Thursday 31 July 2014

St Michael Road Blues: Thursday, July 31st!

It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. -J.K. Rowling, author (b. 1965) 


P, Thanks for keeping me posted. My notes will be short as I have only my cell phone to input by single digit.

I will be thinking of you and Shark Tooth this weekend. Hope that all goes well. Please wish Dusty and Clare my congrats as well.
 

Would love to do the training ride to Whistler. Let me know the dates. You are on team Jackal. I will find out how the roster is looking - to see if Sara can get in. Enviable rides you are having and the stats are not bad either. Imagine if you did not stop for lattes? Buddy Neil rides the Pan Mass this weekend for the 16th time. Amazing fund raiser for cancer. Biggest in the world now. Be well, ride safe, W

Hi Deborah! First an foremost, I apologize for not replying sooner. Your  email arrived on July 20th, but two days before we left for our trip to Winnipeg.

Patrick James Dunn tell Clara about these!!

Patrick James Dunn Made with zucchini from Dusty's garden! We might never come back to Vancouver!]
Sorry to hear about your myriad difficulties with your Mother and Father. Don't know how you can manage. I was very, very fortunate with the care my own Mother received during the last few years of her life. She lived but a block away from us so it was very easy to visit and up until she became too frail, I was able to bring her to our place for meals, etc. Your mortgage nightmare is just that! I cannot believe that this terrible situation has not received more coverage. It is beyond shameful. If anyone can fight this monster it is you with your track record of taking on rapacious corporations! Onward! Fight! Bravo!!! Buona Fortuna indeed!


 
Loved the trailer. Did you have to drink yourself silly to prepare for part? Sad situation with your garden. Have seem similar, weather related problems across the Prairies, more to do with incredible rainfall/flooding, in this case, where many farmers have not been able to plant for four years or more. Fondestos from Cora Lee to you.  Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Fellow Folkies!!! As you know, we were on the road until Friday, July 25th, when we arrived here in Falcon Lake at Cora Lee's parents. Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both, living the Good Life on Hornby!  Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pic: Wagon with new manager!

Hi New Email Addressees! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Kjell!!!Trust you are well. Jane called us the week before the Folk Fest, to invite us to join her for a picnic at the beach. Unfortunately, we were not able to do so. Nevertheless, appreciated the thought. Fondestos from Cora Lee to you.  Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Texas Tornadoes!!! Trust everyone is well.  Hello from all the Gang! Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both.  Cheers, Patrizzio!

Are these the same ones you sent before? If so u already printed 6 copies and they are packed along with grames. 

Hi Chloe! Yes, thanks! I just sent them to Nana so thought I'd include you and Ayn, just in case. Greetings from the pancake breakfast table. Los Horridos will load your grandparent's car after eating to take all the pictures to church, for set up by The Drama Queen and Exhibition Curator. I'm off to Winnipeg as soon as I pack overlefts. None at Pam's since she's been away on hols. See you tonight, round midnight! Love Dad! sounds good!! xx

Dear Busy Beaver(not to be confused with split beaver): Glad to hear all is well and that you’re having fun—at least when not being attacked by black flies, mosquitoes, deer flies, horse flies, wasps, hornets, no-see-ums, house flies, yellow jackets, flying ants and even flying squirrels.

I have communicated briefly with George. He seems to be in a blissful state. Not too sure how Kerry and Tia are doing at this point. It’s a bit of a logistical nightmare for me to get to Galiano from Nanaimo. A lot easier from Vancouver to Galiano. George and I may meet in Victoria some day when he goes into town to pick up supplies.

Natalia and I are busy as usual doing odd jobs around the house: the last major one was pointing the gaps in the fireplace chimney and priming and then painting the chimney with a couple of coats of elastomeric paint.


Nizza!
The veggie garden has really taken off and we are enjoying the fruits of our labour as I write this: radishes, sweet peas, zucchinis, peppers and tomatoes have already passed through our greedy palates. It looks like we also have a bumper crop of potatoes but haven’t dug them out yet.

We went to a bluegrass festival in Chemainus that we really enjoyed. A great venue in Waterwheel Park sheltered from the harsh rays of the sun by tall cedars/pines. Really enjoyed a Vancouver band that you may have heard off(?): Tishomingo String Band.


When Natalia packs it in after work, we’ve been going for a daily swim at a beach off Piper’s Lagoon Park. It is absolutely gorgeous cooling off in the waters looking at the snow-capped coastal mountains (Whistler/Sechelt).

Natalia’s parents have received their visas and will be visiting us from Sept 20 –Nov 20.That’s it for now. I look forward to your next update. Best,--Kurt 


Hi.Patrice, I think we should probably both forgo apologies to eachother for late replies from now on as I think we both know that the other will reply at the first opportunity as we are both men of integrity and will follow through. I knew you were on the road with a busy social calender and as such didn't expect to hear from you in a while. I am glad you made it there without incident and are catching up with friends and family.
 
I had forgotten that you were doing a memorial for your mom which is very nice but I'm sure comes with much stress and emotion at getting eveything organized and reminiscing . I hope that it goes very well and our blessings to her and you and yours for peace and rest. One thing I have to ask from Colleen is did you save the shark teeth? Lol. 

Glad to hear that you are able to get out riding a lot despite the flying insects which would drive me around the bend as I have an extremely low tolerance to those things and would probably not even be able to get out of the car in the first place!! 

Please pass along our congratulations to Rosie and Dusty, it's really great to hear that they are still as busy and creative as ever and hold up an example of how to enjoy life to it's fullest .I'm assuming that they have had an influence on you guys in that regard!

We are just packing up this morning to head from Shuswap to Osoyoos where we will stay for a couple nights with another group that stay at the Richter pass motel and basically take the place over for ten days a year. Will enjoy a couple days there with more socializing and beach activities before picking up a friend of Jakes who is visiting his grandmother in Oliver and bringing him back with us to the cabin for the long weekend. Oliver is being cat sit there by a neighbour who has his granddaughter and friend looking after him . Hope we will have time to have a weekend atmthe cabin with you guys when you get back. Give our love to all. Take care and talk soon. A, C, J & J Pics: enjoying the cabin and beach at Shuswap.


Has been a busy past few days. I think I mentioned that I was driving into Winnipeg on Thursday. Did just that and arrived there at 12:30 pm to have a haircut and beard trim from Wendy, friend and neighbour, of Pam's/Greg's, who lives just around the corner from their house in St Vital. I've been to her on previous visits and like her very much. Spent the rest of the day working on the remarks I wanted to make at Mom's memorial service as well as those I've been asked to deliver, tonight, on Dusty's 90th. No riding as I didn't bring my bike along but I did cut the front lawn. Quite enjoyed doing so as last time I used a power mower was in 1998, year we sold our house in Kits!

After Greg left for War Eagle, around 5:00 pm, I was alone for most of rest of the evening. Spent a bit of time cleaning out Pam's fridge, (Greg and his two sons, Cody and Dustan haven't a clue about "fridge management". Pam is on holiday at War Eagle but Greg comes into Winnipeg during the week to work. Cody does the opposite, going to War Eagle on weekends while Dustan, youngest, who has a summer job at Falcon, cutting grass on the gold course, comes into city, from time to time, to see friends), as I'm happy to organize things as a small thank you for staying. Managed to "save" enough vegetables from crisper to make quite a tasty stir fry. I'd brought a few pieces of chicken and pork from Falcon food chest of "overlefts" and added them into mix.



Would take a break from my composing and tackle one shelf at a time, cleaning various surfaces, wipe sticky bottles of jam or greasy salad dressing jars and then re-arrange things so one didn't have to be a contortionist or a juggler to get the Ketchup! After fridge was emptied of various mould encrusted penicillin factories, containers of sour milk, rotting tomatoes and wilted lettuce, I took a quick trip to a very good wine store, Banville & Jones, not too, too far away, where I found some great, (I hope!), Argentinian and Chilean wines for very reasonable prices. Have not seen many of these labels in Vancouver so was curious to try them. Put three whites in the fridge, (which now had room to hold them!), so Chloë could choose one when she arrived.

Her flight was to land at 11:40 pm and hse had arranged for her cousin, Cody, to collect her. Her returned to the house at close to 11:00 pm and we had a brief visit before he set off for the airport. I continued to work away at email as I'd completed what I wanted to say at memorial and at anniversary dinner. 


As it turned out, lucky that I was at my computer rather than reading as I might well have been, enjoying my latest, Istanbul Passage very, very much. Here is a "transcript" of what ensued, a melange of Facebook entries and email/text messages, almost a "black box" recorder:
Chloe Alexis Dunn Winnipeg ·Just landed. Now let's see who wins the pick up game? Cody Ziemanski or Patrick James Dunn ...Patrick James Dunn Cody, it seems. At least for now!
Can u pick me up at the airport? Cody's car died  Now he said he can get here. So disregard last email sorry Buona Fortuna! I'll be here if you need me! Cheers, Dad! Keep on the computer as I hear they have no house phone. Do you have your cell with you? If so maybe keep that on hand. But let me know. See you soon hopefully.  Hi Chloë: There is a house phone. I used it earlier this evening. I assume number is the same as the one I have in my address book.
Phone does not work. Please come get us. Cody's car just died Please bring jumper cables! Just read your message. I'm walking out the door.

Long and the short of it meant that at 12:30 am I set out for the airport, about 25 minutes way, to collect Chloë and try to get Dustan's car started. Just glad I had not had anything to drink beforehand. At any rate, once there, I missed the car, (Airport has undergone considerable changes over last few years and I'm really not familiar with new approach lanes. On second pass Chloë came running out, waving her arms to stop me but because I was in a lane, one over from where Cody's car had stalled, I had to make another complete loop to be able to pull up beside it, in order to attach jumper cables.

Fortunately, there wasn't all that much traffic by this time so I was bale to "squeeze" beside his vehicle. Once we hooked up jumper cables his car started right away. Decided it best if I followed them in case car died again. Good thing as about a third of way home this is what happened. Right at a normally busy intersection but again, quite quiet at this time of night. A very kind lad, operating a street sweeper stopped his machine and helped Chloë and Cody push his car around the corner, (I had my emergency flashers on as it is still a busy thoroughfare.), so that we could use jumper cables. Just before repeating this whole process, I thanked city worker and told him that in the '60's I used to be the timekeeper for the street cleaning crews. I would take the hours supervisors passed along to me for the machines and drivers working in different parts of the city and enter them onto sheets for data entry next day. Anyway, bit of a needed laugh!


Almost home and car died again! Thought, by then, that problem is probably with alternator as battery was obviously not charging. Another hook-up and then Cody was off, to make it back to house. By this time it was after 2:00 pm and we all really needed a drink so Chloë chose a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc and we toasted our success! Everyone was tired by then, as you can imagine, but we didn't manage to get into bed until just before 3:00 am.
Chloe Alexis Dunn Heading to the airport just waiting for Brie Marriott to come get me.
  • Patrick James Dunn Just heading to Banville & Jones to pick up some wine to have when you arrive! Travel safely! Cheers!
Ayn and I cannot open this file.      Hi Goils! Chloë is bringing copies but I've included a text version so that you can read your selection sooner, Cora Lee. Greg's brother, Jeff, and his wife, Donna, just popped by to collect their possessions. They will spend the night at War Eagle, en route to Thunder Bay for a wedding. This means that there will be beds here for everyone tonight.


Was only a few minutes after 12:30 pm when I pulled up at Wendy's. Her mother seems to be recovering well from the stroke. She is 72, I believe. Her speech has been affected. Met her sister, visiting from Calgary. She lives not far from Jan. Grog will be leaving soon. Not sure where Cody is, although his car is here. Must away as I'm going to cut front lawn. Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio!
Chloe Alexis Dunn at Vancouver International Airport Heading to the Peg!! Falcon Lake I'll be seeing you soon!!! Patrick James Dunn Bugs are waiting!

Chloe Alexis Dunn Tell them to buzz off!!
Patrick James Dunn You'll be talking to them shortly so you can tell them how you feel. Mosquitoes have feelings too, I might remind you!
  • Delia Thompson Not sure if this news hit the West coast but eggs from five years ago are hatching this year. It's been awful. Have an amazing time at the lake though!!!!
  • Patrick James Dunn At least it's not The Seven Year Itch!

Chloe Alexis Dunn Yikes!!! You are scaring me Delia!!!

Who else is coming in tonight?? Hi Chloë et al: Dustan is here for the night. Just back from Banville & Jones where I found some great, (I hope!), Argentinian and Chilean wines for very reasonable prices. Have not seen many of these labels in Vancouver so curious to try them. Will put the whites in the fridge so you can choose when you arrive. When does your flight land in Winnipeg? Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio!  Just you. mom 

Chloe Alexis Dunn Winnipeg ·Just landed. Now let's see who wins the pick up game? Cody Ziemanski or Patrick James Dunn ...Patrick James Dunn Cody, it seems. At least for now!
Can u pick me up at the airport? Cody's car died  Now he said he can get here. So disregard last email sorry Buona Fortuna! I'll be here if you need me! Cheers, Dad! K keep on the computer as I hear they have no house phone. Do you have your cell with you? If so maybe keep that on hand. But let me know.
See you soon hopefully.  Hi Chloë: There is a house phone. I used it earlier this evening. I assume number is the same as the one I have in my address book.

Phone does not work. Please come get us. Cody's car just died Please bring jumper cables  

http://www.worldwidequest.com/?page=trips&cmd=review&key=203_south_india#ad-image-0

Check this out for an interesting itinerary for southern India. Perhaps we could incorporate some or all of it in our "customized" itinerary. It would be interesting to see if Corinne's friend's tour operator can offer something similar and/or comment on whether or not this is a good plan.
 

Cheers from The Naramata where it continues hot and sunny. Yeah!! Lynnie and Dom Pedro XOXO

P.S. P just opened a bottle from our cellar of Poplar Grove's 2001 Benchmark Cab Franc. Yum-m-m!!! It should go really well with barbecued strip loin steaks, green beans from our garden, grilled tomato halves with seasoned bread crumbs and parmesan (tomato from our garden), and stuffed baked potato. There are apricots from our tree for dessert … if such is necessary. ;-)


 
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Long Table Distillery Bourbon Barreled Gin - $45.25

This premium, handcrafted, small batch Bourbon Barreled Gin is aged exclusively in handpicked Bourbon barrels making it a uniquely complex, aromatic offering ideal for sipping. The flavour profile includes hints of grapefruit, orange peel, spicy juniper and baking spices on the nose, and a subtle sweetness with silky smooth caramel and vanilla on the palate that leaves a lingering, rich and robust finish.



Long Table Distillery Marc du Soleil - $50.25

The Long Table Marc du Soleil is a unique spirit that’s created under a collaborative partnership between Long Table Distillery and the award winning, family owned and operated Clos du Soleil winery in BC’s Similkameen Valley. Made from 100% BC Organic Merlot grape pomace, a sustainable byproduct of the first pressing reconstituted into wine, distilled and then oaked in three different barrel types, the result is a smooth blended spirit that greets the palate with notes of ripe plum, butterscotch and vanilla bean with hints of anise and blackberry followed by a smooth, warm, lingering finish of toffee and black cherry.
 

Long Table Distillery Långbord Akvavit - $58.85

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Hi Charles! Trust you are well. Had been meaning to try to get in for a rum tasting but time simply evaporated! When I say "No excuses, but plenty of reasons", I'm actually telling the truth. Were on the road from Tuesday, July 22nd until Friday, July 25th, when we arrived here in Falcon Lake, Manitoba, at Cora Lee's parents, for a large family gathering to celebrate their 69th wedding anniversary.

Also wanted to congratulate you on seeing Long Table featured in Legacy Liquor Store's Unique Spirits column. Now I guess you'll always be sold out of product with the exposure. At least you'll have time to taste a little Diplomatico rum by the time we return to Vancouver! Funnily enough, I was able to pick up a bottle of the Reserva
Exclusiva at Kennsington Wine Market on our way through Calgary, two weeks ago. Legacy had sold out their allotment not long after the tasting store hosted.


Must away as time to go for a ride. Great cycling along country roads between lakes here. Strong prevailing westerlies keep the pesky deer flies away so worth battling fierce head winds! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Wednesday 30 July 2014

Huskie the Muskie Muskellunge Blues: Wednesday, July 30th!

The man who is denied the opportunity of taking decisions of importance begins to regard as important the decisions he is allowed to take. -C. Northcote Parkinson, author and historian (1909-1993) 


Hi Patrick, Good to see you slaving away on home renovations and your riding exploits are exhausting just reading about it I am afraid Claire and I will not be up to your lofty heights though we are looking forward to a few rides around the place if that is OK. We have firmed up pretty much everything at this point so are now looking forward to catching up in a few months. Cheers Greg and Claire
Chloe Alexis Dunn shared Aunt Leah's Independent Lifeskills Society's album: DHX Media Fundraiser for Aunt Leah's.
Hi Groggage and Claire de la Lune! Terrific that plans have come fruition! Please don't worry about trying to keep up with me, (not that that will be an issue), as I'm perfectly happy to go along at whatever pace is comfortable for both of you. I really only try to "push" myself, inasmuch as it is ever a "push", if the legs and winds allow and then I try to attain an AVG which is a tad higher than what has the going speed over the course of the ride. Yesterday's outing was a case in point. Spent most of the morning/afternoon trying to catch up on correspondence, (For some reason my MacBook Air will not connect readily to the Internet while Cora Lee's new MacBook Air, (Her 67th birthday present, from me, as she moaned and whined that my old laptop simply wasn't good enough for Volunteer Woman!), is fine. Fortunately, she has her iPad along so I'm able to use her laptop.), visiting with neighbours who dropped by and then cleaning my bike/oiling chain.

Around 4:00 pm I set off for a "stretch ride" to the South Shore of Falcon Lake. About 10 km of tarmac before it becomes a gravel surface so 20 km by the time I head for West Hawk, 11 km away. Very pleasant ride, with a few rolling hills to keep things interesting. Really fierce head wind on this section as much of road is quite exposed, unlike South Shore which is forested, for the most part, on both sides. Anyway, once at West Hawk I dipsy-doodled there to have just under 40 km on the clock by the time I was heading back to Falcon. Now the wind was either at my back or else more of a cross-wind so I knew I would be able to increase my 22+ km/hr AVG without doing much hard work. Turned out to be the case and I was able to reach 23.4 km/hr by the time I reached Fairway Crescent but dropped to 23.3 km/hr when I pulled up outside the cabin as gravel road on the Crescent, leading to Ace Bay, had just been graded and I had to negotiate the various ridges rather carefully and slowly or risk a fall.

Kudos to the crew from DHX Media who put together a fundraiser last week. The end result was $1,738.86 raised and donated to Aunt Leah's Place. The funds allow us to provide programs and housing for foster kids and young moms.]

At any rate, I really am not a Speed Demon. (Wish I was capable of being one, more's the luck!) Our rides together will be much like those wonderful ones we took in Brisbane, although no possibility of stopping for lattes, I'm afraid! We can stay on the flat of The Seawall towards and around Stanley Park or go over Lions Gate Bridge if you fancy descent but not exhausting climbs. Jaunt out to UBC is also very flat for first 10 km and then another longish but not overly steep hill. Once at top, another 10 km of flat surface. And so on. Once you are here you'll see for yourselves what you'd like to do. As with our most recent visitors form California, a quick overview, by car, will give you a good sense of Vancouver and immediate environs.

Not sure if gang still wants to drive into Kenora, (About 61 km away. I have ridden there and back, [after sleeping overnight], on last visit. Very wide, smooth shoulder on Trans Canada Highway but it is very, very busy, as you can imagine, so not a particularly enjoyable outing from this point of view.), for Farmer's Market this morning or not. Pamela, Cora Lee's sister, (Their cabin is at War Eagle, a few km outside of Kenora.), came for dinner, with Greg, last night. He headed back into Winnipeg after meal and Spumoni stayed to do laundry and sleep overnight. She is having the oil changed on her car this morning so I'm not sure what she, Cora Lee and Rosita have cooked up for the menfolk!

Another gorgeous day so if we don't head out to Kenora I plan to go for a reasonably long ride as I won't be able to do much cycling for next few days. I driving into Winnipeg tomorrow to finalize some details for my Mom's memorial service on Friday. Weekend, back at Falcon, will be all 69th wedding anniversary activities. Should be fun and boisterous with all of Clara's/Dusty's children, (and spouses)/grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Raymond! Glad to hear that all goes well back in Vancouver. Know what you mean about Endowment Lands although I've not ridden there in years! Sylvia's outing to Ucluelet sounded marvelous. Never been to Savary but can only imagine it will be wonderful. Corinne went for her first ride yesterday but blamed me for hiding her lock. As a result she wasn't able to stop and shop at tiny local mall in town-site!

Bit of a lazy day, for me, at least, yesterday. Have had one message from Giorgio and he seems to be doing well, although he said it will take some time to really "settle in"! Don't know just when I might be able to visit as calendar, once we return, is already chock-a-block. Hope to do some pre-Whistler Granfondo training towards the end of August. Ride is on the 6th of September. I'm hoping to ride to Sqaumish on a Friday, stay overnight with friends, Ruth/Rick, there and then on up to Whistler on Saturday. Depending on weather, might even consider riding back to Squamish same day.


Not sure if Whirlygig would be able/interested in joining me. We are supposed to be part of Team Jackal as Charlie asked me to join his group. Sarge indicated he'd like to do training run but will depend on his schedule, closer to date. Of course, you are more than welcome to join us for any or all of planned rides. We can chat once back, of course. Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello Oh Wrathful One! First an foremost, I apologize for not replying sooner. However, when I say "No excuses, but plenty of reasons", I'm actually telling the truth. Your last email arrived on Tuesday, July 22nd, day we left for our trip to Winnipeg. Have had one message from Giorgio, (Same day your message arrived!), and he seems to be doing well. Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Giggster/Galiano Man, et al! Have had a message from The Wrathful One, (Same day your message arrived!), and he was wondering about Robinson Crusoe! Fondestos from Cora Lee to you three. Hope everyone is "settling in" and making respective spaces their own! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Big Al and Marilyn! Really enjoyed your last missive and wonderful snaps! Very impressed with your tremendous biking outing. Not sure if I can keep up with you mountaineers! Like to giv eit a whirl though, once back, probably on my Brodie, given terrain.  Fondestos from Cora Lee to you four.  Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Kids! Really enjoyed your last missive and hearing about Touchet and Walla Walla, bringing back all sorts of wonderful memories! Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both.  Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Simone! How lovely to hear from you. Really enjoyed your newsy message. You have been busy! Fondestos from Cora Lee to you, Simone. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Wonder Woman! First an foremost, I apologize for not replying sooner. However, when I say "No excuses, but plenty of reasons", I'm actually telling the truth. Your last email arrived on July 19th, but a few days before we left for our trip to Winnipeg. Have only glanced at article but look forward to perusing, at length. Thanks Hope to do some pre-Whistler Granfondo training towards the end of August. I've asked Whirlygig to ask Carlos if you are going to be invited to join Team Jackal, but no reply from Galiano Man to date! Fondestos from Cora Lee to you three.  Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Sarika! First an foremost, I apologize for not replying sooner. However, when I say "No excuses, but plenty of reasons", I'm actually telling the truth. Your email arrived on July 21th, but the day before we left for our trip to Winnipeg. 

We were on the road until Friday, July 25th, when we arrived here in Falcon Lake at Cora Lee's parents. Communication now frustratingly difficult, as  a result of Internet connectivity problems, here in Falcon, via Cora Lee's brother's satellite wireless service so have been struggling just to keep my head above virtual water.

At any rate, I had a wonderful ride. Did much the same as on my past outing to Rennie but this time I skipped Ingolf and went to Brereton Lake instead. Closer to Rennie and has fond memories for me as I camped their with a school chum and his family when I was in Grade 7! Fierce, fierce head wind all the way to Rennie but I was laughing on return leg. Absolutely delighted with both distance and time. Stats:
 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/553441397#.U9l7oyTTbgo.email

Must away as Tinsel Towners just phoned. They will be here in a few minutes so have to start opening wine! Fondestos from Cora Lee to you.  Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pic: Wagon!

HI PATRICK,I AM GLAD YOU MADE IT SAFELY.THE PICTURES ALONE GAVE ME A BACK ACHE.HAVE A WONDERFUL 69TH.alexa in town and we had a blast
of a party to celebrate.kept the neighbours up -beautiful.so no golf at present. salmon and tenderloin here as a substitute for ham but chocolate moose? a beauty. keep those legs pumping patrick.life is o k here[just].say hi to everyone from us; take care, matt 


P, Thanks for keeping me posted. My notes will be short as I have only my cell phone to input by single digit. I will be thinking of you and Shark Tooth this weekend. Hope that all goes well. Please wish Dusty and Clare my congrats as well. Would love to do the training ride to Whistler. Let me know the dates. You are on team Jackal. I will find out how the roster is looking - to see if Sara can get in. Enviable rides you are having and the stats are not bad either. Imagine if you did not stop for lattes?

Buddy Neil rides the Pan Mass this weekend for the 16th time. Amazing fund raiser for cancer. Biggest in the world now. Be well, ride safe, W