IIDD, June 18th

Hi Whirlygig and Raymundo!

Ray:

Giorgio and I had a very pleasant ride out to UBC to do some of the Marine Drive/Musqueam Loop. Dry for most part until it started to rain reasonably steadily just a few blocks from Whirlygig's place! Of course, he raced home, hardly bothering to say goodbye, such was his haste, leaving me to shiver in the showers and squalls most of the way back to Harbour Terrace! Given his behaviour, I have banished him to the hinterland until next Wednesday so we won't have him to kick around on any rides before you fly away on hols. He is leaving for his fishing trip tomorrow morning so he probably won't see you until you return from Europe. He sends along his best wishes for a great time. For my part, I'm keen to ride tomorrow morning so let me know what you think when you have a moment. Cheers, Patrizio!

Last few entries from Flamin' and Sarge:

We have heard and seen videos of Vancouver very shameful. It is hard to believe this is the same city that hosted the Olympics . I am so proud of Ryan for organizing a clean up with his friends. What's been happening lately did someone actually die?
We are in otrano a beautiful coastal resort and have been frolicking in the sea. We landed here yesterday after a 60 km ride winding along the coast. We were told it was flat with a 2 degree incline... It was a lie!! Mostly up hill but by now have legs of titanium and able to cycle up and hill Italy puts in front of me. We have been eating like pigs despite our attempts to lower food intake, Italians eat very big meals and very late. We start eating around 8 pm but they don't even venture out until 10 pm with all their children in tow. We head back to monopoli tomorrow and pass in our bikes. It has been a wonderful adventure and enjoyed every minute of it. Take care.

Just brought I would forward you ryan's account of his clean up efforts following the riot
He makes me proud

Ryan you are awesome you have made us very proud and I have tears in my eyes reading this. Mom,

After watching the riot from home Wednesday night i put on facebook that I was going to head downtown to clean up. At 6:50 I left home with 100 garbage bags, picked up gloves from Starbucks, and jumped on the bus. Amanda came with me and we found a sidewalk in need of repair and a few people maybe a dozen or so downtown with brooms and shovels.

One of the people gave Amanda an extra broom and we continued in front of Future Shop; picking glass, cigarette butts, litter etc from the street. The group we were with heading to London Drugs and Amanda and I walked over to Howe Street on Robson between Sears and Chapters. All of the glass had been broken and Sears had been partially looted. We continued picking up pieces of glass and trash and were joined by a man named Javier. As people walked by they said thank you, or asked for a garbage bag, or put some trash in the ones we were holding. By about 8:30, Lauren Senft had joined us and Darryl Lampitt (skating official). We were cleaning the sidewalk in front of Chapters; at 9am the City workers arrived in a pick-up truck with Industrial gloves, garbage bags, and those claw pickers. We were now loaded for bare and walked over to the Art Gallery.

The steps were littered with broken bottles, glass, litter and while were were there the Premier walked by. She put her hand on Amanda's shoulder from behind and said thank you. Amanda did not recognize her; she had been thanked so many times this morning.

About 10 am, with our section cleaner than a normal day, we walked back to Granville Street. We heard a rumour that people were writing on the ply wood at the Bay. When Amanda and I arrived early in the morning the plywood had not been erected. We saw a large group and grabbed a Sharpie and left a note on the wall. Messages of disbelief, sorrow, shame, thanks, and appreciation were the norm. I just wrote "There are no words -Ryan".

After admiring the wall for a few seconds the mayor walked by (with the Premier a step in front) from about 10 feet I said "Gergor, thanks". He immediately stopped his pace, gave what he was holding to an advisor and shook my hand and said thanks. We chatted for a brief minute and as we stopped the Premier had begun a discussion with Lauren and Darryl. For a few minutes we found ourselves at the centre of the media scrum.

We left the scrum and as we walked North on Granville we heard that there was a swimwear store, looted, with burnt mannequins. This was one of the few places without boards, and it was easy to see the destruction inside. When we got to the store Lauren opened the door and said the four of us were there to help. We went inside and began sifting through glass, and hangers, and clothing. While we were in the store Marc Allain knocked on the window, we waved and kept going. After 20 mins or so a glass clean-up crew arrived. With the arrival of the cavalry we left.

Having committed 4 hours of labour and with the knowledge that there were now hundreds of people downtown cleaning whatever they could we grabbed some lunch and parted ways...

The city won't be the same again, with so many children it's hard to keep it this clean. Ryan

Picture is on of the beautiful small beach areas that dotted the coast of puglia on route to Otrano the beautiful resort town where we spent 2 days. This part of the trip was the most picturesque staying mostly along the coast with lots of up and down hills. The vistas magnifcio. We got up this morning after staying in a beautiful 4 star hotel and headed back to Lecce . It was a 45 km ride , partially along the coast. We stopped at a private beach for a cool soak in the ocean and diet coke for fuel. Half way through ride we headed in land where the 32 degree heat bounced off the pavement. We caught the train back to Monopoli having competed 400 km of riding with minor scrapes and a busted bike tube. We are now in the hotel and will be heading to Sorrento tomorrow with a drive down the Amalfi coast and a trip to Capri . Needless to say we have been having an excellent time. Love to all. M.

Greetings Patrice,I'm just back from Guangzhou and what a place it is. Over the weekend I will email you the wine list from Hainan Airlines Business class. Upon check-in at Shenzhen airport the tiniest Chinese lady confronted all of 6ft 8 me and said, " Mr Kerry, you are rearry tall, I have a rearry special seat for you whick you like". 1A!!!!Loads to tell, I am moving to the Gold Coast for work on the 1st of August and depending on how things go, I would like to get the TESOL Certificate under my belt and possibly head back to China sometime next year and teach English.I have misplaced your address, so at your convenience can you email it to me?Chat soon mister,Tiptoe.PS I saw David in Canberra a few weeks ago and I am happy to report he has put on weight, has some Grey hairs and is beginning to get a receding hair line!!! Otherwise he seems quite happy!