Falcon Lake Fontainebleu Blues: Trek Training Bicycle Blues: Friday, December 5th!

Can anything be sadder than work left unfinished? Yes, work never begun. -Christina Rossetti, poet (1830-1894)

Patrick, Thank you for your long detailed note about your daily lives - very busy lives I must say. Gerry and I would be delighted to come to your Open House on the 23rd. How lucky for us to be in town then. Thank you for inviting Jeff and Stacee too and we will pass on your invitation. We look forward to seeing Ayn and the boys as it has been many years, possibly not since your 25th Anniversary.

Orion Test Flight!

By the way you did not send the photo of Corinne and her new coat nor the photo of the mass production of Frosty's. Gerry said you did it on purpose to see if we really read your letters!!!

I gather Gerry told Corinne that we would call once we are in Vancouver so we will see you soon. Cheers, Dawn of the North

Dear Dawn of the North, (Great name, bye the bye. Cora Lee want to be Mid-Morning Riser of the South!), and Proof-Reader Herardo of inna you Typeface!

I know you live miles from nowhere but I did think you had some connectivity! Do you still rub two sticks together to start a fire? This message is same one I sent initially so you better check out your computer from the '80's! However, Heraldo was right, I did not send Ms Fashionista as a way to see if you followed the minutia of our dreary lives. No, we don't have to fight wolves and live off cedar boughs like some of the hardier folk up country but we do treat our friends with respect, unlike the rough frontier manners we seem to encounter from those who live north of the Arctic Circle! As punishment, you must re-read this epistle, three times, before opening attachments, all the while repeating: " Patrizzio is a fine young man!", (Sharktooth Annie always said this about Grog, never me, as I was the "perfect son!), ad infinitum if not ad nauseam!

Nevertheless, delighted you will be able to attend our Open House. Will chat anon. Cheers, an older, but wiser, Fine Young Man!

Patrick, Such a snappy response - I could not compete with you! Thank you for adding the photo of Corinne in her very warm looking jacket. I realized that Frosty's were the painting by Picasso aka Corinne's dad. Guess I was a bit slow on that one. Dawn Hi Slow On The Uptake Dawn of the Not So Early Bird North! We still love you even though you are not the brightest light on the Chritmas tree! Off to take Mme Coriandre downtown to work at the Friends of VPL Annual Christmas Book Sale.

I'll pop in to Marquis after wards to pick up some WOW, (Wines of the Weekend), hootch. Usually some pretty good deals. I generally buy a bottle or two to sample and then buy a case if we deem it of interest. Last week I scored a Paul Mas, (Winery we visited in Languedoc, near where I had rented place in Neffiés.), 2011 Cabernet/Cabernet Franc, 14%, for $13, ($17 regulare!), which will be even better over next year or so, if it lasts that long! Might even let you try some at Open House! Fondestos to our Favourite Turtle. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Ski, (and Janet!)! Thanks so much for your lovely call! Great to chat. As you can tell, I've included Janet in the conversation! Janet, Ski would like to ask some things about Inja and since you are our resident expert, I'll let the two of you converse when most convenient! Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Beth! We met on The Streets of San Francisco, on Saturday, November 1st, just at the bottom of Powell, near the cable car turntable. My friend and I, (Glasgow), were walking towards Nob Hill and you were heading to pick up a fur coat. We had a grand time while staying in Berkeley and visiting your fabulous city. On Sunday we cycled over the Golden Gate and returned via ferry from Tiburon.

While in line there we met a lovely young couple who co-own the Stone Korean Kitchen at Four Embarcadero Center. We hope to eat there this coming February as we will be driving down to Palm Springs to spend a week or so with other friends who have rented a place there for six weeks.

If you are ever in Vancouver, give us a shout. We live but two minutes from the Granville Island Market and we'd be delighted to have you over for a coffee or something stronger, depending on your predilection! All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Golden Gate ride; Terry, (Co-Owner and Executive Chef), and Mimi. PS: I think i mentioned our close friends, Susan and Charlie Pitchford, who run their own travel business: http://www.flightcentreassociates.com/pitchford

What a lovely surprise, as I almost deleted as "unknown sender".
I am so glad you enjoyed "the City". I think you dont know I live in Oakland, but I claim SF as I am a native of sorts.

There is lots more to do here, and hope you will be back again. Often people get to Carmel/Monterey from here, or to Lake Tahoe, which I claim to be the most beautiful place on earth (after Switzerland in May). I thank you for the kind invitation, but not likely that I will be in YVR anytime soon. Enjoy your travels, and thanks for the contact re the Pitchfords. Best regards. Beth

Hi Again, Beth! I'm glad I didn't end up in the trash, so to speak! Our friends, Nancy Mennel and David Kessler, live on Vicente, as I might have mentioned. While they technically live in Oakland, their mail address is Berkeley! They lost their original home in the terrible fires of 1991.

On a brighter note, we drove to Calaveras County after we left Berkeley, to ride and wine-taste. Thence to Tahoe where we rode around some of the bike trails at the southwest end of the lake. Even "bumped" into two bears when exploring Tahoe Keys!

You really need to visit our Okanagan Valley, near Naramata/Penticton, if you think Tahoe is gorgeous. Know what you mean about Switzerland, of course. We have quite a few close friends in Berne, Zurich and Lucerne. Last visited in 2010. Had a number of Swiss university students as boarders back in the '70's and '80's and have since hosted their children here in Vancouver! Organize a tour to Vancouver. You, if anyone, should be able to do that in the twinkling of an eye! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Amador County, near Plymouth; Just before Tahoe; bruins; view from Naramata Bench over Okanagan Lake.

in a grumpy mood just had my bike stolen. so with nothing to do i may head to oakland; sour faced matt

Hi Glasgow! What a complete drag! How did it happen? I went over to FCCC to use the elliptical and had a very good session. When back home I took my Trek onto patio and gave it a good cleaning, oiled chain, etc., as it was pretty gritty after last ride, although roads were reasonably dry. (Lots of snow in bike lane on Marine past campus.) At any rate, I kept a close watch on it whenever I went inside to fill up a pail of water. (Outside system has been shut off for winter.), as I know it only takes a second and poof! No bike! This happened to my camel pack knapsack this past summer, as I think I mentioned at one point during our road trip.

At ant rate you are more than welcome to use my Brodie until you replace your bike. Heavier than your very nice unit but at least you can get around in the interim. I really though it was a great bike from just seeing it and putting it on/off car rack. Shall I call Barbara and Raoul and tell them to expect you? How many bag lunches should Cactus make? Say hello to Mimi and Terry at the Korean Stone Kitchen. Wait a minute, I'll come with you! We can spend New Year's Eve on the Golden Gate. Think Whirlygig has a ball and chain around his left ankle and his love-stricken heart so he won't be going anywhere. We'll still charge him a third of expenses however. That should drop the unit cost of all the wine we'll be buying.

Seriously, I'm quite upset by the theft. Again, please don't hesitate to use my bike if it suits. I'd be happy to pop it on the car rack and drop it off or you could come by our place, have a ham dinner and drown your sorrows in malt! Onward!! Fight!!! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Happier days!

Hi Vinnie: Just had the above message from Glasgow. Trust all is well with Vicentians. Cheers, Rizzzzzzzo!

Peter Edwards‎Patrick James Dunn Happy Birthday Patrizzio!

Patrick James Dunn Thanks very much, Pedrito! Truly sorry that we were not able to connect when you were in Vancouver. Guess we'll just have to come to Wellington! Wine-tasting in Alexander Valley with Glasgow and Whirlygig this past late October. Cheers, Patrizzio!