Friday 30 August 2013

Blackwater Blues: Friday, August 30th

Questions show the mind's range, and answers its subtlety. -Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824) 

Swedish masseuse relaxing before leaving for Neffiès!

Woke at 5:00 am to find Cora Lee on sofa, reading! Back to bed to fall asleep until 8:30 am! Needed an extra hit of java to shake cobwebs out of my head. Will head out for a ride, (Am shooting for 77 K but will play things by ear en route), and then back to pack, clean house, etc., in preparation for tomorrow's drive to London. Spudnik grooming himself on chair next to me as I write!

Last ride in Cornwall. Longest to date so veddy, veddy pleased!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/367608692#.UiDQsYsOHG8.email 

Now time to clean bike and disassemble then use my new soft case carry bag. Will start to pack car, for trip to London domani, before dinner. Overlefts but looking forward to them as know thye'll be even better today! Spudnik has been guarding my laptop wireless mouse ever since I left around 1:00 pm!

Enjoying a lovely Italian lunch on the old square in Tallin. What a beautiful Medieval city!
We have also,had fab weather all through Amsterdam, Scandanavia, and Russia.

St Petersburg was an amazing visit for 3 days, and had seen the Peter the Great exhibit just a week ago at the Petit Hermitage in Amsterdam- just good luck and timing.

Have met the winery owner from Galli Winery near Bendigo on our cruise. Will get to know them a little better over a wine or 2...Are you familiar with it? They have a cellar door and restaurant, about 10,000 cases per year, mainly Shiraz and Chard.




A day at sea on the Baltic tomorrow, then to Gdansk, Poland, Germany, and finish with a couple of days in Copenhagen before the journey to France. Our best to everyone! Cheers,
Grogg & Lurch  


Watching the thunder and lightning show!!!! WOW feels like I'm at Falcon:)
  • Patrick James Dunn Where was Maggs hiding?
  • Marlo Jurkowski Best place to watch one! (As long as you're equipped with a flashlight, cards and some cookies)
  • Chloe Alexis Dunn Maggie was fast asleep on the bed, didn't seem to bothered!!

     Hello Patrick,
     
    Thank you volunteering for 2013! We just want to let you know that you are welcome to log your hours on my volunteer page.
    You don't have to do this but it can provide valuable information on pre-frestival activities, such as distribution. If you have questions please contact us. Meghan Wagner

Wednesday 28 August 2013

Blackwater Blues: Thursday, August 29th

A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder. -English proverb 


Up at 7:30 am to have a delicious java, treating myself to a "perfect spalash of indulgence", Single fresh cream by Sainsbury's, Dear Reader. usy day todaya s we are off to St Michael's Mount (Cornish: Karrek Loos yn Koos, meaning "grey rock in the woods", also known colloquially by locals as simply the Mount) is a tidal island 366 metres (400 yards) off the Mount's Bay coast of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is a civil parish and is united with the town of Marazion by a man-made causeway of granite setts, passable between mid-tide and low water.

Up at 7:30 am to javanate and scribe. Cora Lee printed a few more travel documents and by the time we had had a late breakfast it was just before noon that we set out for Marazion. Gudrun had suggested we take the secondary roads and lanes around Hayle to avoid the typically long traffic queues at the A30 roundabout there. Great suggestion and we not only avoided the maddening, time-sonsuming traffic jams but also enjoyed seeing a bit more of the lovely landscape with its charming villages.

Once in Marazion we had to park in the over-flow lot of the over-flow lot as place was packed. Walk along marvellous sand beach to where we would catch a small, open, 12 passenger, (£2 each), ferry. Could see line-up from quite a distance but once there it moved very quickly and we were soon on the tidal island. What a magnificent setting, what a fairy tale structure. Using G's/D's NT memberships we brazened our way through and were soon climbing up the considerable, rough cobblestone path to the castle itself. Stupendous views of Marizion and the hills and farmland beyond as well as Penzance across the bay.

Castle itself was very interesting as it is still inhabited by the family, St Aubyn, whose ancestors have owned it since the 17th century. This being the case, it has a wonderful feel even thought  the rooms accessible to the public are not the family's living quarters. They occupy the Victorian addition below the public galleries. The church was built on the summit of the island after the Norman invasion, when St Michael's Mount was granted to the Benedictine Abbey of Mont St MIchel in France. After touring the various galleries, (Chevy Chase Room, Garrison Room), and gazing from the parapets we mad our way back down the fairly steep slope to take in the truly magnificent gardens, the East & West Terraces and Walled Gardens.

The tide was out sufficiently, by 4:00 pm, to allow those who wished to return by foot, following the ancient causeway  back to Marazion. I did just this while Cora Lee took boat. Didn't take as long to walk back as it had been waiting for ferry earlier! Joined her on the sand beach and we made our way back to the car. Had to be home in time to get ready for our dinner guests and once we were back on the A 30 we whizzed along arriving at Sydney House a few minuted before 5:00 pm.

Gudrun/Stefano/Tomasino-Tomasio

Skinner's Betty Stoggs, 4%, Queen of Cornish Ales, Newham, Truro, brewed with Cornish barley, CAMRA Championship Best Bitter Of GB Winner

Keltek Brewery King Premium Bitter, 5.1%, Gardrew, Redruth, SIBA National Brewery 
Competition

Camel Valley , 2012 Bacchus Dry, 13%

2011 Gigondas, 14%, bottled for Sainsbury's by Gabriel Mefre, Négociant-Éleveur Á Gigondas

2012 Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Languedoc, 14%, for Sainsbury's by DPM, Pézenas, Jean-Claude Mas, WInemaker

Dinner:

Cheese and crackers on patio while coals were started

BBQ's suasages and chicken, Feta kartofellage, corn-on-the-cob, tomatoe/mozzarella/basil salad, in kitchen dining room; dessert of fresh blueberries over vanilla ice-cream over mini-pavlova meringues back on patio enjoying dying embers.

Fond farewells to G/S/T

Cora Lee fussed with call to Revenue Canada. I called back and managed to find a helpful bureaucrat but Coriandre was mad at me for helping as it was only through blind luck that I'd chanced upon someone who could redirect her funds which had somehow found their way into an incorrect account, over three months ago, and she had been trying ever since to resolve issue and kept getting the run-around form RBC and RC! You lose some and lose some with the Sisterhood! Dishwasher loaded, to bed to read for a bit as it was only 10:30 pm by the time I picked up my book.

Hi Patrice,
Wonderful descriptive of your adventures.. most enjoyable!. Sounds like you are having a fantastic time and I’m very happy for you. So nice that Ayn could get over to see you as I know it’s always more fun when sharing it with family or friends.
All is well here, I took the week off of the show to catch up on some other things and spend some time at the cabin starting later today. The rain is falling now but it is supposed to clear and be a nice weekend . We are hoping that the wetness will put a damper on the fire ban which has been lifted province wide but remains in effect in the valley due to local dry conditions up until now..
We also went on a family shopping trip down to the U.S. on Monday afternoon and stayed over in Mount Vernon. We had a really nice time as we all found some great bargains on new clothing etc and finished the evening with a very nice meal at the Olive Garden. One small Snafu is that we then went looking for our Motel in Mount Vernon which is as you know right beside Burlington where we had been shopping and had trouble finding it. I stopped at a gas station and asked the attendant if he knew where it was holding our confirmation paper out for him to look at. He said oh yes you just go back towards downtown and then left for a mile, and then right and you’ll see it. It sounded quite simple and so we headed off but as we drove along I couldn’t see the street that the Motel was supposed to be on. Finally we took a turn and we saw the Days in where we had reserved a room.
Colleen got out and went into the lobby while I waited in the car , it seemed to take a long time and I began to wonder what was going on. After a while she came out looking a bit annoyed and said she had booked a room through Expedia in mount Vernon Illinois!!.  Fortunately they had a room available and we got our stuff and headed in where we found a nice room with very comfortable beds. We emailed Expedia as the website was misleading in that the Mount Vernon Illinois location was lumped together with other Mount Vernon , Washington motels and anyone could have made the mistake. So far we have not heard back from them so I guess we will give them a call. 
One exciting purchase I made was a Go-pro camera which, Not sure if you are familiar is an incredible versatile digital camera that has turned the photography industry on it’s head and probably fuelled a large percentage of thrilling you tube films, especially in the sports realm .
It has so many options for filming and can be mounted on anything as it’s small and lightweight and 100% waterproof!. I also spent and hour and a half at the local Hobby store yesterday as i had an old remote control speedboat languishing in the cupboard upstairs that I had purchased at a set sale in 1997! . I thought it would be fun to use in the lake at the cabin and elsewhere as well as get involved with the kids doing something other than sitting in front of a computer. I have my eyes on a remote control Jeep as well but thought I would start with the boat. I want to mount the Go-pro on these for some fun film segments maybe running down some unsuspecting victims, perhaps dress up the truck as a rabid racoon or something and give chase!.
Give our love to the family and we’ll talk soon. Al



Wayne Sutherland The Social Insurance number that Corrine is looking for is Chloe's

Tuesday 27 August 2013

Blackwater Blues: Wednesday, August 28th

"You can't do two things that require concentration at once -- or at least you can't do them very well. And doing too much, even if not all at once, has a debilitating effect."David Rock, Your Brain at Work, Harper Business, 2009  



A timid question will always receive a confident answer. -Henry Lytton Bulwer, diplomat and author (1801-1872)


Hello Cornwall in Canada, et al!

Terrific to chat to you both, Gayle and Derek! Glad all goes well. Before I forget, I do urge you to do the Grouse Grind with Krissy. If weather allows, it is something you'd enjoy. Cable car ride down is also enjoyable.


As you can tell, I've included two of the Pelotonii in message in the hope that you can arrange a ride together. I understand, from Kurt, friend in Nanaimo, that Whirlygig/Kerry/Tia may well be camping on Hornby for this week but if you can tear Robo Ray from his kale tending I'm sure he'll be up for Iona or Steveston. Anyway, since you'll be squatting at the Islay Inn until late September, I hope you have a chance to hook up, if your frenetic schedule allows! 

Well, Cora Lee just made an appearance so I'm charged with getting ready for our day. After breakfast, (Wetabix, soggy, soggy, soggy!), we will make for the National Trust Cornish Mines & Engines, East Pool Mine, (a collection of engine houses and an industrial heritage discovery centre), not far from Blackwater. Local history lesson over, we will probably drive into Truro. Commandant Coriandre has issued an order for a haircut and beard trim and had scoped out Lemon Heads, ("a delightful barbers in Lemon Street Market, pop in and have a trim and treat yourself to a coffee in the cafe outside after."), weeks and weeks ago, Dear Reader! As well, need to do some grocery shopping for Thursday's dinner with Gudrun/Stefano and their grandson, Thomas. Sainsbury's here we come!

Fondestos from the Chief Inspector Korakova to one and all. Cheers, Patrizzio, about to be shorn but unbowed!

Pics: A side of the ruthless
Zhenshchina-Politseyskiy I never experience!

That cat looks like he is pure heaven!!!

Hi Chloë!

Spudnik is often in "Pure Heaven" , as you put it, when he receives the attention he believes he deserves, otherwise he makes life "Pure Hell" for those disregarding his never-ending, pathetic meows! He can teach Maggster a trick or two! Love, Dad!

Snapola: Spudnik smelling the flowers!


Dad, look you could mount past bike handle bars!!!! Mom, sorry this could be the "new" look for your house!!! xx

Hi Remodelistas!

I knew there was some reason why I should be collecting bicycles instead of fridge magnets! Missed my chance in Bath! Love and Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio!

PS: Nana promises to keep a lookout for some high-end Italian bikes when sipping Prosecco in Rome!


Hello Cornwall, (Devon), in Canada!

Quite a walk! I'm impressed! In one day? And I thought my ride, yesterday, to Perranporth and beyond, was something!
When at East Pool Mine Museum I'll try to holler up some of your ancestors' spirits! Fondestos from Cora Lee to you and one and all at VWF. Cheers, Patrizzio!


Hi Patrick/Corinne

Pleased to hear the weather is being kind in Cornwall. My first visit there with friends in 1966 ended up with our leaving early with wet camping gear- thought we would drive north and visit the Lakes only to find it was even wetter there.


Our summer has continued warm and mostly dry and sunny- not quite as warm as when you were up here. My cycling has been more restricted but my tendons are improving and I have done some running particularly when we are in West Hartlepool on the hard sand when the tide is out. I have attended the physio four times now and am still awaiting the bill.



We hosted a 90th birthday party for Chris Mum last weekend, and it was well attended by her children, granchildren and great grand children- again fortunate with the weather. 



Rich came up from London after working in KL and visiting Bali with a lady friend- we still haven't met her- she works in Singapore but is Irish. They moved around the island and she attempted to improve his surfing.


Ed is well into work at Harrogate hospital and finding things hectic with many consultants being on holiday. We are around to help Laura and look after William which helps I trust. We find it quite tiring having to watch just about his every step and action.



As we are trying to have a recovery day- despite bike ride, weights and gardening we are visiting golf club for dinner again this evening. Didn't fancy loading the dish washer yet again.



We both have been enjoying the Ashes series against Australia. live on the radio then recordings on the evening and also the World Athletics Championships. I notice you are following more cultural pursuits as usual. The second play you saw sounded of interest. Had the reminder from the wine course man about next term's proceedings but shall excuse myself. I noticed your analysis of your recent wine consumption but can't see my ever taking my interest any further than my moderate but nevertheless enjoyable consumption. I will have to accept the analysis given by Laithwaites who create and provide most of the wine I drink.


It was interesting to try the two Yorkshire wines I bought at the end of the course when we visited the local vineyard. The sparkling rose was  pleasant but more expensive than justified I felt.



Hope your travels continue successfully. Best wishes, Jim and Christine

Hello Chandler and Joey!

Looking forward to seeing you two, and your dumb owners! Can hardly wait to be back climbing Box Canyon Road as it compares to yesterday's ride to Perranporth and beyond.
Fondestos from the Chief Inspector Korakova to you and one and all of your humans. Cheers, Patrizzio, about to be shorn but unbowed!  Pics: Your Cornish cousin, Spudnik! 

Hello Natalia and Wrathful One! 

From the sounds of it, you've been busy traveling yourselves! Say hello to Giggster, et al. Weather should be great for them on Hornby. I'm afraid my malt collection will have suffered terribly while away, (Sarge!), so NRBC will be meeting at your place from now on. Stop smoking and spend your cash on malt!!! Looking forward to riding from Departure Bay as it compares, somewhat, to yesterday's ride to Perranporth and beyond. Fondestos from Coriandre to you and one and all of your deer neighbours. Cheers!
D this is sponsored by YOU!!!!
Have you ever heard of a lottery hat? At the upcoming Trivia Extravaganza, guests will be able to buy tickets to win a hat covered in $150 worth of lottery tickets! This is just one of the many fun activities we have planned. https://www.facebook.com/events/548417145195312
  • Patrick James Dunn I should have given even more!

    That looks more like a rent party fundraiser! !





Hello Madcap and Penelop
e!

Just had a quick call to Beata at Watford Europcar and everything is set to go! Thanks again! Looking forward to riding from Lower High Street there to Mill Hill Broadway as I'm sure terrain compares, somewhat, to yesterday's ride to Perranporth and beyond:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/366161881#.Uhztq-g7I3g.email

If not, I'll take a detour through Slough, if I still retain the will to live!

Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio, Mouse Potatoe, about to be shorn but unbowed! 

As the new Bay Bridge span is swung into action, my Bancroft colleagues have posted these fabulous photos of the completion of the soon-to-be-demolished old bridge...

Patrick James Dunn Wow! What a magnificent historical record!
  • Patrick James Dunn Time Travel with just the click of a mouse! Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Howl and Charlie Chaplin and Hula Hoops! What more can one ask for? OK, a bottle or two! Cheers!!!

    Patrick James Dunn's photo.
    Hi, Pat

Thanks for the update. What a wonderful trip you are having. Weather has been unreal this summer. Rained a bit the last few days, but it was welcome. Been doing some distance cataloguing and some editing as well. Gary and I are co-teaching a baseball history course this fall for the Cap University continuing education program. He has been in Ireland all summer. I am looking after his dog. Take care. We will expect a visit when you get back! Matt 

Up at 6:30 am to call Canada. 

After EPAL, Morrison's for hootch; Camera battery gave out, Lemon Heads, TK MAXX for beard trimmer, Sainsbury's for groceries; chicken, zucchini, red-pepper stir-fry over Thai rice noodles

Valdivieso, 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, 12.5%, gooseberry and citrus, poifect with the tender chicken strips

Sipped a La Consulta, Uco Valley, 2011 Reserve Malbec, 14%, elegant balance between fruit and oak, violets on the nose and palate, while watching Midsomer Murders.

Chloe Alexis Dunn via Aunt Leah's Independent Lifeskills Society
Hi there Facebook family, I need your HELP!!! Aunt Leah's Place (where I work) is needing 3 more volunteers to complete the volunteer commitment we have made to the Modern Home Tour, read about it below and if you are interested please let me know and we can talk further!!! Please SHARE this page, maybe one of your friends would be interested in this opportunity!! CHLOE

 

At the very heart of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site sit two great beam engines, originally powered by high-pressure steam boilers introduced by local hero Richard Trevithick. Preserved in their towering engine houses, they are a reminder of Cornwall's days as a world-famous centre of industry, engineering and innovation. The pumping engine is one of the largest surviving Cornish beam engines in the world, and the restored winding engine can be seen in action daily.

  • Extremely knowledgeable guides
  • Working Cornish beam engine, not working, when we visited, unfortunately, electricl problem of some sort, not yet sorted out!
  • Terrifically  informative film

Hi, Pat

Thanks for the update. What a wonderful trip you are having. Weather has been unreal this summer. Rained a bit the last few days, but it was welcome. Been doing some distance cataloguing and some editing as well. Gary and I are co-teaching a baseball history course this fall for the Cap University continuing education program. He has been in Ireland all summer. I am looking after his dog.
 

Take care. We will expect a visit when you get back! Matt

Hi there Facebook family, I need your HELP!!! Aunt Leah's Place (where I work) is needing 3 more volunteers to complete the volunteer commitment we have made to the Modern Home Tour, read about it below and if you are interested please let me know and we can talk further!!! Please SHARE this page, maybe one of your friends would be interested in this opportunity!! CHLOE
  • Patrick James Dunn You know both your Mother and I would volunteer if we weren't going to be having so much fun in Italy and France at the time!
 

Monday 26 August 2013

Blackwater Blues: Tuesday, August 27th

New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common. -John Locke, philosopher (1632-1704)


Hi Jessica!

Trust you are well and in good health and that the terrific  summer weather we've been blessed with here in Cornwall extends to Tinsel Town and goes on and on and on. Been in England since July 11th, first London and then Yorkshire. Arrived at our house-exchange, Blackwater, a tiny village near Truro, on July 30th. Have had a wonderfully busy time with Ayn here for last week. She flew home yesterday and we will be returning to London this coming Saturday to get ready for next stage of our trip. Corinne flies to Rome on September 2nd and I'm off to the south of France, Neffiès, by train. We'll meet up there on September 22nd for a week before we join other friends on September 28th, in Agen, for two weeks on a barge on the Canal du Midi:

http://www.locaboat.com/en/12/canal-du-midi.html?gclid=CM2v8t2KnbkCFXQftAodhH0AGQ

Back to London, via Lyon and Paris, for a few nights in each city, by October 17th and then back to Vancouver on October 19th. Perhaps we'll see you in November. We hope to visit Ayn and Los Horridos over Thanksgiving. Fondestos from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Victorix The Mighty!!

Trust you are in good health and that the terrific  summer weather we've been blessed with here in Cornwall extends to Vancouver and goes on and on and on.
Back to London, via Lyon and Paris, for a few nights in each city, by October 17th and then back to Vancouver on October 19th. This being the case, I'm not at all sure what is happening about the next gathering of the NRBC. Had a look at the VIFF line-up, literally, just before I started this message, and it looks stunning. Wish I could be there to take in as many of films as possible. Will you be volunteering? Patrizzio Jr?

We visited Sweden in 2010 and had a grand time there. Plenty of aquavit but no Swedish masseuses, unfortunately! In UK, after birth of Prince of Cambridge, Royals didn't seem to want us to help with naming. Gather, from my sources, that they wanted traditional  English names as opposed to Prince Giorgio Alejandro Luigi! However, Duke did think my malt collection was noteworthy and plans to visit the Islay Inn once we are back in Vancouver! Duchess also liked my array of Bourbon even after I told her that I spit on Jack, let alone Jack & Coke!

What with friends, (Penny/Madcap Mike), from London, here over this past Bank Holiday weekend, I'm desperately behind in my correspondence and diary keeping. Hoping to log 70 K today so better say goodbye for now, Victorix! Fondestos from Coriandre to you and Patrizzio, Jr. Cheers from Patrizzio, Sr./Il Conduttore, Sydney House Scullion, Garden Hat Sherpa, Giver of Names and Reale Ciclista Straordinario!

Pic: Saying goodbye to Ayn at Truro Station after having presented her with a large packet of Rowntrees Fruit Gums, my absolute favourite English sweet!


Hello Long-Suffering Natalia and Nicotino The Mighty!

Trust you both are in good health and that the terrific  summer weather we've been blessed with here in Cornwall extends to Il Palazzo di Nanaimo and goes on and on and on!

Have had a wonderfully busy time with Ayn, (our eldest daughter, living in LA), here in Blackwater, Cornwall, this past week.
She flew home yesterday and we will be returning to London this coming Saturday to get ready for next stage of our trip. Corinne flies to Rome on September 2nd and I'm off to the south of France, Neffiès, by train. We'll meet up there on September 22nd for a week before we join other friends on September 28th, in Agen, for two weeks on a barge on the Canal du Midi:


http://www.locaboat.com/en/12/canal-du-midi.html?gclid=CM2v8t2KnbkCFXQftAodhH0AGQ

Back to London, via Lyon and Paris, for a few nights in each city, by October 17th and then back to Vancouver on October 19th. This being the case, I'm not at all sure what is happening about the next gathering of the NRBC. Where is Whirlygig when you really need him?

What with friends, (Penny/Madcap Mike), from London, here over this past Bank Holiday weekend, I'm desperately behind in my correspondence and diary keeping. Hoping to log 70 K today so better say goodbye for now. Stats for last ride this past Sunday:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/365037477#.UhpSCb_YAuQ.email

Fondestos from Coriandre to you and Natalia! Cheers from Patrizzio/Il Conduttore, Sydney House Scullion, Sherpa/Chauffeur, Giver of Names and Reale Ciclista Straordinario!
Hello Matthew/Yael!/Ricardo

Trust you are well, (How is Ania?), and that the terrific  summer weather we've been blessed with here in Cornwall extends to Sydney, (even though it is your winter!), and goes on and on and on!

Have had a wonderfully busy time with Ayn, (our eldest daughter, living in LA), here in Blackwater, Cornwall, this past week.
She flew home yesterday and we will be returning to London this coming Saturday to get ready for next stage of our trip. Corinne flies to Rome on September 2nd and I'm off to the south of France, Neffiès, by train. We'll meet up there on September 22nd for a week before we join other friends on September 28th, in Agen, for two weeks on a barge on the Canal du Midi:


http://www.locaboat.com/en/12/canal-du-midi.html?gclid=CM2v8t2KnbkCFXQftAodhH0AGQ

Back to London, via Lyon and Paris, for a few nights in each city, by October 17th and then back to Vancouver on October 19th. What with friends, (Penny/Madcap Mike), from London, here over this past Bank Holiday weekend, I'm desperately behind in my correspondence and diary keeping. Hoping to log 70 K today so better say goodbye for now. Stats for last ride this past Sunday:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/365037477#.UhpSCb_YAuQ.email

Fondestos from Coriandre to everyone! Cheers from Patrizzio/Il Conduttore, Sydney House Scullion, Sherpa/Chauffeur, Giver of Names and Reale Ciclista Straordinario!

Hi Camilla!

Trust you are well. Hello to everyone else at VWF. Please tell Kathryn we promise to complete Volunteer Registration Form today!


Hi Kathryn!

Trust you are well! Just signed up but am more than willing to do your every bidding should events require other assignments. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio, Missive Man!


Hi Mandy and Chris! (Hi Chris! First message file was too large!)

Trust you are both in good health and that the terrific  summer weather we've been blessed with here in Cornwall extended to Somerset and goes on and on and on. Let me echo Corinne's invitation to visit. Do hope you can come to Vancouver at some time in the not too, too distant future. Truly wonderful to meet you both. Thanks again for your generous hospitality. Fondestos from Coriandre
to you! Cheers, Patrizzio!

 Hi Rosemary and Andre!

Trust you are both in good health and that the terrific  summer weather we've been blessed with here in Cornwall extended to Chabeuil and environs and goes on and on and on. Thank you for allowing us to stay, particularly at such a busy time for you both. Will look forward to dinner on Saturday, October 12th, but will be in touch, closer to time, to make sure we won't keep you waiting. Thanks again for your proffered hospitality. Fondestos from Coriandre
to you both! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Went to bed at 8pm but have been awake since midnight! But all my things are unpacked Lol!!

Hello Maggie and Frank!!

Trust you are in good health and enjoying Katelyn and that the terrific  summer weather we've been blessed with here in Cornwall extends to Edmonton and environs and goes on and on and on! Fondestos from Coriandre to you and Francesco. Cheers, Patrizzio! 


Hello Lurch and Grogg!!

Trust you are well and enjoying the terrific  summer weather we've been blessed with here in Cornwall and hope it extends to Sweden and environs and goes on and on and on! Enjoyed hearing about your time in Amsterdam. Longest message I've ever received, I believe! The Diaries must be having a positive effect on you!!! Fondestos from Coriandre. Cheers from Patrizzio!

Good Morning Patrick,



You can return the hire car to ,EUROPCAR Watford.

Lower High St.

Watford

WD17 2HY



There is a drop box and easy parking on site,2 minutes from my flat.

Contact No. 01923 233566 spoke this morning to Beata.

She did ask if you had stated at time of pick up you would be dropping off at a different location if so you will have paid a charge if not £40.00 charge.

They shut at 1PM on Sat. but no problem to drop off afterwards, Full TANK.



Re Bike Service.

Drop off Sat.PM. collect mid-day Sunday.Booked in name P.Dunn.

Contact name & number.

Leon

0208 732 8609.



We can go straight from Europcar Watford and drop it off. Call me on my Mobile We can tweek timeing of meeting on Sat. nearer the time. Thanks once again for a wonderful weekend. Regards Madcap

Hi Madcap et al!

Glad to know that you made it home safely! Great, great time with you and Penelope and it was certainly hard to  adjust to being without all the constant criticism after we left you at the station!

Thank you so much for going to such lengths to make all the wonderful arrangements. Much, much appreciated and I'm only sorry that I didn't give Bill all three bottles of Tribute! You seem to respond to strength and aggression. After all you are an aging Teddy Boy!

Appreciate, as well, all the attention to detail, regarding contact info, drop-off fee and reminder about petrol. (Don't worry, I'm too parsimonious, some would say cheap, not to fill tank before returning vehicle as I know what rental agency will charge!) I paid DOF in York. Do I still need to contact Beata about returning car to Watford, since you've already talked to her and/or should I contact Luton, original drop-off location? Not a big deal but I'd just like to clarify what is expected.

Again, thanks for arranging tune-up at Evans. Certainly appreciate this given timing, etc.

Amazing how much stuff we've already acquired so need to think carefully about what we will be leaving in London, in a lock-up somewhere in Slough, I believe, until our return there in October. Not too, too bad to cart around non-essentials when one has a car to stuff but another matter, altogether, when one is traveling by train or flying. Speaking of which, have you been to the Chiropractor yet? Bad backs are covered, when you've injured yourself, carting your squeeze's overweight bag from home to station and back again, by the NHS, I trust!

Fondestos from Coriandre to you both.Cheers from Patrizzio, The Mouse Potatoe!

Pics: Last painful day of chauffeuring London Toffs!

PS: Ayn is safely back in Tinsel Town and passing herself off as Lady Lanhydrock!


Hi Patrick, I don’t think it would hurt to touch base with Beata ,have your agreement number with you just to clarify change of drop-off. Regards, Madcap et all

Great pics! Missing all of you already!!! AYN XOXO

Lazy morning as I wasn't up until 7:30 am and then didn't suit up until about 2:30 pm. Quite cloudy and dull for most of yesterday's ride to Perranporth and beyond:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/366161881#.Uhztq-g7I3g.email

Started out "attacking" the East Hill out of Blackwater to follow B3277 to St Agnes and then to let my nose decide from there. Turned out to be B3285 to Perranporth and the rest is history, Dear Reader! Longest
ride, to date, here, and was quite pleased, I must say. Starting to feel that the hills are becoming easier to negotiate. Knowing what lies ahead certainly helps but I do feel that my legs and lungs are responding to challenge that this terrain offers in spades!

Back home to find Cora Lee just finishing making her travel arrangements for Rome and later. Shower felt good and then a refreshing glass of Avanti, San Juan, Argentina, 2009 Chenin,Torontes blend,13.5%, amazingly golden in the glass, probably an indication of age but still plenty of fruit, nevertheless, to reward myself. For dinner, Coriandre prepared two salmon steaks, (purloined from your frezzer!), green peas and roasted yams. I put together a mixed green, saladin topped with a selection of bits and bobs of cheese and Kalamata olives. Over the meal we watched the final episode of Place of Execution, sipping another Avanti, this time a 2011 Malbec, 13.5%, fresh dark fruit with soft tannins. First saw Juliet Stevenson in the exceptionally moving 1990 film, Truly Madly Deeply, with Alan Rickman. She won Best  Actress award, from the Evening Standard British Film Awards, for her role.

In another interesting twist, at some point I knew that I had read the book on which the episode was based as the unfolding storyline prompted my memory banks.
Although  I hadn't connected Val McDermid's novel, of the same name, first published in 1999, with the TV series, (It was advertised over the course of the past week or so.), when I actually started watching I began to piece bits of the story together: "It has two parallel story lines; the first, set in 1963, follows Detective Inspector George Bennett, (Phillip Jackson, Chief Inspector Japp of Poirot), who attempts to locate a missing girl in Derbyshire. The second, set in the present day, follows journalist Catherine Heathcote, (Stevenson, awarded Best Actress, TV Dagger 2009 Crime Thriller Awards), whose plans to publish a story of the investigation are derailed when Bennett inexplicably stops cooperating and she attempts to find out why."

Apart from anything else, have really enjoyed seeing so many British actors we've come to know, particularly from various series we get in Canada, playing a host of other characters and roles here in the UK. Adds to the delight of watching the marvellous array of TV drama produced in this hotbed of acting.


After I'd finished dishes I looked at my email but was too tired to think about what I wanted to say so decided I'd read for a bit, after brushing and flossing. managed to re-read last chapter I'd read a few nights ago and will probably have to re-read it again, so heavy were my eyelids by the time I turned out the light!

Thank you M. Patrizio. I’ve assigned both you and Corinne and have just sent a request for you to confirm your shifts. Fantastic that you’ll both be upstairs taking care of business again in October! Kathryn

Hi Harsh Volunteer Task Mistress!

Like Coriandre, I'm available to help out, other than at Studio 1398, if needed. Time to open a bottle of white, Camel Valley, 2012 Bacchus, 13%, for an impatient Cora Lee! We visited this winery last week, (After I cycled with friend, Stefano, from Bodmin to Padstow, and back, along a former railroad bed.), and was very impressed with their whites, mainly sparkling. This was the only still white available and I'd rank it right up there with same varietal from Vancouver Island's Blue Grouse Winery. Just doing my VWF homework for bar at Studio 1398! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! 


Patrizio,



Good to hear form you, please go into your MyVolunteerPage profile and sign up for any shifts on any activities you find of interest. If I can’t get anyone else or don’t need the shifts to fulfill someone’s 12-hour minimum, I’ll most certainly offer the shift(s) to you!



Years and years ago my then young husband and I walked from Penzance to Land’s End! And I have since discovered that my ancestors on my mother’s side hail from Calstock (near Plymouth) and parts of Devon near to Calstock. If you walk by any entrances to old tin mines, just holler down and perhaps you’ll raise some spirits. Kathryn 

Hi Patrick and all at Sydney House including Spudders!

Thanks for your email and great pictures. Glad you have managed to spend some time with Maureen and Bill but don't believe everything she says about me! Maur has a tendency to exaggerate!

We spent Sunday afternoon at The Meatery for a send off of the daughter of Krissy's boss who is off to the university of Edinburgh for two years to complete her masters with her husband who is also completing his masters at the same university. Lovely girl but she is very nervous about the whole adventure since she has never been away from home! We had a grand afternoon and it was great meeting Krissy's boss and his wife Barbara. They have invited us to dinner later next month before they head off to Mexico for their annual holiday. Krissy and Mark will be going down on Sept 25th for 10 days. We will move into their place to look after the animals until we leave on October 1st. After ensuring the Island Inn is immaculate for your return home! After almost a month here we feel quite at home and have so far managed to avoid any breakages! Having said that, the first day here I sat on the bench on the terrace and the end of one of the slats gave way. Looks like it had rotted at one end. I know it wasn't my weight that caused it! Anyway Chloe said her grandad was good at fixing things like that.

It has been terrific having this place for our time here. It's great being able to return to the calm and tidiness of our own space rather than the chaos which surrounds our dear children! Actually I saw an ad for the sale of an apartment in your building which read "drastically reduced". I am considering knocking on the door and asking them if they would be interested in living in a remote part of England so we could possibly do a swap!

The water in your building is shut down all week from 8am so they can fix various plumbing problems. It doesn't affect us since we have already showered by then and we are rarely here during the day. They came in to your suite yesterday to fix the pipes on the hot water tank but had the wrong sized copper piping so had to return again today! Actually they are still here so we will wait until they have finished before we leave the apartment.

As soon as the plumber has completed his work we are off to the Pacific Centre so I can price a Mac Air. They had $100 off the price last week but I think I have missed the sale. Either way it will be much less expensive buying it here than in the UK (isn't everything?!)

Krissy is trying to convince me to do the Grouse Grind with her on her day off on Thursday but I think I will persuade her to do a hike somewhere with the dog instead! We are off to Victoria on the weekend with them. I guess you will also be vacating Sydney House by the weekend en route to your next destination. I hope Ayne has enjoyed her stay in Cornwall. A little different from LA!  Spuddy boy will miss Corrine I suspect!

Plumber just came out with blowtorch in hand to ask if there are any smoke detectors other than the hallway! Lets hope he knows what he is doing! Let us know how your final week goes. Best wishes Derek

Thanks for the update; I'll pass it on. Sounds like you're having a great time! C

Dear Gulliver:

Glad to hear you are having a great time. Your itinerary looks splendid, however, the barge business makes me think of Sam McGee for some odd reason.The weather here has been picture-perfect.

Natalia and I just came back from a stint in the interior--up through Lillooet to Kelowna ending in Nelson to visit out daughter, Jena. George spent a month out east taking Amira to an international frisbee competition. He recently returned and he, Kerry and Tia will be camping on Hornby Island for a week. They'll sleep over here one night.

I suppose that the book club has taken a hiatus because no one else besides you has any scotch. Bon voyage!

Buongiorno Pat,

It's good to hear from you after such a long spell! This week, Frank & I have been hosting Terry's parents from Nanaimo, since Saturday evening, who came to visit the family and of course see baby Katelyn while she still looks newborn. They left in the wee hours this morning. I have been playing Nanny this past several days after Terry had to head back to work with only 1week day off. His boss and the admin mgr are both on holiday so besides being the shop foreman at the On Road maintenance company, Major OverHaul, he has been dealing with employess, clients, invoices, supplies, etc. Prior to the birth, I was also at Beth's a lot, helping with their other two children, Kennedy, 5 1/2 and Oliver aka Ollie, 3.

This summer of 2013 has been quite the emotional time for our family. The very same day that Katelyn Emily Alexandra Martyn was born, Beth, who is our youngest daughter, had to put her beloved 12 year old Roxie, a Lab/Malamute/Rottweiler X to sleep. She was riddled with lymphoma and failing fast. I went with Beth and I don't wish this unpleasant task on anyone. The guilt on Beth was overwhelming. She  began having contractions not long after ( already 5 days late) and delivered Katelyn at the Royal Alex at 9:45 pm following a short 2 3/4 hr labour, drug free I am happy to report.

I don't know if I told you that while we were still in Yuma, our middle daughter, Stephanie, delivered an 8 lb plus baby boy, Griffin Atlas Champagne, with her partner, Adam, on 03/03/13 at 13:30.

July 15, my beloved Uncle Roy Leslie, 93, (the last of the three sons of the Clan Leslie, my Dad being the youngest who passed of Prostate Cancer to the bone in 2000 in the hospice at St. Bonifice Hosp in Wpg; U Jack, the eldest and the most prolific story teller in the family, (born August 4, 1914, the start of WWI, in Wpg), died from complications of Stomach Cancer in 2002 in St. Joesph's Hospice Care Hospital in Edmonton) passed away peacefully at home in Penticton, with his much loved wife, Pat, 92, my brother, Roy & his wife, Linda, from Victoria, at his side. U Roy had been failing for some months but especially the few weeks previous. In the end, he just got tired and went to sleep.They had no children. His death was just shy of their 49th wedding anniversary. They were sweethearts in their twenties when the two families lived in Vancouver. U Roy had suffered from mastoid problems since a baby with several surgeries to attempt to correct and A Pat spent 2 years in a Sanatorium for what they thought at the time was TB. Grandpa was certain that if they married, their children would inherit these maladies and forbade the marriage. Not long after, the Leslie family including U Roy and Uncle Jack moved to Penticton. After Grandpa died, Pat and her parents came to Penticton for the funeral. Roy and Pat rekindled their romance and married not long after in their early forties, too old they were told to have children. After U Roy died, Auntie Pat missed him so much and joined him, again peacefully, on August 24th, with her niece, my cousin, Allison, (U Jack's only child) a home care geriatric nurse from here, who had flown in to assist A Pat at home after my brother, Roy, who had flown in the week before when A Pat failed to answer the phone. He & Linda, had been with them twice before, the first time in late May/early June for 3 weeks and then shortly after for over a month when U Roy took ill. Roy & Linda, who have no children and my Uncle Roy's name sake, will inherit the house. Frank & I drove out to Penticton for U Roy's Celebration of Life on the 19th of July and actually stayed at the house for the two nights along with A Pat and Roy & Linda. Allison & her husband, Walter Marozoff, drove out on a whirlwind trip as well but stayed in a hotel just the one night. Walter's parents live in Castlegar. The grandparents were Doukhobors. U Roy's ashes are buried beneath the beautiful de Hollande rose climber at the rose trellis by the car port. A Pat's ashes will be buried beside him. Her parents' ashes are also buried in their spectacular rose garden. My brother reports that the roses are thriving beautifully, with much new growth of late. I imagine we will drive out again for A Pat's C of L in the very near future. The love story is complete and the couple are together again.

We were in the UK for a family wedding on May 24th, East Grinstead, to be precise. We spent 8 days in total with Frank's 3 siblings, staying just 2, 2 and then 3 days with each. The first two days were spent with Frank's brother Peter, 56, and his dysfunctional family, his wife, Tona and their two sons, 26 and 20, both at home. They live in Bournemouth. The middle two days were for the wedding. We stayed in a nearby B & B along with Frank's oldest sister, Sue, 67, a widow of 2 years. The Mother of the bride, Frank's younger sister, Pam, is 58, and has suffered from a progressive form of MS since she was about 40. Pam is Frank's favourite sibling. She & Peter, Sian's (the bride) Dad are divorced (two Peters, not to be confused). Peter is a lovely man and we did enjoy seeing him once again. He & Pam do not speak much but the relationship is quite civil. Peter made a most humourous speech followed by the bride who was the only other one to speak at the reception, held in a marquis at a local farm owned by family friends. She was very funny! It was cold and wet almost the entire holiday in England. I was quite happy to leave.

June 19th, we flew to Florence, where we spent a fabulous 3 weeks, right in the heart of the old city, in a 300 sq ft rented studio apt. Walking was our major past time, exploring every nook & cranny. Our second day there, we met a lovely local shop keeper of the Florence Curiosity Shop, selling mainly soccer shirts and memorabilia and his second wife, Saeedeh, who assisted in making our stay most enjoyable. Mohsen, 59 & Saeedeh, 31, both born in Iran, were the best tour guides ever. Mohsen, a resident of Florence for 51 years, is also a former Actor & local celebrity, who hosts a talk show on a local TV channel twice a week with an expert at his side. The topics range from the local Firenze soccer team- a fan favourite, to antiques, fashion, home decor, etc, etc. We were fortunate to be invited to the studio our third day, to watch him in action, all in Italian of course. Frank, being a Soccer Referee, was invited to the mike towards the end of the hour long taped show to add his 2 cents worth, in English, which was then translated, on his opinion of Italian football. We were to their home twice, the second time for a home made Persian dinner. The other guests were a wealthy gas magnate & friend of Mohsen, Amelio, 71, and his mistress (quite common there), Fatima, about 25!! Twice we went out to local restaurants, recommended by Mohsen, featuring authentic Idalina cuisine. The second time, we hosted them as a thank you.  We also managed to find a local Indian restaurant. where we enjoyed a wonderful lunch. We took the local transit several times and the Sita Ordinaria as opposed to the Sita Rapido (like Greyhound) to Sienna for a day.  On our last full day, we met them on the outskirts of the city and they drove us into the hills for a lovely picnic beside a gorgeous rural waterfall. It was an amazing ending to a memorable time with new friends.

Well, I must close, eat some brekkie, get dressed and head over to Beth's to help out, before being picked up at noon by a close girlfriend and former teaching colleague, Rachel, to try a new restaurant in Edmonton, for a good catch up and lunch. The Nanaimo family have gone. Beth will be happy. It is not easy to host in-laws when one has just had a baby. Besides which, they had to look after the family dog, Mac, a 4 year old Border Collie hwo came with. We will not have pets in our apt.

Ciao bello, Maggie



Hi Gudrun and Steve, Hope you managed to get some relaxation during your week away. I'm sure it was also very emotional.

We had a great time with Ayn. Went to Land's End, St. Ives, Minack and to Truro of course also Cornwall Design Fair and Lanhydrock. She went home with great memories and having had a good rest as well.We also did boat to Falmouth and ferry to St. Mawes and had lunch at Idle Rocks and explore the castle. Also went to Knightor winery for lunch and the St. Austell Brewery. So you can see we're been busy.


We leave early Saturday morning for London and hope to see you before we go. What is Steven's work schedule like this week? Take Care, Corinne


Rick Livingstone
Owner, Miracle Sales Inc.
good to hear from you oh wanderous one. Joey and brother Chandler await your return with bait-ed breath although Joey has grown significantly larger than your last viewing. A large flightless bird shall greet you upon your next venture to Ventura county. c u soon.