IIDD, July 20th

Hi Giggster!

Thanks for info on Glenkinchie. As I mentioned in my voice message, I was just at Legacy and took down all the particulars so no need to respond to the message that I will be sending out to all the delinquent people who have not yet supplied some or any of the details, other than to clarify price you actually paid. Want to print up tasting mats in next day or so and would like to have as much basic info as possible, about each malt.

Sorry that Kerry and MT won't be joining us but will make up for it at Barnacle Shucking Fest following weekend! Tell El Terrorista that she can taste 10 malts then!

Just to reconfirm menu, you will be bringing a salad to share and something "sustainable", for yourself, for bbq? Any time after 5:30pm The Staff, (Maggie and I, drones/scullions/sherpas that we are), and Management, (Cora Lee, with a blister on her little finger, surprise, surprise!), will be welcoming guests to the Second Annual Island Inn Malt Tasting, Wine Sipping and Nosh Consuming Festival! Waivers excluding The Island Inn from any liability, (à la VIWF A Dram Come True), flowing from, resulting in, following upon tasting MUST be signed before participants will be allowed access to the Festival site. Failure to sign waiver will result in the immediate and summary seizure and forfeiture of any liquor found on the person, (full cavity search may well be required in certain cases), of any non-complyoids and subsequent speedy and rough removal of said individuals from said site. Let the Tasting commence!

Let me know about rides on Thursday/Friday. On Friday, I'd like to end up at UBC by noon or so, as I'm stopping off to see part of Canadian Open, courtesy of Sarge. He is a volunteer and so has guest passes. I've never been to a pro golf event so am quite pleased to have the chance to see a bit of the tournament.

Cheers, Patrizio!


Hi Chris and Jim!

Glad you suffered no ill effects from ride! I enjoyed ride very much and it was great to have you along, chatting about one thing and another. George is keen to do another ride so we'll try to organize something when you are back from Vancouver Island. I popped by to return Imre's garage clicker and he said how much he appreciated seeing you both again. I had quite a long visit with him before he had to get ready for his chemo session. I mentioned that I'd call and see what might work for another visit with you as well, depending on how he is feeling and your schedule, of course.

Presume you will be in Victoria when you read this message, if indeed you have access, one way or another. At any rate, Cora Lee thanks you for the birthday wishes. Since it was Nancy's/David's last night with us and Flamin's/Sarge's 29th wedding anniversary, (as I think you may have known from Monday), we had planned to go out for dinner to a new restaurant, Edibles, on Granville Island. Started here with a couple of bottles of wonderful bubbly, Integrity, from 8th Generation Winery, near Summerland, purchased, after tasting there, on our recent trip. Restaurant was terrific. Everything, food and alcohol, (wine, beer and spirits), is Canadian. We had four bottles of wine, two whites, Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc and two reds, Orofino Red Bridge, (100% Merlot), so were quite a happy crew. Didn't visit Lkae Breeze on this last visit but have tasted their wine before and had always liked it. Certainly not disappointed this time either. Orofino was literally first winery we stopped at this past trip, (Made it to winery but five minutes before closing!), so we knew their Red Bridge was a winner. Had first had it the year before and current vintage is even better, I think.

Prince Valiant, Sutherland's eldest, was part of group and Chloë joined us after work. She arrived shortly after we did so didn't really miss much even though she was at GI Brewery until her shift finished at 8:30pm. Food was wonderfully presented and more than delicious. I have attached the menu in case you are interested to take a look at it. I ordered the Sloping Hills Pork Belly & Loin; Cora Lee the Roasted North Arm Farms Baby Beets and the Cornmeal Crusted Fanny Bay Oysters; Donna Florida the large Seafood Soup, (Spot prawn & coconut broth, mussels, clams, and seasonal sustainable fish); Cactus and Prince Valiant the Pemberton Meadows Steak Frites; Flamin' the Birch Syrup & Kasu Roasted Sablefish; Sarge the Peace Country Braised Lamb Pasta and Chloë the Market Vegetable Gnocchi. Started with a few appetizers: Fries, crispy duck fat BC potatoes, bacon aioli and
Onion Rings, Sea to Sky salt, oregano buttermilk aioli. Wonderful meal indeed!

Headed back home for dessert. Chloë had picked up a series of small, divine desserts from Stuart's Bakery in the Market and we enjoyed them, along with various malts, toasting the Boithday Goil on the very happy and special occasion of her 64th!

Took the Uppity Californians to the bus depot around 11:00am and waved goodbye. Great visit and wonderful to have them here as we are with them more regularly. May well see them in September if we decide to take another trip south instead of heading to New York. Friends from Texas who had suggested latter when we were in San Antonio in March, now find that timing, beginning of October, won't work for them. As we would have been staying in a place belonging to their close friend, California looks like the preferred option.

With respect to your lovely invitation, any of the evenings you mention would be fine with us. For some reason, Cora Lee doesn't seem to have a single meeting next week!!! Just let us know what is best time for you and we'll plan accordingly.

As far as my friend in Victoria, her name is Irene Haigh-Gidora and her houseboat telephone number is 250-384-1214. She lives at Fisherman's Wharf Dock 3 and I believe her houseboat is called The Sea Iris. Her cell number is 250-920-8266. Her work number at Cool Aid, (a social agency), is 250-385-1466. I don't think you need area codes in Victoria, for local dialing, as you do here in Vancouver, but I may well be wrong on that account. I'll send her an email as soon as I've posted this and let her know that you may well contact her. Not to worry if you don't, however. To tell the truth, I don't even know if she is in town at moment as she often travels during the summer.

Anyhow, enjoy Victoria and give us a shout when back. Cheers, Patrizio!

Hi Patrick!

Thanks for the ride this morning, No after effects so far.We booked hotel in Victoria so will be there Wednesday/Thursday at least. Weather doesnt look great but nor does it later.
 
Thanks to you both for Monday night. Please pass our wishes for Many Happy Returns for Cora Lee. Chris and I wondered if you would come to Ray's and Sylvia's to share a meal with us next week when Tuesday/Wed or Thursday would be good for us. Best wishes, Jim.

Hi Irene!

Trust you are well. Hoping to be over in Victoria in mid-August to see Jean and John Anderson again so perhaps we can get together for a visit at that time, if you are around/free, etc.

As it happens, at moment, friends of friends, Chris and Jim Brownlee, from Hartlepool, are doing a house exchange here in Vancouver and we have entertained them, a number of times, over last few weeks. Lovely, lovely couple and they are in Victoria for next few days. I have taken the liberty of giving them your phone number and suggested they ring you, if they have time/inclination. They are not quite as "pushy" as me!!!. I think you would enjoy meeting them if it works out for everyone. They are quite familiar with Yorkshire, Lake District, etc., as they go walking/hiking, etc., so I know you'd have much in common. Aside from that, as I mentioned, they are delightful and simply fun to be with. Of course, don't worry, (as I know/trust you won't), if you are too busy or otherwise engaged. I also mentioned the fish and chips stand nearbye as I gather it is a well-known, local favourite. Fond regards from Corinne. Cheers, Patrizio!



Hi Daphne!

Just wondering about how you are doing regarding childcare arrangements and whether you will be able to join us. Not a big deal but I'm trying to finalize menu and would like to know if you will be attending, and if so, still bringing your "tasty veggie dish"? Let me know but don't fuss as you are welcome to come on short notice and need not worry about bringing anything if you don't have time, what with childcare and everything else surrounding that, to be concerned about. Cheers, Patrizio!

Hi Paolo!

Sorry about naggage! My fault, as I realized that you had already provided me with details almost as soon as I'd sent message!!!!

Of course you are more welcome to drop provisions off. I'll ask Cora Lee to give you a key to patio door when you bring glasses in case there is no one around, if and when, you pop by later on. If she isn't here to operate fork lift, at 11:00am, we'll leave a set under cushion on chair next to patio sliding door. Now that I think of it, if she isn't around you won't need a key as you should be able to bull your way into building with forks on fork-lift!

Cheers, Patrizio!

Hi Herardo and Donna Maria!

Terribly sorry about not replying sooner but I literally didn't have time to look at my email before this morning! No excuses but plenty of reasons for late reply! However, if you are still in The Naramata, (This is how the Newfies characterize this area!), I suggest many of the usual suspects: Nichol for their Pinot Gris; La Frenz for almost everything; Black Widow for their whites; Laughing Stock for their reds, mainly Portfolio, but pricey; Howling Bluff for their Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend, fantastico; Poplar Grove, if only to see the spectacular new facility and Van Westen, new to us and polar opposite, in terms of facility, to Poplar Grove. Found their Voluptuous, 67% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Franc, much to my liking, although I detest the name, along with that of their white, Vivacious, predominantly Pinot Blanc with a splash of Pinot Gris. Originally cherry growers, they still farm that fruit and had a number of buckets to taste, (wonderful, wonderful), just outside tasting room, when we were there. If you are on west side of Lake, 8th Generation is certainly well worth a visit, as is Silk Scarf, if you have not been before. Not as impressed with latter this time but still interesting. I think former is a place to watch. Very, very impressed with new owners and what they are doing. Anyway, I'm sure you found plenty to do if this missive comes too late!

Quinta Ferreira in Oliver and Young and Wyse in Osoyoos are two more to visit if you are down that far. Both very interesting operations for different reasons. We'll chat about wineries/experiences on Saturday if that is still on, given my late email!!! Let us know about timing, etc., if we are still friends! Cheers, Patrizio!

Hi Susan!

Lovely to hear from you. I don't think Mark replied but when I'd not heard, I simply assumed you were busy. As well, Whirlygig had mentioned that he thought Mark was planning to be away for much of summer, but thanks for confirming your absence. Nonetheless, sorry you will miss Bridge on the Bridge but certainly glad that you are keen to play this coming Fall. Will definitely keep you in mind as it is terrific to expand bridge circle and we really enjoy combining bridge with a pot luck dinner.

We are hosting a malt tasting this coming Friday so looking forward to that. Whirlygig will be one of tasters. Somewhat similar to bridge gathering with people bringing food, etc. Many of the wives/significant others/partners don't participate in sampling malt so they have their own wine tasting event. We usually have to ask them to tone things down as evening progresses as they seem a more boisterous and rowdy group than the whiskey lovers!

Hello to Marcus Aurelius when you next chat. We don't need to visit The Rock as Flamin' and Sarge, close friends/neighbours in our building are from St John's. Enjoy your company! We just said goodbye to close friends from Berkeley who've been here for last two weeks and are readying ourselves for The Swiss Invasion at the beginning of August. Two former ESL boarders, together with a friend we've never met, will be staying for a week. Will be fun as they are great young women. Cheers, Patrizio!


Hi Whirlygig!

I trust Carlos The Jackal is not in for something terribly serious. Please pass along wishes that all goes well.

I'm free so any time tomorrow is pretty much okay. I await your reply.

Did you buy Glenkinchie at Legacy? If so, listed price went up after you picked up your bottle! I will have a box of surgical gloves, (left over from Effudex Chemical Face Peel), for cavity exploration!

Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Hi Brenda Louise!

Trust you are feeling young again! I gave Cora lee an iPad 2 for her birthday so perhaps she should take the same course you have signed up for! Don't think we saw episode with young Sir Harry but I feel the same way about the astonishing number of seemingly key agents who have been killed. I remember watching Naked City when I was about ten or eleven and one of my favourite detectives dies as the result of a car chase/traffic accident, I think. I simply couldn't believe my eyes as the episode played itself out. I thought it was an intentional, misleading misrepresentation of the facts, meant to frighten the audience, dramatize the dangers of police life and that officer would be fine once he was hospitalized. I had no idea then that characters were written out of a series for a whole host of reasons. I was simply devastated, almost inconsolable. Felt worse than when my Mom's Aunt Eva, (and I liked her a lot), died around the same time as episode was aired!

Is Wally back yet? Did you sign up for bridge lessons? Cheers, Patrizio!

Hi Tinsel Town!

Who do you know who has saggy scrotti? Went for a great ride on Tuesday but didn't bump into any San Franciscans, nekid or otherwise!!! Love and Cheers, Poppa "We Don't Need No Saggin' Cojones" San!