Blackwater Blues: Friday, August 2nd

How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then rest afterward. -Spanish proverb

Hi Big Al!

First of all, I must apologize for not writing sooner. No excuses but plenty of reasons! First, congratulations on your 25th wedding anniversary! Bravo! For They are Jolly Good Fellows! Hip Hip Hooray!!!

Second, design for desk looks really terrific. As I mentioned earlier, just let me know "the damage" when project is finished. Thanks, in advance.

Much, much to tell, about travels to date but will save that for now. Am really pleased with the Navigator and have had some wonderful rides, both in Yorkshire and Bath, before arriving here in Cornwall, this past Tuesday.

Pics: Taken while I was on the Bath to Bristol bike path, a former rail line, much of it along the River Avon

Hi Jim and Chris! Lovely to hear from you. Glad that you have recovered, if only partially, Jim. Do hope the latest course of medication will have you back to normal as soon as possible. Glad Laura and Ed are well and settling in to a routine. Please pass along our best wishes. And to Just William!

I had not heard from Evans, since arriving,  so I was planning to send them a message inquiring about status of bag. Then  I received your message and based on that I sent them our address, etc.  Had one back this morning saying it should arrive Tuesday or Wednesday. Thanks again for being the go-between and doing so with such good grace and patience.
 

We certainly enjoyed Minack although we didn't have the weather you described! It poured quite heavily about 6:45pm, shortly after we were in our seats, wonderfully placed in Lower Tier so we were almost on stage! Since we were prepared for the worst we were not too, too badly off although others complained more about being wet than I did. I was wearing shorts so didn't have a much clothing to soak up water and my Crocs were almost perfect footware for such a situation. We were about halfway through our picnic lunch, Cornish pasties, (even a gluten-free one for Cora Lee), and red wine when the deluge struck. I simply used my plate to keep my wine from being diluted and ate my delicious pastie a tad more quickly than I otherwise would have done. 



Rain stopped about half an hour later and it really was a gorgeous evening for remainder of night. We quite liked the Ilkley production and I gather from talking to the chap next to me, (He was the Stage Manager for the following show and it was fascinating to hear all about what is involved in putting on such a run. Ilkley people had to take down all the sets after the performance to make place ready for next group so my neighbour suggested they'd be at it until 2:00am if not later!), that theatrical associations, (basically amateur groups as far as I could tell), across the country submit proposals a year or two in advance. Based on reputation, proven track record, material, etc., they are chosen to appear. They receive 10% of ticket sales and three years ago his team pulled in £20,000 so it was quite lucrative, although a huge amount of work over the course of the week's run.

Might see it we can take in a matinee performance later this week as a close friend, Jamie Gairdner, the Sedbergh connection, arrives from London this week and I know he would like to go. Cora Lee would like to visit the Eden Project as well so more than plenty to do and then there is cycling, of course!
 
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/352096510#.UfuWnt91g6o.email 

Hi Marilyn and Big Al!

Trust you are both well and enjoying La Dolce Vita in Sunshine Valley, on this your long weekend. Haven't checked weather in Vancouver but gather it has been wonderful. Have enjoyed some terrific days this past week but it was very, very wet yesterday and this morning, although forecast promises clearing around 1:00pm so I plan to ride. We just said goodbye to Gayle and Derek. Maureen, Derek's sister who lives downstairs, drove them into Truro where they will catch a bus to London. Will stay overnight at a hotel near Heathrow and fly to Vancouver on Tuesday. 

Hope your stay at the Rectum Pass with "not your kind of people" was passable! Thanks for keeping me in the "desk loop". Much appreciated.

With respect to riding, I do have a GPS powered Garmin but I haven't yet figured out if it can actually guide me on a "saved ride", particularly ones that Derek has been on with me. Since he obviously knows the area, he is able to choose the most efficient routes in terms of avoiding busy roads, steep, steep hills, of which there are plenty, and the like! At any rate, I'm happy to follow my nose and simply explore, having accepted the fact that I'm going to have to touch The Burning Ground at some point, on most rides, although by the time we left Wetherby I had mastered a couple of routes so that I never had to un-clip for entire ride. Hope to be able to do much the same towards the middle/end of the month here, so that is one goal, along with upping the distance.

Keeping an AVG above 20 kph is much more difficult, however, as there really aren't any long stretches where one can whiz along, rather too, too many hills for that. Still, exhilarating to be able to ride through such beautiful and interesting countryside, from shady lanes, through picturesque villages, past ancient churches and wonderful pubs to stunning views of coastline and magnificent cliffs.

Not sure if I ever mentioned that I had ordered a soft carrying bag for my bike, day I bought the Montague. Unfortunately, it had not arrived before we left Yorkshire. Fortunately, that wasn't a big deal as we had a rental car and when folded in upon itself, the Navigator fit quite nicely in boot. I folded down back seats to allow for more efficient storage of our large cases and we still had plenty of room for all sorts of other things: cases of wine, per esempio! Saintsbury's, one of the large chains here, has a 25% off Summer Sale for purchase of six bottles or more, over and above any particular reduced pricing, so we are currently working on our third case!

Cora Lee went into Truro yesterday, with Gayle and Derek, who had to do some last minute shopping, and returned with six bottles of a wonderful 2012 Languedoc bottled under their house label: a white blend of Grenache, Marsanne and Vermentino, 13.5%, tart lemon and hint of white peach with a very pleasant mineral finish, 2×£12 so £6/$9.54098 btl! Decided I should start to educate my palate, and pocketbook, about the wine I will be drinking when in Neffiès!

But I digress, Dear Reader! Anyway, I had not heard from Evans, since arriving,  so I was planning to send them a message inquiring about status of bag. However, a few days ago I received a message from friend, Jim Brownlee, had done all the negotiation, on my behalf, with bike shop in York, when I decided to buy bike there. Since he was initial contact, Evans sent him a message, (even though my email address was in their system after purchase), to say bag had arrived. Based on that I sent them our address here in Blackwater and had one back Sunday morning saying it should arrive Tuesday or Wednesday. 

Looking forward to trying it out as I will be using it for train travel once we return renatal vehicle, August 31st, somewhere near London. Haven't yet decided exactly where drop-off will occur. (Has to be at a Europcar franchise but otherwise can be anywhere in country.) Have yet to work out if friend, (Penny), with whom we stay in Mill Hill Broadway, is able to collect us from Watford. If not we will drive to Luton as train from there stops at MHB and her place is an easy walk from station. I take Eurostar to Paris on September 2nd so that will probably first real test for travelling with a foldable bike!

This past Friday afternoon we drove south, through Penzance, Newlyn and then Mousehole, (a truly delightful, charming, charming village right on the coast), to the Minack Theatre (Cornish: Gwaryjy Minack), a simply stunning 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 near Porthcurno, 4 miles from Land's End. We were off the see Wuthering Heights presented by the Ilkley Playhouse. Although drive is only about 30 miles away, it took the better part of two hours to get there, such are the narrow roads and lanes where one has to stop to allow oncoming vehicles to pass while one waits in niches let into the hedgerows or stone walls! This is hair-raising enough and then the thoroughfares are often become even tighter when one drives through a village, twisting and turning around blind corners, uphill! Fortunately, to date, have not met any vehicles, (You would not believe the size of some of the buses that travel these roads!), on long stretches without the aforementioned pull-outs, thereby necessitating having to back up for quite considerable distances at times. A nightmare in the making, believe me!

Once we'd parked we went for about a 4 mile walk along the coast. What a treat, what a treat, what a magnificently majestic, rugged coastline. Even had to take a short detour as part of path was closed following a small landslip. Such walks are not without their dangers, let me tell you. Once you are actually on site, so to speak, you understand how precipitous are the cliffs and how subject to catastrophic erosion. Not that we were unduly concerned, careful, yes. Bit like driving to Squamish where one is close to rock face and the possibility of a boulder crashing down lurks in one's mind.

On the other hand, almost comical having to wait for other walkers, (particularly trekkers with large knapsacks), to squeeze past on the narrow paths, often hemmed in with thick hedges well over head level. We rambled for a couple of hours, getting to where we could see a cluster of buildings that Gayle and Derek knew to be the Land's End complex, a mini-DisneyWorld type of attraction that holds no interest or attraction for us, although we may well park nearbye, where parking is free, at some point during our month long stay, and walk to the natural Land's End, the most westerly point of Cornwall/England.
 

We stopped for some lemonade after an hour or so and were able, at this spot, to walk down to the water, through a man-made tunnel, probably originally constructed to allow fishermen to launch their boats/drag them ashore more easily. Incerdible array of different beach types, from sand to large, hefty, rounded stones. Gorse, heather and other flowers imbued this wild coast with a beauty that makes one glad to be alive. Once we turned back, (We had to be in theatre line-up, (Bit like the Birkenstock 500 at the Vancouver Folk Fest!), by about 6:30pm in order to claim our seats. Although we had tickets, (generously paid for by G/D), to the Lower Terrace, once there it was rush seating.), we were caught by a light shower from the rain squall we had seen coming towards us, for some time, over the ocean, a slightly ominous, darkish veil, quite sharply defined.

Although we had light rain gear we had left it in the car as sky was clear when we set off! Temperature was quite warm, in spite of the wind so we were not uncomfortbale even though we underwent a light soaking. Shower didn't last long and by the time we were back at the car I was almost completely dry, although The Sisterhood were whining about their hair and slacks. I was wearing shorts, a quick dry Hawaiiain, (One of my favourites with a "parrot" design but an embarrassment to Cora Lee as it is getting on in years. Nevertheless, poifect for travelling and certainly proved its worth under the circumstances.), and Crocs so I was feeling fine.

We'd packed a picnic so we took a bottle of wine, (above-mentioned Languedoc white), and some cheese and crackers out of the trunk and proceeded to have appetizers in the car. Although it had stopped raining it was starting to get a bit cooler. We had a good time balancing our wine glasses and munching on the tasty fare. Once fortified we proceeded to put on warmer layers of clothing and raingear as Derek had looked at the forecast, (He has a nifty weather app on his iPhone), and a heavy shower was predicted. Made our way to the theatre, just a short walk from where we were parked, and others stood in line while I snapped a few more pictures of striking coastline. 
 

Gates opened at 6:30pm and we made our way to our seats, wonderfully located, as it turned out, but two rows up from almost centre stage. G/D knew the drill so we had brought along patio chair cushions. Once we arranged, all in row, main course was served. Few minutes later, about 6:45pm, heavens opened and it rained reasonably heavily for almost twenty minutes or so. Since we were prepared for the worst we were not too, too badly off, although reported being soaked much more thoroughly than I was. Sincewetter than I was wearing shorts I didn't have as much clothing to soak up water and my Crocs soon dried out after rain stopped. We were about halfway through our picnic lunch, Cornish pasties, (even a gluten-free one for Cora Lee), and red wine when the deluge struck. I simply used my plate to keep my wine from being diluted and ate my delicious pastie a tad more quickly than I otherwise would have done.
 

 When rain stopped it really was a gorgeous evening for remainder of night. (More pleased for the actors than for ourselves as we were huddled under waterproof blankets!) We quite liked the Ilkley production/adaptation of the novel and since our seats were so wonderfully placed we were almost on stage and could see the actors' facial expressions  and hear all the dialogue without the slightest difficulty. I gather from talking to the chap next to me, (He was the Stage Manager for the following show and it was fascinating to hear all about what is involved in putting on such a run. Ilkley people had to take down all the sets after the performance to make place ready for next group so my neighbour suggested they'd be at it until 2:00am if not later!), that theatrical associations, (basically amateur groups as far as I could tell), across the country submit proposals a year or two in advance. Based on reputation, proven track record, material, etc., they are chosen to appear. They receive 10% of ticket sales and three years ago his team pulled in £20,000 so it was quite lucrative, although a huge amount of work over the course of the week's run.

 Overall, pretty well acted given that troupe is comprised of amateurs. One intermission so Derek and I were sent to fetch tea, java and hot chocolate! The Sisterhood used the steaming cups to warm their hands until liquid was cool enoughh to sip. Play was not out until /tea, talked to chap beside me stage manager for following production. Not out until about 10:30pm and then it took some time, with a full house, to climb the steep stairs to the top. By the time we reached our car, tafic had thinned so it didn't take as long as I feared it would to get back on the road and headed for home. Were in Blackwater about an hour later. Both Cora Lee and I both rinsed off in the tub. She more to warm up while it was mainly my feet I was concerned about. While they were not frozen, as she asserted were hers, mine were rather muddy. No reading, after brushing and flossing, for me at least, as I was tired after morning's ride and walk along coast.

As Minack is such a wonderful experience, in spite of rain, we might see it we can take in a matinee performance later this week. Close friend, Jamie Gairdner, arrives from London this week and I know he would like to go. Cora Lee would like to visit the Eden Project as well so more than plenty to do and then there is cycling, of course!

I was finally back in the saddle again, this past Thursday, since the completely unexpected, wonderful Bath to Bristol ride, week ago Friday! Lovely sunny day when I left Sydney House, at a few minutes before noon, with Trelissick Garden, Feock as my goal. (We had driven the route the day before, with Gayle and Derek, but going over it, in a car, with somebody who knows where he is going is quite a different matter than riding through otherwise unfamiliar, maze-like territory, Dear Reader!) About 9 miles and a fairly straight cross country line, at least from Google Maps' point of view. Had little trouble after I crossed over the A390 and made for Chacewater as I had planned to do. Think I did a triangular loop towards Threemilestone, or thereabouts, and back to or close to Chacewater. Still find signage difficult to follow, if it exists, but also because there are so many tiny, country roads/lanes leading off in all directions that not knowing the territory it is very easy to become snarled up and lose one's sense of direction altogether.
 

This is just what happened after I made a wrong turn, or at least I thought it was a wrong turn. I'd only been over intended route once, day before, when we drove it with Derek and Gayle. One thing to have someone point out turns and other landmarks but quite another to fix all this confusing information in one's mind. Wasn't overly worried, however, as I knew I would eventually find a village that was somewhat familiar and be able to get my bearings or, at the very worst, have to stop and ask for directions! Felt pretty comfortable, even after ascending longest, but not the steepest hill, I'd encountered since arriving, Cusgarne Hill, leading, I thought, to Mount Wellington Mine. (MW Tin mine is two miles east of the village of St Day opened in 1976 and was the first new mine in the region in many years. With the fall of  tin prices and the withdrawal of pumping subsidies, the mine finally closed in 1991.) Pleased that I had made the long, strenuous pull, brambles trying to scratch me whenever the few cars passed me on the narrow, one lane, paved though fairly rough suraface, and I hugged the side, I decided to retrace my steps as I was nohwere near where I had really wanted to be and saw no evidence, at all, of the abandoned mine, (The landscape, at least in this part of the countryside, is dotted with mine stacks and their adjoining wheel houses), not even a sign.
 

Enjoyed riding back down Cusgarne Hill but couldn't really put on any speed due to bumpy ride and concern about meeting a vehicle on the twisting course. After reaching the bottom of the hill somehow found myself in Frogpool, a village I had not ridden through on way to ascend hill so I was rather flummoxed. Nevertheless, when I came across a sign for Bissoe I thought the name sounded familiar so I made for it but once I reached that community I realized I was heading back towards Cusgarne. Not really relishing another climb up the tortuous hill, I turned around and eventually followed a sign for Canon Downs, another name that vaguely registered. After a fairly long climb up to this community I was then faced with a fairly steep descent. Knowing that what goes down must come up, at least as far as cycling is concerned, I was not altogether happy as I was worried it would lead to another steep climb!
 

To my great surprise I realized I was going in something of an irregular circle for I was back in Bissoe! Fortunately, there was a bike hire shop in a small mini-mall there, (I ridden by it twice already!), and Tony, from the kitchen in the café there, was even more helpful. He described route I needed to follow and pointed out a right turn just across the road from the local petrol station. Thanking him I set off with renewed vigour, taking the turn for United Downs and really enjoyed the ride along the valley bottom, coming first to Twelveheads, a tiny village, and then on into Chacewater, a larger community. After leaving Chacewater I thought I was home-free but instead  of taking Station Road I took Chacewater Hill, through Greenbottom and into Threemilestone. 

To my dismay, I found myself on a fairly busy road, Chyvelah Road, as it turned out, and I was forced to stop at a business estate to ask a chap on small tractor mower for directions to Blackwater. He told me to turn around and simply follow the road I was on and it would take me to my stated destination. Wasn't completely sure that he knew what he was talking about or just wanted to get rid of me or if I was so completely turned around that I was destined to wander for eternity so I thought I'd seek a second opinion, planning to stop as soon as I encountered another local.
 

Not far along, I asked two young girls, doing some yard work, for directions. They deferred to their grandmother and she was very helpful, even begging me to take special care on the busy road. Followed her directions as best I could but after a few more inevitable wrong turns, I made a loop and found myself on the A390, even busier road, so not a thoroughfare I particularly wanted to ride upon. By this time I really didn't know which way to turn. As it turned out, not surprisingly, I made the wrong decision and ended up going in the opposite direction I needed to follow. After cycling for a a couple of miles, I thought I was probably making for Truro and not particularly wanting to go there, I pulled into a Park and Ride complex, close to Threemilestone, not far from where I'd last asked for directions! From past experience I knew such places were often found outside fairly large towns, parking being such a nightmare most everywhere in Britain.
 

At any rate, I hailed the first person I encountered and it happened to be a very helpful gentleman, indeed. He patiently walked me through the directions he provided, a number of times, as by then I was over-compensating, having already made so many wrong turns, repeating everything twice to try and imbed it in my confused brain. For some reason I felt I had to turn right at a given point and he insisted it was left. He smiled each time I questioned him anew. Finally I had it straight. Thanking him profusely I followed the fairly simple directions, first turning left at the roundabout at the exit to the P & R to return along the A390. Felt like I was back on The Island Highway, between Nanoose Bay and Lantzville, as I was on a very narrow, marked shoulder, with almost a continuous stream of traffic, HGV, (Heavy Goods Vehicles, Dear Reader, should you not be familiar with this initialism), and commuters for a mile or more.
 

Gritting my teeth and putting my head down I soldiered on and finally the promised first roundabout came into view. The Chiverton Roundabout is a very large roundabout and I approached it with trepidation, knowing full well the amount of traffic I could expect to find queuing there. Fortunately, I was able to insert myself into the lane I needed to be in as there were a about five or six cars already waiting to enter the maelstrom and as soon as there was a break in the side traffic I held my breath and took off. Although I had the right of way the two HGV drivers waiting to enter probably took pity on me and allowed me to get well clear before they roared after me.

Once through, I was on a far less busy thoroughfare and almost immediately came upon the final, smaller roundabout and forcing myself not to turn right I followed instructions and was finally heading down into Blackwater. Cannot tell you how much I enjoyed whizzing down the hill to the village, sailing past The Red Lion Pub and then Seymour House, on my right, came into view. Had decided I'd ride up the hill leading out of town, south towards Redruth. Just wanted to see what was at the top. Found Scorrier Industrial Park there so after crossing a bridge over the A30, to Penzance, turned around there and made for home. Pleased as punch to ride into the gravel car park with 57.25 K on the clock!

Detailed stats below, (My Garmin 200 is GPS enabled so I'm planning to ride to Mars next!), for the benefit of cyclists everywhere:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/351729252#.Ufp-vDyAGXk.email

Loads, loads more to tell but thought that you might enjoy the  more sedate, "guided" ride I took with Derek, on Saturday morning, to St Agnes:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/352565153#.Ufz4-2qzW0c.email

Shortest ride to date, (16mi/25.7495 km), but a truly wonderful route, out via Mithian. Some pretty challenging hills, particularly ones coming out of St Agnes, (bit steeper at start but thereafter about as long as the UBC Foreshore Hill), through rolling hills, along high, hedgerow lined, narrow country roads and often through beautiful, over-arching tree tunnels, cool respites from the fairy strong wind along the coast. 

Gorgeous vistas there, however, looking over the Bristol Channel/Celtic Sea and then the Atlantic to North America. Did a loop, on Beacon Drive, around the St Agnes Beacon, [It is,"considered the most prominent feature of the Heritage coastline. The National Trust landmark's name comes from the Cornish name 'Bryanick'. 'Beacon' is a word of Anglo-Saxon origin referring to the use of a hill summit for a warning signal fire. During the Napoleonic Wars a guard was stationed on the hill to look out for French ships and light a warning fire on seeing any."Futhermore, St Agnes Beacon "and the surrounding cliff tops are one of the last remnants of a huge tract of heathland which once spread across Cornwall."], then back into St Agnes to return via a Goonbell and Mount Hawke, passing the Brian Etherington Meat Company in Scorrier, near the top of the hill at the other end of Blackwater. Derek turned of at Sydney House while I kept on down the road to add a few more klicks to the odometre, turning off on a road which is eventually leads to Chacewater. Only followed it as far as the A30 underpass and then retraced my steps home.

Had a quick shower and a bite to eat and then we piled into the Rover, (last model produced before company went into receivership in 2005), and we made for Falmouth, to have a quick overview of town. Lovely beaches there and we circled Pendennis Castle, (Cornish: Kastel Penndinas), one of "Henry VIII's Device Forts, or Henrician castle, in Cornwall. It was built in 1539 to guard the entrance to the River Fal on its west bank, near Falmouth. St Mawes Castle is its opposite number on the east bank and they were built to defend Carrick Roads from the French and Spanish threats of future attack." Stopped at a lookout on Pendennis Point and enjoyed the bays filled with colourful sailboats. Even noticed two or three sets of fins, (presumably belonging to swimmers from the dive school nearbye), in the cold, green, clear water, so clear one could see the underlying rocks to quite a depth.
 

Next out of Falmouth towards Devoran and after we parked, as close to the water as possible, walked down to the tiny beach, [Had brought along my Garmin, (Satellites, Dear Reader, Satellites!), as I wanted to track our walk:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/352665047#.Uf0jvgIFV88.email

Was annoyed that I had not done so when we took a much longer ramble along the coast near Penzance, the day before.], near Restronguet Creek where we ambled along a path lined with charming cottages, (mostly country getaways for Londoners), to the Pandora Inn, parts of which date from the 13th century, named after the ship that was sent to capture the mutineers of the Bounty.

Hard to believe that it was severely damaged by fire in March 2011. However the building has been carefully restored and it re-opened for business almost exactly a year later. while waiting for Cora Lee to buy drinks for everyone, (lemonade for me but draft cider for CL, Carlsberg lager for G/D), I wandered through some of the downstairs rooms, marveling at the magnificent flagstone floors, low-beamed ceilings and a delightful scale-model of the Pandora. Outside we enjoyed the sunshine and people watched the holidayers on the crowded patio wharf which stretches out into the water. Gayle and Derek pointed out the letter box set into the wall next to the entrance. After the 2012 Olympics the Royal Mail painted more than 100 of its iconic, red post or letter boxes gold to celebrate every Team GB and ParalympicsGB gold medal won.
 

Strolled back to the car and then made our way to the A30, bypassing Redruth to stop in Scorrier where we visited the Etehrington Farm Shop, a great place to buy meat and all sorts of other things, from olive oil to vegetables, as we had planned to cook dinner for Gayle and Derek, on the morrow, when they would be busy packing!

Home to get the house ready as G/D were hosting a wine and cheese party for Derek's three sisters and their husbands, as well as Mark's parents, Gudrun and Steve, that evening. We'd met G/S a year or so ago, in Vancouver, when they'd been to see Krissy and Mark but  they wanted us to meet the others. 

I vacuumed, (more in order to learn how to use the Dyson than because the carpet needed hoovering), while Cora Lee helped set the dining room table and dusted while Derek put together a fabulous array of food: cheese plates, cold meat platters, a huge dish of scallop, avocado, king shrimp and tri-coloured pasta, (smaller dish of gluten-free pasta for Cora Lee), along with grapes, olives, stuffed peppers and cherry tomatoes, crackers and dips, mustards and chutneys.  For dessert Gayle had baked a wonderful gluten-free cake with pears that morning and then she made a large fruit salad when Derek was finished in the kitchen.
 

Everything was in place about 5:45pm so I had a quick rinse and then changed out of my vacuuming outfit to something acceptable to the Fashion Polizei. It was a gorgeous, sunny and not too, too windy so we decided to have drinks on the patio. Needed twelve chairs so Cora Lee and I carried out cushions and some breakfast nook seats and had most things arranged when Audrey, (oldest sister), and Brian, from Truro, arrived. Introduced ourselves and then Maureen, (youngest), and Bill, who live downstairs, (Sydney House was converted into a duplex after the to couples purchased it.), came up the garden path, followed by Margaret, (middle sister), and Barry, a retired tin miner. They live in Mount Hawke.  Had everyone seated and settled with drinks when Gudrun and Steve, (They live in from Pool, not far from Redruth.), arrived. We sat around and chatted, enjoying the late afternoon sun, getting to know each other.
 

Close to 8:00pm dinner was announced and we made our way to the heaping table, settling around the sitting room to enjoy the more than delicious fare. Think most of the guests went back fro second helpings. I know I did. We continued to visit and everyone seemed to enjoy playing the silly game we've often played at the Islay, recount your earliest childhood memory. In fact, a number of people insisted on telling the assembled about more than one memory. Of particular interest, to me at least, was hearing about the memories from times during WW II, of Morrison and Anderson bomb shelters, of rationing and unexploded ordinance.
 

Close to 11:00pm I announced it was time for the guests to leave. While there were some complaints most really did want to go home anyway so although there were some half-hearted complaints we all parted on good terms, hoping to see more of each other over the course of our stay. While I ushered people out the door, rest of gang cleared table and loaded dishwasher. Gudrun and Steve were last to leave as they wanted to try to set a date for us to come for dinner this coming week. We chatted for a bit and then they said their goodbyes. Everyone was ready for bed by then so we bade one another goodnight and made for our beds. I didn't think I'd be able to keep my eyes open, once I'd brushed and flossed, but I did manage to read a few pages, having to do with a couple of secondary characters, basically chapters I'd read a few nights ago and which I was so sleepy, at the time, that I couldn't remember having read them in the first place! 

Of late, Cora Lee has continued to read after I have turned off my bedside lamp but this time she switched off her light as soon as I did. Perfect temperature for a sound sleep so I mumbled a barely audible "Good Night, Darling", and drifted off, blissfully.

Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both. Cheers, Il Conduttore/Patrizzio!

Patrick, Have you not eaten anything?  Are you not yet in Cornwall?  I am waiting for more descriptions, especially of Cornwall.  I hope Corinne and you are doing well. Best wishes, Mike

Hi Fingare and Digitale, whichever one you each happen to be!

Just had my first meal since leaving Vancouver on July 10th, hence the email! Busy, busy life on the road so I do apologize for not writing sooner. No excuses but plenty of reasons! Trust you are both well and enjoying your summer. Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both. Cheers, Il Conduttore/Patrizzio!

 

 Don Patrizzio! Good to hear from you and see that you are up to the usual adventures! Very interesting part of the world, the Southwest is. We spent a week driving up to Edinburgh from the Isle of Wight between Christmas and New Years last year - wandered around Salisbury, Bath, Aylesbury and some of the small villages in the Cotswolds (then on up through Wales, the Peak District, Lake District and on to Edinburgh). Delightful little places. Haven't made it to Cornwall yet (although my old department head was from Cornwall, and he is one of the most morose, pessimistic, depressing individuals I have met).

Anyways...So, my position in Sweden ended due to lack of continued funding, as happens in research these days... and the better half (whom you haven't met yet) had her position at NHS Lothian coming to an end (thanks to Dave-O in London deciding to cut NHS funding), and she landed an awesome job in Wellington, so I have followed along, and will see what I can rustle up work wise around here. I've been here 1 month so far, loving it, although there have been a few earthquakes (that you actually feel rumbling through). 

The last couple of years have seen me 'commuting' between Uppsala and Edinburgh (my boss let me work 2 weeks from 'home' in Edinburgh and 2 weeks at the office in Uppsala; she actually lives in Germany and commutes as well)

It is wine heaven here, especially if you are into whites - Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrdonay and a few nice Pinot Noirs ... Off to explore a little bit of the Martinborough next weekend and a bit of the east coast the weekend after. Hopeful to have lots of the wineries scoped out by the time you head down this way. Loads of space at the casa! 

While you are in the old world, can I recommend a very nice whisky from Sweden of all places - Macmyra Whisky - if you get a chance to sample some, it is very nice...

That is all I can think of for the moment, I am not the most proficient bard, particularly compared to you...

All the best to you and Cora Lee! We will definitely talk again soon!Sneaky Pete

Don Patrizzio!

Good to hear from you and see that you are up to the usual adventures!

Very interesting part of the world, the Southwest is. We spent a week driving up to Edinburgh from the Isle of Wight between Christmas and New Years last year - wandered around Salisbury, Bath, Aylesbury and some of the small villages in the Cotswolds (then on up through Wales, the Peak District, Lake District and on to Edinburgh). Delightful little places. Haven't made it to Cornwall yet (although my old department head was from Cornwall, and he is one of the most morose, pessimistic, depressing individuals I have met).

Anyways...

So, my position in Sweden ended due to lack of continued funding, as happens in research these days... and the better half (whom you haven't met yet) had her position at NHS Lothian coming to an end (thanks to Dave-O in London deciding to cut NHS funding), and she landed an awesome job in Wellington, so I have followed along, and will see what I can rustle up work wise around here. I've been here 1 month so far, loving it, although there have been a few earthquakes (that you actually feel rumbling through). 

The last couple of years have seen me 'commuting' between Uppsala and Edinburgh (my boss let me work 2 weeks from 'home' in Edinburgh and 2 weeks at the office in Uppsala; she actually lives in Germany and commutes as well)

It is wine heaven here, especially if you are into whites - Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrdonay and a few nice Pinot Noirs ... Off to explore a little bit of the Martinborough next weekend and a bit of the east coast the weekend after. Hopeful to have lots of the wineries scoped out by the time you head down this way. Loads of space at the casa! 

While you are in the old world, can I recommend a very nice whisky from Sweden of all places - Macmyra Whisky - if you get a chance to sample some, it is very nice...

That is all I can think of for the moment, I am not the most proficient bard, particularly compared to you...

All the best to you and Cora Lee! We will definitely talk again soon! Sneaky Pete

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/352096510#.UfuWnt91g6o.email 

Hi Patrice,

Thanks for the update and no concern about the tardy response, I’m sure you’re very busy and will look forward to updates as you have time. Things are well here ,it is Friday morning before the long weekend and I am preparing to head up to Osoyoos with Jacob to stay for a couple of nights at the crappy little motel “ Richter Pass” which I refer to as rectum pass. Jesse has gone ahead a couple of days ago to have a bit more time. I’m definitely doing this one for the kids as I would just as soon go to the cabin but they have a fond memories and see many friends up there that they may only get to see the one time a year. It has been a tradition for twenty plus years that a whole bunch of families gather there at this time and it can be good fun, however there are a few people there who I would not choose to be with as they are not my kind of people. Colleen as a matter of fact has declined on going up there and is instead going to the cabin to relax and study. I will head there first thing on Sunday morning to join her.

Chloe and I have finalized the design of the desk unit and I will send out my plans to a sheet metal shop I use to see what the materials will cost and can let you know.  Glad to hear you’re having fun riding around that ancient countryside but not so happy to hear that you’re putting yourself in some risky situations!!. Can’t you get yourself some kind of GPS thing to let you know exactly where you are? ..Don’t make me come over there!. lol.

Please take care and pass along fondestos to Corrine as well. talk to you soon. Al

6 weeks left to go. Paid for the rest of the boat trip today. Will be great to catch up in Paris.  W