Donna Maria Terabyte Blues: Saturday, April 26th!

Love is like quicksilver in the hand. Leave the fingers open and it stays. Clutch it, and it darts away. -Dorothy Parker, author (1893-1967) 

Hi Raymond!

A propos of your recent query about the "Gulf Island Project", Giorgio, is, in fact, off to Galiano today, with Carlos, to take a look at the place, (one of three in the co-op there), that he has been interested in buying for some time now. Of the three, (one an undeveloped lot, the other a" turn-key" house that would be large enough for the three of them), this one has a fairly small, Japanese style structure, and extensive, extremely attractive landscaping, (flower/vegetable gardens, mature fruit trees, etc.), which would be suitable for him until such time as he would build additional living space. 

Charlie is to assess building, more closely, from a structural/maintenance point of view, I gather, before the deal is closed. From our recent discussions about the relocation Giggster mentioned that Kerry would like Tia to finish next year's schooling before moving. Apparently Kerry has already determined that she would be able to work remotely so her employment at UBC Press could continue. Obviously, one of the main concerns. Anyway, will know more shortly, I suppose. Will be in touch regarding ride on Tuesday. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Ski! When have I ever been wrong? Just ask Cora Lee! Fondestos to you and The Great Ronaldo from Coriandre. She'll fill you in on Inja when you are here. Let me know about our rides. Please get dates correct! Cheers, Patrizzio!  

Hi Grigor! Too bad we didn't connect at airport. The four of us waited for two hours and when nobody turned up we caught next jumbo back to Vancouver! Pleased to learn, however, that birthday bash was a success, in spite of '50's theme. Shouldn't it have been '60's in keeping with your advanced age? Your cycling tours of both France and Italy sound fabulous. What a terrific way to travel and see countryside. Well planned my friends!
 
Have been messaging former Mermaid Waters' People of late, organizing stay, etc. They arrive day before we are back from Mexico. I took Flamin' and Sarge to airport this past Tuesday night. They are advance guard for wedding, a week today. This evening will do same for Nicolina/Marvinator, (bride/groom), and Prince Valiant/Megan, Sutherland's eldest son/fiancée. Fondestos to you and The lovely Claire de Lune from Coriandre.  Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Hi Whirlygig and Carlos the Jackal!

Great day for cycling on the Gulf Islands! Trust all goes well with real estate. Will be heading out shortly for a shorter ride than yesterday's. Cora Lee has the The Friends AGM this morning. After I'm back from "official" ride, I'll make an errand run to Young Brothers and will drop off Next Episode at Kits. Thanks for letting me have it. Not sure what your plans are for Sunday but I'm hoping to take advantage of projected rain-free window between 2:00-5:00pm for a ride. Let me know if interested. Cheers, Patrizzio!

I set off around 11:00 am this morning and made for UBC to follow regular Marine route to Kent. Only one huge dump truck, with trailer, (although it passed me twice as I passed it while stopped at a long line at one of the lights), so that part wasn't bad at all. Since I'd been fighting the south easterly from get go, (Even, inexplicably, beyond all rhyme or reason, along Spanish Banks! Curses!), I decided I'd not head for Iona as the thought of riding back into maelstrom on return was just too, too painful. Figured I'd bite the bullet and make for Westminster Hwy and River Road. That way I'd have more energy and could sail home! Of course that theory didn't quite materialize to the extent that I had hoped! Guess it has to do with the way the river meanders as at times I think one heads almost due south so naturally the real blasts returned. At any rate, progress was certainly not as grim as on outward leg, more of a cross-wind on return.

Should mention that once at Westminster Hwy I did a bit of dipsy doodling and see, today, from map that one could take it all the way to No 6 Rd. Not sure if there is a dedicated bike lane or not. (There was on part I rode.) If so, it might make for another possible route, although I imagine it is likely quite a busy thoroughfare.

Back at CSTB and wind was fully behind me so Cambie was a most enjoyable "breeze"! Caught most of the lights there and on Columbia as well so I was soon back on Moberly Rd and making for the Heartbleed Bug Terrace. Stats for ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/487672739#.U1wuwnrynQM.email
 

Had a quick java and then took Titanium Green to Go Green to return recyclables in order make space for luggage for destination weddingers. I was to chauffeur Marvinator and Prince Valiant to Olympic Station at 6:00 pm. Then to Kits Library to return Next Episode with a stop at Royal Bank across the street. Needed some cash for Young Brothers and dry cleaners across from Westpoint Cycles. Stopped to collect my shirt first, (one of few I'm taking to Mexico), then for some dinner fixings at YB. Bumped into a friend, Elizabeth, with whom I used to swim at UBC's Aquatic Centre. We had a good catch-up chat. She is a nurse there so she's quite fussed that outdoor pool is closed and work has only just started on new facility. Told her to start cycling!

Home to do a few kitchen chores for Mme Coriandre and then showered and changed just before Donna Maria and Heraldo arrived. Quick hello and toast with a Gehringer Brothers 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, 13.3% before I took kids to tube station. (Please note ease with which I use "Briticisms", Dear Reader!) Back to visit and compare a "socked" 2010 Zenato, (Verona), Lugano, (made with Verdicchio), 13.5%, I'd bought a few weeks ago at Legacy. Had a taste there and was quite taken with it although at $40 it was pretty steep. Thought "Hang the expense!", and glad we were able to share it with Martins. Gerry is of Italian extraction and his parents lived and worked in Trail. I gather that in the early 1900s there was a large influx of Italian immigrants to the town. Everyone loved the deliciously dry, yellow-green liquid gold but the SB,a t half the price, is a wonderful drop as well and i plan to buy more when next in Oliver.
 

We had a boisterous evening feasting on appetizers of fried haloumi and sliced tomatoe , (Accompanied by a 2012 Township 7 Pinot Gris, 13.3%, opened for Donna M as she prefers white. Another very tasty, flavourful and well balanced wine from the Naramata Bench.), and then a wonderful lamb roast with Greek style lemon potatoes and zucchini crusted with Parmesano, paired with a 2009 Domaine de Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem, Côtes du Rossillon Villages, 14%, a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, whcih I had to admit I found rather anaemic, in spite of its fire power. Much preferred the 2009 Kokomo, winemaker's Reserve Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, 15.5%. Chloë had joined us by the time we had finished dinner and she and Cora Lee "claimed" they liked the Bila but I think they were just being polite as they soon guzzled the Zin when other was finished!

Finished off with sweet red grapes and a blue cheese from Upper Bench Winery in Naramata, paired ever so nicely with the Långbord Akvavit which just about finished everyone off! By 11:00 pm we had almost drunk our guests under the table so after Chloë said goodbye, we bade Famiglia Martini o good night and as soon as they vanished from the patio, I brushed and flossed and went straight to bed without passing Go! Cora Lee loaded the dishwasher and I was asleep before she even came into bedroom! 

Hi Patrick Sounds like my grandmother. LOL Glad to hear you are still in the pink! or whatever colour you are drinking these days..  

We had some happy news as Dana, my daughter, is expecting in August. Of course that means I have been shopping!! They made the decision together last Fall. Unfortunately two months into the pregnancy he got cold feet and decided he didn't want to be a father. They now are trying to sell their property to divy up etc. etc. You can imagine the turmouil. Anyway everything will work out the way it will. In the meantime Wally and I can look forward to grandparenthood.

Are you off to distant climes or biking Vancouver these days? I am off to Ottawa in June to stay at my sister's condo. She is holidaying in Aukland at present. NZ is her favourite place to date. It has been raining forever here which is highly unusual! There were even ducks at our backyard feeder this week! Wally sends greetings as well! Hugs to all Bren