IIDD, July 25th

Hi Ragin'!

Pleased to learn that all your home improvements are moving along quite nicely. Menu is coming together as well. I plan to ride with Jim on Thursday morning, probably around Stanley Park so you are more than welcome to join us then. We could do chairs and tables sometime after that. Let me know what you think. Cheers, Patrizio!

Ciao Elizabetta and Thoroughly Rotten!

Veramente contento che tu sia lungo e felice vi sia piaciuto soggiorno sull'isola! Enjoy the rest of the summer! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!

Hi Donna Florida and Cactoosian!

Trust life goes well in Seattle and on Bainbridge Island. Popped your charger in mail on Thursday, I think, Donna Forget-Me-Not. (Perhaps it is still in the spare bedroom!)

For our part, we had a terrific malt tasting party on Friday night with about twenty people in all. Wonderful selection of Scotch and marvelous food. Everyone contributed various dishes. Up at 8:00am on Saturday to have a delicious breakfast with Dom Pedro and Electric Avenue, two of the lads who stayed overnight! Cora Lee whipped up more than scrumptious scrambled egg dish and we augmented cackleberries with over-lefts, (Swiss boarder translation for "leftovers"), sustainably harvested, (dig at Whirlygig who doesn't eat red meat!), sausages. Spent rest of morning putting Island Inn back in order, (took three trips to recycling bins to get rid of incriminating evidence), and returning tasting glasses. En route to rental place I felt like I was inside the empty Bunnahabhain, (one of malts we tried after "official" tasting was over), bottle and Breakfast Club, (various friendly street people I've come to have a nodding acquaintance with, over the last few years, who are already tippling by 10:00am), at Go Green kept milling around Titanium Green as I unloaded recyclables afterwards!

Back home for a quick shower and then Flamin' joined us to walk up to 4th to take in Kits Days. Great timing for street event, perhaps one of best so far. A real summer day!!! We had arranged to meet Donna Maria and Herardo, as you might recall, at some point. As soon as we crossed Burrard, I knew that we might not bump into them as crowd was pretty thick. I suggested they walk down from their place near 2nd and Vine, keeping to the north side of street. We would do the same, walking uphill. At any rate, we did find each other and spent the next hour or so popping into stores, tasting food samples, etc. Once we reached Safeway, had seen most of what there was to see. From there, west to MacDonald was more of a flea market, I believe.

Famiglia Martini invited us back to their place for wine and cheese and we had a lovely time visiting and enjoying the simply spectacular view from their very, very comfortable 17th floor apartment. Stacee, their daughter, and Sean, her boyfriend, were along as well and after they left, we suggested that DM/H join us for dinner. They were delighted to do so but insisted on contributing to meal. Flamin' and I set out ahead of rest of gang as there was a line-up for bathroom and I was prepared to water the rosebushes in front of their building!

Flamin' had phoned Sarge, who was just back from Canadian Open, and he had come upstairs to take some steaks out of our freezer, and then come to collect us. We bumped into us near Yew, I think, but since DM/H/CL were nowhere in sight behind us, we clambered aboard and made for Harbour Terrace. By the time I had meat defrosted latecomers arrived, bearing fresh corn, mushrooms and blueberries scored at GI Market. We made our way downstairs and had a lovely time on their patio, sipping more wine and nibbling on more hors d'oeuvres.

At some point, Molly Mop was frolicking on the grass beyond the embankment which hides your deck from view and Flamin' went to bring her back as she refused to answer the repeated calls to come home. Two Italian tourists were playing with Molly when Flamin' went to collect her and she invited Micol and Valerio to join us for a drink. He, (V), is here studying to become a sommelier, she and her boyfriend, (he was working), are here visiting. Everyone friends from Milano so that was original connection. Great time quizzing them until they had to leave. Hope to see them again as they were lots of fun.

Sarge did a stellar job on steaks, I had made a green salad, corn was more than delicous and Flamin's roasted spuds were divine. For dessert we poured some very good ice-wine, (a birthday present to CL from her friend Agneta), over the fresh blueberries. Another wonderful meal indeed! Everyone was tired by about 9:30pm so we thanked one another and said goodnight to make for home. Another full day!

Bit of an update on Imre, as of today. I took him to a number of medical appointments around 11:00am this morning. On top of everything else, he is suffering from a very painful infection which has caused his nose and sinus area to become extremely inflamed. His immune system is so compromised that who knows what he contracted or where he picked up this latest bug. Too add to his frustration and discomfort, (just getting in and out of a vehicle is taxing as his skeleton is literally collapsing upon itself), he was told that he could not obtain the blood test he required, at the lab on Broadway and Arbutus, when he presented himself there. At some point there was some sort of misunderstanding, (Whether on his part of that of the health care worker at VGH who dealt with him last week is not completely clear to me but he was told today that since he is hard of hearing he probably didn't understand directions! Blame the patient who is consumed with unbelievable pain, suffering terrible agony every moment of the last days of his life.), about where he was to go for his test. He, himself, was quite surprised to learn that he could have his blood drawn at the lab closer to where he lives as the blood work, necessary before each transfusion, apparently, had always been done, in the past, at VGH. When so informed about this change of venue, he asked, a number of times, for confirmation, just to make sure he understood where he was now to go, having been given the bureaucratic run-around quite a few times before! On a slightly more positive note, the infection seems to have been controlled by the antibiotics he has been given over last few days and the swelling on his face has diminished and become less sensitive.

As well, I have troubles of my own, even though finally rid of The Uppity Californians! Today, abandoned, (all my regular riding companions had lame excuses!), I decided to head out to UBC. It was a most pleasant morning, tide way out along Spanish Banks and since I left at 7:30am, traffic was light. Usual route out along Marine, into Musqueam, etc., dodging huge semis, (dismantling CO I presume), instead of Lexus Polizei at Shaughnessy, (the hoi aristoi), and then back along Marine to complete Westbrook Loop/16th and then back to UBC and home. Thought that I'd only have time for 51K as I needed to collect Imre at 11:00am but was pleased to be able to squeeze in 61K by time I was home. Weather looks pretty good for next week so hoping to up my distance over next few days. Hope to ride with Jim on Thursday so perhaps I can persuade both Weasel Whirlygig and Mike to join us. Cheers, Patrizio!

The tax which will be paid for the purpose of education is not more than the thousandth part of what will be paid to kings, priests, and nobles who will rise up among us if we leave the people in ignorance. -Thomas Jefferson, third US president, architect and author (1743-1826)  

Pat,
 
Visited an old friend in Stoke-on-Trent yesterday who had a serious stroke some years ago. Drove with two other friends on motorways sometimes at 100 mph. Unbelievable traffic even into the evening. Driving of this kind wouldn't be my cup of tea on a regular basis.

In the meantime, Sylvia travelled a shorter distance to Harewood House (as seen in photo below) with the wives of my friends. The old stately home is owned by a cousin of the queen. It sounded as though the three of them had a very pleasant day - better than 4.5 hours on the motorway for sure. Nevertheless, a valuable trip to see Ivor who I might never see again.

Relaxing this morning other than a light workout with Jim's weights and exercise bike. Deciding which area to visit this afternoon.
 
Hope you are enjoying the bike and recent good weather. Have a pleasant evening on Tuesday. Has Mike Carter started to ride again? Ray 

Hi Sylvia and Ray!

When did Sylvia buy her castle? Has she employed you to be both Groundskeeper and Gardener, Ray?

On a sadder note, feel a bit like you, Ray, and your friend Ivor, with respect to my friend, Imre. Today, had thought that I would ride with Giorgio but he was unavailable. Originally, anticipated we'd start out around Stanley Park but since I was alone decided to head out to UBC. It was a most pleasant morning, tide way out along Spanish Banks and since I left at 7:30am traffic was light. Usual route out along Marine/Musqueam and then along 16th and then back to UBC and home. Imagined I'd only have time for 51K as I needed to collect Imre at 11:00am but was pleased to be able to squeeze in 61K by time I was home. Weather looks pretty good for next week so hoping to up my distance over next few days. Must give Mike a shout. Hope to ride with Jim on Thursday so perhaps I can persuade Mike to join us, unless he has the excuse of golf!

Slight change of schedule as we are now going for dinner on Thursday instead of tomorrow. Chris and Ray had planned a day trip to Whistler today when I talked to Jim on Sunday. Should be almost picture perfect as far as weather is concerned. All the best. Cheers, Patrizio! 

Hi Gen. Petreros!

Sorry that combat missions won't allow you to join us. Keep in touch when you expect your next furlough. Legs, what is happening in your jet-set life? Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Hi Ragin'!

I'll consult with rest of gang and see what time suits everyone. Will let you know as soon as I know. If we ride around Stanley Park it is best to be on road by 7:30am at latest, however. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Hi again, Jugos Dom Pedro!

Just leave a voice message or send an email if I'm not in. Cora Lee has a shift at WISH tonight and I might go for another ride if there isn't a thunder shower later. Earlier today, abandoned by my regular riding companions, I decided to head out to UBC. It was a most pleasant morning, tide way out along Spanish Banks and since I left at 7:30am, traffic was light. Usual route out along Marine, into Musqueam, etc., dodging huge semis, (dismantling CO I presume), instead of usual fleet of Mercedes and the odd Lexus at Shaughnessy and then back along Marine to complete Westbrook Loop/16th and then back to UBC and home. Thought that I'd only have time for 51K as I needed to collect Imre at 11:00am but was pleased to be able to squeeze in 61K by time I was home. Weather looks pretty good for next week so hoping to up my distance over next few days. Cheers, Patrizio!


Hi Donna Florida and Cactoosian!

Trust life goes well in Seattle and on Bainbridge Island. Popped your charger in mail on Thursday, I think, Donna Forget-Me-Not. (Perhaps it is still in the spare bedroom!)

Hootch consumed on Thursday, July 14th:


Howling Bluff, 2009 Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, 13.5%, wonderful acidity

Young and Wyse, 2010 Amber, 47% Viognier, 38% Pinot Gris, 15% Gewurtzraminer, 14%, Patrizio

Poplar Grove, 2009 Pinot Gris, 14.2%, Cactus

Black Widow, 2008 Pinot Gris, 13.3%, Patrizio

Ogio, 2010, Pinot Grigio, Belle Venezie, IGT, 12%, Herardo

Fox Creek, 2002 Short Row Shiraz,15%, Patrizio

Zenaida Celalrs,2008 Knucklehead, 100% Petite Sirah, 15.2%, Patrizio

Sister's Run, 2008 Shiraz, God's Hill, Barossa, 14.5%, Herardo

Escudo Rojo, 2008, Baron Phillipe De Rothschild, Maipo, blendage: Cabbage, Carmenere, Syrah and Cab Franc, 14%, Patrizio

Glen Garioch, Highland, 21 yr old, Patriziio