IIDD, July 3rd

Hi Brenda Louise and Picasso!

Sorry to hear that you are all by your lonesome! However, I'm sure Picasso is demanding enough to keep you towing the line!!!

Have not been biking for a day or two, of late. (Some very, very late nights!!!) However, made up for it a bit today when Flamin', Sarge and I "attacked" Seymour! Headed out via Union/Adanac to Second Narrows and then up Lilloet. Although it was cloudy and overcast when we left at about 8:45am, (Sarge wanted to see end of Men's Final at Wimbledon, Djokovic downed Nadal, in case you didn't know or care.), but was almost perfect for cycling. It was so quiet and peaceful once we were up in Seymour Demo Forest that it was truly magical, wisps of fog/low cloud, shrouding mountainside. Flamin' had fallen while in Italy and bruised her right hip so she was struggling a bit on last leg towards dam. She turned around at second to last picnic area and we continued on, catching up with her later. Back over Second Narrows, (Very, very windy and noisy with constant traffic. Had forgotten what a long haul it is to get to crest!) Once over bridge we made our way along water to Powell and kicked over at Commercial to retrace our route back to Union and home. Pleased with 61K by time we were back!

Friends, Christine and Jim Brownlee, of friends, Sylvia and Ray Banks, were just over for a drink. C/J are from Hartlepool, North England, and are living in S's/R's house for next four weeks, while S/R are traveling around England/France for next six weeks. Lovely couple. I invited them to come over to meet them and to orient them, a bit, to GI and environs. Over next little while, Jim will probably join me for some rides while Christine, for her part, will accompany Cora Lee downtown for shopping sprees!!! Will have them back for dinner this coming Thursday when Nancy and David, friends from Berkeley, will be here.

Plan to watch a number of recorded TV programs, (MI5 and New Tricks), tonight, after dinner. Lovely late afternoon so Cora Lee is using every ray of rare sunshine to finish painting last few deck chairs! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!