The Gathering of Clan Sutherland Blues: Friday, August 29th!

The actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts. -John Locke, philosopher (1632-1704)

A fire this morning at the West Hawk Inn, an iconic stop in the West Hawk Lake resort area with a popular patio and bar, has seriously damaged the building but RCMP say are no injuries. Patrick James Dunn Must have been started by a spark from my wheels as I whizzed by at warp speed!

Michele Darrow-Sutherland·Wayne is sounding like his old self asking thousands of questions but not having memory of much . We got to meet and thank Irene, who found him and set off the alarms and the 2 of the RCMP Members who worked on him that day . There were several more Members involved in getting us to this day . We are eternally grateful

Hi Grumpster from Galiano! Too, too bad about Susan's delayed visit! What a complete drag, inasmuch, as it would have been terific to have you along, not only to ameliorate the loneliness of the long distance rider but also to share food, drink and cards with the Squamoids! In this very vein, we have been invited to stay overnight on the Saturday of the Granfondo. Do you know what Carlos has in mind? He is more than welcome to stay as well as is other person, (Matt?), from office. Not sure about "muleage" back from Whistler as likely only room for the Jackal, yourself and I as Ruthless plans to accompany Cora Lee. If necessary, that could probably be adjusted. In any event, I assume you, at the very least, will stay overnight. In any event, let me know who is doing what and we'll plan accordingly.
 

I will phone Peter this morning and let him know ticket is available. At this point, not sure if he will participate or another friend, Doug, I think, who rides with Lee and him.

Not much less than a week after GF  and we'll be heading over to Madroña Manor. I will probably go over on the 12th, day before Grogg/Lurch leave. Depending on timing, weather, etc., I'd like to ride. Let me know if this might fit with your schedule/inclination as you are more than welcome.

We can chat about trip to California over GF weekend. At one point, Sarge was keen to come along but, obviously, wine-tasting junkets won't be happening for some time now.  Will be in touch or call once I know more about last ticket. Fondestos and Cheers, Il Conduttore!
 

Pics: New Murphy bed. Prince Valiant and Megan, (In from Merritt to be with family.), moved in as soon as Ayn left for Tinsel Town! Happy Freeloader! Grumpy Hosts! View from Squamish Waldorf. Off to Whistler! Disaster Relief for Napa!

P, great news about Sarge. Thanks for sharing. Nice reconnaissance for the Whistler ride and even more impressive stats. Sounds way too arduous for a simple farmer from North Galiano...I like the post Fondo transport plan and night over in Squamish. I have forwarded that to Carlos and will see if that is amenable to him. Are you sure you can freeload again and freeload us freeloaders as well? Seems like you are asking a bit much of your generous hosts. Let me know how you visit to Sarge went. W

Hello Pat: Please see the email regarding the Fondo below. There are 2 codes listed for you and George. Perhaps George already used the first one to register
(string ending in XXX) in which case you should be able to use the second
one to register (ending in YYYY). Instructions for registering are attached. Let me know if you have any problems. Margo

Chasy, I think Margo may have misunderstood that we are looking for the code for the fifth and final available ticket. G

Hi Patrick: Here’s the last code: GFW-GF-BTWWBoniMaddisonArchitectsZZZZ
Have fun! Margo

Hi again, Giggster! Just registered for Team Jackal! Also spoke to Peter Bourne a few minutes ago. He will talk to Doug about who will ride with us. Got the feeling that Doug is very keen although Peter would like to do so as well. Peter is to meet Mike Berman on Saturday, late afternoon, so I know he was concerned about timing etc. Event starts at 6:50 am, as you probably know. Need to be at totem poles, Brockton Point, by 6:35 am, apparently. Will let you know more about last member when I hear from Peter and or about ticket code.

Must away as we are going to visit Sarge this morning. Need to be back in early afternoon as we are hosting about 17 assorted Sutherland Freeloaders for dinner this evening! Talk soon. Cheers, Oldest Member of Team Jackal! 

Hi Galiano Bumpkin! Not to worry about freeloading as you are sleeping on deck with bears and Carlos is to do renovation to bathrooms! You'll be sorry you didn't move to Squamish as you'll love Ruthless and Ricardo! Quick shower and then away to hospital. Will pass along your best wishes to a malingering Sarge! Cheers, Il Conduttore!

P, please give Sarge and Clan Sutherland my very best wishes. Chasy will be in touch with fondo code. W

Chasy, if Margo can send the code to either me or Pat directly. Thanks, G
Margo Please forward the remaining registration # information for the Fondo to Pat Dunn. thx Charlie

Hi, tks for the details, any news today? Did not hear from Michele yesterday.
Thinking of all of you from hot and sunny Round Rock Texas. Joanne

Hi Round Rock Gal! Just had some of the carrots you left for me as we are now back at The Islay Inn. Not sure if you knew this or not but he is now awaiting triple, open-heart, by-pass surgery! Latest on Sutherland Salient is that we had a terrific visit with Sarge today, around noon. One of the nurses mentioned, while we were in the room, that he may well have his date for surgery assigned later that evening. This remains to be seen, however. Nevertheless, we had a good, if short visit, and things are obviously settling down, at least from what things had been like even a day or so ago. 

My personal opinion is that most of the family need not be there all day, everyday, as even during our visit, (He has a private room.), it was just like being downstairs at their place with ten people, (Most of the Sutherlands from Nova Scotia are here now, Vivian, mother, Sandra, sister, Bobby, brother, Sylvia, sister-in-law), all talking at once. Sarge really needs to rest to be as best prepared as possible for coming surgery, whenever it is finally scheduled. He himself told the kids and others, while we were there, that he didn't want them to come back after the 1:00-3:00 pm "curfew on visitors", as he certainly knows how tired he is. Only Michele was to stay until 5:00 pm and then come back to our place.

I took a few shots to show people that he is alive, if not "well", it goes without saying. He can walk to bathroom on his own and move around a bit in room and really isn't in any noticeable discomfort, in spite of two broken ribs, sustained during resuscitation! When nurse asked him if he was experiencing any pain he pointed to Michele and said "Only from her!" He looks worse than he did when I saw him, unconscious, in Emergency, on Monday, as battering his poor face/nose/lip/eyebrow took as a result of his fall/collapse, hadn't had time to show bruising. Flamin' calls him Raccoon Man! These cosmetic injuries are the least of his, or anyone's worries, of course.
 

That, really, is about all. Cora Lee suggested he start knitting another sweater for Avery as he is going to be pretty bored until surgery, as, basically, he is "fine" otherwise, now that he has stabilized and is on certain medications. If things work out we will take some cards, over next few days, and play a few rounds of bridge, playing on a gurney, sipping purloined, over-proof medicinal alcohol from bed pans! We spit on hospital food, however. Four No Catheter! 

Must away as I want to go for a short ride and need to be back to avoid Cora Lee's wrath as we are hosting about 17 assorted Sutherland Freeloaders for dinner this evening! Talk soon. Fondestos from Coriandre. Cheers, Patrizzio! 
Thanks for the update xoxo 

Hello Lurkin' and Dom Pedro! More than shocking news which has left everyone reeling. Talk soon. Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

As mentioned, we hosted all of the Sutherland Freeloaders and hangers-on for dinner and it was a time for everyone to unwind, the terrible uncertainty of the last few days replaced with a much, much more positive outcome. Sad to report that, unfortunately, Prince Valiant seems to have inherited his father's penchant for malt, along with Alberto, (Nicole's father-in-law), so malt cabinet suffered from catastrophic incursions/depredations, almost too terrible to think about, and will, in fact, have to be placed on life support soon, if the remorseless hemorrhaging continues!   

Wayne Sutherland I was at the Weight Room last Monday and after finishing my work out I passed out on the floor. I have to personally thank Irene Lin who some how noticed me on the floor before going to the locker room and raises the alarm with four members who came to my rescue and performed CPR as I was not breathing and had no pulse. Sean McGowan Rob Krause, Bill Robinson and Bryan Pyatt. I owe my deepest gratitude to them as without them I would not be looking forward to triple bypass surgery which is what the doctors say I need. I am currently at the Royal Columbian Hospital waiting for surgery. I will up date you when I have more news.
Sylvia Sutherland Thanks to you both for a wonderful supper last night, hope to see you again before we head home.

Certainly glad to be able to help out and give everyone a chance to unwind. Really look forward to seeing you both before you return to Nova Scotia!

Hi Margot! Thanks very much for sending along registration code. Your help and efficiency are much appreciated. All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Taken last Wednesday before I set off from Squamish to ride to Whistler and back, to scope out that leg of the route!  
 

Patrick, We are still looking for crew captains for some of our Food & Beverage shifts at our 27th Vancouver Writers Fest, 21-26 October. Please consider signing up for a shift or two as crew captain, we need you and we'd love to have your help! To sign up/bid for shifts, please log into your My Volunteer Page profile, update your registration for 2014 and sign up for Crew Captain shifts. Many thanks! Kathryn 

Hello Cruel Task Mistress! I just signed up for Crew Captain shifts for last day of Festival. I'll let you tell me what I'll be responsible for. I await with bated breath and assume it will be a replay of last year's Sunday Brunch/Tea, etc. Cheers, Lungs Quietly Straining, Scullion Patrizzio! 
 
Hi Patrick, Wow, what a shocker. Wayne is such a vigorous guy and apparently not carrying undue stress, who would have suspected this would happen to him? What great fortune the lady returned for her name tag. We’ll send our best wishes on Michelle. Please let Wayne know we are thinking of him when you see him in the hospital. I sure hope it wasn’t a stroke, as they can come with such debilitating damage. Hopefully it’s a relatively routine cardiac fix.
 

I had forgotten when you were getting back from the mosquito-ridden prairie. Obviously you’re back to your usual social whirl. Lynne and I spent the week of August 13-20 on our Island sojourn, visiting first with our travel friends Fred and Barb in Saanich on Wednesday and Thursday nights. I played golf at the Olympic View Golf course on the Friday with some old high school classmates, an event organized as an adjunct to our 50 year West Van High reunion which is being celebrated at Capilano Golf Club on Oct 4. 

We then spent two nights with sister Mary and bro-in-law Peter in Victoria, during which we endured a visit from my brother Jim but had a very nice time visiting the summer markets and also meeting our new great niece, new baby of niece Rosie. On Sunday we had a relaxing lunch with Peter and Mary at a fine restaurant in Deep Cove, then caught the Mill Bay ferry. We spent Sunday night visiting our friends Phil and Kirsty who recently cashed in their Arthur Erickson apartment on Cartier St in Vancouver for a suburban house in Mill Bay. We dined at a harbour restaurant near Maple Bay. 

Monday we drove up the island and visited sister Jane and bro-in-law Larry Monday and Tuesday on Denman Island, with brother Bill also in attendance. Very pleasant stay, lots of good garden food. Home Wednesday. We’re now totally paid up on family dues so all is well for awhile.

On Monday I’m heading to Vancouver for a golf game with pal Byron on Tuesday then joining Byron, Clive and Roger Nendick for a 3 day bridge retreat at Roger’s cabin on Hardy Island. Should be good for laughs and a bit challenging for the liver. The rest of our September is very full. Friends Karen and John arrive from Ottawa on Sept 7 for three nights with us. We head back to Vancouver on Sept 13 to meet our friends Hansgeorg and Daniela from Dusseldorf (Hansgeorg is an old schoolmate from Imperial College London 1978-79). Maybe we’ll be able to sneak away (or bring them with us) for a quick Island Inn visit as we’re staying at the Granville Island Hotel. 

We’re doing Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler and Mara Lake before bringing them home. We’ll have to send them packing early as we’ll be flying to Chicago on Sept 23 – I have a meeting there on Sept 24. Lynne will come and we’ll stay on for a few days to see the city. Hopefully I can get some Cubs tickets. I just had an invitation this morning for a consulting trip to Brazil which will happen sometime in October, followed by Madagascar in November. Other than that, life is quite relaxing. Thanks for filling us in on Wayne, Patricio. We’ll be praying for him. Cheers, Peter