IIDD, Aug 31st

Hi Patrick and Corinne,

I saw Chloe yesterday and can't wait to see you all
sometime soon. Henning is in town til about 10. Oct as well. He is probably
going hunting and to Montreal but not sure when yet.
What is Corinne's new e-mail address??
Xoxo Laura
Hi Laura!

As Chloë may well have told you, we are enjoying the good life in Falcon with Clarisse and Dusty! Will be here until the Tuesday following Labour Day Long Weekend, when we will start our journey home. First night will be in Kenton, about 70K west of Brandon, where we will stay with my Mom's second cousins for the night. Wednesday we will drive to Calgary to spend the night with Betty Hughes, a close friend of the Durstons from Falcon Lake. Good friend, Zircon, (Jim Hillson), with whom we stayed on way east, will join us for dinner and bridge that evening, at Betty's place. Next day, Thursday, on to Kamloops where we will overnight with more close friends, Brenda Louise and Wally.

Need to be home by Saturday as we have a wedding reception that evening, at Granville Island Brewery. Chloë's school chum, Kari, is having a wedding reception there and we are invited. Chloë was part of wedding party in Las Vegas this past June.

Once back in Vancouver we are, more or less, home until mid-March, 2012, when we are off to Hong Kong, (four or five days), Australia, (three months), and Japan, (three weeks), traveling with Flamin' and Sarge for time in Australia. I'm volunteering with Vancouver International Film Festival from September 29th-October 14th and then both of us are volunteers for the Vancouver International Writers Festival from October 18th-23rd.

Let us know when Henning will be in town as we'd love to see him and catch up with both of you. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!

Here is Cora Lee's email: corinnedurston@gmail.com

Pics: Dusty's hot-house for tomatoes; one of his "babies"; Clarisse and Dusty buying beets at the Kenora, (about 58K east of Falcon), Farmer's Market this morning. Coriandre wants to learn how to pickle beets while here so needed to buy raw ingredients! Mr Big and two of his brothers waiting to go to the Ketchup Factory!!! Actually, Dusty will remove seeds first and plant them next spring.

Patrick!

Thanks for the message....

With the company of his parents' discerning palates our little Sonny will no doubt be a sommelier at the age of 8!

The spelling was correct by the way and we were very busy with over 400 per day. 

The fall will be hectic as well with weddings. 

Guess we'll take a break when we are in Oz in October.

Gracias amigo. Jeff, Kelly and Sonny

 

Hi Sommelier Sonny and Hangers On!

Thanks for clarification on meals per day served! Even more amazing knowing it was double what Vera had reported! Enjoy your well deserved holiday in Oz. Ask your in-laws if they are still interested in a house exchange as we are planning a trip there in mid-March, 2012.

Hi Brenda Louise!

Not sure if you will receive this email or not as you are probably sitting in a parking lot somewhere! We are wondering if you are still entertaining the thought of putting us up overnight! Not to worry if you won't be home or are otherwise engaged. Just let us know and we'll plan accordingly.

All the best to Wally and Picasso. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!

 

Patrick:

 

I am clear on both Wed evening and Thursday evening. Keep me posted on your plans. 

Thanks for the pics

Hi Zircon!

As you know, we are now enjoying the good life in Falcon with Clarisse and Dusty! Have played bridge last two nights in a row so that has been fun. With Cora Lee's brother, George, on Monday, when we arrived and last afternoon/evening with Sarge and Prince Valiant. They left Vancouver on Monday, stayed overnight in Regina and pulled into Ace bay at 3:30pm. I made it back a few minute s later after riding to Rennie, about 45K from Falcon, for a round trip of 103.33K, my longest ride since leaving Vancouver. Sarge is driving with Ryan as far as Toronto since Ryan is returning to Halifax to start Engineering at Dalhousie. Sarge will fly from there to meet Flamin' in St John's for a wedding and then they will visit other friends and relatives in and around Halifax before returning to Vancouver. Lads left at 4:00am this morning, hoping to be in Windsor by 6:00pm!
 

We are hoping that you can join us for dinner and bridge, given that you mentioned you are free on both Wednesday and Thursday evening, on Wednesday. This works well for us as Thursday we are on to Kamloops where we will stay with friends, Brenda Louise and Wally.

We are planning to bring pickerel filets for dinner on Wednesday. Will buy them, frozen, in Winnipeg, en route to Kenton and will let them thaw out on drive to Calgary. Hope to bring some potatoes, vegetables and other salad fixings from Dusty's garden so we wonder if you might bring a small/medium tub of ice cream from Cochrane's famous MacKay's! If not, we'll drown our sorrows with malt.

All the best. Confirm date and dessert when you have a moment. Hello from Clarisse/Dusty and Coriandre. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio! 

 

Patrick:

Is your friend still looking for a house in Penticton?

Linda M Ervin

 

Hi Linda!

Actually had dinner with the friends who are moving to Penticton, weekend before we left to drive here. They were staying overnight with mutual friends, Flamin' and Sarge, who live in our building. Learned that they have rented a condo in Penticton so they are not in the market for a rental house, at moment, anyway. Sorry! 

 

Hi Maret and David!

Just a few minutes ago, I was chatting with your Mom Dad, David! Unfortunately, as I'm sure I need not remind you, Walter cannot hear very well on phone so most of conversation was with Margaret. I gather they have moved from Wildwood Park and are now ensconced in Seine River Housing, according to Jean Bedford. We bumped into her and Doug at a garden party, last Saturday, at the home of Janice and Grant Douglas, (Grant is the connection to Bedfords, if I remember correctly.), to celebrate the wedding of their youngest son, Connor, and she provided me with their phone number. Had hoped to pop by the Swayze's when visiting my cousin in Block H but not to be!

Have been in Winnipeg since this past Wednesday. Trip was unplanned but Corinne decided she wanted to go once she received an invitation to the baby shower for her great niece, Quinn. Drove from Vancouver last Tuesday. Will be staying at Falcon until after Labour Day and then make our way home. Trust all goes well with you and your brood! All the best. Fondestos from Coriandre. Cheers, Patrizio!

 

Guys:

So many of you had to bow out.
Obviously, I picked a great night (to save my scotch supply) for me.
Not wanting to appear Scrooge-like, I have decided to reschedule a month
further on to October 1, Saturday
Here is hoping that the busy September is done and you all can join me
for that evening.

RSVP, Rip

PS Sorry for any inconvenience to those of you who were coming and now
have an empty evening.

 

Hi Riptide!

Best news I've heard since leaving Vancouver a week or so ago, and thought that I would miss your gathering!

At moment, we are enjoying the good life in Falcon with Clarisse and Dusty! Have played bridge and sipped malt, (Bruichladdich Waves and Laphroaig Quarter Cask), last two nights in a row so that has been fun. With Cora Lee's brother, George, on Monday, when we arrived and yesterday afternoon/evening with Sarge and Prince Valiant. They left Vancouver on Monday, stayed overnight in Regina and pulled into Ace Bay at 3:30pm. I made it back a few minutes later after riding to Rennie, about 45K from Falcon, for a round trip of 103.33K, my longest ride since leaving Vancouver. Quite overcast so it was a great day for riding, other than bucking quite strong headwind, both ways!!! How does that happen? Life just 'ain't fair!
Thanks again for invitation. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Hi!

Just wanted to say hello and send you my new contact information.  Loved all the pics from the recent festivities in the ‘Peg!

Love to all! Ayn

Hi Tinsel Town!

Just had breakfast of Canadian back bacon and ripe-tomatoe pickle. Off to Kenora to Farmer's Market shortly. Love from everyone. Dad! 

We used to dream about tomatoe pickle!!!

love to all!

Hi Dad, great pics of peeps at P&G's as well as Sally/Filmer's BBQ.
Sounds like you both are having a great time.
Weather was a tad cooler today with possible rain tomorrow, just got back from the movie's saw Our Idiot Brother a nice comedy about a stoner brother that means well and his three sisters, great laughs. Just gave Mags a few crunchies, and am off to bed.
How's the lake? G&G? pics of Quinn please!!!!

love you. Chloe Alexis xxxx

Hi Goils!

Will probably be home on Friday unless we decide to try and visit Dave McDougal. Start vacuuming on Wednesday, Chloë! Need to be home by Saturday to attend Kari's wedding reception that evening, at Granville Island Brewery.

Ayn: How is new position? What is life like in an empty nest? Let us know as we are hoping to experience same phenomenon shortly!!!

Chloë: You didn't mention visiting Mom. I assume you didn't. Please let me know how she is doing. Thanks.

Re Quinn: Ask your Mother or Marlo about snaps. I wasn't invited to shower!!!

Pics: Dusty's hot-house for tomatoes; one of his "babies"; Clarisse and Dusty buying beets at the Kenora Farmer's Market this morning. We waved to both The Chip Man and Husky the Muskie for both of you, Ayn/Chloë, but didn't stop as Dusy wanted to go to their favourite restaurant in Keewatin for lunch!

From: spotlesscarpetdoctor@hotmail.com

Hey you should just send e-mails to Kimberlee and she will reply because we dont check our e-mails often!!

Hey!
 
We would love to see you and that sounds great!! Just call sometime this week and we shall talk!!
 
Talk to you later, from the Gray's!!

Hi Kimbo et al!

Glad to learn that everyone is well and that Kimbo is keeping the rest of you in touch with external world! Very happy that we will be able to connect and thanks for having us! 

Hi Patrick and Corinne,

Thought this might be of interest. Instead of Fiji you could do Bali. Also you could go in earlier to stay in Sidney. These cruises include air!

We’ve sold these and they are very exciting – even at sea, as they have on board lectures and shore excursions when on land.

Just a thought, Charlie

Hi O Susannah and Champagne Charlie!

Thanks for info on cruises but don't think we are interested, this time around. Nevertheless, appreciate thought.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IIDD, Aug 28th

Hi Dearest Daughters!

Trust everyone is well. Hope your busy visit schedule went without hitch, Chloë. How is Sharktooth Annie? How go plans for Austin junket, Ayn? How is bespectaculared Densel Banker? Has Xavierino returned to Pueblo?

Had a more than wonderful ride yesterday. Took off from #33 St Michael and did a reverse circuit: Pulberry to St Vital Road to Victoria Crescent to River Road and then across Bishop Grandin Bridge to University of Manitoba, Fort Garry campus. I had never been through the SmartPark, a research park adjacent to the university, so I spent some time just cycling past all the various high tec company buildings. Some very attractive landscaping and interesting, futuristic architecture. After I had toured what was, to me, a completely new addition to the university community, (akin to UBC's currently under development, Nobel Park), I made for King's Road, a street which leads east from the campus proper, along the Red River. Had never traveled this street before so I was like Columbus discovering the New World. I followed Kilkenny Road to the point where it intersects with Pembina Highway, not far from another municipality, St Norbert. Turned back, at this point, to retrace my steps, taking a dipsy doodle to explore King's Park, a wonderful green space, with pathways, small ponds and Off Leash Dog Spaces, so-called Fields for Fido, and a series of tarmac trails close to to the river bank, quite similar to the trails, along the Ottawa, I have traversed when staying with friends, Maret and David, in Gloucester!

Eventually made my way back to the campus and traversed the ring road there to return to Bishop Grandin, taking the cycle path under the bridge to find myself on Pembina Highway. Given that it was about 3:30pm on Saturday, one of last weekends of summer, road was relatively quiet. Only had to cycle a few blocks north, to Chevrier, to connect with the Bike Route. Following this, I came upon Crescent Drive Park, nestled in a fold of the Red, bounded on the west by Crescent Drive Golf Course. I enjoyed riding around this new territory and was soon back on South Drive, heading for Wildwood Park. En route, I rode past a lawn filled with about six impeccably restored, vintage T-Birds. As I breezed along, I asked the chaps milling about the cars if they would consider trading one of them for my bike. One of the owners, (I assume he was an owner but he may well not have been.), asked, in response to my question: "How many gears do you have?" Everyone laughed and I waved as I continued on. Few minutes later a young man, driving in other direction asked me if I knew where the golf course happened to be. I assumed he meant Crescent Drive so waved my thumb behind me and hollered, "Keep going that way!" For someone who had never been in this neck of the woods before, I was becoming, so it seemed, the local GIS/Garmin Goil expert!

Reached Lot H where my cousin lives, shortly thereafter, about 4:00pm and zipped down their alleyway to find Travis, youngest son, behind their house, walking Peg, their 14 year old, lovely Golden Lab. Didn't stop but said we would be back in a few hours and made for Oakenwald, street I needed to take me to Jubilee. It wasn't until I was on the No Public Access street running between two of the fairways of Wildwood Park Golf Course that I realized that the chap in the car had probably meant this golf course. Since I'd just been around Crescent Drive GC, I assumed that that was the one he wanted! Who knows if he is still searching, caught in the labyrinthine folds of the the Red's meanders!

Once on Jubilee I crossed over the Red by the famous Bridge Drive In, noting the long lines of customers waiting for soft ice cream cones or sundaes. Given the unending heat of this past rainless summer, business must have been booming for months. On to Kingston Row, trying, unsuccessfully, to stop my left eye from tearing, my sunscreen having transferred some of itself into the socket, where I decided to ride north under the Osborne Bridge, never having done so before. Once again, I was able to put more pieces of the jig-saw map of St Vital together, in my mind's eye, and realized that Kingston Row was accessible from St Mary's Avenue, to the north of Osborne, a fact I had never realized for all the years I had lived in Winnipeg!

So enlightened, I cycled back under Osborne Bridge and onto Dunkirk Drive to take turn-off to St Vital Road and thence to River Road, riding parallel, so to speak, to South Drive on the other side, south side of the Red, past St Vital Park and then north on St Michael, just before Bishop Grandin. In essence, I had come full circle and with but a few minor dipsy doodles I rolled into driveway at #33 with 63.33K on my trusty odometer, an increment, over previous ride, of 20K, Dear Observant Reader! More than pleased with afternoon's efforts, I chained my Brodie to Grog's wheelbarrow and went inside to stretch and crunch. Quick shower while Cora Lee was preparing some pickerel filets for her dinner, (Filmer and Sally were having pizza for supper and Cora Lee knew she couldn't handle crust so she decided to eat earlier and not worry about taking fixin's that would not upset her sensitive tummy.), and then we headed back to Wildwood Park, a journey much more easily accomplished by bike than car.

Nonetheless, we achieved our desired goal and found assembled company in front yard and, after introductions, we spent a very pleasant few hours visiting and grazing on a marvellous, nay sumptuous, mixed platter of cold cuts/olivettis, cheeses and pickled red peppers, plus aforementioned designer pizzas. Two of guests were Joanna and Johan, a former co-worker of Filmer's. Met Glenna, Filmer's sister, now living in Prague, and enjoyed hearing about her experiences of this remarkable city. Tiernan, their eldest son, was home on hols from Regina so we had a chance to hear about his work there. Kaitlyn, middle child, was there with Scott, her boyfriend, and since I had not seen them for a number of years, I was pleased to hear about their coming studies. Travis, the youngest, is currently doing a co-op work program with Manitoba Hydro, as part of his Surveyor Technician Program, from Red River CC, so he had numerous stories to tell about his summer work in the field. Close to 9:00pm, it was time for Johan, (he is in his early '80's), to go home and since Glenna was staying not far from where they lived, Filmer chauffeured them home. We stayed for a bit, visiting with Sally and her brood, and then, thanking everyone for lovely evening, we made for home ourselves.

Back at St Michael, Cora Lee watched TV coverage of Irene while I digitated. Close to 11:00pm Pam/Greg/Dustin returned from War Eagle as Dustin had a full day of hockey games the next day. I finished off my entry for the day and Grogg and I enjoyed a few snorts of Colombian Rum, Ron Medellin, while The Sisterhood wrinkled their Durston noses in annoyance and exasperation.

Plan to meet my friend, Jim Sutherland, for lunch today, while The Goils meet with their nieces to plot more nefarious schemes against their faultless, blameless Ukrainian husbands! Fond regards from your Favourite Parent! Cheers, Dad!

10-4. We are just arriving at Furry Creek to golf and the girls are going to Whistler. See you Tuesday. Say hi to Coralee.
Wayne Sutherland 

Hi Sarge!

Trust gold went well.everyone is well (The dangers of cutting and pasting!)

Hello Gerald!

Trust you are well. Have been in Winnipeg since this past Thursday. Trip was unplanned but Corinne decided she wanted to go once she received an invitation to the baby shower for her great niece, Quinn. Will be staying at Falcon until after Labour Day and then make our way home. Am wondering if you will be around that week, for a brief visit, perhaps lunch or a coffee, depending on schedules, etc. Let me know what you think. All the best. Cheers, Patrizio!

Hi Dionysios!

Trust you are well! Have been meaning to say hello for aeons! Last I heard, your back was acting up again. Hope that is not the case anymore.

Have been in Winnipeg since this past Thursday. Trip was unplanned but Corinne decided she wanted to go once she received an invitation to the shower for her great niece, Quinn.

Have been riding, quite regularly, back home, with Whirlygig and another former VRC friend, Ray Banks. Not sure if you knew him. At any rate, Steveston/Iona are on our circuit, along with Seymour Demo Forest/Dam and I explained I first went to first two with you and Peter. How is he doing?

At any rate, wanted to reconnect and see if you are interested in joining us at some point, if, in fact, you are able to cycle. Trust this is the case. Let me know. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

PS: How is Ricardo?

Conductore:

Somehow my computer ate your email so I hope this is still your correct address.

Good to hear from you! And good to hear you're riding lots.
Me, not so much. Not at all, in fact. Piston-man has ceased up.
Still rehabbing from another back issue that arose last year. It's getting better but it's progress at glacial speed.

Bourne is still riding, but not as much as he did with me.

So get in touch again when you're in town and let's get together. Bourne, McKeown and I get together for dinners and drinks every so often and you should come along. We can trade war stories.

Until then,
Dionysius.

Hi Dionysios!

Sorry to learn that you are still struggling with a bad back. On a more positive note, I look forward to seeing you, Petros and The Poet when I return. Greetings to them until we meet.
 

Hi Patrizio,

Sounds like a great trip. No skeeters in the Peg!?!

Enjoy the rest of you holiday.

Cheers,

Robert.

Hi Robert!

Truly, no mosquitoes! We were out for dinner last night and enjoyed a wonderful meal in the front yard of my cousin's home. Not a single skeeter but the wasps were out and fairly aggressive! Seems the bugs will get you, one way or another, in The Peg! Cheers, Patrizio!

 

Pat,

26 degrees and we decided to walk in the Endowment Lands - see photograph. So peaceful. I took the poles which certainly takes the strain off the joints. Met a physio friend of Sylvia's and her husband riding very nice-looking Kona mountain bikes. The fellow, a club cyclist from England was telling me about the spinning classes he does at the new Riley Park facility in the winter. Sounds worthwhile if the weather is bad.
Chris returned in the evening, inhaled a couple of burgers, and proceeded to take off to visit friends after driving from Kimberley on his own in one go. Nice to have that kind of energy.
The photos we sent you were of Chris Banks, Chris Cropley (a friend and teacher at York House -dresses in RCMP costume),and Nevada. Yes, that is her real name and her sister is Sierra - I kid you not! Ray

Pat,

Sylvia and I rode to Iona Island this morning. She hadn't been there before and she was thrilled with the experience. Watched several planes land parallel to the road and met a couple who took this photo. Did stop at the end but no latte breaks. Out about 2.75 hours. Sylvia found Heather a challenge but otherwise did well. Another lovely day as you can see by the picture taken with Sylvia's phone.
Ray

 

 Hi Sylvia and Ray!

Congratulations, Sylvia, on the ride to Iona! Well done. You'll be up for Seymour by the time I'm back!! You will spit on Heather after Lilloet!!! Great snapolas, as well!!! Thanks for the clarification of The Sierra Nevadas!!!

For my part, I only logged 33.33K, (I've taken to matching some combination of the house address!), today as I was visiting with friends and relatives for better part of morning/afternoon. Cora Lee and Spumoni, her sister, went to visit Quinn, new great niece, while I picked up my friend, Jim Sutherland, a university connection from the '60's, and had him for lunch where we are staying. After that, we drove to Wildwood to say hello to my cousin Sally and her husband, Filmer. Jim knows them from previous visits. We chatted for half an hour or so and then said goodbye, thanking them again for lovely dinner evening before.

Made for St James, after waving goodbye, to visit a woman I have always called Aunt Vera, a very close family friend. She and her husband, Merv, (sadly, he died three years ago), met my parents in 1945 in a mining camp, Favourable Lake, in Northern Manitoba, and remained lifelong friends. Jim met both of them a number of years ago, so I knew he would enjoy the visit as well. Had a lovely chat with Vera, catching up on all her grandchildren. Her eldest daughter, Mary, is a but a few years older than me and we have visited her, quite regularly, over the past few years, in Westport, a small resort town on the Rideau Canal, about an hour south of Ottawa, an hour west of Kingston. She and her husband, Terry, own and run quite a successful Inn, (bar, restaurant, hotel), The Cove Inn, there. Vera mentioned that it has been one of the busiest summers on record with them serving over 200 meals a day for last three or four month. Great for business but exhausting, of course!

Said goodbye to Vera and dropped Jim back at his apartment and then made for home. I was to put a roast in the oven at 4:30pm but The Sisterhood were home when I arrived. Free to do as I pleased, I suited up and headed out for a relatively short jaunt. Did the Bishop Grandin/Pembina/Crescent Drive Loop past Wildwood Park and then on to Kingston Row and home. With a few dipsy doodles I managed paltry distance noted above but was pleased just to have had a bit of exercise before dinner.

Quick shower and change and then we sat down to a wonderful roast beef, potatoes and mixed vegetables, green peas and Caesar salad. Viognier before dinner and Tannat with meal made everything blend together. I loaded dishwasher and cleared up while The Sisterhood lounged in separate TV rooms, watching their favourite shows. Had hoped to watch an episode of MI-5 but for some reason it doesn't seem to be on even though newspaper listing indicates it should be! Guess I'll just have to drown my sorrows with some malt and finish last few chapters of Krakatoa.

Plan to head to Falcon Lake tomorrow after we have lunch with close friend, Noreen. Were to have dinner together on Friday but she had to stay at home, laid low with a nasty migraine. Looking forward to logging some 100K+ rides when there as country roads are perfect for such outings.

Keep up the good work, Sylvia, and you'll become a regular Saturday morning rider. You and Flamin' can argue about which coffee shop in Steveston to frequent! Cheers, Patrizio!

  
 

IIDD, Aug 27th

Hi D

all sounds lovely, you are missing excellent weather here, mags is sunning herself daily, love to all!!!!
xxxx

Hi Chloë, Suntanning Kitten and Tinsel Town!

Glad that your weather, in Vancouver, is as warm and sunny as Winnipeg's. However, you probably don't need air conditioning. Here, sleeping at night, would be very uncomfortable without it! What about LA, Ayn?
 
Had thought that I would ride out to Assiniboine Park yesterday afternoon but once I reached River Road, at the south end of St. Michael, next to St. Vital Park, which borders the Red River, I decided to explore the area on the other side of Bishop Grandin, a major arterial route on the east side of the city. Crossing over, (I timed the light poifectly so that I didn't have to stop, you will be delighted to learn, Dear Reader!), the dual cariageway, I continued along River Road into a neighbourhood I had never been in before even when I lived here. I discovered, after proceeding a few blocks, Riel House, a National Historic Site operated by Parks Canada. I'm rather ashamed to admit it but I really had no idea that such a museum existed! So much for my knowledge of one of the most important figures in both Manitoba's and the country's history! At any rate, I turned in the driveway leading to the small park in which sat Riel's frame house. Interestingly enough, it reminded me, almost exactly, of the house in Rivers where, as you know, my grandparents lived, where Mom and her brothers were born and where I stayed as a child, where you visited as an infant!

At any rate, a number of people were sitting at a table, under a large tree, and I assumed they were visitors having a drink or a bite to eat. After one young woman said hello and welcomed me, I learned that they were people who worked there, in period costume, actors hired to tell Riel's story. Didn't really have time to stop as it was past 5:00pm by this time and I had to be back around 6:15pm as we were to go out for dinner with Noreen at 7:30pm but needed to collect her around 7:00pm. (Thought then that I'd like to visit before we leave for Falcon so will probably do so with Nana!)

Waved goodbye and kept exploring, riding through the grounds of St Amant, a small Catholic hospital, not far from Riel House. A few minutes later, I asked a chap on one of streets I was reconnoitering if he knew if I would eventually reach the University of Manitoba by heading east on St Mary's Road, the main thoroughfare att eh north end of St Michael. Not being familiar, as I mentioned earlier, with this part of the city, I wasn't sure if there was another bridge over the Red, in that direction. He informed me that I would have to use the bridge on Bishop Grandin to get to U of M but that there was a pedestrian/bike path on the east side of the bridge. Thanking him, I retraced my steps back across BG to pick up the path close to the entrance to St Vital Park. Following it I made my way under the bridge and was soon in Fort Garry and speeding towards the university.

Although I studied there from 1970-1973, (working on my MA in English Literature, thesis still incomplete!), I think the last time I was actually on campus was some time in the mid '80's when I went to play handball with Rocky while we were home for Christmas one year. I barely recognized the place as I cycled around the perimeter, trying to remember the names of buildings I had taken or given classes in. Having almost circumcycled the campus, I took a street leading into the centre and started to get my bearings although I could not, for the life of me, remember the Dafoe Library looking as it appeared today. I asked a passerby if it was a new building, since the '70's and he said he didn't think so but that it had received a new façade. Heartened that I wasn't losing my mind, I thanked him and rode around the very attractively landscaped pedestrian/bikeway concourses, feeling more at home as I recognized a  number of other buildings: the Student Union Building, the Athletic Centre where I played many a game of handball and University College where I had had an office as a TA.

Close to 5:50pm, I headed back towards the bridge and decided, before going home, to scope out the route that I wanted to follow today, west along Pembina Highway towards Wildwood Park, coming at Sally's/Filmer's house from the opposite direction. I only had time to go but a block or two on Pembina but I think/hope I should be able to make the trek off this busy street. Saw a number of signs indicating Bike Route so trust it will be rather self-evident once I more time to explore.

Back at 33 St Michael with 43.33K on odometer to find that dinner with Noreen had been cancelled. Unfortunately, she had been suffering from a very painful migraine and so couldn't even think about going out. (We hope to see her on Monday before heading out to Falcon.) This being the case, I had plenty of time to do some stretches and crunches while your Mother watched Judi Dench in As Time Goes By. Once I showered and changed, I put a few cobs of corn on to boil and made a salad. Nana had taken one package of pickerel filets out to thaw, after she had talked to Noreen, so she fried them with Mrs Dash just before cobs were ready. Had a delicious Navarro Correas 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, (Mendoza, Argentina), 13.5% while preparing dinner and a more than tasty Koyle, 2009 Carmenere, Alto Colchagua, Chile, 14% with meal itself.

Cody had a friend over and we invited them to eat with us but they wanted to do burgers on the bbq so we ate inside although we would probably have used patio if they had not been home, evening being as pleasant as it was and not a bug in sight! After dinner, I cleared up and Coriandre went back to Dame Judy. A couple of other friends popped by and I said hello to the gang, by now everyone gathered in the TV Room, off the kitchen.  I asked the lads if they would like to join me in a snort of malt, after I determined that they would either not be driving or that there was a designated driver. Three of them opted for a taste of Bruichladdich, Waves, 46%, and one of Laphroaig, Quarter Cask, 48%. Cody started to cough and splutter after sipping the Laphroaig, much to the amusement of Fraser, the one friend, (his name implies he is probably of Scottish parentage), who seemed best able to appreciate the maltage. By and large, they are probably used to drinking Spiced Rum so these peated malts were new to their young palettes! Good fun with the Bad Uncle! Chided, of course, by Mother Hen Cora Lee!

Said goodnight to lads and joined Coriandre on couch to watch a bit of business coverage, US economy, on PBS, after British sitcom, and then some weather reports about Hurricane Irene threatening Eastern Seaboard, Washington, Boston and New York. (Yesterday, before Greg and Pam left for War Eagle, we were watching similar coverage and Greg and I mentioned to The Sisterhood that we had one-way tickets, for each of the Durston sisters, to The Big Apple. All they needed to do to claim the free flight was sign a few insurance forms!!!) Around midnight, we brushed and flossed and then read for a bit before turning out light.

I was up at 7:30am to have a cup of java and make a breakfast of overlefts. Cora Lee struggled out of bed around 8:30am and we both read online, (VIWF Book News for me, various papers, [National Post, Vancouver Sun], for her), while we munched and sipped. She is of downtown, by bus, to explore Osborne Village and environs, while I will ride to Pembina and beyond. Little cooler today but still supposed to reach 26C by this afternoon so will need my camel pack for sure!

We are to be at Wildwood Park by 6:00pm this evening, for a bbq with Sally/Filmer so will need to be back by 5:00ish. Fonestos and Cheers, Dad!


Hi Pat,

You sound like you up to your usual busy schedule

We arrived safely in Santiago,  only to have my bag stolen right from under my feet while we were having lunch.
thank God I had all my documents in a passport pouch around my neck. I am so mad, but apparently here it is really bad.

well onto more pleasant experiences, running the rain.

buenos Tardis, Ski

Hi Ski and Ronaldo!

Glad to learn that you are alive and well in Santiago but terribly sorry to hear about your purse! What a drag!! Trust nothing else, untoward, befalls you! Don't miss your flight home!!!

Pat,
Felt rather guilty when I read your letter with the proposed lengthy bike trips as I haven't been out since you left. Realize that I'm a very social cyclist although I have been to the gym a couple of times - don't seem to mind that in isolation. Just recovering from two days of painting on one of Peter's renovations. Needed the day off to help the back recover but probably back at it tomorrow without the regular Saturday morning ride. Must get the odometer fixed up soon. Haven't got passed looking at the instructions. Think I'll place it the old Giant as that will be the main bike once the winter sets in. Much appreciated as I enjoy looking at the numbers and it serves as an excellent training tool.
Thanks for the photos. Sylvia went cycling with Pauline this morning in the Endowment Lands. Met Sylvia about three hours later as I was making my way to Broadway on my bike on an errand. Of course, they had stopped at some French coffee shop on Broadway and met up with Bill Gross and Denise.
Fantastic weather here also. We've been eating on the deck regularly and have guests this evening - Susan Whaley and Tom Sitar. Susan's Phd was based on the Australian author, Pat White (think I have that name right).
Chris returns from Fort Steel on Sunday as he has eight job applications in and is hoping to be interviewed for some of them. He sent us some great photos in costume which I'll try and send.
This is the weekend Jim is cycling west to east coast (C2C) with his son, Richard, and son-in-law, Ed. Christine is backing up in the car.
Enjoy the good weather as well as the contacts with friends and relatives.
Regards to Corinne.
Ray

 

Pat,

    The photos I mentioned taken at their workplace in Fort Steele. 

 

Ray

 

Hi Ray and Sylvia!

Glad to learn that your back isn't too, too bad after painting for two days, Raymond! Was it at Tom Johnson's house? Funnily enough, had a message from Whirlygig and he just received an odometer from his girlfriend, Kerry. You should give him a shout and you can cross-check your settings while ascending Seymour!!! Of course, if you prefer an easier ride you could always join the latte crowd and use the special setting to count coffee cups and muffins! Probably what Jim is doing on C2C as Chris will be driving from coffee shop to coffee shop!

Thanks for pictures. Great fun! Curiously enough, I thought of Chris and company, (You will understand why when, (not "if"), you read on!), in their historical garb on my ride yesterday. Just to clarify, is "Chris" his girlfriend? Bit confusing with two names the same! (Not even counting Christine Brownlee!) Or is it "Nevada"? Is that a stage name? Good luck with interviews/job placement. As another aside, we must try to have Bill and Denise over with you and Carters as we've not seen them in ages.

 

P,

I did not realize you were driving. I thought you were leaving at 4AM to get
a 6AM flight...

The sisterhood bought me an odometer for my road bike so I can verify your
kilometrage -- all sponsored by Lexus.

Before the installation of the klik counter -- I did the UBC to Iona to STB
and up Cambie, cursing all the way, in your honour – a two hour blast on the
carbon fibre rocket. Winds were moderate from the south east. I am having
trouble hearing you from three provinces away so I would like it if you
would please speak up.

Let me know when you are returning to the civilized world. I am trying to
arrange a bridge night here with you and C and Kerry’s mother Rita who is
coming to town from K’lowna for a wedding here on the 10th.

Weather is pretty special here – just let those sunny flatlanders know we
get a full three days without rain a year and it is now.

Enjoy, W

Hi Whirlissimo!

Glad to learn that weather is fab and that you are obtaining tax credits for using Cambie. Guess you'll need them now that HST revenues must be repaid to Federales! As well, more than delighted to hear, (I am shouting this at a 10 on The Sisterhood's Howlometer, so I trust you can hear me!), you are now the proud owner of a Klickometer! A new standard for bridge prizes! Not sure if I mentioned that I gave Robo Ray one, in part to thank him for bottle of Bunnahabhain so you should give him a shout and you can cross-check your settings while ascending Seymour!!! Of course, if you prefer an easier ride you could always join the latte crowd and use the special setting to count coffee cups and muffins! Probably what Jim is doing on C2C as Chris will be driving from coffee shop to coffee shop!

We will be home by the afternoon/evening of the Friday, the 9th, or next morning, Saturday, the 10th, for a wedding reception, ourselves, that evening. Think first night would be Sunday but I'm not sure. I'll speak to Coriandre and let you know as soon as she consults her diary. Look forward to meeting Rita. Maybe we'll be at same wedding in Big Small Town!!!

Pat:

 

Des and Sheila are here for the weekend. Ryan and I do not leave until Monday morning. We went to Joe Fortes last night for dinner. Wayne Sutherland
 

Morning D,

Sounds like your having a great time in the Peg, sorry to hear you were not able to see Noreen, hopefully monday will work out. Off to the Trout Lake Farmers market in a bit to meet my friend Christa (she used to work at the brewery) as she is heading off thursday for Halifax to start law at Dal and want to spend some time with her. then later today i am going to go see George for a little bit, drop off the books and some DVD's of mine i think he might enjoy.Will also add Grandma to the visiting mix today!

Still sunny and nice here. Tell Cody not to bother with the malt, stick with the weed.

Love you both.

Chloe Alexis and Mags "wearing a two piece cause I'm so skinny" the cat
xxxxx

IIDD, August 26th

Hi Patrick and Corinne

Yes, I am slowly getting ready for C2C- that makes one of us with Laura and Ed in Provence and Rich down south working. I even had to go into Leeds twice to buy and pick up a new bike for Rich - he will be paying. Chris is taking a passing interest as driver.

I figure on our travelling across on Friday night, cycling 40 miles first day and 50 miles each of next two days. Then staying over in Newcastle with L and E.

When I did it 10 years ago accompanied only by Chris in her car I drove across one morning got on the bike and cycled in rain all day for 70 miles , transported bike 15 miles to B and B, back 15 miles next morning and then 70 miles second day in pleasant weather finishing in bright sunshine at the entrance to the river Wear at Sunderland. Pity I forgot the camera.

With our limited preparation there is a bit of concern over some of the hills in the Pennines but with the extra day I am hoping to make it a relatively relaxed family occasion- this will depend on the weather- hopefully the prevailing westerly wind and little rain.

We particularly look forward to cycling through parts of Lakeland and then the Pennine Dales with a downhill run to the east coast.

I now find there are two new long distance rides across northern England -the Reivers Way and Hadrian's Cycleway- both slightly longer than C2C and full of historical connections as the names suggest. Recently I was walking a canal footpath south of Leeds(Leeds-Liverpool canal) which forms part of a cross Pennine bike trail which I need to experiment with. 

Since we returned after several interrupted nights sleep I developed a cold which is now transferred to Christine. This somewhat interrupted my cycling agenda. My mother also took a fall and has had X Rays and is now at my sister's house and will be going into a rest home for a few days while Janet and her husband go to Majorca to celebrate an anniversary. Needless to say some duties fall our way but not a lot.

Apart from attending three Hartlepool United matches with my friend Rene that about sums up our time back in the UK.

I recall several rescue phone calls from Laura and Rich over the years eg puncture in dark on M1 and " how do I get this dead bird out of my radiator grill" both occasions from 200 miles away.

By the way, given you are now renaming Canadian Forces as "Royal" isn't it time you gave up this French kilometre connection and reverted to Imperial measures.

I was pleased to hear your report on Imre- please pass on our good wishes and tell him that Sandor's brother was a hospital consultant at Hartlepool according to Rene's wife. In fact I remember his name from one of my rugby injuries.

Weather here has a touch of Autumn- less colour in gardens and even in garden centres- some flooding in the tropical south- we even had some rain here last night. I always feel August heralds the end of summer here with days shortening. Not quite as bad as in France when everyone goes home at the end of the month of August.

I  shall be interested in your itinerary for Australia- I spend lots of time fantasizing about our next (unplanned) trip down there. With our mothers it is getting more difficult to arrange but I can always dream while Chris has nightmares about the journey.

After next weekend I shall let you know how we have done- I might even have some photos.

Best wishes

Jim and Chris.

 

Hi Chris and Jim!

Thanks for last newsy email. If I am correct, you will have started the C2C today. Buona Fortuna!!!

 

That evening we had a simply marvellous dinner with Polly and Mick Carter, at your old place! Really too bad your visit had not overlapped here, with Sylvia and Ray, as I know you both would have enjoyed meeting the Carters as well. All the best to you two from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizio! 

Hi Bob!

Thanks muchly for invitation for September 10th. As you know, we are leaving for Winnipeg, this coming Tuesday, and will be back, probably late on Friday, the 9th, as we are to attend a wedding reception on Saturday evening. That being the case, we won't be able to join you at The Nest in New West and finally have the chance to meet the elusive Corinne de l'Est.

Thanks for sending along snaps of Anna but I don't seem to be able to open them. Although labelled as jpegs they seem to be in some format for which my computer doesn't have the appropriate application.

Thanks and Cheers, Patrizio!

Hello Lads!

I trust we are still meeting this evening to discuss, or not, The Tiger! Both Coriandre and I will be at a bbq in Burnaby this afternoon so if we are not home by 7:00pm, on the dot, please make yourselves comfortable on the patio until we arrive! I'll leave an emergency supply of malt, (Glenkinchie), on table to sustain those in need of replenishing fluids!

Mitonious: Would appreciate it if you could bring along your copy of Fukuyama's Origins of Political Order to give to Claire so that she can pass it along to me! Thanks.

Cheers, Il Condutorre!

P,

Thanks again for last night – it was hoot as always.

Hope you are feeling okay this morning. I am sure that Bourbon packs a punch in the backwash.

I am going to suggest Saturday the 17^th of September for the next gathering of the great un-read. Let me know if that date is open on your dance card. I will also send you the reading suggestions from last evening – mostly to confirm your recommendation and Guy’s.

We could ride this morning if you want to get out in the pissing rain. I would prefer to not ride in this deluge. My window of opportunity is between 10AM and 2PM or after 4:30 PM. I would prefer the latter if that works for thee.

W

Hi Whirlissimo!

Great night indeed! However, not quite enough Howling or Snoring for The Sisterhood, I've been informed!

Only good thing about rain, other than the fact that city probably needs it, is that it forces me to start packing/loading car for our 4:00am departure domani! Cora Lee has a Friends of VPL bbq here this evening so need to be organized well before that happens. I might just squeeze in a short ride, out to UBC and back, perhaps, around 4:00pm, dovetailing with a number of errands.

The meeting for the 17th, is fine, (here, if lads wish), with me but I would certainly appreciate knowing which titles Guy and I suggested, so forcefully, it would seem! (Who would have thought that anaemic bourbon could cause such blackouts!!!) We intend to be back by the 9th as we have a wedding reception on the 10th.

I'll call later in day and we can see what might work for an abbreviated outing. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

The next gathering will be on Saturday, the 17th of September, at 7:00 at the Island Inn.

The next book is Super Sad True Love Story: A Novel by Gary Shteyngart (George) We are seeking suggestions for a book to follow the Shteyngart As defacto treasurer and chief martinet the Conductor will apply arbitrary levies to late comers, absentee non-readers and bourbon drinkers as appropriate.

Hi Lads!

I'm more than happy to go with Shteyngart, inasmuch, as one about Vita and Violet, (Whirlissimo, as Club Secretary, does a grand job, but has managed to suggest the wrong book: A BOOK OF SECRETS, Illegitimate Daughters, Absent Fathers, By Michael Holroyd, Illustrated. 258 pp. Farrar, Straus & Giroux. $26.), is more recent and there will probably be some difficulty/delay obtaining it from VPL or other public libraries. However, I'm also really keen on Wade Davis' latest book, Into the Silence: The Great War, Mallory, and the Conquest of Everest, but since it won't be published until October, I suppose it will have to wait to make ever lengthening list!

Cheers, Il Conduttore! 

Cher Conduttore, we have just returned from our looping drive up Dry Creek Road and have returned with the spoils. Only one bottle was lost in the difficult passage up the hill at Villa Vicente, so you must be cheerful upon hearing this good news! Pat Coffaro send her warm greetings as well. She knew me in an instant from my "Coffaro 2008" Tee Shirt, realizing quickly that I could be representing none other than....the illustrious Canadian!
We sampled and sampled and sampled, the new Zins (including a Rai-Sin from last year's semi-dried out harvest) were in my opinion each-one-better-than-the-next, although when it came down to putting a few dollars in the Coffaro coffers, we went with the Escuro.  The bbq was excellent, chicken in delectable sauce, with sides of mustardy potato salad and some cold cole slaw.  Fine company at our table (One from SF, two from San Bruno and us from Oakland, so we had each corner of the Bay Area represented).  Thanks to the traffic on Highway 101, which they are working on in some inscrutable way, we had a chance to develop a hearty appetite.
We then visited (just like I did by myself last time when I did a pickup) Pedroncelli and Frick.  I am currently delighting in a bottle of icy Pedroncelli Sauvignon Blanc, the barest undertone of grapefruit under a big full grapey flavor, and soon I will prepare our simple post-tasting dinner, Polish sausage, fresh corn from the Farmer's Market, and a melange of potatoes wok-ed up with cumin seeds.  By the way, I did up a batch of bread this morning and left a plump loaf with Pat.

In any event, all three and a half cases are now resting safely (as ALWAYS!) downstairs in the cool fragrance of your former bedroom.  It is also fortunate that the temperature was not 114 today, so that when we whiled away our hours in the tasting rooms the little tender young bottles were not fricassied.

I will now turn my attention to the kitchen and the dramatic action of Oakland A's baseball on the silent television screen. Our best to Mme. Coriandre, and our fond hopes that you make it down before the wine is all gone....

Cactus


Hi Patrick,

So sorry I didn't respond to your message of 7/29 before
now. I was going through 15,000 messages in my junk folder this morning
and came across this one from you. No, I definitely do not consider your
messages "junky," in fact quite the contrary. And you may take solace in
knowing that this is the first and only message from you that I have
found anywhere but in my usual inbox. I think my computer was going
through some kind of junk meltdown around that time, because I also
found a couple of other messages from friends in my junk folder.
Hopefully, I have fixed that problem for future correspondence.

Anyway, as you likely know by now, your friends the Berkeloids (please
confirm their real names for me...David and ? Kessler...something like
that?), did come by over the weekend and picked up your pending order.
Thank you for arranging that. They also very kindly brought me a loaf of
their homemade bread which was quite delicious. I'd like to write them
to say thanks if you would kindly give me their email address. That was
really very, very kind of them. He doesn't seem "prickly" at all and
they both seemed to enjoy their time here, saying to let you know that
they did a good job of representing you.

Gotta go now. Will read the rest of your message later. Just trying to
catch up on all that transpired over the weekend.
~Pat
  Hi Miss Marps!

How time flies, indeed! Speaking of which, relative to my time at Curric Lab, Cora Lee and I were at a garden party, hosted by Janice and Grant Douglas, (this part has nothing to do with UBC Library, as such, but rather VPL), yesterday afternoon. Lovely affair to celebrate the wedding of their son Connor, now doing a post-doc at Freie Universität Amsterdam, and the birth of their second granddaughter, Sophia. At any rate, over the course of the happy gathering I was introduced to Garnet Grosjean and his wife, Janet Atkinson-Grosjean. As you know, Garnet is in Educational Studies, while Janet, as you may know, as well, is at the Centre for Applied Ethics. I never really knew Garnet but know Don Fisher, (mainly from swimming at UBC Aquatic Centre!), his colleague. Enjoyed chatting with both of them. Not sure if Connor did a post-doc with Garnet or Janet as simply didn't get around to that topic in conversation. I think that is the connection, but not even sure about that. Nevertheless, enjoyed asking about other mutual acquaintances.

Time to start packing! Cheers, Patrizio!


Hi Kids:

We are off to The Peg at 4:00am, (I hope), domani, so I'd like to know what you have decided about Prince Valiant and the iPad 2. If you are going ahead with that then we'd be more than happy to pay for the keyboard/carrying case. If not, then we will simply give him a card and cash.

Cora Lee has a Friends of VPL meeting/bbq on at the moment but I think it will be over by 9:30pm or so. Please call to let us know how you would like to proceed. Cheers, Patrizio!

Hi Sandra!

I just realized, as I stepped out of the shower, that I was supposed to pop by this afternoon! Hit me like a tons of bricks and I had to have a stiff shot of malt to stop shaking with shame!!! No excuses but plenty of reasons!! In all the rush to get ready to leave tomorrow, at 4:00am, for The Peg, the appointment simply skipped my mind. I forgot! I do apologize.

We plan to be back by September 9th so if you want me to deliver programs that weekend, or later, as the case may be, I'm more than happy to do so. At any rate, send me an email, (I'll be checking my mail regularly), and let me know how you would like to proceed. Once again, I'm terribly sorry for not showing up. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizio!

No worries Patrick! We'll talk when you get back... Hope you have a lovely
trip!

Sandra


 

---

Hi Patrick
What a small world! Really like Garnet and his wife Janet.
Get packed! Visited with Pamela Black (Jones) last night.
Cheers, Jo-anne

Hi Jo-Anne!

Please say hello to Pamela when next you see her. Fond regards to you both, from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizio!

Hello Kentonites!

Trust everyone is well and enjoying what is left of summer!

Had mentioned in last email message that we didn't expect to be back east this year if you recall. Well, it may come as a bit of a surprise, but we may well be visiting you! The Sisterhood has just announced/ordained a whirlwind trip to The Peg, (We blast off at some ungodly hour on the morn of Tuesday, August 23rd!), to attend a shower for her new grand-niece on Thursday, August 25th. At this point, given logistics/timetable, I'm not even sure how I will manage a stop at Kennsington Wine Market or Willow Park, in Calgary, to stock up on the malt I'll need to make it through trip and compensate for hootch I'll miss at a gathering of the The Brotherhood, scheduled for Thursday, September 1st! O woe is me! We Who are about to do Battle with The Sirens of The Sisterhood, Salute You!

At any rate, if convenient, we'd like to camp out with you on the night of Wednesday , August 24th. Given length of drive from Calgary, not sure when we'd arrive so if you'd like to have us stay, please don't wait on us for dinner, etc. I do hope to leave between 7:00am-8:00am but since we will probably be staying overnight in Cochrane, we probably wouldn't be knocking on your door until about 9:00pm at earliest, given time change. If it turns out that you will be away, we'll simply push on in to Winnipeg or sleep in a water filled ditch somewhere near Rivers!

Anyway, let us know about the 24th and we'll plan accordingly. Fondestos and Cheers., Patrizio!

Hi Kentonites!

Trust all goes well with everyone. We are just about ready to leave Cochrane. In the rush to pack, back home, I left my address book, so I don't have your home phone. Couldn't find you on the Net either. Cora Lee's mobile:

604-512-6462

We will probably drive straight through to The Peg unless we hear from you. Didn't want not to stop if you had expected us, (as per n earlier email), but don't worry if you are not around or otherwise engaged. If we don't hear from you, will call from Winnipeg. Cheers, Patrizio!

Hi Chloë!

I'd like you to look for my address book, to the left of the printer. It should be on or underneath the pocket calculator, on a pile of other small items. I need the address and phone number for Dallas and Judy Grey, under the "B's", Bill Grey, in Kenton.

Furthermore, please give address book to Sarge so that he can bring it to me when he and Prince Valiant stop overnight in Falcon, next week. I'm not sure when they plan to leave Vancouver.

Love from your Mother and Jim. Fondestos, much Warm Love and Cheers, Dad!

the number for bill/norma grey home is 204 838 2405
but then under that it says hamiota 204 764 3860
does that help??
hope so, drive carefully, watch for deer, love you both!
Chloe Alexis!!!

Hi Maggs and Chloë!

Thanks for phone numbers! Hamiota is one for Bill and Norma, other is for Dallas and Judy, in Kenton. Nana just walked over to a spa nearbye to have a manicure/pedicure. We went shopping, an hour or so ago, for some of the things for shower this evening, at Grant Park. I'm going to ride over to see Filmer/Sally as soon as I've sent a few more messages. Supposed to be 30 degrees this afternoon!

Did you give my address book to Sarge?

Love to you both. Cheers, Dad!


Hi D, yup gave your book to Wayne last night, callled about grames today, she is all fine and i am going on saturday to see her

Its lovely here, mags is lying on her bench sunning herself!!!!

xxx
love to all, take lot of pics of the shower!!!

Chloe Alexis


Hi Spumon!

We are just about ready to leave Cochrane where we spent a lovely night with Zircon/Jim!

We will probably drive straight to your place as I've not heard from my cousin in Kenton, where we had planned to stay. Hope we will be knocking on your door aroud 11:00pm, this being the case. We will phone, closer to The Peg, to let you know what are plans are. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!

Corinne - I volunteered you, mom and I to buy the wine for the shower, and I am going to be making a non alcoholic punch.  So I will pick something up today.  Have a good trip!  See you guys tomorrow.

Pam

Hi Filmer:

Saturday evening, August 27th, sounds wonderful. We'd love to join you then to see family and meet Glenna and other friends you mention. I'll probably call when we are in town. Staying with Spumoni/Grogg on St Michaels so I might cycle over once we are settled, if you are around and accepting guests from the West Coast! Plan to drive in from Kenton on Thursday morning as baby shower isn't until around 7:00pm that evening. I think it is for The Sisterhood only!

Problem with Ski is that she isn't "time-oriented"! She just wanders around, eyes wide open, like a little kid, living in the eternal present. One of her greatest charms, actually. Have included a snap of her, as well as one with Sarge.

Thanks again for lovely invitation. Hello and fond regards to Sally and rest of crew. See you soon. Cheers, Patrizio! 

Hi Pat:
 
Thanks for a great evening!  I had such a good time biking and chatting with you.
I loved my time with Corinne, catching up with all the news and feeling inadequate listening to all her volunteer work!

I arrived home safe and sound feeling silly but actually happy that I got to visit you!

Have a good trip to Winnipeg.

Hopefully I will see you at Christmas, but that may not happen.

Take care Rhoda

Hi Ski and Ronaldo!

Wonderful to see you, even under trying circumstances of a missed flight! Imagine where we could have cycled if you'd been around for a few days!! Come back with the Great Complainer and we'll "attack" Seymour!!!

Sorry that it has take me so long to reply but life was a whirlwind from the time we sent you to Olympic Station with Sarge right up until time we left. Monday night, Coriandre had a bbq for the Friends of VPL and people didn't leave until about 9:30pm. Still had to clean up, pack, load car and meet with Chloë to arrange for all the household details that would need attention, (deposit of rent cheques for our loft and suite next door, visits to Mom, and the like), while we would be away, so I didn't hit my pillow until 1:45am. Coriandre, of course, was snoring gently well before midnight!!! Up at 4:05am, little more than two hours later, to leave The Island Inn at 5:50am. In spite of hecticity, we had a very pleasant drive to Calgary, (Coriandre took over the wheel once we were on Coquihalla, and I slept like a baby in back where I had left room enough for me to be able to almost stretch out!), to stay with good friend, Zircon, in Cochrane, for the night. Left at 8:22am next morning and arrived in Winnipeg at 11:30pm. Not bad, given loss of an hour due to time change. Needed the air conditioning, from time to time, as it was a clear, cloudless sky all the way.

Weather in The Peg is fabuloso, "Was a sunny day", as Rhymin' Simon said in one of my favourite albums, Kodachrome. Given that most of summer has been so hot and dry there are virtually no pesky, life-threatening skeeters. One can actually sit out, of an afternoon or evening, sipping a chilled beverage, or beverages, of choice, without wearing a hazmat suit. Went for a short ride, (33.33K-We are staying at 33 St Michael Road, in St Vital, so I had to dipsy doodle, obsessively/compulsively, as some are wont to say, to come up with this exact odometer setting!), yesterday to visit my cousin in Wildwood Park, on the other side of the Red River, in Fort Garry. We will have dinner there on Saturday. For tonight, Cora Lee has planned to have pickerel filets. Will buy this wonderful fish from Gimli Fish Market, not far from where we are staying, fortuitously located right next door to Banville and Jones, a remarkable private wine store!

Time to prepare a substantial breakfast of overlefts. (I am in charge of fridge management here. From past experience, Spumoni, my sister-in-law, knows that I can be depended upon to, ganet-like, clean out her filled to overflowing ice-box!) Need to fuel up as as soon as I've eaten and sent a few more messages, I'm off to make for Assiniboine Park, (for the non-Prairie Folk, The Peg's equivalent of Stanley Park), and cycle the trails and roadways there. Looking forward to riding along Wellington Crescent, en route, (again, for the non-Peggites), the Shaughnessey of Winnipeg. All this in preparation for what I hope to be regular 100K+ rides once we are in Falcon Lake. Will probably head there, about 135K east of Winnipeg, about 50K west of Kenora, on Trans Canada, on Sunday or Monday.

Fond regards to you both from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizio! 

Hi Pat:

Hamburgers were to rival Peter's in Calgary enough anyway to make us glad for statins. Last night had a Sinder Roulade at a German restaurant when Wally's brother and wife came to join us. The sunset over the lake was something else as our table was on the patio . The population here quadrupled overnight! Glad we made the decision to leave Monday
Cheers,B

Hi Brenda Louise!

Assume you are home by now. Fond regards to you both from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizio!

Hi Folks,
 
Hope all is well with you and a belated Happy Birthday to Cloe.  (we have the same birthdate and don't I wish I was her age again!)
 
I think I last wrote to say that I have finally moved in to my new home.  I am rather enjoying it despite that progress on painting the bedrooms is slow and I had to delqy the carpet installation once already.  Hopefully the painting will be finished by saturday.  That is what you get when a friend offers to paint - I am virtually working on his schedule.  The weather has been very hot and muggy so the pool has come in handy.  Finally this week I have not had to run the air conditioner with night temperatures around 16. 
 
Not certain if I told you that I am going to Ireland on the 18th of Sept for 2 weeks with a girlfriend.  It is a tour consisting of 25 people including the tour guide.  Should be a good time.
 
When are you heading off to New York? Hopefully we can meet up somewhere if not here in Kingston.
 
Take care, Simone 

Hi Simone!

Glad to learn that you are enjoying your new home! Forgot that you and Chloë share the same birthday. belated birthday wishes to you!!! You had mentioned your trip to Ireland. We enjoyed Dublin immensely, last October, and would love to see more of the country at some point. Unfortunately, we won't be visiting New York this Fall as friends we had planned to stay with are not able to make trip. Cora Lee is bitterly disappointed but perhaps it is best given what looks like what may well be a nasty storm ahead! Not to make like of what could be a very serious situation but this, as well as our personal financial concerns as we are heading off to Hong Kong, Australia and Japan, this coming early-to-mid-March, to be away for about four months.  

Hi Pat,

 

Further to our conversation last night regarding the remarkable connections we have with Winnipeg and my uncle Paul Day, I am sending  you his eulogy, written by Richard Mulgan, who I now find out is a professor of Political Science at Australian National University, Canberra.

 

In the old photos, you will see Paul as you may have remembered him, He is the handsome one with the glasses.

My father was there for a family visit, in 1958, he is the thin fellow with the mustache.

 

Richard Mulgan is the older young man sitting by uncle Paul. In one of the photos is my cousin , John Lewis ( the younger young man)  John went on to become the headmaster of Eton for about ten years about the time the young princes were pupils there.

 

One of the photos was taken when Paul arrived in Cranbrook to visit us, on his way to the job interview in Winnipeg!!

 

We have your wine socks as well so will be sure to get them back to you when we see you to drop off Jenny's clothes. Sylvia

 

Hi Sylvia!

Thanks again for the simply wonderful evening and now, the latest, the photos and eulogy! I was about to compose a lengthy email to Jamie Gairdner and now I have many of the details I was going to have to ask about. What incredible time-travel, so to speak. I take it you are "The Babe" on the viewer's right in photo at airport. Not sure about the person on the left.

Reading through the eulogy I discovered another remarkable connection to your uncle. I was also born on December 6th! I told you we were related!

If you don't mind, I'll send along the photos and eulogy to Jamie Gairdner, in Chesham. I know he will be delighted to share them with his sister Judith, now living in Cambridge.

Another Sedbergh connection, John Conway, studied with Jamie's father there and ended up in the History Department at UBC. I first met him in the late 80's, during one of Jamie's visits, although I knew him slightly, from his use of Inter-Library Loans, the section I was working in at the time. I still see him, from time to time, usually on his old bike, (I'm sure it only has about three gears!), slowly but steadily making his way up the UBC Foreshore Hill, the front wicker basket full of thick tomes to be returned to the Library, his trousers clipped to keep them from becoming entangled in the chain, the quintessential picture of the English academic! Always, at least in my limited experience, reserved, often crusty and curmudgeon-like, the very, very proper, superior, upper crust British intellectual, yet somehow endearing and charming and personable, in an awkward way. Still a wonderful individual, more than a character, seemingly still incredibly fit, both physically and mentally, for what must be, at least, his 85+ years, I hazard to guess. Must ask him, next time we bump into one another, if he happened to cross paths with Paul at Sedbergh. Probably not, but who knows with all the coincidences we are uncovering?

Thanks again and please let me know if it is fine to send material along to Jamie. Cheers, Patrizio! 

Hi again, Pat:

I would be happy for you to pass on the info and photos.
I also emailed my cousin Cath and await her response.
She is an artist and musician and lives near Masterton, in the Wairarapa
area of NZ
Glad you enjoyed yourselves last evening, we did too.
Sylvia

 

Hi Lady Trizia and Sir James!

Thanks for last phone call, Sir James. great to hear from you and learn some of your news. Please send along an email as I'm curious to know more about the Days, as you will soon discover!

 

Last Saturday evening we had a simply marvellous dinner together with mutual friends, Polly and Mick Carter, at the home of Sylvia and Ray Banks. I had forgotten the connection between Sylvia and Paul Day, (Her father was Paul's older brother and he and his family settled in Kimberly, in the interior of BC), whom I met at your parent's home on Niagara, in about '68 or '69, I think! Here is a copy of the email I sent to Sylvia after she sent along pictures and eulogy:

Hi Sylvia!

Thanks again for the simply wonderful evening and now, the latest, the photos and eulogy! I was about to compose a lengthy email to Jamie Gairdner and now I have many of the details I was going to have to ask about. What incredible time-travel, so to speak. I take it you are "The Babe" on the viewer's right in photo at airport. Not sure about the person on the left.

Reading through the eulogy I discovered another remarkable connection to your uncle. I was also born on December 6th! I told you we were related!

If you don't mind, I'll send along the photos and eulogy to Jamie Gairdner, in Chesham. I know he will be delighted to share them with his sister Judith, now living in Cambridge.

Another Sedbergh connection, John Conway, studied with Jamie's father there and ended up in the History Department at UBC. I first met him in the late 80's, during one of Jamie's visits, although I knew him slightly, from his use of Inter-Library Loans, the section I was working in at the time. I still see him, from time to time, usually on his old bike, (I'm sure it only has about three gears!), slowly but steadily making his way up the UBC Foreshore Hill, the front wicker basket full of thick tomes to be returned to the Library, his trousers clipped to keep them from becoming entangled in the chain, the quintessential picture of the English academic! Always, at least in my limited experience, reserved, often crusty and curmudgeon-like, the very, very proper, superior, upper crust British intellectual, yet somehow endearing and charming and personable, in an awkward way. Still a wonderful individual, more than a character, seemingly still incredibly fit, both physically and mentally, for what must be, at least, his 85+ years, I hazard to guess. Must ask him, next time we bump into one another, if he happened to cross paths with Paul at Sedbergh. Probably not, but who knows with all the coincidences we are uncovering?

Anyway, I plan to ride by house on Niagara while here. Please remind me of number so that I can take a shot, both for you and Sylvia! Fondestos to you both from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizio!

Pics: Taken at bbq, Cora Lee and Mick; Ray, Sylvia and Polly; rest from Sylvia. 

 

Hi:
Assumed you would be there by now. We got back Monday but it's taken til now for us to get upacked etc. We decided that we wouldn't be using the r.pod anymore this summer so had to strip it and store everything in totes stacked in the basement. I think I washed and ironed all week! Poor me having to actually work for awhile! I'm still amusing myself taking tutorials on imovie and iweb and having a great time doing it.
I've got Dana's birthday presents and am looking forward to going to Calgary to see her in a couple of weeks!
I think I'll have to turn breakfast over to you next time you're here too.
Love
BLM

 

Hello, Former Indolentii!

I'd be happy to prepare breakfast although i think Cora lee would probably wrinkle her pretty little nose!

Perhaps you could make the following part of your next iMovie!

The longer you've been married, the funnier this becomes!

An old married couple was at home watching TV.

The husband had the remote and was switching back
and forth between a fishing channel and the porn channel.

The wife became more and more annoyed and finally said:

"For god's sake! Leave it on the porn channel. You already know how to fish!"

Cheers, Patrizio!

 

   

 

IIDD, Aug 21st

Hi Everybody,

I just wanted to thank you for the other night, Pat and Corinne. Excellent food and company, at the Island Inn as usual. Hope Pat, that you and Kjell sorted out your differences, with regards to wine choices, so we can maintain a degree of variety with our varietal friendships.

Corinne (de l'est) and i propose you all come to my place on September 10, around 6 pm, for dinner in New West. This will be your last Saturday, i think Kjell, before you fly home with United Airlines (if they don't route you to Dubai).

As Corinne East is not that befitting a nickname Pat, you can work on a more appropriate label (as in wine label). Before you settle on the themes of her perceived absence, or avoidance, you better meet her first Pat, to form a better idea. bob

ps: Anna expired yesterday afternoon, at Kits Beach, but she experience a resurrection by day's end. All this due to the nice jewish boys
she was playing with. They are actually the Grandkids of Corinne's friend Luba. Hopefully the threesome will meet for future fun.

Hi Bob!

Thanks muchly for invitation for September 10th. As you know, we are leaving for Winnipeg, this coming Tuesday, and will be back, probably late on Friday, the 9th, as we are to attend a wedding reception on Saturday evening. That being the case, we won't be able to join you at The Nest in New West and finally have the chance to meet the elusive Corinne de l'Est.

Thanks for sending along snaps of Anna but I don't seem to be able to open them. Although labelled as jpegs they seem to be in some format for which my computer doesn't have the appropriate application.

Thanks and Cheers, Patrizio!

Hello Patrick
 
Don't envy you the mosquitoes! There awful this year. Also Happy Birthday wishes for Chloe! Hard to believe you have a child who is 35 years old!! Wow time flies.
Take care always Jo-Anne

Hi Miss Marps!

How time flies, indeed! Speaking of which, relative to my time at Curric Lab, Cora Lee and I were at a garden party, hosted by Janice and Grant Douglas, (this part has nothing to do with UBC Library, as such, but rather VPL), yesterday afternoon. Lovely affair to celebrate the wedding of their son Connor, now doing a post-doc at Freie Universität Amsterdam, and the birth of their second granddaughter, Sophia. At any rate, over the course of the happy gathering I was introduced to Garnet Grosjean and his wife, Janet Atkinson-Grosjean. As you know, Garnet is in Educational Studies, while Janet, as you may know, as well, is at the Centre for Applied Ethics. I never really knew Garnet but know Don Fisher, (mainly from swimming at UBC Aquatic Centre!), his colleague. Enjoyed chatting with both of them. Not sure if Connor did a post-doc with Garnet or Janet as simply didn't get around to that topic in conversation. I think that is the connection, but not even sure about that. Nevertheless, enjoyed asking about other mutual acquaintances.

Time to start packing! Cheers, Patrizio!  

IIDD, Aug 18th

Patrizio:

I love the pics--especially the wine chiller ace mold. jhh

Hi Zircon!

I think you must have bridge on your mind: "I love the pics--especially the wine chiller ace, [sic], mold." What is your opening bid when you hold for ices? Cheers, Patrizio!
Hi Mr Grizzle!

I spit on your 20 mile kayak feat! See odometre below, for proof of my best ride to date! A salad it is! See you on Sunday, around 4:00pm. Cheers, Patrizio!

Hi Per et al!

Great to hear from you and receive both the news of Mackmyra's impressive awards and Kersten's distant hug! Lovely to meet you and get to know both Kersten and you a little better. Did Dom Marcellino/Vasil forward you the snaps I sent along, taken the evening of your lovely soirée? If not, let me know and I'll send along pics.


Snap: Odometer after last Wednesday's ride, similar to one, in terms of distance, with Kjell last Friday, although he had to take Sky Train to Olympic Village from Richmond!

Hi Vassilly!

Thanks for email addresses. Wondering if you would like to ride again, next Friday? Something along lines of last time or else a ride you might suggest. Dinner will be after 6:00pm. Apparently Snobby Bobby's Corinne will not be able to join us! Let me know about ride on Friday or earlier in week. Cheers, Patrizio!

Patrizio, moj drug,

 

I'm definitely on for Friday ride! Again, I'll do around 60.

 

So, the most interesting item on the Friday dinner agenda has been deleted. NOT a good sign for Snob. In fact, I have only seen one of his last fourteen dates.

 

 Hello Manuela and Vassily!

Trust you are both well. Are you still planning to ride on Friday? Both of you? Same sort of arrangements as last Friday? Let me know so that I can co-ordinate with Raymundo. Snobbish Bobbish will be arriving around 6:00pm, dinner probably around 7ish. Bestestos, Fondestii and Cheers, Patrizio!

Still planning! Jane could get there by 2pm, or 1.30 at the earliest, which means that is when I get there, too.That OK with you?

 

Vassily

 

Hi Kids!

Confirmazzione that we will meet in last parking lot on Spanish Banks at 2:00pm. You will bring appetizers for dinner. Fondestii and Cheers, Patrizio!

Hi Rolando and Renate!

We certainly enjoyed seeing Fabienne and Ursula again, and meeting Valentino. Great kids, indeed! Wonderful visit! Glad you enjoyed your holiday in Eastern Canada and that you plan to return. You are always welcome here!

Hi Sarge!

I never received any to begin with! Cheers, Patrizio! 
Hi European Touristii!

Enjoy your visit with the Cruel Swiss!

Happy Birthday to Chloe!

Spent the Pm in the mineral pool, the morning walking and drinking coffee in Bistros. On Friday we plan to take the boat at the hotel for a tour ride. This indolent life style willbe duly recorded on my next iMovie. Sounds like your social round I'd as involving as ever. Cheers. B
 
Hello i-Indolentii!

I think your iMovie working title should be something like: "The Lives of the Rich and Indolent"!

Thanks for birthday wishes for Chloë. She left about 7:30pm yesterday evening, after working until 6:00pm, for Winfield, where she will stay with close friends, Stephanie and Luke, until Sunday. Luke's parents have a lovely home overlooking lake, swimming pool and all, I gather. She took my car and our Garmin Goil as she wasn't quite sure how to find place in dark, even though she's been a number of times before. I suggested she stop at the Shell station near Bridal Falls to fuel up as we've found it to be often as much at 7-10 cents cheaper/litre there, relative to prices in Vancouver. At any rate when we were watching Lucas betray Harry, in our latest recorded MI-5 episode, (Witnessed the demise of Tom/Ellie and her daughter, (Maisie?), exposure of Tessa, as you mentioned, in previous, (obviously out of series' chronological order), installment.), phone rang and it was Chloë on her cell, with a cry for help. Reception was terrible and all I could hear was "I'm lost! I'm lost!" When I tried to ask her what her last known location was, in order to try to figure out her relative whereabouts, line went dead. Didn't try to call back as I assumed that either she would call when she could or else the terrorists who had kidnapped her would contact us or send a little finger by FedEx, with ransom note: Pay Chloë's rent for next year or we will eliminate the entire cast of The Young and the Restless! Of course, Cora Lee would have capitulated immediately as this is her favourite soap!!! Fortunately, outcome was quasi-positive for Chloë, (no rent scam!), inasmuch, as she contacted close friend Katie, who patched through to us to inform her quasi-anxious family that their daughter had filled tank at Bridal Falls and was, presumably, speeding her way up the Coquihalla Highway to the Connector and beyond! If the extremist cell has not jammed her mobile, she said she would call sometime today so that we could wish her Happy Birthday on the actual date of her ejection onto the mean streets of Vancouver/Life!

On Tuesday evening, we enjoyed a splendiferous meal at Vig's, (near 11th/Granville), a spot where we have celebrated quite a few of Chloë's birthdays ever since she has gravitated towards being a quasi-Vegetarian. Coriandre and Flamin' walked to restaurant, to snag a table, (no reservations), and Chloë and I drove up when she returned from work. Goils had already started pounding a Laughing Stock Pinot Gris when we arrived so we tried, as best we could, to catch up!Had three wonderful appetizers: Chickpea in star anise and date masala on grilled kale, (Had wanted to try this, in particular, as we have been receiving fair amount of kale in our inner-city Farms weekly vegetable tub and was looking for ways to use it.); Yam, paneer and cabbage kofta in puréed lentil curry; Dungeness crab in coconut cream and cilantro with crispy onions. All were ultra delish!

Pinot Gris finito, we ordered an 8th Generation Pinot Meunier Rosé, as Flamin' and Cora Lee have fallen in love with this winery ever since we tasted there this past July, to go with mains: I had the Rajasthani style goat curry with lightly spiced vegetables; Cora Lee the Wine marinated lamb popsicles in fenugreek  cream curry on tumeric and spinach potatoes; Boithday Goil had BC spot prawns in coconut and fenugreek masala with wheat berry pilaf: Flamin' opted for the Lemon-ghee marinated and grilled organic chicken breast and thigh with roasted garlic and cashews and tangy tomato curry. Everyone shared infinitesimally small, microscopic tid-bits and we all sighed and moaned and whimpered in ecstasy at all the gastronomic delights. Service was excellent, (as it usually is), and prices, all in all, quite reasonable. Everyone was too, too full for dessert so we declined sweets and made our way back to car, patting our full tummies most contentedly!

Fairly early night as I had planned to ride following morning. Robo Ray collected me at 8:00am and we followed the regular route to Stanley Park, over and back across Lions Gate, to head out to UBC. Ray joined me on that leg of jaunt as he getting his cycling legs back again, after his six week virtual long-distance riding hiatus, and we did the Marine Drive/Crown Loop before he headed for home and I continued on to the Imperial Loop as I wanted to log 101K for the day's ride. Had 103K on odometer by time I was home so pleased with distance as I'd not broken the century mark for a little less than a week or so.

Quick trip to Go-Green to empty car of recyclables as Chloë insisted ther not be any bottles clinking in back when she was en route to Okanagan. Back home to grab my bike and then head up to 10th and Discovery to have my eyes checked. All well with this part of my aging frame so was pleased that at least some part of my body was keeping faith! Popped in to visit with my friend, Imre, on Highbury/5th, on way back. Happy to report that he seemed well, under circumstances, (He is terminally ill with multiple myeloma!), and we had a very lively chat, (He regaled me with some of his adventures in LA while there on hols in the mid '80's), before I had to leave to be back to see Chloë before she left for weekend.

Off to see Mom shortly and then plan to cycle to see Dino, my barber, on 41st/Arbutus, to have a trim before leaving for Winnipeg. One of few times I will have time before departure: plan for another 100+K ride domani and then have friends coming for dinner that evening; garden party Saturday afternoon/wine tasting at Marquis, 4:00pm-6:00pm/dinner invitation from Robo Ray/Sylvia, his wife, in the evening; bbq Sunday afternoon with my Book Club at our place in evening; Cora Lee is hosting a Friends of VPL bbq, at our place, Monday evening. When will we pack and have Titanium Green ready for 4:00am lift-off, Tuesday morn? If it's Tuesday, it must be Bridal Falls!!! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!

Hi
 

I certainly don't wish Chloe any bad fortune but I couldn't stop laughing about your description
The Ridiculous and the Rich ( as opposed to the Young and the Arrested) have decided to go out for hamburgers tonight...slumming as it were. It's hard to type when all your words are being changed for you and you know the battery needs charging. Better
 

Hi RR and YA!

Hope the burgers were tasty! I was by myself for dinner as Cora Lee has been helping a friend move for most of day. When I called her cell to ask her to bring home some milk, sounded like they were moving their elbows quite a bit! I fixed myself some overlefts, beet greens and green beans, onions and a couple of onion/garlic chicken sausages. all fried up with some red curry paste left to us by the now departed Swiss campers. My lips are still burning! Guess I'll need a few shots of malt to quell fire that is ragin' like Krakatoa, (I'm currently reading Simon Winchester's fascinating account of the 1883 eruption), on my tongue! Might watch Foyle's War if Coriandre makes it home before midnight! Fondestii and Cheers, Patrizio!

 Hi Patrick, Corrinne, et al:

Thanks for pics, etc.  Thanks for welcome to M+Z too, they have landed on their feet, Matthew sent me an account of drinkin whiskey (sic - he's Canadian already eh).  Said also you are formulating Oz in 12 plans, keep it up.

I'm at home right now - wound down to a 3-day week for about another 12 months, then I'll pause more seriously.

We'll see you in December.

Wine here has never been priced better, I regularly get 20 per cent deductions at local Safeway - tha'ts 20 per cent on price specials too, plus another 4 for your loyalty card.  Not sure if you get Penfolds Thomas Hyland shiraz or cab-sav there, but it's in the mid-high range here at a usual price of around $20 -  I've been getting it for about $13.  Tasmanian'Ninth Island' Pinot (rarely good among Pinots of that origin), about the same.  Too much to drink, too little time.

Cheers. S.

Hello Stefano and Kathleen!

Trust you are both well. Delighted to have Zoe and Matt here adn look forward to your visit over Christmas with all your cheap plonk, smuggled in in your guitar/mandolin cases!!! How is your back? Zoe mentioned it was giving you heaps of discomfort. Sorry to hear so if this is, indeed, the case. Retirement IS the answer!!!


Hi Pat;

Will see you at 6 on Friday.

Are the photos, of the Island Inn Folk taken with your Canon G11 (or G12). bob


Hi Bob!

Shots were taken with my G11, G12 is/was birthday present for Chloë. Planning to ride on Friday, before dinner, with Dom Marcello. Not sure about whether Gianna will join us cycling, or not? 
 

What moulds? What wine-cooler kits? And who the heck is "Sarge"? Do I know
these people ... and you?

--Lynnie
XOXO

P.S. A great trip to the Island (but not the Inn) was had by yours truly and
Dom Pedro. Great to be home too.
 
Hi Lurkin' in the Shadows Lynne!

Sorry you couldn't stay to see the moulds in all their Isberg Ice Queen glory!

Rizzo!

So far I see nothing in between us and a spin up to Sonoma.  Nancy is clearing out boxes of her old Social Worker papers from the basement, making me believe we'll actually have someplace to put your stuff. How many cases will there be? Hoping to hook up with friends Sarah and Matt while in the northland...Cactus
  
Hi Cactus and Donna Florida!

Foist and foremost, thanks so much for simply lovely card and most generous sentiments enclosed. Very touching to have such wonderful, emotionally expressive friends! We were both delighted with visit and I, in particular, was heartened to learn that even breakfast goulash was a hit!!! Don't raise your eyebrows, Donna Forget-Me-Not!

Thanks again for Coffaro muleage. There will be two cases of Coffaro and six bottles of Matt's Select.

Riz:

Former mule Janferie, down from London, Ontario for a few weeks, was our guest at Villa Vicente last night! Mule get-together....we had some rather mulish wine (a 98 Barbaresco and a couple of youthful bottles of local grapes) to accompany a simple steak and potato quickie!
Ccts.

Hi Cactoosian!

How is Miss Former Mule doing? Simple steak and potatoe quickie sound quite tasty!

I was by myself for dinner as Cora Lee has been helping a friend move for most of day. When I called her cell to ask her to bring home some milk, sounded like they were moving their elbows quite a bit! I fixed myself some overlefts, beet greens and green beans, onions and a couple of onion/garlic chicken sausages, all fried up, (Shades of breakfast goulash, you say!), with some red curry paste left to us by the now departed Swiss campers. My lips are still burning! Guess I'll need a few shots of malt to quell fire that is ragin' like Krakatoa, (I'm currently reading Simon Winchester's fascinating account of the 1883 eruption), on my tongue! Might watch an episode of Foyle's War if Coriandre makes it home before midnight! Fondestii and Cheers, Patrizio!
  

Pat,

    It sounds as though you are enjoying life far too much. Must have a word with my brother-in-law to see if he can get you a job in the mines (his area of expertise) in some remote mine in Northern BC. He flew in out out, several weeks at a time and often during Xmas holiday periods. I always pitied him but he stuck with it and is now involved with mine safety and spends more time at home.

    Jut returned to computer after your call.

    I had to smile at the exotic menu of Vig's after talking with my friend Bob in Hartlepool earlier in the day on Skype. He had thoroughly enjoyed his meal, in some North Yorkshire pub, of Cumberland sausage, mashed potato, peas and gravy - all less than 4 pounds!

    Hope Chloe's finger hasn't arrived in the mail. I do sympathize as I am not the best navigator myself and often tend to rely on Sylvia when driving in new areas.

     Will call in the morning to plan a ride, I hope.

Ray

 

Hi Raymundo!

You can provide details of hardship posting on Saturday! No finger but had a brief chat with the Lost Soul as she called, an hour or so ago, to let us know all went well after distress signal. Apparently she arrived at 12:30am! Perhaps you and Corinne could take a trip together, after Sylvia and I insure you both for millions!!!

I was by myself for dinner as Cora Lee has been helping Robyn, (of Ken Cummane fame), move for most of day. When I called her cell to ask her to bring home some milk, sounded like they were moving their elbows quite a bit! I fixed myself some overlefts, beet greens and green beans, onions and a couple of onion/garlic chicken sausages, all fried up with some red curry paste left to us by the now departed Swiss campers. My lips are still burning! Guess I'll need a few shots of Bunnahabhain to quell fire that is ragin' like Krakatoa, (As I think I might have mentioned, I'm currently reading Simon Winchester's fascinating account of the 1883 eruption), on my tongue! Might watch an episode of Foyle's War if Coriandre makes it home before midnight! Talk tomorrow morning. Cheers, Patrizio!

 

Hi Patrick

Have a great trip to Winnipeg. Will be thinking of you! Cheers, Jo-Anne

 

Hi Jo-Anne!

Is that because you equate The Peg with Lac La Biche? Chatted with Chloë, briefly, a few minutes ago, as it is his 35th today, and she wanted me to thank you for the contact information and mentioned she would be in touch once she is back in Vancouver. Guess there is no easy Internet access where she is. Thanks again.

We''ll be thinking of you when we are killing mosquitoes at Falcon Lake!!! Cheers, Patrizio!

 

Hi Patrick,
 

Good to hear that all's well in your life and that you at least have good eyes. Lynne and I always stop at Hope for gas. I agree that Bridal Falls is sometimes the cheapest gas west of Calgary, but not a big enough difference from Hope to sacrifice your only daughter to the lurking hillbillies.

Lynnie and I had a great trip to the island, about which I'm sure you could fill many pages. Will only whet your appetite with the briefest summary.

Our first destination, Tuesday evening, was sister and brother-in-law Jane and Larry on Denman Is. They have one of the largest and most productive vegetable gardens you will ever see. We had a wonderful 2 nights visit with them. Meals were very organic and very good, including fantastic berry pies. Jane proposed a trip to Hornby Island on Wednesday, with a hike through Helliwell Park, and a few stops at local galleries etc. Hornby is quite a different world with the upscale hippy culture. We missed my old friends Humphrey and Clair Jones, who have a 20 acre waterfront property on Hornby. They were on their weekly shopping run to Courtenay, but we managed to track them down through my brother Bill who lives in Union Bay, and H&C stopped in at Jane's later in the afternoon for a couple of beers and some of Larry's delicious homemade cider. Humphrey and I travelled in Europe for 9 months in 1966-67, and I was best man at their wedding about 45 years ago. Brother Bill came over for dinner on Wednesday night, driving his 1959 Rover that he inherited from our Dad. Thursday, Lynne, Jane and I had a great hike through Central Park on Denman Island, a piece of land endowed by some generous islander. We then went to the Denman Island cemetery to visit Mom, Dad and great aunt Kathleen's graves. We cleaned off the graves and shed a few fond tears.

Thursday afternoon Lynne and I relocated to our friends John aka Wedge and Jo-Anne's place on the waterfront on the east side of Denman Island, next door to Mom and Dad's old place. We had a nice visit with them as usual. Wedge and I have been good friends since 1972, early in our engineering careers, and were working together on the Toromocho Project in Peru in recent years until he went back into retirement (younger than me). Jo-Anne, who is some years younger than Wedge, sprang a surprise on us, announcing that she has just finished writing a novel. That was a real shocker, as Jo-Anne has never seemed that literate to me. The novel confirmed my impression of her literary skills but is highlighted by lengthy explicit sex scenes. It's sure surprising what you find out about people. Wedge and I, after a tour of all the gardens, fruit trees and toys on his quite large property, had a couple of beers while the girls were getting quite wound up drinking a bottle of 2010 Nichol pinot gris. (I think this is their best ever vintage, and unfortunately their young winemaker Matt has decided to move to France). Wedge and I had a sauna then went for a wonderful swim in the ocean. It was quite warm, as the tide was coming in and flooding the sun-warmed rocks. The sauna and swim were unrelated to Jo-Anne's sex scenes, as the novel announcement came later. After whiskies and a good dinner, we had a fairly early night.

Friday we had a pre-arranged rendezvous with another old friend, meeting for lunch at a resort south of Courtenay on Vancouver is. Tom White, also from our early days at Gibraltar Mines in Williams Lake circa 1972, and his wife Jan, live in Salt Lake City but keep their large and expensive DeFevre yacht in Sidney. We met up with Tom and Jan, Wedge and Jo-Anne, brother Bill, and Wedge's brother Bill (dissipated ex Province journalist who lives in Comox). Photo attached. After a pleasant lunch, we drove down island to Victoria. Traffic was heavy, and my eyelids got a bit heavy after lunch on a warm day. My dear wife's angry rejoinders kept me going.

On arrival at sister Mary's, we just had time to say hello to Mary and Peter when a party broke out. Uncle Pete and Auntie Lynne's arrival was a much heralded event. Niece Rosie and her mate Matt arrived with the cherished new baby Kesler for oohing and ahhing, along with nephew Willie (Rosie and Wille are both Jane's kids) and nephew John (Peter and Mary's). A great family event and the baby really is cute and adorable.

Saturday we went driving throughout Victoria and Saanich visiting Saturday markets. It's a great area and we saw lots of interesting stuff. One of the markets had a booth selling potions, and I couldn't resist buying their signature product, Snore No More. I've been trying it out and Lynne is optimistic that it's working. It's a jar that you open for the night and let out a nice aroma that smells much like eucalyptus. After our market tour, we went to visit Tom and Jan on their yacht at VanIsle marina in Sidney and had a nice lunch snack and wine from the Saturna Island winery.

Sunday morning Peter proposed a bike ride from their place near U Vic to downtown, along a biking trail called the Galloping Goose. We stopped for a great breakfast at a place downtown, then continued our tour of the harbour and other sites, ending up at Rosie and matt's place where we rendezvoused with the ladies. On the way there, we rode past a school, which flashed into my mind as being Tillicum Elementary. I attended there for a brief month or two in Grade 2, in about 1954. My extreme unhappiness there must have registered as I had no trouble recognizing it. Peter was the victor in a hard fought croquet match in Matt's back yard, then we said goodbye and headed back to Mary's where I watched the final round of the PGA Championship while the others slept.

At 4 PM, we once again relocated, to our friends Barb and Fred's condo in Saanich. They are on the 5th floor, with a beautiful view over the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Peninsula and Mount Baker. In the foreground is a very nice Par 3 golf course. I took Fred a bottle of Lagavulin 12 year old, which I hadn't realized until we opened it that it was cask strength. We both found it pretty rough at full strength, but with some dilution was much like the Lagavulin I love. Fred is the founding Keeper of the Quaich for Sidney (i.e. head of the local Whisky Society). I sampled a number of his scotches. His collection certainly doesn't hold a candle to yours but still nice to be able to browse. We spent quite a bit of time during our visit sorting out plans for our 3 week trip to eastern Europe with Fred and Barb next May 22.

Monday we caught a ferry to Saltspring Island and spent most of the day there, hiking and lunching. Like Hornby, quite prosperous but still lots of hippy flavour. We ended our visit with a nice Japanese themed meal that Fred prepared. I had to keep a low profile Monday evening as I was getting up to catch a 7 PM flight to Vancouver for an all morning meeting while Lynne brought the car over on the ferry on Tuesday morning. Lynne met me in the lobby at 750 W Pender where I had been meeting. It just happened to be at the entrance to Pacific Centre so we went to the Apple store and bought a new Macbook Air for Lynnie and a new I-pad for both of us for our upcoming travels to Europe.

Anyway, we're back home now. I have a crazy schedule in the next couple of weeks, with two quick trips to Vancouver next week, the vineyard and garden needing attention, hosting an NCA barbecue Friday evening, a key golf match on Saturday for which I have to have practice rounds, and then a week trip to Chile the week of Sept 28-Oct 3, followed by a visit from Tom and Jan on their return drive to Salt Lake City. Tonight Lynnie and I have a special treat in store. We're going to a God's Mountain winemaker's dinner featuring Painted Rock. Should be yummy wine and food.

Wish I could visit next week but probably no time to spare. Best to you and Corinne.

Cheers, Peter

Hi Dom Pedros and LL!

Am most impressed, and seriously so, with your Gulf Island Diaries! Now, given your new iPad II, I expect even more detailed and descriptive accounts of each and every business trip, let alone exotic holidays!!!

No finger by lurking Deliverance hillbillies or FedEx but had a brief chat with the Lost Soul as she called, an hour or so ago, to let us know all went well after distress signal. Apparently she arrived at 12:30am! Having a blast in Winfield so all's well that ends well!

Robert called to ask if I was available for bridge yesterday evening. Couldn't make it, neither could Sarge. Too bad as I'd enjoyed round with everyone when you were last here.

On  a more mundane note, as far as fine dining goes, I was by myself for dinner this evening as Cora Lee had been helping a friend move for most of day. When I called her on her cellulare to ask her to bring home some milk, sounded like they were moving their elbows quite a bit! I fixed myself some overlefts, beet greens and green beans, onions and a couple of onion/garlic chicken sausages, all fried up with some red curry paste left to us by the now departed Swiss campers. My lips are still burning! Guess I'll need a few shots of malt to quell fire that is ragin' like Krakatoa, (I'm currently reading Simon Winchester's fascinating account of the 1883 eruption), on my tongue! Might watch an episode of Foyle's War if Coriandre makes it home before midnight!

We leave for Winnipeg, via Bridal Falls, at some ungodly hour Tuesday morning so we'll wave to you as we pass Hope! Fondestii and Cheers, Patrizio!