Blackwater Blues: Wednesday, July 31st

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words. -Robert Frost, poet (1874-1963) 

Cognoscenti

MEANING:

noun: Those with informed appreciation of a particular topic, such as fine arts or literature.

ETYMOLOGY:

Plural of obsolete Italian cognoscente, from conoscere (to know). Modern Italian form of the word, conoscente, means acquaintance -- you want to use the word intenditore or conoscitore if you mean cognoscente. Earliest documented use: 1777.

USAGE:

"Some passages in Hergé, Son of Tintin seem directed at the cognoscenti. The excursions into prewar Belgian politics are not for everyone."
Cullen Murphy; Georges Remi: Learning His Lines; The New York Times; Jan 20, 2012.

Hello Duhlink!

Wonderful news that you and Madcap will be joining us! Understand about Lisa, of course. Will keep things brief, although loads and loads to tell since we left MHB.

Arrived here, in Blackwater, just outside Truro, around 5:00pm, yesterday. Gayle and Derek, who will be staying at the Islay Inn, are here until August 5th so we'll have a chance to get to know house and environs with them around for next few days.

We'd really like you both to stay with us, instead of at the hotel, if you are comfortable with that. Believe me, the house is very comfortable so it'll be almost like what you and Michaelo are used to, Luxury, Sheer Luxury! You will have your own bedroom. (Gayle and Derek are actually using it until they leave on August 5th, having put us in their bedroom.) I don't know exactly where hotel is in Truro but I know it is not all the far away. Still, we both think it would be more fun to have everyone under same roof and not have to worry about driving back and forth, particularly of an evening, with plenty of hootch under our belts.

There will be some overlap with Ayn, (not Jamie, you'll be pleased to learn as I'm sure you'd be at the Alverton for sure!), but there is a large sofa that either Ayn or I can use. (We'll work that out later. Might even be Cora Lee if she gets miffed/annoyed with me and stomps out of the bedroom in high dudgeon!) We've done just that at her place many times so not a bid deal, believe me. Anyway, we expect you to stay. We'll pick you up at station but should confirm closer to date. These directions are from Derek, in case we miss each other at station:

Our address is Sydney House, Blackwater, Truro TR4 8HH. We are second floor apartment. As you approach the Chiverton round a bout you will see a sign to St Agnes (you should be in the right hand lane) This is a sometimes busy and confusing round a bout. Once you have exited off the Chiverton round a bout you will almost immediately come to a smaller one. The first exit goes to Starbucks and the petrol stations, the second goes to Blackwater and the third to St Agnes. Once you have exited towards Blackwater, continue on down the hill through the village (don't blink or you will miss it!) past the Red Lion pub on your right. Continue on for not that far and you will see some cottages on your right then immediately a stone house right on the road. Just past the house is a driveway (there is a sign on the grass verge saying Kimber Upholstery). Go up the drive and Halfway up is an entrance to a gravel car park with a shed in one corner. Our apartment is on the top level.  

Looking forward to cycling today, my first ride since we left Bath last Saturday. Day before I rode to Bristol on a terrific bike path, a former rail bed. Fond regards to you and Mike from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Sir James!

Sorry that I've not written sooner but life has been a whirlwind blur and have been without internet connectivity for last few days. More than a wonderful time in Wetherby, Lake District, Bath, visiting Durston relations near Cheddar/Street, then to Devon then to Cornwall. Arrived here, in Blackwater, just outside Truro, around 5:00pm, yesterday. Gayle and Derek, who will be staying at the Islay Inn, are here until August 5th so we'll have a chance to get to know house and environs with them around for next few days. That being said, they left for London a few hours ago as they are attending Gayle's step-mother's funeral tomorrow. Will be back late on Thursday.
 

We just talked to Falcon Lake and pleased to learn that Dusty is now back home after being in hospital for over a week with a serious lung infection. G/D are on some sort of plan that allows free calls to anywhere in Canada!
I assume you are still planning to visit us here. Looking forward to having you show us around! Please reconfirm arrival date, (August 5th?), and time and we'll collect you at the station.


Did some errands, by car, into Truro, today as it was mizzling, Cornish for mist/drizzle! Afterwards we had a grand walk at Trelissick Garden, at times along the Fal River, with wonderful views of the water. Then to the Punchbowl & Ladle for some refreshment. Cora Lee had a cider, G/D a lager while I opted for a cappuccino, (absolutely delicious, by the way), as I was hoping to go for a short ride once we were back at home. However, made note of the St Austell Cornish IPA, Proper Job, a powerfully hopped brew I plan to have at some point in the not too, too distant future! 

Still mizzling when back at the house so I set about trying to catch up on my backlog of email. Looking forward to cycling tomorrow, my first ride since we left Bath last Saturday. Day before I rode to Bristol on a terrific bike path, a former rail bed. Plan to try the ride to Trelissick as it is not nearly as arduous or as steep as one to St Agnes, although the latter is but half the distance away.

Let me know as soon as you can about your travel plans. Fond regards to you and Lady Patrizia from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Have been meaning to send these snaps of Sedbergh/Lake District ever since I took them! We stayed at The Grange in Keswick for two nights. Chris reading her paper on front patio. Same shot taken from our room on third floor. 

Hello Raymond!

Sorry that I've not written sooner. Very pleased to learn that the wedding went so well and that you were able to contain your cantankerousness for most of festivities! Really too bad you can't be here in Cornwall as the rides I now know I have ahead of me would surely sap you of any crankiness. I know I'll be pleased just to make it home after seeing some of the hills, let alone have enough energy left to argue with The Sisterhood or grizzle at anyone else! We just talked to Falcon Lake and pleased to learn that Dusty is now back home after being in hospital for over a week with a serious lung infection. 

G/D are on some sort of plan that allows free calls to anywhere in Canada! I forgot to bring my address book so send along your phone number and I'll give you a blow by blow description of the rides I hope to do over next little while. Fond regards to you and Sylvia from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Have been meaning to send these snaps of vegetable gardens at Knebworth House and Wetherby ever since I took them! How is your kale doing? 

Hi again, Raymond! Forgot to attach snaps of Jim/Chris. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Chris and Jim! Trust all goes well now that the pushy Canucks have left you in peace and quiet! We are off the see Wuthering Heights presented by the Ilkley Playhouse at the Minack Theatre on Friday. Although it is only about 30 miles away, apparently it will take almost two hours to get there! From Wikipedia:

Typhoid Mary!

"The Minack Theatre (Cornish: Gwaryjy Minack) is an open-air theatre, constructed above a gully with a rocky granite outcrop jutting into the sea (minack from Cornish meynek means a stony or rocky place). The theatre is at Porthcurno, 4 miles from Land's End."

Wuthering Heights presented by Ilkley Playhouse at Minack Theatre. - See more at: http://www.whatsoncornwall.co.uk/entertainment/wuthering-heights-at-minack-theatre#sthash.NMC7Y3PD.dpuf

Wuthering Heights presented by Ilkley Playhouse at Minack Theatre. - See more at: http://www.whatsoncornwall.co.uk/entertainment/wuthering-heights-at-minack-theatre#sthash.NMC7Y3PD.dpuf

Fond regards to you both from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Have been meaning to send these snaps since I took them! Jim the Luddite! Janet and Geoff. 

Hi Goils! Trust everyone is fine. Sorry that I've not written sooner. Before I forget, I forgot to bring my address book so could you look for it beside my desk-top, Chloë. Little greenish address book with an elastic around it. If you find it, could you ask Sarge to bring it to France for me. Won't be able to send any illegible postcards without it! 

Furthermore, could you look for a cheque from ICBC for my insurance rebate as a result of cancellation of most of coverage for car before I left. When it arrives I'd like you to deposit it in my account. Will there be any difficulty doing this? If there is, I've dealt with one of the Assistant Managers at the 4th & Balsam branch, just before we left and you could ask her, (She is Albanian and studied in Cyprus and I cannot remember her name but it's something like Blerina!), how to manage depositing it into my chequing account.

Love to you both and Los Horridos! Cheers, Dad! Pics: Have been meaning to send these snaps since Olivetti sent them along. I gather he went to see Hotel Kits at some point during his stay. I apologize if I've already done so!

Hi Chloe,

Makes total sense, I can bend the flanges over and add some wood behind to take up the space. have a look at the modified drawings and let me know what you think. Also I did  close up of a truss head screw I could use for fastening so let me know if that’s something you like.  One thing to note is  when looking at the picture you will see lines showing through from the pieces underneath . Unfortunately this is un-intentional and a known problem with the solid works sheet metal program which they haven’t fixed. just try to envision the model with these lines omitted. Cheers, Al