Kenton Canola Blues: Thursday, July 24th

So I accept these awards on behalf of the cake bakers and all of those other women who can do some things quite as important, if not more important, than flying, as well as in the name of women flying today. -Amelia Earhart (1897-1937) 

Hi Guys, We have decided to be assertive and plan the trip prior to Claire’s departure from her job and the finalisation of her contract arrangements as she moves into the scary world of being a consultant.  We have now booked all our flights to and from various places on your side of the pond.  We are booked to arrive in Vancouver on Monday 6 October arriving (barring delays) at 1730 hours.  Let us know when and how we can catch up, our thoughts are that we might prevail upon you for a day or so and then we were thinking of staying on Vancouver Island or other place that you all think might be worth a look at for a day or so.  We are only in your city for 7 days and want  to spent some time looking at options for a possible return to do the inside passage at another time (small boat).

We are booked to leave on Monday 13 October bound for San Francisco and then on to Denver for Claire’s conference I have discovered a bike rental place in Vancouver which looks OK (English Bay Bik Rentals) so Patrick We might be able to do a reasonable ride weather permitting.

We are now excited about the prospect of catching with your all again. Cheers Greg and Claire

That sounds excellent.  We will get you at the airport and put you up for the week most likely in the same place that we put Tony and Elly. I have a car that you can use if you want to go to Vancouver Island and will be happy to tour you around. You can bike every day you want with Pat. Great way to see the city. We have bikes that you can use so probably no need to rent.

Pat and Corinne and presently in Manitoba for a family reunion and Corinne's parents 69 wedding anniversary. Look forward to your arrival and catching up.
Wayne

Hi Patrick I am not sure of the electrical situation and if this is a result of an insurable loss or not. If so then roadstar would have benefits in there to assist you.

who was this friend of yours again? I wanted to ask if he would give me a gift basket for our Trivia Night Auction Table. Thanks, 

Medecine Hat Medalta Blues: Wednesday, July 23rd

At least half the mystery novels published violate the law that the solution, once revealed, must seem to be inevitable. -Raymond Chandler, writer (1888-1959)  

Which is the bassoon?

Dear Hoi Poloi! Sorry, my Executive Assistant forgot to attach snapolas! Cheers, "No Room at the Top" Patrizzio!
 
Hi Colonel Mar! Here are some snaps that I've been able to find. Will need to send them along in  a number of messages! Cheers, from Calgary! Patrizzio!

Hi again, General J! I've sent snaps to your Hotmail account as well. Other one keeps rejecting file size! Cheers, Patrizzio!

BUS RIDE:  

Why don't you do something really adventurous? Watch this it is unbelievable.

Hi Raymond!

Link not included! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Marvin Angelo Mercado

Happy birthday to my wife Nicole Nicole Marie, the most beautiful person I know inside and out. Can't wait to celebrate with you tonight!! — with Nicole Marie.

Chloe Alexis Dunn

Happy 5th birthday Ms. Emma!!! You are sooo big now!!!! From your 1st birthday to today, your 5th!!! you. — with Katie Maness.

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  Katie Maness I've never seen this picture. Lucky girl, she's got the best auntie a girl could wish for! See you tonight 

  

  
  

  Ayn P They were supposed to be on their way to Manitoba until they became roadies for the Aussie band, Wagons...do YOU know where YOUR parents are because mine are at a Calgary wine market — with Patrick James Dunn and Corinne Durston.

  
  

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    Suzanne Broughton Halpenny this does not surprise me lol
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    Chloe Alexis Dunn Before wine must come Timmies... OMG they are so in the prairies!!!
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    Janice White Lol...cool parents!

Hi again, General J! I've sent snaps to your Hotmail account as well. Other one keeps rejecting file size! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Got these ones thanks. Send the first email here to my work. Sometimes hotmail isn't great with photos.

Michele Darrow-Sutherland Happy birthday to my most amazing daughter . I have been lucky enough to watch her grow into this beautiful woman. I have in more and more in awe of her as the years pass by.

Dear Colleagues, I would like to offer a warm thank you to the many members of the professional community who took time to participate in in our survey on Graduate Competencies for the professional programs at the iSchool at UBC. 

An English couple eloping to Gretna Green with her father in hot pursuit
From The English Dance of Death, 1815
Illustration: Thomas Rowlandson

Photo: Arallyn

We have been overwhelmed by the positive response (more than 250 competed surveys!).  This is such a wonderful sign of engagement and support for the school, and we greatly appreciate it.  It is gratifying to see that the majority of responses indicate satisfaction with the competencies.  Further, the many suggestions offered by the community, both constructive and critical, will be extremely useful as we consider how to strengthen and further clarify these objectives.  

Some responses raised concerns at the general nature of the competencies, and we would like to assure you that SLAIS will continue to offer a wide range of courses in both the MLIS and MAS programs with more specific and concrete objectives that allow individual students to gain in-depth knowledge in core and elective subject areas. 

Another theme raised in responses is the importance of field experience and the necessity for students to understand how organizations and workplaces actually function. As one of only two Information Schools in Canada with a Co-operative Education program, we consider experiential learning to be an essential component of our programs and plan to strengthen this further as we implement these competencies.  

Plans are underway to engage further with the many groups connected with the school in the coming months including current students, employers and professionals.  So, please be in the look-out for future opportunities to be in touch with us.  If you have any queries or suggestions, please feel free to contact me (Luanne.freund@ubc.ca). Thank you! Luanne Freund, Associate Professor& Associate Director, SLAIS, the iSchool, University of British Columbia
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1 Tel: 604-822-0825 Fax: 604-822-6006 E-mail: luanne.freund@ubc.ca 

Website: http://faculty.arts.ubc.ca/lfreund

Hi Marco! Trust you are well. Best wishes from Cora Lee, Chloe and myself on your work anniversary! Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Golden Wagon Blues: Tuesday, July 22nd!

If you could say it in words there would be no reason to paint. -Edward Hopper, painter (1882-1967)  

who dat man[men]?

Galiano  Giggster Man et al! Just a very short, highly abbreviated note, as time is flying, nay whizzing by, and we must away, the better to enable ourselves to be at Kensington Wine Market, when it opens, domani, to purchase maltage and vino for the 69th, and then hie ourselves to Medicine Hat to be coddled by Zircon for the night, bridge and endless supplies of fire-water, as there is a famiglia connezzione to a local liquor store! Long trip but nothing that Benzedrine couldn't fix and we managed to find our hostess, Jan, without too, too much bloodletting!
 

En route, pulled into Tim Hortons,  in Golden, around 5:30 pm, local time, and after voiding our bladders, stood in line for java/Chai Latte, (Guess who ordered which?), and I overheard an accent I discerned to be from Oz. Asked the chap if he was from the Antipodes and he said he was from Melbourne. I mentioned it was a wonderful city and asked him why he was here, in Canada. He retorted that he was touring with a band, Wagons! We had seen them, and been much impressed, at the Folk Fest, so we became New Best Friends! Long and the short of it is the fact that I am their new manager and I can offer you CD's at a  discount! Cora Lee is staying in Golden and working on starting a Friends of the Golden Public Library. She will be living under a bridge on the outskirts of town, until she establishes herself in the community, so if you have any spare tarps, I'm sure she would appreciate them!

Corinne Durston

• Chloe Alexis Dunn Mom you look gorgeous!!! Love you.
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  Ayn P Hi there pretty Mama! See you soon xoxo!
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  Ayn P Her smile indicates wine is nearby...Lol
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  Sylvie Roy Belle dame
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  Colleen Teahan Waldron So regal and lovely
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  Susan Bridgman Great photo!

Lovely chaps and we met everyone as they were snarfing their fast food dinner. I've booked ourselves for the 69th Wedding Anniversary, in Falcon,  so I'll be signing autographs while Rosita and Coat-Hanger are describing almost a century of domestic bliss! Fondestos to one and all. Sorry I cannot personalize this message but get used to it as I really don't need any of you anymore!!! Cheers, "On-The-Roadstar-Manager", Patrizzio!
 
Pics: Publicity shots, Golden, BC!

Dear Hoi Poloi! Sorry, my Executive Assistant forgot to attach snapolas! Cheers, "No Room at the Top" Patrizzio!

Happy to hear you've made it to Calgary xoxo

We both enjoyed our brief, yet, warm sharing with you both at the festival... and look forward to a richer sharing in our futures. My invite to Cortes is open! Love Adrian 

I see that you did not get away as planned this morning. Wayne 

Corinne Durston was with Patrick James Dunn at Kensington Wine Market.

• Ayn P likes this.
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  Chloe Alexis Dunn You are hilarious!!! You tag yourselves at a wine shop!! Ayn P look where our parents are, they don't call to say they arrived safely just letting Facebook know their having wine with dinner.
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  Ayn P Yes, they are all ours Sissy...we're so lucky!!
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  Patrick James Dunn I thought that Facebooking was what one is supposed to do to let the world know about everything important. Also, haven't mastered the art of texting while driving under the influence, yet! 

Falernia, Valle de Elqui, 2011 Reserva, Carmenere, 15%, fleshy without the tannins that would balance. Still a necessary drop after day's drive!

Deer Lake Park

P, Apologies for the lapse in communication. It has been slightly harried here as you can imagine. Finally slowed down long enough to look around and even opened a book.

All is good here - divine in fact, although I am weeks or months away from truly settling in - making it feel my own in a real sense. I look forward to having you here to show you around and do some training rides up and down the the island. Each way is about 25 kms - kinda like Semo Demfo except twice as far and not quite as smooth.

Only have cell phone coverage at the moment - when the wind and smoke is in the right direction. Hope to rectify that soon.
 

Byrne Creek Park

Here is wishing you well on your travels. Please give my fond regards to the beloved prairie light, Clare & Dusty - and Corinne of course. Be well, G

Dear Friday: How are things going? Are things going? Things going? Going? Gone. Hope all is well. Have you heard from Robinson Crusoe yet? Best, Kurt Rathfelder 

Hi everyone Can't believe we are less than two weeks away now! If you have any favourite photos with Clara and Dusty I would ask you to send them on to me as I am working on a little photo collage. thanks, Marlo
 

Robert Burnaby Pool

Hi Patrice, Meant to respond a little sooner as usual! Firstly so sorry to hear about the car ..isn’t it funny how life’s balancing act can rear up as in how you were thinking how lucky you were only to suddenly have the rug pulled out from under you with the car breakdown. Small potatoes of course when one thinks about all of the worse possibilities even with the rather large towing bill! Do you have BCAA? I might suggest it if you don't and you have the long drive ahead . I pay $170 a year for all of us to be covered and have a 160km. towing coverage clause should I need it which sounds like it would have gone a long way to covering it. The other option is you could have towed it to the cabin and held up there for a while...also flown in a mechanic along with some caviar and champagne or crate of malt etc. to help while away the time. I trust that the car is all ship shape now however and you are poised for the trip tomorrow. Glad as always to see you two travelling around and enjoying life to the fullest.
 

Big Six Restaurant

I have gotten out on a number of good rides recently and last week got out with my friend Jerry who I was doing the cruise ship work with. He hadn’t been out with me and is very competitive so when I would say “normally I go this way but I know you haven’t been out much so we could do this instead “ I would get the “bring it on Waldron...don’t you know who you’re talking to!” All good as I enjoyed pushing past the norm anyway . I wound up going over to his place on Elliot and picking him up , he has a new Kona mountain bike he just got from Jubilee cycle on Imperial St. near here. From there we went down to the river and headed East toward Foreshore park , along the river path as far as we could into the Park area at the far end of the industrial area. We made our way through that area and popped through the fence on Marine way into the big bend area through to 12th St. which is straight up at about a 45 degree angle and comes out at the bridge right beside Sky train where it crosses 10th Ave. we made our way up through Byrne creek park stopping to much on some huckleberries. Jerry was very very pleased with the route as he had not been to any of these places before and thanked me for opening his eyes to the riding possibilities available nearby.

We continued on up to the B.C. parkway the one I met you on a while ago but up near my place. I said to Jerry that normally that would be one of my routes but I had thought about doing a Deer lake run as well as a river run as a goal for myself I wanted to achieve soon. I gave him an out again but he said he wanted to go for it so I thought great let’s do it and let sore legs be damned the next day!

I took him over towards Metrotown and got to Sussex ave which is the Sea to River route I took you guys on some time ago. We whizzed down Sussex to Deer lake west and through the forest toward the Royal Oak overpass which we went under. Once in the main park we turned back up the hill which I likened to the climb up a rollercoaster as once at the top you can let gravity take you all the way to the middle of the park with a stop midway at the wooden lookout structure to survey the entire park before you.

I led us through the boardwalk which you are not supposed to ride on..spitting on the signs as we passed, all the way to the Art gallery and Shadbolt center for the arts and circled through the gardens in full bloom in front of the haunted Ceperly manor a.k.a. the Burnaby Art gallery. we stopped again to take in the view of the lake and then proceeded to the beach area at the East end of the lake where Jerry was finally able to get a drink as he had brought no water with him! After replenishing we continued toward the no. 1 hwy and paralleled the new fence separating the highway from the houses toward Robert Burnaby park. after a couple kilometers we finally got to the park and started the ascent toward New west where we were going to have lunch at the big six restaurant. By now we were both absolutely famished and our legs were burning!. We did a dipsey doodle through the public pool at Robert Burnaby which I consider to be one of the most beautiful settings because of the surrounding very large fir trees that canopy the pool and give it some shade. 

We braced ourselves for the final hill and powered through knowing that sustenance was only a matter of ten minutes away. by the time we reached the “Big 6” restaurant on 6th street our legs were like rubber and it felt great to flop into the overstuffed and duct taped vinyl seats.

Had a great meal there as always and had a great talk about the ride and made pans for another outing soon. Would love to get you to join us or vice versa when you get back in August. Hope you have safe travels and a wonderful holiday with the family. Give our love and congratulations to Dusty and Rosie and the rest of the clan and we’ll look forward to hearing about your trip. Take care, Al

pics: Byrne creek park, Deer lake park, Robert Burnaby pool , big six restaurant.

 

Pre-Prairie Departure Packing Blues: Monday, July 21st!

One must be drenched in words, literally soaked in them, to have the right ones form themselves into the proper patterns at the right moment. -Hart Crane, poet (1899-1932) 

Carrot Clarinet Quite Amazing: http://www.youtube.com/embed/BISrGwN-yH4

Why go to the Folk Festival when you can listen to the carrot clarinet in the comfort of your own home? Ray

Nadienka Wyss

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  Patrick James Dunn Wonderful panorama! Sky at Jericho Beach, Main Stage, Vancouver Folk Fest, Saturday evening!

Hi Raymond, et al! Thoroughly enjoyed the Carrot Clarinet! However, in answer to your question, one needed to attend Folk Festival in order to take in session with Dulsori , a Korean percussion ensemble, using kale as the skin for their drums and gongs! Beauty is that you can eat the tenderized kale once skin needs to be replaced!!! Other benefit to attending was all the babes there. Lucky Big Al wasn't around, on his bike, or else he would have probably had a number of serious accidents!

The Bohemian

Art: William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1890

Saw Mark and Susan Tanner yesterday and had a quick catch-up with Mark. Susan was just back from Nova Scotia, visiting, I presume, the daughter who is in Coast Guard training there. The family leave for Whitehorse in next little while to scatter Mark's father's ashes there, as well as other camping/wilderness activities, I gather. Mark is then off for Nova Scotia himself, once back and probably won't return to Vancouver until late September, early October, if I have the chronology right.

At any rate, he hadn't heard from Giorgio since a day or so before he de-camped to Galiano. Not sure about Internet access there and perhaps Whirlygig hasn't mastered the art of the smoke signal yet! Missed wishing him farewell, ourselves, as I'm sure he was more than busy with frantic last minute packing. Drove by the house on 2nd on Friday afternoon, on way to dropping off Cora Lee at Folk Fest , and a host of items on curb in front of house so either no room for them or no longer wanted. Anyway, trust he will surface at some point.

Ayn P Looks like the parents had fun at the Vancouver Folk Festival...see you in Winnipeg!

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  David Kessler It's wonderful to remember our visit to the Festival with you two years back. I hope you had some fabulous musical groups and no rain!
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  Nadienka Wyss The fittest Host Parentos I've ever had! (The only ones as well..)
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  Douglas Jameson And Joan Baez called in sick to the Vancouver Festival!
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  Bart Fisher Such a cute photo!
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  Patrick James Dunn Actually, this photo was taken in Penticton, after I completed the 160 km Granfondo!

Involved with our own "frantic packing" packing today as hope/plan to leave no later than 6:00 am tomorrow morning, (car fully loaded beforehand), as we want to be in Calgary by 6:00 pm, to stay with friend Jan, as it happens, just around the corner from The Kensington Wine Market! Will stuff wine and malt between all of paintings were are taking to Falcon for Dusty's first international art exhibition! At least an 11 hour drive, all going well.
 

Island of Capri

In case I don't have a chance to send further messages before we hit the road, enjoy the rest of the summer. I'll probably be in touch from Falcon, reporting on the un-winnable war against mosquitoes, as well as rides there. Hoping to do some pre-Whistler Granfondo training there, 100 km-140 km rides, bugs allowing, on mainly flat, quiet roads, although wind can be fiercer than the bears looking for blueberries! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Amanda Mulholland, Great Lake Swimmers; two hippie chicks from Galiano; Chloe's Grade IV teacher; Sarge "pulling a Raymondo"; Sarika with Cora Lee and Sylvia. We discovered Sylvia and Sarika knew each other. I first me Sarika when she worked as a Student Assistant in Circulation at UBC's Main Library. Sylvia is married to Raymond, friend I used to play squash with. Now we cycle together. Famiglia Keating with friend, Diane.

View from balcony

Hello, I am away and will have intermittent access to email until September 2.
Have a good summer, Cordially, S. 

Hi Patrick, It was great running into you! How nice to see the connections between such different groups of friends. I love your accounts of travels and activities- I remember them from before. Please keep me in the loop. I love your picture of the red- haired musician. Happy travels! Sarika  

Hi Debra and Eric! How delightful to be re-united! Hope former Upper Kits denizens will have a chance to get together once we are back from Manitoba in late August. Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Sofia Loren's villa. Almalfi Coast

Pics: I first met Sarika when she worked as a Student Assistant in Circulation at UBC's Main Library.  Officious Volunteers! Friends, Fionna and Adrian, with his two sons, from Cortez. Adrian mentioned that he had driven by 2882 on way to FF that morning. He sat beside me at Stage 5 and I didn't realize it was him at first until Fionna joined him and I recognized his profile. Initially, I was concentrating on Oh My Darling, (all Winnipeg female group, Ayn!), performing at the time; Chloë this past Thursday. She popped by to pick up inflatable mattresses for weekend on Saturna. No wonder Corinne celebrated her 67th this past Saturday! "Where did all my baby chicks go?"

wow - our resident photographer taking advantage of any op with great pics!  off to Hornby but will keep in touch when we get there.  Have an amazing time at the reunion - hug the adult kids and let them know we would love more news! we'll get together for sure after August vacations. Stay well and enjoy! Deb

Gayle enjoying local delicacy in town of Almalfi

Hi Corrine. So we are in Manitoba having so much fun already. Bruno would like to be heading out on Monday the 28th. Would it work to come on the 27th to falcon lake?  If that is the day of the big party, no worries. We could just skip the visit this time. If we do come would you have a place for us to sleep for one night?  We have sleeping bags and pillows. Hope we can see you! Bye. Thanks, Carol.  

Hi Carol, that would be fine. The party is the following weekend. We have a wedding shower (mom and me) in Winnipeg but will be back for dinner. Patrick will be there. Come around 5 for dinner and night. Love to see the two of you and return your socks! Hugs Corinne

Greek Steps Capri

Hi Adrian! Terrific to see you and meet Fionna and see the sleeping babes! Just a quick note as we've scads of things to do to get ready for tomorrow's trip. Fondestos to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Picks: Folk Fest; pre-training malt in Naramata; Before/After Granfondo! 

Hi Karen: Trust you are well. I apologize for taking so long to send these readings along. Have listed them in attachment. I would also like to say a few words about my Mother and Father during the service. I'll let you suggest the order of the readings and when might be best to speak. A very close, life-long friend of both my parents, Vera Keys, will attend ceremony. I might ask her to share the reading with Chloë if she would like to do so. I'll be in touch with her once we first arrive in Winnipeg and see how she feels about this. I assume we can always make this slight change to the order of service, at the time of the reading in question.
 

On the Terrace of Hotel

Please let me know if everything, as outlined, seems fine. Will be in touch, obviously, before ceremony, as to where to meet at Chapel Lawn, etc. I hope to stop by at the cemetery on Friday, July 25th, en route to Falcon, to finalize these details. Thanks again. Fondestos from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Cora Lee: If these are not suitable, I'll take a few more! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Dear ICBC: On Monday, July 14th, my vehicle, (2007 Ford Escape, 4DRSW, Gas-Electric Hybrid, 512 AEN), suffered a major electrical system failure necessitating a tow from Princeton to Coastal Ford in Vancouver. I would like to know if I am eligible for any coverage under my Roadstar package. My BCAA coverage only allowed a hook-up/loading and 5 km of towing distance. The remaining towing charges amounted to $804.38. Let me thank you, in advance, for any help/information you can provide. Cheers, Patrick Dunn. Stats for ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/546767084#.U9RcE2xG5KQ.email

Hi Patrick! So how did the bike race go? I hope you did us oldies proud!! We have just returned from a fabulous week in Italy. I do like their chaotic way of life where laws and rues are considered mere suggestions and European health and safety legislation is more or less ignored. Life used to be like this in England in my youth but we have become such a nanny state over the years!

We were based in Sorrento. A very nice hotel (Hotel Aminta) about a 15 minute walk with terrific views over Sorrento and the bay of Naples. It was a busy week with tours each day to Capri (quite lovely) a drive along the Almalfi coast to the town of Almalfi and Revello and, of course visit to Hurculaneum, Pompei and the archeological museum at Naples. We also walked to the top of Vesuvius. A very busy but enjoyable week. The weather was typically Mediterranean, hot and sunny.
 

We met two  very nice couples at the hotel, also from the west country, Chris and Linda from Torquay and Alan and Margaret from Bristol. We ended up having dinner with them most evenings after cocktails on the hotel terrace!

We are now back home for a couple of weeks before heading to Southampton to look after Tris for a week while Marnie spends the week on research for her Phd.

Gayle and I will be taking the bikes up to the Camel Valley tomorrow. Hopefully this time we can finish the complete trail without getting any punctures. Im sure we will still manage a stop off at Camel Valley winery for a glass of wine and some olives!
 

Meeting up with the sisters on Wednesday for coffee at Trellisick to catch up and a walk around the gardens. Brian can't manage long walks these days because of his emphysema. We will then have a bit of lunch at the restaurant.

Steve and Gudrun are heading off to Switzerland shortly for a holiday so doubt if we will have time to see them before they leave. Will have to catch up with them when they return.

Do hope all is well in Vancouver. Looks like you have been enjoying a good bit of hot weather so far this summer. Hope it continues into September.

Chloe Alexis Dunn

I Saturna Island. — with Strips O. Bacon, Dani Lee, Mark Cothey, Mathew Levenson, Krissy Seymour and Lillie Greenwood.LikeLike 

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  Patrick James Dunn Lovely, lovely snaps! Did you enjoy the weekend? We certainly had a blast at the Folk Fest!

  
  
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  Chloe Alexis Dunn Yes it was great. Just about to dock on the mainland will call you. Weather was hot and water was chilly but gorgeous!!! Great time and crazy good food, booze and friends!!

Have been catching up with the Tour. Both our British hopefuls, Froome and Cavendish are out. Froome had three crashes very early in the tour and Cav crashed and dislocated his shoulder. The unpredictability of the Tour de France! I guess thats what makes it so exciting.

Have attached a few pictures from the trip. Best wishes Derek


Hi Folks, Hope this finds you both in good health and sipping on a glass of chilled wine as you cope with the heat and smoke?  And just now the news talked about the massive shut down of the train system again today.   Sure glad I went to Alaska when I did. The Rocky Mountaineer will have a hard time running this summer.

I have just returned from a 2 week Baltic cruise. What a fantastic trip. I sure do miss Aunty Mary now. It would have been so nice to hear her Russian stories now that I have been. It has been a year already that she passed away. How quickly time passes the older we get.

Looks like I went to St Petersburg at the right time. With all the trouble in the Ukraine with this downed airliner one never knows when our govt will restrict travel to Russia.

I am back to work at Shanna 's farm as the minister of agriculture.   A fancy title and little to no pay but oh how good the beans taste right from plant to pot!  They have about 20 sheep, 5 vows and 6 Peking ducks. 30 chickens have already gone to slaughter last week with the biggest weighing in at 9 lbs.   This particular type of chicken has no personality and just eats and eats. They have to be watched closely as they are susceptible to heart attacks so the goal is to send them off to slaughter in 8 weeks. The raccoons are showing their presence by eating a few bites of a cob of corn then moving on to another. Will have to put up fencing tomorrow before they destroy the entire crop. Broccoli and cauliflower have not done well but oh my do we have turnip. I draw the line at sitting at a veg stand at the end of the driveway.

Ken's niece from New Westminster came with her husband to Toronto for Michael's celebration of life.   She is married to a judge living in Bellingham Washington.  She managed to come to Toronto and visit her parents in Oakville which is an hr from a Toronto.  Her mother (Ken's sister)  has been in a nursing home for the past 6 years confined to bed unable to move or talk with a very debilitating brain disease.  She will be 65 in sept.  For now, the niece has to be content with travelling to and from Bellingham and keeping track of how often she crosses the border. If she were to apply and get a green card there is an idiotic rule that she is unable to come back to Canada for 18 months,  this is certainly not practical given the unstable condition of her mom.

Have you been away lately? Well I should head off to bed shortly. Take care and thanks for your e-cards from time to time. They are most enjoyable. Simone
 
Stats for today's ride: 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/546767084#.U82tXj2VKxk.email/546767084#.U82tXj2VKxk.email 

Sitting with some cheese and a 2007 L'Ecole 41 Merlot. Delicious, and reminiscing about our trips in the 90's and beyond..What a change in the area.
Already found some great new wines, so will look forward to sharing with you down the road. At a great B&B in the hills about 10 Kms from Woodward Canyon for 2 nights.

Dinner here tomorrow, but had to fend for ourselves tonight. Found a great store (Yokes) in Richland after tasting at Barnard Griffin and Bookwalter.
Picked up an organic roasted chicken and a few salads and cheeses from their amazing deli ( recommended by tasting rooms). Also a fabulous NW wine section. Lurch in the shower after our swim in the pool. Next up, a mainly Cab Franc from Woodward Canyon, $20.00 , and stunning. Like the old days with their " table wine" at $12.00.

2 more days here, then off to Yakima via Prosser etc before heading home. Say hello to everyone, and we'll see you again soon!Thanks again for the night at the Island Inn- lot's of fun!! Cheers, Grog & Lurch

Hello Patrick, As you know I am very easy with how we go about the service.  Please give me a call as well once you in the province and we can over how it will work.  I think you intend this to be graveside, so our biggest problem might well be weather.  It sound to me like there may be quite a few people to gather.  Clara and Dusty gave me the material from your mother's funeral service, so I have met her in that way, and I will continue to come to know her through you as we share in this.  Thanks, Patrick, take care, Karen 

http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/jul/21/the-10-best-books-of-the-year-so-far1

Pat, I knew you'd have a rejoinder to the carrot clarinet. Thanks for the photos. Good to see everybody looking so well and obviously enjoying the entertainment. Enjoy your trip and drive carefully. Ray