Pre-Departure Blues: Saturday, July 6th

Clay is moulded to make a vessel, but the utility of the vessel lies in the space where there is nothing. Thus, taking advantage of what is, we recognize the utility of what is not. -Lao Tzu, philosopher (circa 600 BCE) 

Thought u might like a laugh - this is Mike's outfit for carols Mexican party tonight!  X

Hi Patrick Thanks for itinerary which I must print out and put on notice board.
I am working next Thurs and will be back later than usual. Not sure what time yr arriving so will leave keys in black recycling bin. We can all have dinner together when I'm home.  Please use ground floor bedroom - at least until 25th July when New lodger arriving. Have a safe journey and look forward to seeing u both next week xx 

Hi Glasgow!

Just a quick note to say how much we enjoyed dinner this past Wednesday. Thanks for tasty scallops and Pinot!

We had dinner with Chloë on Friday evening, after her shift finished at GIB. We were going to walk but decided to sip wine/malt/rum on the patio, with our Chauffeur/BBQ Expert, Sarge, so he dropped us off around 7:30 pm at restaurant, Heirloom, (http://heirloomrestaurant.ca/), she had selected, on 12th/Granville, a relatively new vegetarian spot. We wanted to celebrate her birthday, August 18th, along with Cora Lee's, July 19th, as, obviously, we won't be in Vancouver for either dates. 

Place used to be a Mexican restaurant, Pepito's, and I'd been years ago. Now completely renovated, it is very a very interesting place. Food was simply wonderful and I recommend most everything on the menu, particularly the fiollowing:

Avocado Fritz: deep-fried avocados, house ketchup 

Fennel Mushrooms: coconut cream, fennel, grilled baguettes

Coconut Curry Alfredo: coconut curry sauce, rice noodles, chili flakes,  sautéed vegetables, tofu, crispy 

garlic chips

Kale Caesar: organic kale, garlic confit dressing, house croutons, grana padano (Thought that salad needed more cheese so our very attentive waitress brought more!)

Desserts were fantastic as well:

Vanilla Cloud Cake: cashew mousse, crumbly pistachio and sour apricot base

Raw Chocolates: an assortment of hand-crafted chocolate delicacies

We enjoyed a very tasty bottle of Birch Canoe Pinot Blanc, Okanagan, and I finished off meal with a grappa and espresso so after settling our bill, we joined arms and stumbled down the hill right to our doorstep!

Today, Cora Lee is taking Maggie over to The Loft to spend time with her there, acclimatizing the poor cat to her new home, while we are away. Everyone is wondering how she will do, given her age and recent health problems. Ironically, this is where she first lived in Vancouver when Chloë first received her from a friend. We are also wondering if she'll be around when we return in October. She's had a fairly long, full life but it is still difficult to lose a pet that has been part of the family for many years, as I needn't remind you.

Enjoy the rest of the summer, take care of each other, and we'll see you both in October! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hoping to get 2 or 3 tables of bridge on Sunday July 20th staring around 5.  We are free all weekend But will aim for the Sunday.  We leave for holiday on the 24th.  Hope you can come.  Pauline

Hi Pauline Thanks for the invite but unfortunately we will be in Pender Harbour from the 13th to 25th. Hopefully we can get together when you return. Cheers, Elaine & Ted

Hello Famiglia Carter and fellow travellers!

Just a quick note to say thanks for the invitation but we will be in Yorkshire on the 20th! On another matter, have you, P/M, given any more thought to Beau Soleil in September? Enjoy the rest of the summer, take care of each other, and we'll see Famiglia Keating in October, Famiglia Carter in September, I trust! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Elaine! Which address do you prefer? Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Derek!

Just a quick note to send along this info on TT, (Forwarded to us by friend/neighbour, Joanne Trueman. Will leave her contact information. She is a delightful individual and is looking forward to meeting you both.), in case you might want to take advantage of prices, at some point.

More importantly, perhaps, The Sisterhood wanted me to let you both know that you are welcome to stay at The Islay Inn for as long as you want. Not sure exactly, what your travel plans are over here but please feel free to stay if it suits you.

Today, Cora Lee is taking Maggie over to The Loft after we have lunch with The Great White Hunter, friend of many years, who has been after big game on almost every continent! Although it is not an activity we necessarily agree with, Henning usually is very generous with the game he bags. We have enjoyed elk, venison and even bear over the years. He has everything butchered, wrapped and frozen so we get some nicely packaged, tasty meals, from time to time. His daughter, Laura, a bit older than Chloë, will be along as well. Henning lives in the Philippines now and comes to Vancouver once or twice a year. Laura works in the film industry here.

Must away to vacuum! Cheers, Patrizzio!


Hi Elaine and Dick!

Trust you are both well. Absolutely wonderful to have seen you at the the IB Reunion! Sorry that it has taken me so long to send along these snaps. Busy times here, (I'm sure we are not alone in this!), but starting to feel the pinch now since Father Time's clock is tick, tick, ticking away and 10th of July, D-Day, Departure Day, is approaching with alarming speed! We fly to London, then Yorkshire, then Cornwall, for the month of August, (house exchange), then Languedoc, (rented a house for September), then two weeks on the Canal du Midi with three other couples on a canal barge. Not home until October 19th, just in time to volunteer for the Vancouver Writers Fest! 

Not sure, as of this writing, but we have been invited to stay with close friends in Florida, (Not sure where in state as it was just mentioned in passing, a week or so ago.), this coming January/February so if that trip happens, I'll certainly be in touch about visiting you in Sarasota! In any event, we plan to be back in Winnipeg to celebrate Corinne's parent' 68th wedding annioversary, next July/August so perhaps we can connect there if not sooner.

We had dinner with Chloë, (our youngest), last night, after her shift finished at Granville Island Brewery. (She works there part-time, as well as a fund-raiser, event planner, volunteer coordinator for a non-profit, Aunt Leah's, which works with youth at risk, etc.) We were going to walk but decided to sip wine and malt and rum on the patio, with our friend/neighbour Chauffeur Sarge, so he dropped us off around 7:30 pm at restaurant, Heirloom, (http://heirloomrestaurant.ca/), she had selected, on 12th/Granville, a relatively new vegetarian spot. We wanted to celebrate her birthday, August 18th, along with Cora Lee's, July 19th, as, obviously, we won't be in Vancouver for either dates.

Place used to be a Mexican restaurant, Pepito's, and I'd been years ago. Now completely renovated, it is very, very interesting place. Food was simply wonderful and I recommend most everything on the menu, particularly the following:

Avocado Fritz: deep-fried avocados, house ketchup 

Fennel Mushrooms: coconut cream, fennel, grilled baguettes

Coconut Curry Alfredo: coconut curry sauce, rice noodles, chili flakes,  sautéed vegetables, tofu, crispy 

garlic chips

Kale Caesar: organic kale, garlic confit dressing, house croutons, grana padano (Thought that salad needed more cheese so our very attentive waitress brought more!)

Desserts were fantastic as well:

Vanilla Cloud Cake: cashew mousse, crumbly pistachio and sour apricot base

Raw Chocolates: an assortment of hand-crafted chocolate delicacies

We enjoyed a very tasty bottle of Birch Canoe Pinot Blanc, Okanagan, and I finished off meal with a grappa and espresso so after settling our bill, we joined arms and stumbled down the hill right to our doorstep! All the best to you from Cora Lee. Keep in touch. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Laura!

Great to see both you and your Dad this afternoon. Sorry we have not had more occasions like this but we'll try for future get-togethers! Have attached information sheets on Beau Soleil. Just keep in touch regarding a possible visit and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!


Thank you. We are flying to Zadar in Croatia, on July 9,  and expect plenty of warm clear sea water and nice mountains to walk on some day trips. - for 1½ weeks.

Your plans seem wonderful, I'm sure you will enjoy it all. I'll keep your mail in case I get the opportunity to travel some time during your stay in Europe Love, Margareta