging to pop by. Buona Fortuna with rehab on your hand. Must away as I want to see if I can go for a short ride shortly. Forecast, if it holds, says it will just be cloudy until 4:00 pm. Wish me luck. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello Galiano Man! Trust your sojourn on the island was rewarding. Sorry that I didn't manage to get by to pick up the book. Don't know where the time fled this weekend! 
 

Sorry, as well, for abandoning you in your shorts and fenderless bike in the rain! Since traffic was pretty heavy and steady on Marine, I wanted to make for set of lights at 41st in order to cross, not wanting to stop and risk touching the "Burning Ground", as I'm sure you were aware! In fact, I thought you read my mind and were following me but soon realized you weren't at all interested in going any further than necessary. By the time I reached this conclusion, your shivering self and water spouting bike had vanished from sight! I did turn up into Wesbrook Village but I'm sure you were long gone by the time I was at that set of lights.
 

Saturday evening had a lovely dinner with the Whitneys and after the other guests left we watched Decasia, a 2002 American found footage film by Bill Morrison, same director who did The Great Flood The film is really a very powerful meditation on old, decaying silent films. However, wasn't as fond of the original soundtrack by Michael Gordon as I was of Bill Frisell's score for TGF.

Not sure when you returned to Vancouver but a relatively dry, if overcast, window of opportunity presented itself just after 3:00 pm so I suited up and mounted my Brodie, not wanting to be riding my Trek if the heavens decided to open. Made for Stanley Park and once there I decided the weather looked promising enough to try making for the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing, to give it its full name, as I've not ridden this route for some time. In fact, the temperature was almost perfect for cycling and although I felt a few drops of rain, from time to time, it was nothing that was unpleasant.

Once past Lonsdale Quay, on Esplande, I started to break the law. Due to a massive construction project along Low Level Road there were numerous signs informing me that no bicycles were permitted along this route. Figuring that there wouldn't be any construction activity or much other traffic I decided to ignore the posted signage and zipped along, keeping well to the narrow shoulder whenever possible. As I suspected, there was very little traffic and this gave me a chance to observe the huge, huge embankment wall that is being built along the north side of the road. Looks like it is constructed out of reasonably large rocks kept in place with heavy mesh, somewhat like the small walls along both sides of the bike path under Burrard Bridge. However, here, the embankment must extend to five or six stories, or more, at its highest points. Will be very curious to see end result as I presume/hope engineering design will have taken a dedicated bike path into consideration.

Did run into a a flag-woman close to the intersection of Low Level Rd and 3rd St East but she paid me little heed so I continued to sail along Cotton Rd which turns into Main Street. Once past the intersection of Mountain Hwy and Barrow the posted bike route follows the latter and then turns into Railway. I'd never been under the Second Narrows before so I followed what I thought was the bike route under the bridge, only to find it ended in a parking lot belonging to CN.

Couldn't really go any further anyway so turned around and made my way to the sidewalk which leads directly onto the bridge. As I was making this approach I noticed scaffolding suspended from the underside of the bridge and once I was even closer I could see that it was a fairly large passageway which extended about a sixth of the way along the span. Posted signs announced the fact that the pedestrian/bike path on the east side was closed and there was wooden hoarding and scaffolding all along that side, from what I could see. As well, there were small orange arrows, spray-painted on the sidewalk, indicating two-way traffic. Once I saw these I wasn't looking forward to meeting any cyclists coming in the other direction but fortunately, only encountered a single, courteous pedestrian who flattened himself against the inside railing to let me pass. More than happy to learn, later, the following from the North Shore News:

Cyclists traversing the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing will find they have a little bit more elbow room in 2015.

The notoriously slim sidewalks are due to be widened from the current 1.2 metres to 2.5 metres, the province announced on Monday, the day before the official start of the 2013 general election.

Beyond the roomier pedestrian sidewalk/bike paths, the bridge will get a new three-metre high safety fence and a switch to energy efficient LED lighting

Was heading back into the wind once I left bridge behind me but since there was no precipitation I couldn't really complain. After leaving New Brighton Rd, followed Wall and rode past the Cottage Hospice where Flamin' is now working, and then, further along, past Chloë's loft, just off Powell. Again, traffic was fairly light so I continued along Powell to Clark Drive and a short time later I was on Adanac and then Union, heading for Science World. A few dipsy doodles later I was past Plaza of Nations, making for the Granville Bridge. Needed to go that far as I wanted to log at least 51 km and estimated that would clock the distance required. Almost right on the button as when I retraced my steps and pulled into The Heartbreak Terrace I had the following stats on the odometre: 51.65 km over 2:35'57, AVG 19.8 km/hr. Quite pleased for a number of reasons. I'd managed a ride when I didn't really think it possible, weather wise, and I'd scoped out a route that I will probably avoid for some time, given construction, etc. Still, the new bike route will be wonderful, once completed, making Deep Cove and Seymour Demonstration Forest much more accessible.

Let me know about where you'd like to play on Wednesday. Looks like it will be sunny around 11:00 am. I'm hoping to go for a ride but need to be back by at least 2:00 pm as I have a meeting at 3:00 pm. Any interest? Cheers from a Former Jail-Bird, now Pannekoeken Patrizzio!

P, let me know if this is on. Ed & I can play. G
 

Hi Lads! Just talked to Mick and he is on for bridge so it's just a question of where. His house is under construction, kitchen renovations so we can play here unless either of you would like to host. Let me know and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

I am unable to host this time, so I am fine playing at your place Pat or Georges'. What time would we be starting? Thanks Ed 

Hi Fast Eddy!We usually start at 7:00 pm. I Haven't heard from Giorgio yet but once I do I'll let you know where we will be playing. Cheers, Patrizzio!

thanks patrick .it was a most enjoyable evening;matt;p s i spoke with andrew' let ;your ball 'hobbs today.nice to hear him

Hi Glasgow! Where did you see "Let/Your Ball" Sir Andrew? At the golf course? Sorry to say, haven't seen him in some time. Trust he is well and enjoying retirement. Cheers, Patrizzio!