Freeloader Red Eye Blues: Tuesday, April 22nd!

Myth: we have to save the earth. Frankly, the earth doesn't need to be saved. Nature doesn't give a hoot if human beings are here or not. The planet has survived cataclysmic and catastrophic changes for millions upon millions of years. Over that time, it is widely believed, 99 percent of all species have come and gone while the planet has remained. Saving the environment is really about saving our environment -- making it safe for ourselves, our children, and the world as we know it. If more people saw the issue as one of saving themselves, we would probably see increased motivation and commitment to actually do so. -Robert M. Lilienfeld, management consultant and author (b. 1953) and William L. Rathje, archaeologist and author (b. 1945)

P, It looks like the weather will cooperate but for an ill wind. May I suggest a 9:15 start on Point Grey -- that way I can loop back here by 11:00. G'us a call. W 

Buon Giornio to the Changeable Rider! Hi Gus! Glad you changed your mind about timing of ride as I was wondering how many stanchions you'd have been able to avoid having downed numerous flagons of Brassneck strong ale. See you at the staging area on Point Grey at 9:15 am where you'll probably have to settle for inhaling asphalt fumes rather and alcoholic ones. Cheers, Hot Tarmac To Go Patrizzio!        See you there.

 

[Han Dynasty tomb mural depicting ploughing by Shennong, the legendary "Divine Husbandsman".]

Thanks for your email and the delightful pictures. Glad to see that you are appreciating the world of art and enjoying the offerings at the Vancouver Art Gallery which I think is a wonderful facility. Did I not read somewhere that they are considering building a purpose built facility and vacating their present building? It didn't go unnoticed that you combined the broadening of your art knowledge with the broadening of your alcoholic beverage knowledge on the same day. Was the latter to dull the experience of the former?!

Actually you sprang to mind the other day when I was reading an article that included references to Winston Churchill and fine malt whiskey! It was a piece about politicians of yesteryear and how much more interesting they were than the politicians of today who are so PC they are not only boring but are all beginning to look and sound the same! It was describing the old leaders who were masters of the 'put down'. One of the all time greats at this was Churchill. Churchill loved fine malts and on one occasion he had an altercation in parliament with the extreme left wing socialist, Bessie Braddock. She was a very large lady who, shall we say, God had not been kind to in the looks department! Bessie belted out in the chamber "Winston you are drunk!" Winston relied "Yes Madame and you are ugly. But tomorrow I shall be sober!"
 

We went to the Hall for Cornwall this past week to see Black Coffee, a Hercule Poirot murder mystery. It was quite entertaining and quite comical. Hercule was played by Robert Powell (Jesus of Nazereth fame). However, I didn't find him that convincing as the dapper Belgium detective. His accent was all over the place and he didn't have the presence on stage that you would expect from the great Hercule Poirot! Nevertheless it was an entertaining evening. Later in the week we went with Gudrun and Steve to Lanhydrock for lunch to catch up. It was a beautiful day so we went for a walk then spent a pleasant hour in the gardens.
 

The weather continued to be sunny during the first part of the Easter weekend so managed to get more exterior painting completed but were also able to cram in a few decent coastal walks. On Saturday we did a fine Circular walk from Mawnan Smith. We ended at Glendurgan (National Trust) so decided to go into the gardens for a coffee and cake.  While there we bumped into Gudrun and Steve. They were there with Tanya and her new partner Charles, who we hadn't yet met, along with the two boys. Apparently Charles is visiting his uncle, who resides in Richmond, in September so we said we would try to get together with him while we are in Vancouver. We also found the time to catch up with all the sisters at Trelissick for our usual coffee get together and had Audrey and Brian over for lunch during the Easter weekend. They don't eat a large meal in the evening now so we tend to invite them for lunch rather than dinner.

We are off to Southampton on Friday for a week to look after Whistler. Marnie, Ant and Tris are off to Centre Parcs at Longleat for a weeks holiday. We will probably drive down to Longleat to spend a day with them sometime next week.

We are going to the local school this evening to see a Cornish play by the Kneehigh Theatre Company (let's hope it's not in the Cornish language!) This company was formed in 1980 and put on various productions throughout the South West in all manner of venues from village halls to cliff tops! We are being treated to pasties and scones, Cornish cream and jam after the performance!

Spoke to Mark last evening. Sunday went well although he said the day was a little strange since it wasn't exactly a food festival and there was a great deal of pot being smoked around their van! They were hoping for sales of around $3,000 for the day but ended at a little over $2,000. Not a bad start to their season.

Must be off to Sainsbury now to get in some groceries. Your trip to Mexico must be imminent. Trust you will have a good time down there. It will be nice to feel a little heat! Best wishes, Derek

Marvin Angelo Mercado with Nicole Marie

4 more days of work till we're gone to Mexico to get hitched

• 

  Patrick James Dunn Technically you are not "getting hitched", rather you are having a titanium/steel ball and chain attached to a cast-iron ankle shackle around your left leg. "Hitching" usually involves leather straps and such. This space age alloy is for life, Marvinator!!!!

Hi Pasty/Thespian People!

Your weather looks pretty good if your wonderful snaps are any indication! Glad you luncheon schedule continues on in seemingly uninterrupted fashion in spite of scaffolding and exterior painting! Pleased that The Sisters and Cotheys are well. I had a brief note from Gudrun, thanking me for e-Easter card, and she mentioned they are missing Krissy and Mark. Good start, as you mention, to their food truck season.

For our part, we had a terrific Easter dinner with Clan Sutherland. Since church service at Heartwood is at 4:00 pm, I was charged with basting the ham while Cora Lee was attending Easter service. 

Seems as if I did a reasonable job as it turned out to be a mouth-waterer and was extremely well received by guests and Sutherlands alike. Flamin's' turkey and stuffing were delish, her snow peas and green beans a vegetarian's delight, while  Marviantor's garlic potatoes, a whipped dream. In addition to mistress-minding the ham, Coramandel prepared a very tasty coleslaw salad. Just a tad left so it must have been a hit as well.  A gluten-free carrot cake with fiendishly tasty icing, by Michele, for formal dessert and loads of Peter Rabitt's chocolate leavings for the port which Sarge poured while we watched next episode of Game of Thrones. Not a bad ending to a full day, I must say.

Wasn't sure if I would be able to squeeze a ride in between household chores and forecast for showers but I managed to have time for a quick, but invigorating, run out to UBC. Stats for ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/483877427#.U1Rmn4jgfQM.email
 

Not much more than a ride regulare but since I wasn' t really expecting to go at all, it was a terrific bonus. Cloudy and overcast with a ferocious head wind in each and every direction but I suppose I can't really complain as it was dry as a bone.

Yesterday's forecast called for a cloudy but dry day so Sarge and I headed out, (both Whirlygig and Robo Man had other plans), at 9:00 am to make for Stanley Park. He had numerous last minute tasks/errands to complete before Tuesday when they fly to Mexico so he only wanted to do two loops of SP. Given time of day and Easter Monday holiday for many people, Seawall wasn't very busy so we enjoyed a very pleasant couple of circuits. Stunning picture of Lions Gate on second round as bridge was wreathed in low cloud and two seaplanes, one behind the other, were flying over, just having taken off as we rode past Coal Harbour. Saw lift-off of first.

Back home by 11:00 am and I waved goodbye to him and continued on out to UBC. Exams are now on so campus was pretty quiet, although I don't believe any would have been held on holiday Monday. Sky started to spit a few drops just as I began climb of Foreshsore Hill and continued for remainder of ride. However, it never developed into much so my jacket was almost completely dry by the time I was back home. Know various routes through and around campus so well that I soon had enough distance on the clock, by 1:30 am to head home. Stats for ride:
 
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/484626851#.U1WOchx6Y-U.email

Very pleased with how my legs seem to responding to the 100+ km rides of late. Almost need to return to Cornwall to "attack" your punishing hills! Speaking of Cornwall, on way back from SP we passed two joggers and moments afterwards I realized one of them was the owner of Long Table, Charles Tremewen. (I forgot to mention that he had said his family stems from Cornwall when we had enjoyed the tasting last Thursday.) 

We circled back and when I came up behind him I blurted out: "I can smell Cucumber Gin coming out of your pores!" He recognized me and we had a good laugh and a brief chat. Hope to take you two there for a tasting when you are in town. Perhaps you are related and then we'll get free hootch!

Back home to have a quick shower and change and then Cora Lee and I picked up Whirlygig, Kerry and Tia and we drove downtown to Vancity to see Finding Vivian Maier. Cora Lee had arranged to see La Weekend at Fifth Avenue so said goodbye and she drove home to park car before walking up to cinema to meet friend Robyn. Although I had already seen film it is such a remarkable documentary/story that I was more than pleased to view it again. If interested take a look at this website:     http://www.vivianmaier.com/
 

After screening we walked home over Granville Bridge, enjoying the city and mountainscapes, latter iced with snow. Once on 4th, others made for home as Tia had a dance recital next day. I had invited them to our place for dinner but Kerry felt there was just too much to do before school next day. Still, a lovely outing for all of us.

Back home I went downstairs to say hello to Clan Sutherland as I was to take them to airport on Tuesday evening and needed to confirm time they wanted to leave, etc. Cora Lee popped in a few minutes later and we visited for a bit before saying goodnight. Back upstairs we had a light supper of overlefts and watched two episodes of Call the Midwife before heading to bed to read.

Must away as I need to have a bite of breakfast before I suit up to go for a ride with Whirlygig. We are heading out to UBC at 9:15am for a short ride as he has to be back for a lunch date with his daughter, Amira, who is in town for a week or so. Don't think I'll do much more than 50 km as really just want a "stretch" ride after yesterday's outing. Cora Lee has a number of meetings today and this evening so I'll be on my own when back from ride until about 8:00 pm. We plan to watch next to recorded episodes of Midwife with a late supper. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pic: Nicole and Marvin, newlyweds to be, this past Sunday. Getting ready for Game of Thrones!
  
Hi Patrice, Just wanted to say thank you for the Easter greetings... I hope you and your family had a nice one as well.


We had our friends Ivan and Sherrie and their twin boys up for Friday and Sat. night at the cabin and had a very nice relaxing time watching funny movies, playing cards and flying and crashing helicopters.

We also went for a few nice long walks and found a very picturesque waterfall in a beautiful cedar forest nearby. We came back later on Sunday and went across to visit our neighbours Chris and Lubna for a while. I got up yesterday morning and had a workout with Chris at the studio where Lubna teaches Zumba classes, and then came home to find that Colleen had sliced her finger on a mandolin slicer thing so I had to take her to emergency where we waited three hours to get four stiches put in her finger!!

Unfortunately it has been throbbing badly and she didn't`t sleep well but hey it could always have been worse. Ironically Maureen had gotten the mandolin as a gift from Jeremy and had used it once and cut herself with it as well! she then lent it to Colleen after giving her a lecture on safety of use. It only took Colleen 4 slices to make contact with her finger.

After returning from emergency we still had a large meal to prepare so i took over and sliced the rest of the potatoes for the scalloped potato dish but used the supplied guard to prevent injury and got the job done without incident. Both Colleen and Maureen never wanted to see the thing again so Jesse took it out back and smashed and then burned the offending appliance so it will not harm anyone around here again! 

Back to the grind today but perhaps I can find a window to join in a ride or part of one this week. Cheers, Al 

Hi Big Al!

Sounds like you had a wonderful time at Sunshine for most of Easter weekend. Great snappage! Loved the waterfall dipper but think it needs a bit of refining, something along the lines of the extendo arm you are supposed to be designing for issue to the peloton! Sorry to hear about the slice and dice mandolin, throw common sense and caution to the wind, blues, sung by the hot, hip, hep Teaghan Sisters, with Jesse on jackhammer and acetylene torch! You could have your own Reality Home Cooking/Heavy Metal Show. On a reduced budget, unemployed, or just spent your entire paycheck on useless kitchen appliances, don't worry! Learn how to use parts of your own body to garnish a scalloped potatoe dish, top a salad or spice up dessert. Do it all in four, yes four, easy steps with the new, improved, accident proof Magic Mandolin Slice-Omatic. $39.95 while supplies last. Call now, 604-756-DOPE and we'll include our Stanchion Alert Device, (SAD), at no extra cost. Hurry, as there's a sucker born every minute!
 

Went for a reasonably early ride with Whirlygig this morning. We headed out to UBC at 9:15am for a relatively short ride as he has to be back for a lunch date with his daughter, Amira, who is in town for a week or so. Didn't think I'd do much more than 50 km as really just wanted a "stretch" ride after yesterday's outing. We did our usual run out to Crwon and then looped back through Musqueam. Had to fight quite a strong head wind which seemed to come at us from every which way so really didn't matter if we were coming or going!

Had close to 45 km on the clock when I waved goodbye to Giggster on Macdonald and 2nd so decided I'd dipsy doodle my way around Kits Point until I had logged 51+ km and then made for the HBT. 

With 55 km at the Islay Inn I thought I might as well take advantage of the lovely day so made my way to Science World. Added on a few more lengthy, strategic dipsy doodles to give me about 66 km by the time I was under the Granville Bridge so I turned around here and made for home. Really had to fight the maddeningly strong, coming straight out of the west, headwind but managed to keep my AVG 21.1 km/hr intact when I pulled into The Heartbreak Terrace. Stats for ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/485234815#.U1bNtMN9Z48.email
 
Cora Lee has a number of meetings this afternoon and this evening so I'll be on my own until about 8:00 pm. I'll chauffeur Flamin' and Sarge to YVR at around 7:00 pm and when back we plan to watch a few recorded episodes of Call the  Midwife with a late supper.
 

Not sure what your week holds but if you are up for a ride let me know, and weather permitting, we'll plan accordingly. Fondestos to you, Big Al, and, of course to Marilyn, with the sore finger, from Cora Lee and I. Cheers, Patrizzio!

PS: Can you send along the name of the restaurant you mentioned in old Playa del Carmen. Much appreciated, as well as any other tips.

Pics: Offerings at Long Table; Killing Fields at GI; Lamb and Peter Rabbit, Easter gift for Avery, from Cora Lee, Flamin's'/Sarge's granddaughter; Grandpa is now using hair gel! Easter breakfast, using cut fresh peppers for egg molds; The Sisterhood; Nicole/Marvinator, newlyweds to be!  

Hi again, Big Al!

Forgot to attach all important stats for today's ride and I know you could not bear to be without them!! As well, some hootch advice! Cheers, Patrizzio!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/485234815#.U1bNtMN9Z48.email

Mrs. Healy's Home Remedies...“For better digestion I drink beer, in the case of appetite loss I drink white wine, in the case of low blood pressure I drink red wine, in the case of high blood pressure I drink scotch, and when I have a cold I drink tequila ..” “When do you drink water?” “I've never been that sick!” 

Mrs Healy!

I will be on annual leave from April 22nd until May 12th.  Sandy Miniaci will be acting as the OIC CDRS in my absense.  Please contact her directly for any concerns or issues that arise within the CDR program.

Happy Belated Easter, Colin!! Please pass along my Long Table and WOW suggestions to Mrs Healy. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Dancing Queen's Mother!

Have penciled your invitation into our social engagements calendar. Thanks and thanks for travel wishes as well. However, better pass along following advice to Tia. (See immediately above!) Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Steel Magnolia! Trust Easter weekend went well. Fondestos to you both from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Kjell! Trust Easter weekend went as well as can be expected, given your obviously nasty skin infection. Any progress towards recovery? Pretty busy weekend here.Give me a shout if/when you are feeling better. Fondestos to you and Jane from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thx for the update re the birds and the Easter feast. Who is the gluten free one? I have forgotten if you already informed me. All's well here. Great turkey meal Sunday with two dtrs & families. Grey day here. I hate grey, except maybe for decor now as it seems to be the new beige.

Wayne Sutherland

Flight to Mexico leaves in 4hours. Nicole Marie and Marvin Angelo Mercado get married on May 3rd in Playa Del Carmen. Going to be a great two weeks.

Wayne/Amanda/Patrick

Given our arrival time of 12:45pm, (approximately), combined with travel time and jetlag confusion, probably 2:30pm at your place would appear reasonable as a target time. Should things change during the journey we will let Amanda know. Can we have a mobile number please?

Re your other email regarding local touring what ever you have planned will be great I'm sure.  All the best Tony 

Hi Tony, I am actually going to Mexico on Monday, May 5 for a different wedding, so I think my boyfriend Doug is going to be meeting you. I will email you the day before I leave (Sunday, May 4), just so that I can confirm that it will be him meeting you. Best wishes, Amanda 

Michele Darrow-SutherlandAt YVR on our way to Mexico. We have been entrusted with Nicole's wedding dress...the pressure !! Hope it makes it! Wayne Sutherland Made it safe and sound to Toronto.