IIDD, Aug 5th

 Hi Milton:

On matters Whirlygiggish, I mentioned that I had to return Origins of Political Order to VPL before I had finished reading it. Giorgio mentioned that Ralf was going to lend him his copy so I was wondering if I could borrow your copy and catch up on my high-brow reading! You could chain it to the bench on our patio if you decide to drop it off before our next non-Readers meeting on August 21st.

On another matter requiring local knowledge, we are planning to visit Hong Kong, for five days or so, leaving Vancouver around the 9th/10th of March, 2012 and were wondering if you could suggest any modest, (Both affordable and comfortable as far as Cora Lee is concerned. For my part, I'm prepared to stay in a hovel where I will need to clean kitchen and stove-top before using facilities!), well-lit accommodation, in an interesting, centrally located part of city, with free WiFi and a grand selection of Single Malt! If you are free, over next little while, perhaps we can arrange to have a meal here and have you suggest an approach to the visit, over the course of the evening, outlining highlights, etc. You could even bring a Power Point presentation! Perhaps we could work in a ride as past of fun-filled event! Anyway, let me know and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizio!  
Hi Gen.!

Thanks for loan of Fukuyama. I'll trade for Ralf's books and your DVD's.
Will probably watch Blackhawk Down on Friday, (only one not viewed), as Cora
Lee is out with The Sisterhood that evening! With respect to riding on
Saturday, I have a number of suggestions. We could plan to go later in
afternoon and you could stay for dinner and fireworks or some such
combination. If you wish to go earlier and spend time over here after ride,
that is more than fine as well. Cora Lee will be working at Trinity, selling
parking spots to fireworks goers, (proceeds to church outreach programs),
until about 8:00pm so I have planned dinner to accommodate her return,
probably around 8:30pm. Lads can sip malt/bourbon/aquavit until then!

Two other friends, Dom Marcellino and Ragin' Bull, have expressed and
interest to ride on Saturday so since you three are all "latte lovers'=stop
for a rest, bathroom break and java at each and every opportunity", I
thought I'd assemble a peleton which will allow you to dictate start time,
route, distance, hill grade, etc. Let me know your thoughts and we'll plan
accordingly. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Hi Patrick,

I think you'll like Black Hawk, though it's violent. It's funny, U.S./Nato
intervention in Somalia happened over 15 years ago, many lives lost, civil
war still rages on, and now the entire region is on the brink of starvation.


The bike ride I mentioned is next Saturday - Aug 13. Is that okay? We can do
the ride, have dinner, and have a fireside chat later. I'm seeing Claire
Sowerbutt on Sat - shall I pass the book to her? 

Hi O Susannah and Champagne!

I remember, when we were first in Cyprus, in early '50's, we had an icebox as well!

As far as trip goes, we've decided to scrub Fiji, for this trip, at any rate, and go to Hong Kong first, for five days or so, leaving Vancouver on the 9th/10th, arriving in Melbourne on March 16th, at latest. Unless interior flights in Australia are part of a package, we will book ourselves. Since we will be driving with Flamin' and Sarge for much of our visit, we should be able to find flights closer to times we plan to visit Darwin, etc. This will give us a bit more flexibility as well.

Still, as far as we've thought that far ahead, wish to leave from Melbourne or Sydney, (unless you feel it is cheaper/easier, via Cairns/Darwin, as noted in your first itinerary and with proviso noted above), around May 7th/8th for Japan and then from Japan, home to Vancouver.

Will be in touch once we've "argued" with Flamin' and Sarge! Thanks again. Cheers, Patrizio!

Hi Big Al:

Enjoyed your "sink tips" endeavours. Cora Lee and I were off to a bbq yesterday evening, at the home of the Chair of the Board of VPL, so was looking forward to meeting some of the movers and shakers in the public library world. I was told I had to be on my best behaviour as Coriandre is the President of The Friends of VPL. Received explicit instructions, beforehand, that I was not allowed to "howl" or otherwise embarrass her! Taunted her with threat of wearing a different coloured Croc on each foot!!!

As it turned out, really a wonderful summer party in a gorgeous back yard. Lovely, lovely house on the corner of 11th and Blenheim. Turned out I knew quite a few people simply because of library connection, (Paul, former City Librarian,/Joan Whitney, Sandra Singh, current VPL Librarian and her husband Mark, a librarian at SFU, other VPL librarians, etc.), but was quite surprised to see Steve Savit, (his wife is on Library Board), philosophy prof at UBC whom I know from the Aquatic Centre but have not seen in some time as I've not been swimming there, of late, and Alan Twigg, author and publisher of BC Bookworld, and Whirlygig's boss! I know Alan, casually, through mutual friends, so it was fun to give him a hard time about keeping Giorgio chained to his desk/computer so that he often cannot ride with me!

Cheers, Patrizio!
Hi Ray and Sylvia!

I'm worried about the early starts as well! Have to be ready by 6:30am tomorrow as Giorgio is leaving for Seattle/Portland for weekend!

As I mentioned in last email, Cora Lee and I were off to a bbq yesterday evening, at the home of the Chair of the Board of VPL. As it turned out, really a wonderful summer party in a gorgeous back yard. Lovely, lovely house on the corner of 11th and Blenheim. Turned out I knew quite a few people simply because of library connection, (Paul, former City Librarian,/Joan Whitney, Sandra Singh, current VPL Librarian and her husband Mark, a librarian at SFU, other VPL librarians, etc.), but was quite surprised to see Steve Savit, (his wife is on Library Board), philosophy prof at UBC whom I know from the Aquatic Centre but have not seen in some time as I've not been swimming there, of late, and Alan Twigg, author and publisher of BC Bookworld, and Whirlygig's boss! I know Alan, casually, through mutual friends, (Elaine and Ted Keating, in fact!), so it was fun to give him a hard time about keeping Giorgio chained to his desk/computer so that he often cannot ride with me!

Thanks for latest snap. Gorgeous flowers and I'm not talking about ones growing in planter beds!!! Glad you and Jim are keeping the "child" inside you alive and well! Sounds as if you will have a busy
last few days ahead. You'll probably be so exhausted by time you leave that you'll be able to sleep peacefully all the way home!

Cheers, Patrizio!
Hi Giggster!

Just to bring you up to speed, so to speak! As you know, I had decided I'd head out to UBC before returning home yesterday. Wasn't sure just how far I was prepared to cycle but once I was past UBC and had 52K on the odometer, I knew that I could break 100K. Following my/our regular route, I took my time and when all was said and done, I had logged 121.15K by time I was at The Island Inn, a few minutes before 2:00pm. Felt pretty good, all things considered, as this is the longest ride I've ever done and my feet never touched the ground once for the entire 7 hours! (This mainly for the benefit of my cycling companions, as I am known to circle around and around, at red traffic lights, for instance, so that I don't have to stop until the light changes!)

Looks like I might have a peleton of latte drinkers for Saturday: Dom Marcello, Barnacle Man and Milt The Stilt! Perhaps I'll come to Seattle/Portland with you instead!!! See you at 6:30am at The Heartbreak Terrace. Cheers, Patrizio!

Whirlissimo!

I spit on the border! I'll see you in Pioneer Square! I'll only have to leave Hardtack Hotel at 6:00am! I'll be swilling malt by time you manage to get The Sisterhood out the door! Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Hi Dom Marcello and Gianna!

Please forward snaps to Kersten and Per. As well, I'd appreciate their email addresses when you have a moment. Thanks.

With respect to riding on Saturday, I have a number of suggestions. We could plan to go later in afternoon and you could stay for dinner and fireworks or some such combination. If you wish to go earlier and spend time over here after ride, that is more than fine as well. I take it Jane is working. If not and she would like to join us for ride, terrific. If she is working then perhaps she would like to come for dinner after her shift is over. Cora Lee will be working at Trinity, selling parking spots to fireworks goers, (proceeds to church outreach programs), until about 8:00pm so I have planned dinner to accommodate her return, probably around 8:30pm. Lads can sip malt/bourbon/aquavit until then!

Two other friends, Milt The Stilt and Ragin' Bull, have expressed and interest to ride on Saturday so since you three are all "latte lovers'=stop for java at each and every opportunity", I thought I'd assemble a peleton which will allow you to dictate start time, route, distance, hill grade, etc. Let me know your thoughts and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Il Conduttore!


Hi Gen. Stilt!

Next Saturday should be fine but it would have to be in the morning as we have two invitations for later that afternoon/evening. Perhaps we could have brunch after ride and then chat about Hong Kong. Otherwise, some evening next week might work. I'd need to coordinate with Cora Lee about her volunteer shifts before suggesting a particular day. Do you have any nights in mind?

Are you meeting Claire here? If so, pop by and we'll exchange loot! Let me know what is best for effecting transfer.

Whirlissimo collected me at 6:30am and we headed around Stanley Park. City looked stunning in early morning sunshine. Up and over Lions Gate, circling past Park Royal and then back over to take road past Prospect Point, through park. I waved goodbye to him at about 8:45am. He is off to Seattle with Kerry. WIll spend night ther and then on to Portland for a couple of nights. They plan to do a bit of wine tasting in Oregon so I will be sending him some suggestions shortly.

Continued on to UBC and followed my regular route, zipping into Musqueam to take a look at the stunning recreation centre that is currently under construction. Back to Marine and then through Westbrook Village, once, and along 16th from MD, twice, to do the Imperial Loop to log necessary distance. Wanted to break the 121K mark I set on Wednesday so was rather pleased to have 126.35K on the odometer by the time I was back at The Island Inn. An increment of 5K seems like a reasonable goal to have if I am ever going to manage the target 160K, Penticton Grand Fondo distance. Must say that I felt strong enough to cycle another 35K but would have had to stop to relieve my bursting bladder before doing so. Although it had contained itself for seven hours it was close to rebelling by time I was home!

Let me know about book/DVD exchange and possibility for Hong Kong seminar. Cheers, Patrizio!

Hey Patrick
We´re in Jasper right now enjoying the beautiful weather.
We just wanted to ask if you´ll be at home Monday noon so that we could drop of our suitcases before returning the car.
How´s everyone doing? We´re having a great time and even saw a bear yesterday.
I still have the same cellphone number and will try to call you when we leave Kamloops.
We´re really excited to see the whole clan again!
Take care and see you soon

Michele, Jonathan, Nicole

Hi Nicole!

Great to hear from you and pleased you are enjoying your holiday! Yes, somebody will be home around noon on Monday, to let you in. (If something happens, we will leave the key to the patio door under a cushion on the chair by the door, closest to the outdoor cupboard. However, this is just a back-up plan as I expect Maggie will be home to welcome you, even if we aren't! As well, you could always go to Granville Island Brewery and see Chloë for her key!) Everyone is well, including Clan Sutherland, and very much looking forward to seeing you and Fabienne again and meeting your friend, Jonathon.

Had another great ride today.  Whirlissimo collected me at 6:30am and we headed around Stanley Park. City looked stunning in early morning sunshine. Up and over Lions Gate, circling past Park Royal and then back over to take road past Prospect Point, through park. I waved goodbye to him at about 8:45am. He is off to Seattle with his girlfriend, Kerry. Will spend night there and then on to Portland for a couple of nights. They plan to do a bit of wine tasting in Oregon so I will be sending him some suggestions shortly.

Continued on to UBC, (Looked like a pretty big beach volleyball tournament was underway for coming weekend along Jericho/Spanish Banks!), and followed my regular route, zipping into Musqueam to take a look at the stunning recreation centre that is currently under construction. Back to Marine and then through Westbrook Village, once, and along 16th from MD, twice, to do the Imperial Loop three times in total to log necessary distance. Wanted to break the 121K mark I set on Wednesday so was rather pleased to have 126.35K on the odometer by the time I was back at The Island Inn. An increment of 5K seems like a reasonable goal to have if I am ever going to manage the target 160K, Penticton Grand Fondo distance. Must say that I felt strong enough to cycle another 35K but would have had to stop to relieve my bursting bladder before doing so. Although it had contained itself for seven hours it was close to rebelling by time I was home!

Enjoy your weekend. If we don't hear from you before, will see you on Monday. Cheers, Patrizio, Your Dearest Host Father!!


Patrizio:

As for the jokes? Nostalgia, nostalgia!

I am sitting with my feet up basking in the aftermath of a foot massage and pedicure. I subscribe to the philosophy about the cat being away. Tomorrow I think I'll invite friends to meet me for lunch.

Patriçio,

Later would work for me as the girls are going South for (most) if the day to the dreaded factory outlet mall off Interstate 5. I need to babysit the Kegetarian in the a.m., but can give him a walk and drop him off in the afternoon just before a ride.

As for destination/route, John & I did the Arbutus train track to Marine, then over to the Cambie RAV line bridge on to the foot of #6. It was actually quite nice as there was minimal traffic. We could then cycle along historic Dyke Road to Steveston for WELL DESERVED espressos.

I would then recommend we cycle to Richmond center and take the RAV line back to Olympic station. I make that about 50K of cycling, and it encounters minimal traffic.

saludos//bjp

Patriçio,

Actually, it looks like a good route would also be cut West to River Road (after crossing the RAV line bridge) and follow River Road all the way to Steveston.

 

Patrizio:

 

Afternoon would be excellent for a ride, since I'm going to watch the lads on TV until 11am. I gratefully accept invitation for dinner, but Jane gracefully declines, since she has invited two German bike-riders to stay with her by way of the "warm showers" programme (arriving today and staying for God knows how long). I would take the van to your place with the bike in it and I need a parking spot for the night (to pick it up Sunday morning).

 

More about details later, then. Marcello

 

P,

Thanks for accommodating the early ride. Hope you beat the 121…

If you think of those wineries in Oregon let me know. I am taking the Mac laptop.

Sisterhood is all ready… I wish. Coulda done Steveston.

Talk to you early next week, W

Whirlissimo!

What happened to you? I waited for about two hours at the Peace Arch Crossing, in vain, it seems!

Rather annoyed, continued on to UBC, (Looked like a pretty big beach volleyball tournament was underway for coming weekend along Jericho/Spanish Banks. Two former Swiss boarders are arriving on Monday and both sisters were extremely talented players so I know they hope to play some matches while here.), and followed my regular route, zipping into Musqueam to take a look at the stunning recreation centre that is currently under construction. Back to Marine and then through Westbrook Village, once, and along 16th from MD, twice, to do the Imperial Loop three times in total to log necessary distance. Wanted to break the 121K mark I set on Wednesday so was rather pleased to have 126.35K on the odometer by the time I was back at The Island Inn. An increment of 5K seems like a reasonable goal to have if I am ever going to manage the target 160K, Penticton Grand Fondo distance. Must say that I felt strong enough to cycle another 35K but would have had to stop to relieve my bursting bladder before doing so. Although it had contained itself for seven hours it was close to rebelling by time I was home!

Was of two minds whether to send along any suggestions but felt sorry for The Sisterhood so here are a few suggestiones: Try to pick up a wine map of Willamette Valley. Usually readily and freely available at motels, wineries, tourist centres, and the like and it'll make navigation easier, perhaps!!! (We have Garmin Goil and we still argue!!!)

If you are around Newberg/Dundee, Sokol Blosser is one of earliest wineries in region, Domaine Drouhin, more recent, but of French lineage; you won't have trouble finding places so just follow your nose! Heading north towards Laurelwood, ArborBrook is worth a stop and Bergstrom. Latter is ridiculously expensive but worth visiting, (I'd share one tasting. Think it is $20 and non-refundable even with purchase!), if only to see how crazy things have become. East towards Carlton or Yamhill, Laurel Ridge and Stag Hollow are far less pretentious and I've always found something I like for a decent price. I'd certainly try to hit Cuneo as I think they produce some remarkable reds, or at least have always done so when we've tasted. Certainly not cheap but well worth the price for a special bottle or two.

As I mentioned earlier, you won't have much difficulty finding places as you will certainly discover that they are cheek-by-jowl. I often ask, at a given tasting room, for suggestions for other wineries, (always good to tap into local knowledge), based on type of wine you might have liked, etc. Have made some of our most exciting discoveries this way.

Trust all goes well for rest of weekend. Look forward to comparing notes when back. Fondestos to The Sisterhood and Cheers, Il Conduttore!

IIDD, Aug 3rd

Hi Dearest Penelope!

Very pleased that you plan to retire in mid-December. As you say, I certainly hope you don't collapse before then, given the travel, parties and house/flat moves/renovations! Is Anna renting out her flat in Mill Hill? Did Anna and Leon buy the cottage in Bushey? Are they close to Carol? Helo to her, and Heather, when she arrives.Have to start calling you The Black Widow after hearing about the chap who was stricken after realizing he had been involved with you twenty years ago! No wonder I came down with a serious sinus infection last time we visited!!!

Had a lovely dinner last night with Kersten and Per, sister/boyfriend of our friend Kjell, chap we stayed with in Stockholm last August. They were using Jane's, (Kjell's Canadian girlfriend's), father's flat while in Vancouver. Her dad is in a nursing home at moment and it is doubtful that he will ever be able to move back to his apartment. Too bad, for obvious reasons, but even more of a shame as it has one of the most incredible views of English Bay, Point Grey, etc., I have ever seen. Cora Lee had a shift at WISH and Jane was working at West Van Library, so the four of us sat around and visited, drinking in the spectacular vista while tippling wine and beer, until goils arrived, just after 9:00pm.

Kersten and Per leave tomorrow so it was terrific that we could see them again as they are both such interesting and lovely people. Discovered that Per works for a small investment firm, (He is fairly well off, I gather, and has already "retired" twice!), and his portfolio has to do with the film industry. He said that his firm was the only "external" investor, (typical investors being Swedish Film Institute, film producers themselves, etc.), to put money into the Stieg Larsson films. I asked him how much they had invested and he said around $1,000,000. Assume it was $US, given timing. At any rate, it has brought nothing but a huge return on initial investment and looks like windfall could go on for many years, given popularity of both film and television series. I had not realized that the TV series was a longer version of three films. Apparently, films were simply edited to fit typical feature film running length. I'd like to obtain DVD's for TV series as I enjoyed all of films so much and am curious to see parts that were cut for big screen.

Before we knew it , it was close to midnight and we had to let our hosts go to bed as they were trying to pack as much in to their last two days as possible. Didn't even have a snort of malt before we said our thanks and goodbyes and farewells to Kersten and Per as I was designated driver. Streets were almost completely deserted as we drove to Lions Gate through West Van, although there was a bit more activity on Denman once we were close to English Bay.

Up at 6:30am to go riding with Whirlygig at 7:00am. After he collected me we made for Stanley Park and did a loop up and over Lions Gate. I pointed out route I had taken, previous evening, along Bellvue, street which parallels Marine. We hope to ride to Horseshoe Bay before the end of the summer, so this is the route we will follow to take us to the Lower Levels highway. Back up and over LG, enjoying the mirrored surface of English Bay, nary a ripple to mar the unbelievably calm surface. Waved goodbye to Giorgio at 9:15am as he had to be home by 9:30am as Tia Maria was returning from a sleep-over at a friend's house then.

I had decided I'd head out to UBC before returning home myself. Wasn't sure just how far I was prepared to cycle but once I was past UBC and had 52K on the odometer, I knew that I could break 100K. Following my regular route, I took my time and when all was said and done, I had logged 121.15K by time I was at The Island Inn, a few minutes before 2:00pm. Felt pretty good, all things considered, as this is the longest ride I've ever done and my feet never touched the ground once for the entire 7 hours! (This mainly for the benefit of my cycling companions as I am known to circle around and around, at red traffic lights, for instance, so that I don't have to stop until the light changes!)

Cora Lee and I are off to a bbq this evening, at the home of the Chair of the Board of VPL so looking forward to meeting some of the movers and shakers in the public library world. Will have to be on my best behaviour as Corinne is the President of The Friends of VPL. Have received explicit instructions that I am not allowed to "howl" or otherwise embarrass her! Maybe I'll just wear a different coloured Croc on each foot!!! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!

Pics: Took Mom for a stroll to Granville Island yesterday and then brought her to our patio to see Maggie. Kjell; Kersten, Per; Jane, Cora Lee, Per.


Hi Sylvia, Chris, Jim and Ray!

Great snap of the cyclists! Whirlygig said he'd never seen either of you without a helmet on!!!

Pat,
You have me worried with these distances and early morning rides.
Thanks for the photos of your mom and friends, as well as Corinne. Haven't downloaded ours from yesterday yet but we have one of Jim's mother age almost 96!
Jim was itching to get going Wednesday morning after a decent night's sleep, so we did a few weights in his garage before moving onto the driveway for rugby skills and tennis. Must say, I thoroughly enjoyed the tennis without a net and inspite of limited lateral movement on my part, we managed to volley and rally quite successfully. It was so much fun. Christine said we were like a couple of kids which we took as a compliment.
Dropped the rental car into York on Tuesday, so J and C kindly drove us north where we are now staying with good friends Lynda and Bob. Jim drove us on the old A1 which was very quiet and we observed some lovely countryside and some of the Yorkshire Moors with the heather about to blossom. En route we stopped at Jim's sister's house in Hutton Rudby where she resided with her husband, Jeff. What an incredible garden, probably twice the size of mine with loads of flowers and numerous apple and plum trees all fully laden but not quite ready. Mrs. Brownlee senior (Edith) was as sharp as tack and Sylvia and I had a lengthy converation on a variety of topics. A little hard of hearing, she had us in Russia rather than Worcester but it was easy to correct her and she seemed to enjoy herself. She still bakes and brought along some cakes for our gathering. Jim's sister, Janet, was very outgoing and surprised me with the kmowledge of my background from my early days. Once the Brownlees had a cup of tea in Hartlepool, they were driving on to Newcastle with camping equipment for their daughter, Lauren and husband, Ed who were off to France. Ed is in medical school while Laura works ro keep the money comimg in. She is a trained lawyer having trouble finding work because ofa glut of trained people in this area, information to pass along to our daughter who is thinking of embarking on such a career.
Now, the process of attempting to see more people than I have the time for begins. A couple who drove and rode the Kettley Valley with me in 2006 are visiting at 9:30 this morning. Pete held the record for many years at the local cycling club for the Sutton Bank climb, one of the steep hills I mentioned in a previous letter. He's 73 now with a few health problems but still riding.
Will pass along the photos of Hutton Rudby soon.
Ray

Greetings from a grey, post rain Wetherby. Thanks once again for you kindnesses Patrick and Corinne and I hope you are both on speaking terms after the library gathering.  Sorry to hear about Imre so please let him know that we are thinking of him and wishing him well. We spent two or so days with Ray and Sylvia in Wetherby with Ray and I doing some local cycle trails and on their final day here doing weight training, rugby ball handing and some knockabout tennis all of which we enjoyed and were ridiculed by our wives for our childish behaviour. We drove our visitors back to Hartlepool to see their friends after stopping in at Hutton Rudby on the edge of the North Yorks Moors to meet my sister, brother in law and my mother. Chris and I drove on to Newcastle to see our daughter and her husband before they leave for a holiday in France. We are still having interrupted sleep patterns and I was walking around Newcastle parks at 5.30 am while Chris did their ironing. We sat next to a Spanish fire-fighter who had been canoeing down the Yukon  river -it was an interesting conversation for the first 2 hours of the flight. There were stunning views after take-off over Burrard sound and the coastal mountains. Thanks Pat for taking us to the airport. We have very happy memories of Vancouver and all the people we met, apart from one mountie. Back into solitary training for the Coast to Coast now and preparing for the logistical side of two cars, four bikes , two wives, three to four nights away  etc. As I complete this email the sun is coming out. By the way Ray has done an excellent job on our garden, cutting hedge, grass, weeding, watering etc. They have also made new friends of Brian and Pat Taylor some long term friends of ours in Wetherby. No doubt they will tell you all about their stay. We look forward to hearing from you and especially letting us know if you intend to come to the UK. It would be good to lead you over some trails here. Thanks and best wishes Jim and Chrstine Today I did almost NOTHING. The task I set for myself was to find where I had hidden my roll of vinyl coated Cortland LC 13 lead line, cut a 10 foot piece, and a few 4 foot lengths, tie loops on the stripped ends and turn these pieces into "sink tips" for river fly fishing. I succeeded in this endeavour and for the remaining hours essentially loafed, listened to a ++ depressing audiobook written by Henning Mankell-"The Depths",read by Sean Barrett in a plummy english voice and wrote the day off. Tomorrow I'm off to Smithers on an early flight to hear the appeal of a man compelled to take treatment under the Mental Health Act for his major mental disorder; back by 9 pm I think. Soon, within the next three-four weeks pink salmon will return to the various rivers and I plan to take a trip or two to the Squamish River and cast my new spey rod complete with sink tip and gaudy pink fly into the waters for these beautiful game fish. Al    Hi there, Just wanted to extend an invitation for you to come and hoist a glass of wine to celebrate Jo-Anne's 60th birthday on August 13, 2011, between 1:30 PM and 5:30 PM at 3826 W. 16th Ave. (O.K., I know it's the day after, but she's not available on the afternoon of the 12th.) Please - no gifts. You are being invited because you are of importance to Jo-Anne. -Colin PS - unless the weather is totally miserable, we will be on our patio in the back - easily accessible from 17th. -Colin   P, Impressive. 7 hours on the post. Better join us and cross the border -- that peloton sounds like real trouble. You will be circling Steveston for two hours awaiting the bourbon and coffee swillers. See you at 6:30 at the Hardtack Terrace. W

IIDD, Aug 3rd

Pat,

Jim and I enjoyed a two and a half hour ride through the countryside and several small villages that only a local could know. Jim managed his jet-lag very well and was very strong on the hills. In the meantime, Sylvia and Christine went into town returning with lamb for the bbq and a variety of cakes, all delicious. They are driving us to my home town, Hartlepool where we stay with other, old friends. Managed to return the rental car this morning to York with Jim's help.
It's very nice being in their home with them.
Ray


Hi Whirlissimo!

Buona Fortuna with squash today. I probably won't ride until later. Having dinner in North Van with Dom Marcellino, et al, so plan to ride there. Cora has a shift at WISH so she'll take my car and then I'll put bike on rack to make journey home.

I think 7:00am will work on Wednesday. I'll confirm later. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Hi Vincenzo and Donna Forget-Me-Not!

Glad you liked snaps! Just riding up hill, from Cal to Villa Vicente is Tour de California aplenty! Weather, in fact, is more than wonderful. Finally!

Having dinner with Dom Marcellino and Gianna, Kersten and Per, (Swedish Connection), this evening, at Jane's Dad's place. I will cycle there, over Lion's Gate Bridge and into West Vancouver, as Cora Lee is working at WISH until 8:00pm. She'll take my car to volunteer stint and then I can put bike on rack before coming home. Fondestos and Cheers, Il Conduttore!

PS: Thought that you might like to try Whirlygig's salsa!

Hi Nicolina and Marvinator!

Thought of you two last night as we were watching Masterpiece Mystery. Present series is about Aurelio Zen, a detective in Rome!

Here are two addresses for Fiona:

Fiona Leu: fiona_leu@gmx.ch

Fiona Leu: fiona_leu@hotmail.com

Not sure which one is best or if Hotmail account is still valid/used.

Having dinner with Dom Marcellino and Gianna, (his Canadian girlfriend), Kersten, (DM's sister), and Per (her boyfriend), The Swedish Connection, this evening, at Jane's Dad's place in West Van, just over Lion's Gate Bridge. I will cycle there as Cora Lee is working at WISH until 8:00pm. She'll take my car to volunteer stint and then I can put bike on rack before coming home. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!


Hi Dearest Penelope!

Very pleased that you plan to retire in mid-December. As you say, I certainly hope you don't collapse before then, given the travel, parties and house/flat moves/renovations! Is Anna renting out her flat in Mill Hill? Did Anna and Leon buy the cottage in Bushey? Are they close to Carol? Helo to her, and Heather, when she arrives.Have to start calling you The Black Widow after hearing about the chap who was stricken after realizing he had been involved with you twenty years ago! No wonder I came down with a serious sinus infection last time we visited!!!

Had a lovely dinner last night with Kersten and Per, sister/boyfriend of our friend Kjell, chap we stayed with in Stockholm last August. They were using Jane's, (Kjell's Canadian girlfriend's), father's flat while in Vancouver. Her dad is in a nursing home at moment and it is doubtful that he will ever be able to move back to his apartment. Too bad, for obvious reasons, but even more of a shame as it has one of the most incredible views of English Bay, Point Grey, etc., I have ever seen. Cora Lee had a shift at WISH and Jane was working at West Van Library, so the four of us sat around and visited, drinking in the spectacular vista while tippling wine and beer, until goils arrived, just after 9:00pm.

Kersten and Per leave tomorrow so it was terrific that we could see them again as they are both such interesting and lovely people. Discovered that Per works for a small investment firm, (He is fairly well off, I gather, and has already "retired" twice!), and his portfolio has to do with the film industry. He said that his firm was the only "external" investor, (typical investors being Swedish Film Institute, film producers themselves, etc.), to put money into the Stieg Larsson films. I asked him how much they had invested and he said around $1,000,000. Assume it was $US, given timing. At any rate, it has brought nothing but a huge return on initial investment and looks like windfall could go on for many years, given popularity of both film and television series. I had not realized that the TV series was a longer version of three films. Apparently, films were simply edited to fit typical feature film running length. I'd like to obtain DVD's for TV series as I enjoyed all of films so much and am curious to see parts that were cut for big screen.

Before we knew it , it was close to midnight and we had to let our hosts go to bed as they were trying to pack as much in to their last two days as possible. Didn't even have a snort of malt before we said our thanks and goodbyes and farewells to Kersten and Per as I was designated driver. Streets were almost completely deserted as we drove to Lions Gate through West Van, although there was a bit more activity on Denman once we were close to English Bay.

Up at 6:30am to go riding with Whirlygig at 7:00am. After he collected me we made for Stanley Park and did a loop up and over Lions Gate. I pointed out route I had taken, previous evening, along Bellvue, street which parallels Marine. We hope to ride to Horseshoe Bay before the end of the summer, so this is the route we will follow to take us to the Lower Levels highway. Back up and over LG, enjoying the mirrored surface of English Bay, nary a ripple to mar the unbelievably calm surface. Waved goodbye to Giorgio at 9:15am as he had to be home by 9:30am as Tia Maria was returning from a sleep-over at a friend's house then.

I had decided I'd head out to UBC before returning home myself. Wasn't sure just how far I was prepared to cycle but once I was past UBC and had 52K on the odometer, I knew that I could break 100K. Following my regular route, I took my time and when all was said and done, I had logged 121.15K by time I was at The Island Inn, a few minutes before 2:00pm. Felt pretty good, all things considered, as this is the longest ride I've ever done and my feet never touched the ground once for the entire 7 hours! (This mainly for the benefit of my cycling companions as I am known to circle around and around, at red traffic lights, for instance, so that I don't have to stop until the light changes!)

Cora Lee and I are off to a bbq this evening, at the home of the Chair of the Board of VPL so looking forward to meeting some of the movers and shakers in the public library world. Will have to be on my best behaviour as Corinne is the President of The Friends of VPL. Have received explicit instructions that I am not allowed to "howl" or otherwise embarrass her! Maybe I'll just wear a different coloured Croc on each foot!!! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!

Pics: Took Mom for a stroll to Granville Island yesterday and then brought her to our patio to see Maggie. Kjell; Kersten, Per; Jane, Cora Lee, Per.

 

IIDD, Aug 2nd

Hey pat! Nice pics. We are in cinque terre now having an amazing time. Very limited Internet access so just a quick hello! And wondering what fionas email is!? Do you know if she's in switzerland now? Would love to meet up with her. Was talking to nick and he said he will be around when we are there too. :) hope all is well, cheers , Nicole and Marvin Hello sweetie Sorry not to be in touch -  life seems to get more and more hectic so I can't wait to become a person of leisure like you! To give you a brief resume: - Mick's 60th birthday party in Mill Hill last Saturday - he is married to Kim, who I know through dancing. He plays in an Irish band so we were all doing the hooley while quaffing champagne - Sunday following party - Barbecue in garden of Adam and Eve with soul band - left at 9.30pm as hangover still there from night before - Saw The Tree of Life film last night - not sure what the director was trying to say; found it a bit strange and surreal but beautiful too. Did you see it? - Anna and Lisa both moved over the same weekend 2 weeks ago - Lisa into my Finchley flat and Anna to a small cottage in Bushey which needs gutting.  As you can imagine, this has taken its toll on my time and energy. - Spent a week in France on my own at end of June but wouldn't repeat the experiment. Saw Carcassone, Nimes and stayed in Montpellier. My French was hopeless! - Met a guy a few weeks ago at a singles dinner and dance and thought I knew him.  It turned out that he had been a lover of mine 20 years ago!  Things were going great until he became ill and may have emphysema - I obviously took the wind out of his sails!  Not all results through yet but he is laying low so the relationship may all be over before it started. - Sex in the sea man from Spain coming for bbq at mine with Lynn and his friend on Friday...... - Work becoming more ridiculous - when Nicola away on holiday last week and I wasn't there on Friday, no-one running lettings or management! - Heather coming over this Saturday for 3 weeks. Yvonne also arriving so we can go to reunion with 3 other ladies and all dressing up in 60s gear!  Going to gastropub in Maida Vale.  - Following weekend H and I off to Paris and Geneva, weekend of 19th we go to Bridport to stay with Paul and Yvonne and may visit Guernsey on 22nd (if I can get day off work).  It's £35 for day return including 3 course meal overlooking harbour! - Weekend 27th August going to York with Carol to see sculpture park; staying at 15th century b&b then coming back on 28th when Anna is holding her housewarming party! - 3rd September Dennis Cook's birthday bash at the Castle pub. He's a guy we've known for years who used to run a very successful pub with 7 day a week music in Watford.  He now runs The Castle in Childs Hill but is struggling with numbers. Planning to give up work mid December if I haven't collapsed with exhausting before!! Much love to all P xxx

IIDD, Aug 1st

 Patrizio:

If I were to go I'd definitely want to go to visit Raffles in Singapore. I really enjoyed JC descriptions of HK. Don't know where there heads are at after their whirlwind trip. I know she wasn't impressed with housing. I'm thinking that the government is insisting on their having a full time maid so they can keep an eye on them. Janice doesn't want a maid but may have to get one at least part time to keep officials happy. Keith got a suit made at Sam's. Prince Charles is a customer too.
It would be worthwhile for you to travel around seeing it's a 12 hour flight!
Here is her last long email.

"we had circumvented the eastern/southern half of Hong Kong island and on Friday we did the western half. We drove through the fish market area where there seems to be dozens of open market shops selling fresh seafood and fish, including dried cuttlefish, clams, and scallops. Dried mushrooms are supposed to be fantastic too, once rehydrated. My gastric juices were flowing (as Dad used to say) for some seafood chowder. These shops look like the owners are so poor but apparently they are all very wealthy people being in this market.

One fascinating thing: they have shops that sell things made completely of paper. Anything you can think of: a wok, a toaster, a bicycle, a house, laptop, you name it. The detail was amazing. They are all folded down flat when you buy them and then you open them up to their shape. What the Chinese do is take these to the temple for offerings where they are burned, thus sending the article up to heaven for the deceased person's use.

When someone dies at home, they are sat upright and moved quickly out of the house and taken to the hospital. This is because the Chinese will never buy a property if they know someone has died there. We heard a story about the Milkshake Murder, which evidently was a highly publicized event here in 2005. You can Google it for more details, but an ex pat's wife prepared a strawberry milkshake laced with sedatives and had her daughter serve it to her husband. Then the children were sent out of the home and she burgeoned him to death, rolled his body up in a carpet and had the carpet taken down in their apartment unit's storage room. Anyway, she was finally convicted of the crime, but to this day the apartment stands unoccupied.

In the afternoon Keith and I made our way back to Kowloon by MTR, a highly efficient train service. It is so cheap to use and combined with their buses and Mini bus systems, there is no need to have a car here. Besides, I think I may have already said that there is very little parking, so a car is slower and more costly to use. That said, you can buy a used car for about $80 to $100,000 HKD ($8 to $10000 roughly in CAD). Very low mileage makes it attractive. Keith looked up on Gumtree (like Kijiji) and you can get a 2005 Honda Accord for $9800 with 10,000 km.

We arrived at Sam's to pick up Keith's new suit, jacket and shirt, they checked the fit and we were out of there again in about 5 minutes! Now he wishes he had bought two pairs of pants. Inside the jacket is an embroidered label with Keith's name and invoice number, so we could always email them and ask for them to make a pair. What a great fit everything is on him.

.......something neat if you lived here: local shoemakers custom make shoes for you in any style, tread, padding and colour for about $50.00 CAD. You could easily have a matching handbag made up as well. Now that could be dangerous.

We walked to Hong Kong Garden, not far from our hotel late in the afternoon. The humidity was high yesterday so it was a bit of an effort but we were so happy we did because they have an amazing aviary, both a caged display and a much larger enclosed area. I could have spent hours there, but we arrived only 15 minutes before closing time. I will send photos separately.

Once back at the hotel we had green tea in our room, showered and then went to dinner, as I wrote about last night.

Hi Charlie, 

 

Here are my thoughts on trip.
Leave for Fiji around the 8 or 9 of March, get to Melbourne by the 16th of March and then to Cairns from Sydney in late April around the 26 or 27 and then  to Darwin a few days later and then from Darwin to Japan around the May 7 and then to Hong Kong around the 27 or 28  for 4 or 5 days and then home.
Let us know whats possible or if not what alternatives might be. Thanks, Corinne

 

Hi Kids!

Latest from Captain Barnacle:

Patriçio,

Things are progressing fabuloso here. I now have running hot water, a two burner stove and a BBQ - all in primo working condition.

Obviously, if some dishes need to be cooked/heated up, the means to do so now exist aboard The Inside Passagio. As of this email, the menu looks as follows:

Appetizers:

O Susannah and Champagne Charlie: Mediterranean mixed tray
The Penguin: delicious cantaloupe and proscuitto

Mains:

Ragin': His famous lamb stew

Whirlygig/Kilroy Was Here: seasonable, sustainable seafood or tofu, for themselves, as they are non-red meat devourers

Salads: Whirlissimo saladin

Vegetable dishes:

Patrizio: his infamous roasted spudolinos

Desserts:

Legs: Marzipan fruit torte

Tia Maria:  Cabin Girl service

Again, please weigh in with suggestions for items not taken or request substitutions/switches, etc. I assume we will start sometime around 5:00pm. It might be best to meet at The Island Inn beforehand, for parking and such. We could then send one vehicle ahead to drop food closer to marina and those not ferrying menu items can walk to marina.

Ragin': Please let group know about gate protocol, start time, appropriate foul weather gear, necessary charts, and the like!

Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Hi Kids!

Latest from Captain Barnacle:

Patricio,

I have deleted the emails with the addresses of the bridge competitorés, so I hope you can forward this to the appropriate suspects. I am holding a red clothe bag and red umbrella for ransom. The owner can contact me for terms of surrender.

Turned out to be a pretty fun night, I think - although the actual bridge competition was nowhere near serious enough.

saludos//bjp

Bridge Fiends:

Let me add my thanks to everyone, particularly Captain Barnacle, for hosting the evening aboard the Good Ship Lollipop, for the wonderful food and assorted hootch, fantabulous bridge prizes and general bonhomie. Special commendation to Tia Maria, Cabin Goil Extraordinaire!!!

Bestestos and Cheers, Il Conduttore!

 

Hi Sylvia and Ray!

Thanks for latest round of snaps. Lovely, lovely surroundings indeed, Raymond! Don't know how you are going to be able to cycle with The Brotherhood after being surrounded by such babes!

I presume Chris and Jim may well be home by the time you read this. As I think you know, I dropped them at the airport just after 4:00pm yesterday. Hard to believe how quickly the month flew by!

On Saturday had a grand ride out to Steveston with Flamin', Sarge and Whirlygig. Went via UBC and Marine was fairly quite as it was the weekend. F/S stopped in Steveston for a latte, (Chris's/Jim's influence!), but Giorgio and I pushed on. Couldn't convince him to return via No. 6 Road, however! Still, we had close to 70K on the clock by the time we passed your place. Took a spin around it to see if Hartlepoolians were home as Whirlygig wanted to say goodbye. No sign of life, (learned later that they had taken a spin to Granville Island), so we pushed on. Dropped Giorgio off near his place and continued on out to UBC, enjoying the sun bathers en route! Usual route out Marine to Crown and then back, dipsy doodling up/down Westbrook Village and 16th roundabout to log 117.23K by time I was back at Harbour Terrace, millimetering my way to 160K! Best ride, to date, I think, in terms of distance anyway.

Had a grand time that evening playing bridge, (two tables), and dining, (pot luck), on The Inside Passage. Took a break at 10:00pm to watch the spectacular fireworks, (China), which filled the sky above the Burrard Bridge. All in all, a very successful and enjoyable evening.

Sunday was relatively quiet as we were hosting the 80th birthday party for a close friend, Nancy. She was a classmate of Corinne's in Library School and we've been very good friends ever since. Had about 13 people for dinner. Her youngest daughter, Robyn, her husband, Joel, and their children, Shira, 11, Eli 3, had literally flown in from Toronto around 5:00pm so everyone was ready to go home by 9:30pm, after birthday cake, of course! Cora Lee and I went downstairs after tidying up a bit, to visit with Clan Sutherland. Prince Valiant and Kid Chelene were both there, with their girlfriends, as well as a cousin, Aaron, recently relocated from Nova Scotia. We didn't stay long as Coriandre wanted to watch latest MI-5, (one Chris and Jim missed, I believe! Ask them about that!)

Bit of a sleep in until 8:15am as I had arranged with F/S at ride at 9:00am. Went downstairs to collect them a few minutes early and Flamin' said Sarge was still asleep! She didn't want to attempt Seymour so I spat on the kitchen floor in disgust and stormed off! Giorgio had sent an email informing me that he couldn't make it so, abandoned, I made for Stanley Park, as I wanted to see how busy route was in North Van on a weekend. Seawall wasn't too, too crowded but a Japanese tourist did fall off her bike right in front of me, (I had to make a quick jump onto pedestrian way in order to avoid a collision!), almost directly across from The Rowing Club, however. Climb to bridge deck went well as I was able to enjoy grade without having you there to up the pace, Raymundo!

Over LG and then around via Squamish Reservation, slowing down for a rather cheeky skunk which waddled across the road, bushy tail straight up, just a few hundred metres east of the bridge supports. Welch, I believe, was very quiet and most pleasant. It was around 10:15am, I think. Usual way past Lonsdale and train tracks to Lilloet. Once again, ascent was not unduly taxing without Robo Raymundo and I quite enjoyed quiet and coolness of forest, once past the cemetery. I had expected to encounter more cyclists than I did. Seemed as if many people were driving up Lilloet to park at SDF and then ride the 9K+ in to dam.

Felt wonderful to be zipping along, nodding to the other riders or runners and was about 6K along route when who should appear, coming the other way, but Sarge! Apparently he had been changing into his gear when I came downstairs and Flamin' relayed incorrect information! (Blatant disinformation by The Sisterhood! Sabotage extraordinaire!!!) When he set out, he had taken Union/Adanac and the Second Narrows so he assumed he'd run into me at some point, if I had decided upon Seymour. In fact, I wasn't sure where I was going to go until just before entrance to GI and then I made up my mind to check out North Van weekend traffic. At any rate, he turned around and we described our earlier routes, etc., making for dam itself. I'd never gone that far before so was pleased to do so. Not that much different from earlier terrain, as think you know, and about an additional 2K, I beleive. At any rate, had almost exactly 45K on odometer by time I turned around at the top of the hill, barred from going any further by a chain fence, locked gate. Great view of dam and shining blue water so was pleased to have explored this last little bit of trail.

Great return with far more cyclists, runners and walkers than on way in. Exhilarating to swoop down Lilloet. Joined three other riders at bottom of hill, Sarge drafting behind a shapely female, spandex clad behind! Hit every light thereafter and were soon at LG. Sarge peeled off, once under superstructure, to take trail up to bridge deck but I looped around past Park Royal Parkade to get at bridge that way. Very, very windy, perhaps strongest gusts I've yet encountered, but I plodded away and was soon at Prospect Point where Sarge was circling, waiting for me!

Another enjoyable downhill run and we were back on Beach, staying on road until past Denman as sidewalks were choked with people and bikes and strollers and dogs and roller bladers by then. Lost Sarge when I went right just past fountain,. He continued straight ahead and when he realized I wasn't behind him, he doubled back as he thought I might have become tangled up with a clutch of ten or more oriental bikers, weaving all over the place! I circled around Plaza of Nations and he caught up with me there. Back along road once past Science World as seawall was rush hour full!

By time we were near Harbour Terrace, had 87K on clock and asked Sarge if he wanted to break 100K. He just snorted in derision so I waved goodbye and looped back towards Science World. Continued all the way, along seawall, to Granville Bridge and then turned around there, making for home. My camel pack had but a few sips left and I was ready to call it a day. At one point I thought that I might head out to UBC to try to better the 117K but Seymour had taken its toll and I was happy to stop at 101K. Close to six hours by time I dismounted my trusty steed. Tired but pleased with ride and fact that I had cycled with Sarge after all!

Hello to Chris and Jim. Enjoy your time with them, as I know you will. All the best. Cheers, Patrizio!