Saturday 31 January 2015

Islay Inn Open House Blues: Saturday, January 31st!

Lower your voice and strengthen your argument. -Lebanese proverb


Hi Pat, Sorry for the late reply. I do want to ride tomorrow but I have to finish off a couple assignment before I leave for oz. But let's make plans for when you come back. If you swing by Matchstick coffee, where I'll be studying, on fraser and kingsway for a coffee stop on your ride, first cup is on me : ) Victor
Hi Vittorio! Too bad about not connecting for a ride but I understand completely, given the demands of school work and upcoming trip. Thanks for the invitation to Matchstick but I plan to head out to Iona as I want to log a 100+ km ride without touching The Dreaded Burning Ground! However, Ill certainly take a rain check when next we are able to ride.
Will do a few chores to ready place for the Open House later this afternoon and then head out around 11:00 am. Whirlygig and Calamity are coming by this evening for a wee dram. Bit of a visit as won't see them for probably a month or more, given our California junket and their Galiano schedule. Sunday's forecast is for rain so I'll use elliptical for my day's workout. Need the time to pack and make sure place is left appropriately for viewings that will take place while we are down south drinking bottled sunshine! Buona Fortuna with your SLAIS assignments, Vittorino, and have a fabulous time in Oz. Travel safely. Send us a few messages and snaps while away. Fondestos from Mme Coriandre. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: PuSh with Cora Lee and Kaile, our server; Robin and Brenda; Joan and Paulo
 

Hi Maggie and Frank! Happy New Year! Trust you are both well. Haven't been in touch sooner as hadn't set a firm date for California departure. Had more to do with dovetailing stop in Bellingham to collect hootch I have there. Elena, lady in whose garage we store wine, is back and forth to Vancouver, so needed to make sure she would be home when we were through.

At any rate,
just had a message from our "wine warehouse manager" and we will be able to pop by her place to collect some hootch on Monday, February 2nd. Need to be there between 8:00-8:30 am as she is taking train to Vancouver that morning. It leaves at 9:57 am and we offered to drive her to station. Need to leave her place by 9:15 am it would seem.
 

Anyway, this means that we should be knocking on the door of the friends we stay with in Portland sometime around 3:00 pm +/-, traffic, weather and gods willing. Will spend that night with them and Tuesday night in Williams, before heading into Napa/Sonoma on Wednesday to collect more wine. Will probably leave some of it in Berkeley where we will stay for two nights before heading to LA for the weekend with Ayn and Los Horridos. We will be in Palm Desert, where we will spend a week with friends, (Lynne and Peter are couple we will travel with in India this Fall.), from February 10th-17th. This being the case we were wondering if you might like a visit, for a night or two, on the 8th or 9th. Don't worry if not convenient as we have other friends in Phoenix/Mesa but we haven't seen you for sometime so thought it would be fun to catch up. Anyway, let us know what you think and we'll plan accordingly. All the best. Fondestos from Mme Coriandre. Cheers, Patrizzio!

[Flash Forward to first week in March to return of King mattress and storage tubs!]

Did you get Maggie's email below? 

Hello dear friends! We are making very early thoughts og visitering North America coming summer. Will you guys be around Vancouver app July 27 and 10 days ahead? I have three weeks with Boys from july 20. They want to see New York. I want to visit Vancouver!! I think we 'll try a combination.. XO Margareta sending this again in other media: 

Hello dear friends! We are making very early thoughts of visiting North America coming summer. Will you guys (not Ayn, I guess) be around Vancouver app July 27 and 10 days ahead?

I have three weeks vacation with Boys from July 20. They want to see New York (and drive a car across the continent..). I want to visit Vancouver!! I think we 'll try a combination.. I would also like to go to California. But in three weeks it is most probably too hectic..
 

I am now aware, that you are in a process of breaking up from Vancouver, Patrick and Corinne!! Of course we'll visit you wherever you are in BC, and also, I realize, that you cannot make plans that long time ahead with a hoouse on sale- or you can just anticipate that you will be very busy!

Around March 1st I will know for sure when I can go on holidays (final dates depends now on planning on my job) and let me hear from you how your situation about the house a.o. looks from there.
 

Have a nice and good weekend showing your beautiful home ! A big hug from Margareta PS do Patrick still have this email - something in my mind tells my it has been changed a while ago? XO Margareta

Had a grand 100+ km ride to Iona yesterday. Damn fierce head wind on way out and same returning on Marine to UBC. Had hoped to achieve an AVG of 22 km/hr, [Did so for a goodly part of outing.], but in the end Aeolus would have none of it! Next long ride, Golden Gate here I come! Stats for ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/687121679#.VM6Ni7juVpo.email 

Spent that evening with Whirlygig and Calamity. They didn't come over until after 9:00 pm as Giorgio didn't catch the ferry from Galiano until 5:30 pm.
Really appreciated their effort to drop by, especially when they brought a tasty drop of Prosecco to boot! Loverly gesture. Grand time from what I can remember! Can honestly say I cannot recall bidding them good night! 

Obviously, not enough porch cleaner!!! I do recall that Kurt, (neighbour who dropped by earlier and stayed for supper!), managed to escape with his Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva which I had hoped he would forget.

Hi Corinne and Patrick, We arrived here yesterday after a drive from Phoenix area, dodging the Super Bowl crowd. Weather had been poor in Phoenix and on our arrival but today is as advertised, pure sunshine. The house is wonderful, exceeding expectations. You'll love it here. We think it's best for you to arrive on the 11th if that is OK for your schedule. That will be one day of overlap with Ann and Gary.

We're just off to Costco to stock up our wine cellar. Hope your travels go well.
Cheers, Peter                                   House looks very attractive. Nice to see the sunny sky. Rainy here. We are leaving here early tomorrow to pick up wine on way. Portland tomorrow night. See you on the 11th. Hugs Corinne


Hello, Patrick: Once again, I am lamentably overdue in replying to your latest.   

Things have been a bit upside-down, inside-out lately, as our building is undergoing a complete repiping project.  Needless to say, much of the major work in my place was scheduled for Mondays --  my day off.   The guys are quite good, though, and while it's intrusive and a  major nuisance, with all sorts of stuff having had to be moved around (and minor inconveniences such as their forgetting to hook the washer and dryer back up and rendering the shower incapable of achieving more than a lukewarm temperature - both now resolved), I can't say that it's been truly awful.  It's also forced an opportunity to de-clutter, which I am badly in need of.  Once that is done, I will be planning some renovations.

Work is a mixed-bag.  I am glad to be there, and have made some satisfying community connections since the start of the New Year.  But there are truly challenging HR things going on in my branch (which is usually not a "problem child" branch.)  Two separate matters  are currently of concern.  One is a major escalation of the story that I started telling Corinne when I dropped by in November.  'Nuff said.

On the brighter side, I am happy to tell you that I am making some progress with my "get-healthy" plan for 2015.  I am going to personal training twice a week, and though expensive, it "TOTALLY!!!" works for me.  I feel I am really getting value as I learn to train using weights properly, as well as core exercises etc.  It's a nice gym, with great amenities (such as towels, shower mats and hair products all provided).  I go for training on Mondays and Fridays.  The idea is that I then train on my own at the Dunbar Community Centre on Wednesdays, which I have done a couple of times (although I have to admit that I missed last week). As I found out, the DCC has a hot tub next to the gym.  Lovely!  It was an unexpected discovery, as they don't have a pool.  There's a sauna too.

As well, I have acquired a "trainer" (of a different sort) for my bike.  So it's now set up in my living room so that  I can essentially use it as an exercise bike -- while watching television, TED Talks, etc.  When I'm in better shape I might venture out onto the road again.  I certainly hope so!

Also, quite excitingly, my mother, brother and I have bookings for a Camino Walk in May.  Mum and I will fly to Madrid, via London and meet Greg there (he is making his own arrangements).  Then we'll take the train to NW Spain to start our walk.  I have to admit, it won't be a very authentic Camino experience, as we will be staying in country inns and hotels and having our luggage taken ahead for us each day!  And we're only doing the final 100K or so.   Afterwards, Mum and I will fly back to U.K. where we'll spend another couple of weeks (some together, some apart) before flying back to Vancouver.  Meanwhile, Greg intends to go to Barcelona and I'm not sure what else . . . .

Wow -- it was a bit of a surprise to hear that you are planning a move to the Okanagan.  That's a huge change!!!   How did your house-hunting trip go?   I'm sure you'll be missed by many here in Vancouver, but I can see the appeal of the move.

When would it be a convenient time to drop by and collect my picture :-)       and other bits and pieces (including, I believe, a cookie sheet and chopping board --  not sure)?  Today (if you read this in time) or tomorrow (around 3 p.m. or after) would work -- or any Monday, around 3 p.m (as I usually have my PT session at 1 p.m.)   Sundays are good too, though February 7 is busy due to Tomkins' family birthdays (there are 5 in February). 

Hope this finds you well, and look forward to hearing from you soon. Janet 


The next gathering of the NRBC will be on 1 March. Venue TBC.



Patrizzio, so it is next week you'll be passing through...unfortunate timing. But yes, do stop in on the 4th as Cindi will be here that day (11 to 4) and can get your wine together for you. She'll probably ask you to pay sales tax on the pick up since you're receiving the wine in California....regrettably, we do have to declare and pay it to our state.

Thanks for the good wishes to Dave's mother. She is a spunky one and her mind is going strong, though her body is failing her a bit. She lives by herself and gets along admirably on her own as long as she is in her home. Unfortunately, she's really not able to do much outside of the house without quite a bit of assistance. Her mind is strong and good, though, so those are all very positives. Usually, the family takes her out for a birthday lunch at her favorite restaurant in San Francisco (Scoma's), but this year she's opted to stay in and have a birthday dinner at her house. Dave's cooking a prime rib dinner with all the trimmings.

If you decide to pass by this way again after the 17th on your way home, please do stop in. In fact, we're having an open house/release party of sorts on February 21st, so if that happens to fit into your schedule, even better!

Hope your open house today was a grand success and you've gotten some serious interest....you probably don't know yet, but here's hoping this week will bring you many good offers. Your place is lovely and with such a wonderful location, so it's only a matter of finding the right people for the right price.

Sounds (and looks) like you had a grand birthday party for Clara! Love Chloe's earring choice....nice! Take care and have a good week! Patrizzia
 

Hi Maggie and Frank! Happy New Year! Trust you are both well. Haven't been in touch sooner as hadn't set a firm date for California departure. At any rate, just had a message from our "wine warehouse manager" and we will be able to pop by her place to collect some hootch on Monday, February 2nd.  This being the case we were wondering if you might like a visit, for a night or two, on the 8th or 9th. Don't worry if not convenient as we have other friends in Phoenix/Mesa but we haven't seen you for sometime so thought it would be fun to catch up. Anyway, let us know what you think and we'll plan accordingly. All the best. Fondestos from Mme Coriandre. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Unfortunately not here between 7th through the 10th. Then, have girlfriend here from Oregon for 2 weeks 3rd week Feb. No room at the Carr Inn sad to say! Traveling to Scottsdale 7th to stay with sister in law, an alcoholic, who has not been well, only 49, 2 rehabs this spring. Trying to be supportive. My brother left her a year and a half ago. Think he has a lady friend. The relationship is amicable and Shawn is also being very supportive of Cindy. Safe travels. Maggie 

Friday 30 January 2015

PuSh Comes to Shove Hour of the Wolf Blues: Friday, January 30th!

Books are humanity in print. -Barbara Tuchman, author and historian (30 Jan 1912-1989)

Ingmar Bergman
Hello Concierge and Conciergess! Thanks for cancelling all of your non-plans on behalf of the Pushy Canadian Freeloaders and their plummeting $. We needn't worry about navy showers as our currency is taking a bath!

Glad to hear about weather, at least from the point of view of riding. Are you, Vinnie, interested in cycling over the Golden Gate on Thursday? Not a big deal if not or otherwise engaged but I'd like to do ride.

This evening we are off to see a screening of Ingmar Bergman's Hour of the Wolf, at performance Works, just across the way on GI:

Eye of Newt, lead by avant-garde violinist Stefan Smulovitz, returns to Club PuSh with a very special guest. Norwegian vocalist Sissel Vera Pettersen performs in Canada for the first time, taking to the stage to perform with vocalist Viviane Houle to weave a mesmerizing vocal soundscape accompanied by the improvisation of the Eye of Newt ensemble. Their live experimental set is inspired by the palpable madness of Ingmar Bergman’s Hour of the Wolf, described by Time Out London as “a dazzling flow of surrealism, expressionism and full-blooded Gothic horror.”

Guess we'll be drinking Egri BikavĂ©! Cheers, Count Patrizzio! 


I am going to pass on the bridge ride; looking forward to cooking up a fine dinner while you are burning calories!!! Egri Bikaveri for all! Cactus

Bridge Monday on Millbank. Who is in. Patrick please invite Sarge Cheers 2 over 1 Byron No can do – dress rehearsal for Nurse Jane! – if any conventions are invented on that evening, let me know how to avoid them! Clive I'm in DavidT If it should change to Wednesday or Thursday then I am available, but not Monday Tuesday. Available the week after. Cheers, Just because I am unavailable and down south for the next two months there should be no need to “normalise” me. Un-normalised Blues

Hi Sarge!Trust your week in Kamloops has gone well. Byron has asked me to invite you to join lads at his place, on Millbank, about 15 minutes walk along Seawall, towards Cambie. We are off to California quite early that morning. Hope to see you, at some point, this weekend, but wanted you to know about get-together if you are available. Loads of fun so I know you would enjoy evening. Talk later. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Thanks for the invite but I need to pass this Mon as I have another appointment. Wayne S I'm in. Btw, Les there is no way you could be normalized. :) R. I could also make Wednesday! C gents If we reschedule to Wednesday we could include Roger, Clive and maybe Wayne  Anyone prefer that? Cheers Byron 

I could do Wed. Wayne As you know, I can't do Wednesdays. Robert It was not my intention to disrupt Monday, I was offering a contingency in case there were not a four for Monday. Roger I agree! Monday is our regular bridge evening and we should only change it if we can’t raise four. C Gentlemen Since we have 4 for Monday - MrT, Byron, Robert and BigMac we will play on Monday. Any late inclusions are welcome 2 over 1 Byron Sounds quirkily good.

Yesterday's ride would turn you, Dear Howard, into a sleepwalker as it made me look like a gerbil on its caged wheel. For a variety of silly reasons I left my ride until quite late and felt I had no other options, given time constraints, etc. As far as I know, we will be here over Spring Break so do bring your bike. Let me know what the dates might be the better to make sure we can connect. Cheers, Narcoleptic Patrizzio!

P, in fact it is much more redeeming than indentured slavery -- we are disciples of the new free enterprise. We attend the church of the Ferry God Mother -- in an old abandoned BC Ferries ship. Dressed in our beloved BCF unies with the jaunty caps and all -- we worship the beloved Christy in all her glory.

We will be setting up a small tent city outside the Islay Inn to protest the sale and discourage new owners. The Cudgel is feeling conflicted but will be there to provide security and math tutoring for anyone on either side of the ruckus.

As the uncultured football riffraff we will be too amped up on Budweiser to join you for the flic on Sunday. I think the subject of the film may be our former Toronto bookie and taxi service, Lefty. So I am intrigued to see the film.

We will come by to bid thee farewell on Saturday evening at 9 - 9:30 if that is not too late for the weary would be travellers. I am attending the Ferry God Mother service at 5:40 Saturday and wont be in town until 8:00 at which time we will have a quick bite at MacDonalds - our new temple of food.

Praise be to the free market and may the rich get richer. Dog knows they deserve it. Amen. W


Dear Pastor Gideonheimer! I was mightily heartened to learn that you have been saved from your sustainable predilections and have now fully embraced rampant, crass consumerism run amok. I suppose you had to reach rock bottom on Galiano in order to see the Bud Lite, so to speak. Must admit, I had a bit of trouble, at first, understanding your lingo until I realized that you were speaking in tongues. Nevertheless, we await your hellfire and brimstone sermons on Saturday evening and trust we will be cleansed and reborn in the purifying fire of high octane porch cleaner. Hallelujah O My Brothers and Sisters!

Hi Lads! We are busy with viewings and an Open House tomorrow, from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm, so I'm planning a longish ride.  Since I can't really be back home until after 4:00 pm I'd prefer to start sometime between 10:00 am-11:00 am. Let me know what you think and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi High Wire Man! Wowsers! What a shot, Spider Man! What an exciting project. Congratulations. Am curious to know more and hear all about it. Happy Belated Birthday as well, Big Al! Trust, with all the excitement, you are both well. Let me know if you are interested in riding domani, Big Al. Vittorino and Robo Man may well be along as well. Fondestos and Cheers, Count Patrizzio! 

Happy Belated Birthday Big Al! For He's a Jolly Good Fellow! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Congratulations and Cheers from Cora Lee and Patrizzio! 

Hi Patricio, Thanks for the birthday greetings! Nice for the ecard to be in keeping with something I'm fond of. Would have loved a ride tomorrow but Colleen has a fitness conference in Hope Saturday and Sunday which she is presenting at so we are heading up to the cabin shortly in order for her to be there by 10:00 am. I will take advantage to stay back and work on a few things such as the resurrection of the drowned quad as well as the hot water tank install. I also have to keep on designing some stuff for the B.C. place job so will be fairly busy. I guess I'll have to take a rain check until you get back. Have a wonderful and safe trip south and we'll be in touch soon.. Take care, Al

Hi Squamish Waldorfians! Trust you are both well.  This evening we are off to see a screening of Ingmar Bergman's Hour of the Wolf, at Performance Works, just across the way on GI. Guess we'll be drinking Egri BikavĂ©r! Fondestos and Cheers, Count Patrizzio!

Good Luck with the Open House, however the place is so nice I'm it'll sell itself.
Enjoy your trip to California and say a big "Hi" to David and Nancy for us.
We'll be thinking about you as you taste some delectable wines from our favorite state. Ruth


Hi once more, Elena: Thank you very much for pointing out correct area code! Plan remains the same so trust we will be knocking on your door fairly early Monday morning. Cheers, Patrizzio! I'll be ready!!! Have a great weekend,  Elena

Pat, Weather certainly makes for good cycling but I'm busy all day tomorrow unfortunately. Enjoy your trip south. Ray 
Marvin Angelo Mercado at North Vancouver Cleaning the house on a Friday night while my wife is out for girls night. What happened to me....Patrick James Dunn You've got the Vacuum Cleaner Blues, Marvinator! Even a pre-nuptial agreement cannot prevent them. Just open a couple of bottles of very expensive wine and sing, while mopping and dusting and doing laundry : "It's midnight but it's alright cause I've got two more bottles of wine!" Cheers from The Islay Inn Scullion!Marvin Angelo Mercado Hah I just might. How about a 2011 Merlot from Orofino?

Nicole Marie That's my husband 

Patrick James Dunn I wouldn't talk, Nicolina! When I saw you yesterday, on the Seawall, you were lurchin' but managed to keep a cigarette in one hand and a bottle of beer in the other without spilling a drop! It's lucky for you that Marvinator doesn't follow posts on Facebook!

Nicole Marie Hahaha oh yes ... That exactly what I was doing pregnant and all ! I'll have child protection on me soon haha
Patrick James Dunn Yes, you'll have to turn yourself in. You'll be both arresting officer, (Perhaps Kid Chelene and Sarge can help you out with the paperwork.), and the offender! I always thought you had a split-personality Nicolina! 
I started out at 2:30 pm and decided to head out UBC way as I seem to have been avoiding the Foreshore Hill of late. Anyway, began by dipsy-doodling around Olympic Village for first 8 km and then rode Seawall around Science World to Granville Bridge before retracing my route. Then Kits Point with the intention of climbing up to campus. It had been bright and sunny up until this point but a chilly fog rolled in as I was approaching Kits Beach. However, when I reached NW Marine much of English Bay was visible, the five or six freighters not enshrouded were highlighted in sunshine, gleaming beyond belief! Most of the North Shore was enveloped in a blanket of mist and the overall effect was simply stunning, magical, one of the sheers delights of living and riding in Vancouver! Whether by chance or design, a photo shoot was taking place in the parking lot, down from the Spanish Banks West Concession, a curvaceous, scantily dressed blonde was posing in front of two neon coloured, blue and green, Lamborghinis, their "Lambo doors" wings ready to fly into the clouds! What a spectacular backdrop! 

En route, I realized I could do enough loops between the Spanish Banks East Concession and the last parking lot before the Foreshore Hill to give me the necessary distance I wanted. This being the case I passed the on-going shoot a number of times and on my last loop the model was clad in nothing but very attractive, lacy balck underwear. Fortunately, for me there were no stanchions in the vicinity for me to collide with, eyes riveted on the babe instead of on the road ahead! Leaving the Rick and Famous and Nearly Nude behind I streaked for home and was back just after 5:30 pm. Amazing to see how much later the light is lasting now as until 5:00 pm I really didn't need to switch on my LEDs and even after so doing, I could still see without difficulty. Stats for ride:


http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/686287418#.VMw5ZqX1DA4.email

Home in plenty of time to shower and change and then eat dinner, lovingly prepared by Mme Coriandre. We are trying to empty the fridge before leaving for the next couple of weeks so although fare was a bit of a hodge-podge, (back- bacon, yams and Cole-slaw), it was delish! Walked over to Performance Works just before 7:30 pm to meet Joan and Paul Whitney. They had invited us to join them at their VIP table, (Paul is a consultant for PuSh), to attend the screening of The Hour of the Wolf.
Place was very nicely appointed, turned into a bit of a nightclub so it was fun to see the facility in another guise as we are used to it as one of the venues for the Vancouver Writers Festival. We were seated at our own table, off to the left of the stage/screen so very good line of sight. The Whitneys were joined by two other friends, Brenda and Robin. Had not met Robin before so it was interesting to chat with her before film began.
Didn't know this particular, fairly early work by Bergman so that was a treat in itself. Also wonderful to see both the "young" Liv Ullmann and Max von Sydow. Don't think I'd seen them together since The Emigrants. In any event, this film was pretty intense, as I assumed it would be. From my point of view it was a pretty gripping study of an artist and his struggles with his personal and creative demons. The live sound accompaniment was quite something, in particular the stunning voice of Viviane Houle. (At a dinner party there is a puppet scene featuring an aria from The Magic Flute, if I remember correctly, and Houle's voice was simply thrilling!) I'm not sure what the original was like, in terms of soundtrack, but with the English subtitles the work was almost a "silent" film as there really was no apparent, spoken dialogue, as such.
Quite an evening indeed. After the screening Brenda left and we finished off the remaining wine. Believe there was another event later on. We could have stayed but the music was too, too loud for us. I suppose our hearing has not been damaged so we were all acutely aware of the intolerable decibel level! Robin was giving Joan and Paul a lift home so we walked them to her car before bidding everyone goodnight, thanking the Whitneys for the wonderful event. Home to do dinner dishes and then to bed to read a few chapters of my latest Lincoln Rhyme, The Kill Room.
 
Hi Pat! Thanks for quick reply and compliments on our place. Open House this Saturday so I'm planning  along ride that day! Sorry we won't connect on way south. [We have always enjoyed our visits to Santa Cruz as well. Congratulations and Birthday Wishes to Dave's mother. Bravo! Hip Hip Hooray!!!] Plan to stay in Palm Desert until February 17th after which we will begin trek back to Vancouver. Not sure, as of this writing, whether we will visit friends in Fresno. If we do, we will probably head north through foothills, Tahoe, etc. If not we will probably overnight in Berkeley so depending on your schedule, perhaps we can connect. Still planning to drop by to collect latest release if that is possible, on Wednesday, February 4th. I assume that will be fine but would appreciate confirmation of such. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!
I think I said I will be gone on the 4th but of course someone will be here to get your wine for you. After the 6th of Feb we should be here through April, SO stop on by............Dave
 

 


Thursday 29 January 2015

Post 90th Birthday Blues: Thursday, January 29th!

Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell. -Edward Abbey, naturalist and author (29 Jan 1927-1989)


Dearest Floridian and Cactoosian! Trust all goes well and that you pay strict and close attention to Subject line!!!! We are hoping to insist ourselves on you for two nights, (Wednesday, February 4th/Thursday, February 5th), if you will have us! Anyway, let us know what works best for you two and we'll plan accordingly. Fondestos from Mme Coriandre. Cheers, Patrizzio

I saw Chloe's post on Facebook with the sale of your condo advertised. I hope you do put in a bid and buy it back for yourself. That might be the best solution....We can talk about your move to Bear Country (and I don't mean Golden Bear Country) when you are here. 


You are most fortunate in that our friends from Boulder, Brent and Krista, have already put in their reservations at Casa Vicente; but they don't arrive until Friday the 6th, so you won't find a "No Vacancy" shingle posted alongside the bird feeder.  We will cancel all plans, of course, during the duration of your visit, but luckily, we don't have any. Please be prepared for summer weather by the way....all our rain has moved north and east, navy showers for all. Cact.
Chloe Alexis Dunn So my folks have put their place on the market, open house this weekend, have a look and please share!!! Thanks


davecollette.ca|By Dave Collette
Joanne McCuaig Whaaaaaaaaat!!!!! Love that place!
Patrick James Dunn Malt cabinet will be locked and sealed!

Chloe Alexis Dunn Buy it Joanne McCuaig!!!  

Joanne McCuaig I wish I could!!!!!

Chloe Alexis Dunn me too then I could visit
Patrick Chang I'm gonna miss that place. But I will see you in Okanagan

Carol Riera I'm winning the lottery on Friday and then buying it! Can't stand the thought of not going there when in Vancouver
    
Noelle Kendell Oh how I wish I could convince Jason to move to Vancouver! I would buy it in a heartbeat.

[It's the only program of its kind in It's the only program of its kind in Vancouver 
huffingtonpost.ca 
Patrick James Dunn Your Mother was an ardent supporter of this program when First United was seeking funding!]

Nicole Marie Jason Tingstad please come !!!!!

Nicole Marie This made me sad to see don't advertise for them and maybe they can't leave

Patrick James Dunn If you and Marvinator buy The Islay Inn it will be easier for Sarge to grandparent! 

Rebecca Ann Don't go Patrick James Dunn and Corinne Durston.

Alastair Bird Sorry to hear they'll be moving. We've been in a fog for far too long and didn't even know about these plans. Where in the Okanagan?

Chloe Alexis Dunn They have no place yet Alastair Bird but are determined to leave 

Bev Power I am so sad by this news!


Ilya Brotzky Oh Man, sorry to see you guys go

Chloe Alexis Dunn See Patrick James Dunn and Corinne Durston no one wants you to go!!!

Ayn P I don't recognize the kitchen without the fridge magnets.

Chloe Alexis Dunn their house looks so good, they were saying they should put an offer on it! lol  

Patrick James Dunn Looking at places in The Naramata and Penticton but have not ruled out OK Falls, Osoyoos or Oliver, at this point. Early days! We are more than touched that so many of you don't want us to leave Vancouver but we certainly expect everyone to visit us if we do make move! 

Thank you, Patrick, that should work out just fine and I really will appreciate the ride to the station! Please note: my area code is 360, not 306, in case you need to call me! Hope to see you Monday, E.

Hi once more, Elena Thank you very much for pointing out correct area code! Plan remains the same so trust we will be knocking on your door fairly early Monday morning. Cheers, Patrizzio!

  
Hello Casa Vicente! Appreciate advance booking! Great dinner this even. Pitturas from same. More later. Cheers, Patrizzio!  

Was in a bit of a fog after celebrating Rosita's 90th, toasting and playing bridge all evening. Had a wonderful birthday meal of steaks, (Cora Lee on bbq), Dusty's twice-baked potatoes, mashed cauliflower and a delish Caesar, again by Mme Coriandre. Long and the short of it was that I literally didn't suit up and leave fro my ride until 3:30 pm. This being the case I didn't really want to hit the Seawall to Stanley Park as it really starts to get busy by this time of the afternoon with pesky dog walkers, joggers and meandering tourists on rental bikes. Decided I'd pile on the km's on the route around Olympic Village that I've used in the past as a "gerbil" cage!

Once I had just slightly over 20 km on the clock I decided I'd risk the Seawall and was pleased that it was not nearly as busy as I feared it might be. Encouraged, I rode all the way past the Aquatic Centre and then looped back to cross over the Burrard Bridge to make my way along Point Grey to Jericho. Light was starting to fade as it was just after 5:00 pm by then but I'd my trusty LED's along so wasn't worried about visibility. Once at Brock House I retraced my route, heading back over the Burrard Bridge to make my way along Seawall, once more, and home, with but a slight dipsy-doodle at Olympic Village to give me the distance I had set as my goal by the time I was back at The Heartbreak Terrace. Stats for ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/685780864#.VMs22b9ZYqg.email

Home by 5:50 pm and pleased that I'd pushed the AVG higher, (21.1 km/hr) than Wednesday's lacklustre showing of 19.3 kph. Did a bit of food prep until Ragin' Bull arrived a few minutes later. Had invited him for dinner and bridge. He selected Four Barrels Single Barrel Bourbon, 50%, from the cabinet so we had a few snorts while I made a mixed salad. This done, I headed off to have a shower and he took a look at some of the niggling "problems" I'd been experiencing with my laptop. Scrubbed and changed I finished readying the steamed spinach we were having just as Rosita brought over the meat loaf and mashed potatoes she was contributing. Cora Lee was a meeting and we waited until 7:30 pm to see if she would appear. When she didn't we tucked into the scrumptious meal. Fortunately, for her, she arrived not too, too many minutes later, while there was still some Clarisse's fab food left!

After the wonderful meal we cleared the table and Ragin' and I took on The Durston Sisterhood. We won a quick rubber first but The Goils stormed back to take a slow rubber next, followed rather too, too quickly, from our point of view, by a quick rubber. Many very, very well played hands on their part so they certainly deserved the decided victory. It was just after 10:00 pm by then so everyone was ready to stop for the evening. Thanked Ragin' for all his computer help and he toddled off. Cora Lee helped her Mom take overlefts back to The Annexe while I finished tidying up. Bit of messaging before heading to bed to read until just past midnight.

Wowsers...it will be such a change for you to move out into the countryside, away from your beautiful downtown digs....but I'm sure you'll love it! I'm certainly happy that we were able to visit you in Vancouver and see what your life there was all about before your having moved on! But now it appears that we'll have a new destination to try to visit in the future! (Loved the photos of your place...makes you wonder about leaving it, doesn't it?).

As far as your traveling down this way on the way to Palm Dessert, etc., when you say you may be here on Wednesday, do you mean Wednesday February 4th? Regrettably, we are going to be away next week as February 5th is Dave's mother's 93rd birthday (she has a few years on Clara!) and we are headed down her way and will also spend a couple of days "on the beach" in Santa Cruz, one of our favorite getaway spots for just relaxing and enjoying the fresh sea air. We will return on the 6th, I believe. Let us know your exact plans next week so that we can catch up with you and Corinne if possible.

Thanks for the updates and latest pix....never a dull moment! Pat PS The sisterhood is a remarkable (and so similar) looking trio. 


Hi Pat! Thanks for quick reply and compliments on our place. Open House this Saturday so I'm planning  along ride that day! Sorry we won't connect on way south. [We have always enjoyed our visits to Santa Cruz as well. Congratulations and Birthday Wishes to Dave's mother. Bravo! Hip Hip Hooray!!!] Plan to stay in Palm Desert until February 17th after which we will begin trek back to Vancouver. Not sure, as of this writing, whether we will visit friends in Fresno. If we do, we will probably head north through foothills, Tahoe, etc. If not we will probably overnight in Berkeley so depending on your schedule, perhaps we can connect. Still planning to drop by to collect latest release if that is possible, on Wednesday, February 4th. I assume that will be fine but would appreciate confirmation of such. Thanks. Cheers, Patrizzio!

I think I said I will be gone on the 4th but of course someone will be here to get your wine for you. After the 6th of Feb we should be here through April, SO stop on by............Dave