Winter Solstice Blues: Sunday, December 21st!

Prolonged study of the English language leaves me with a conviction that nearly all the linguistic tendencies of the present day have been displayed in earlier centuries, and it is self-evident that the language has not bled to death through change. Vulgarity finds its antidote; old crudities become softened with time. Distinctions, both those that are useful and those that are burdensome, flourish and die, reflourish and die again. -Robert W. Burchfield, lexicographer (1923-2004)

Good morning Patrick the senior, for the festivities on Dec 23rd, when is an acceptable and appropriate time for myself and Patrick the younger (and dumber) to come through the islay inn to exchange gifts for bottomless malt tastings? Take care, VL

Hi Vittorino and Patrizzio The Brighter! I'd be delighted to see you any time between 2:00 pm-10:00 pm but Cora Lee said, and I quote: "Tell the Swedish Twins to come after 10:00 pm!" She's quite a Grinch! Don't pay her no never mind. Come whenever your busy schedule allows. Earlier you can visit with more friends. Off to ride to Iona. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Excellente! We will likely see you towards the later afternoon/early evening. Hope you like lumps of coal! VL

Hi Swedish Lump of Coal Twins! Look forward to your visit, whenever you arrive! Had been meaning to send these along for ages. Cheers, Il Conduttore! Pics: Friends of VPL Christmas Bash!


what a lovely subject you got in this set of pictures. Dashing and debonair. A Chinese Cary Grant perhaps. 

Pat sr., what kind of baked goods does the master of the islay inn, i.e. Corinne, like? I know she can only have gluten-free VL

Hi Cary Chan: I usually don't eat  with my meals as you should already know! If I do, I'm an omnivore but am particularly fond of egg custard, the kind of tarts one one can order at Dim Sum! Cheers, DDD, (Dashing, Debonaire Dunn!)

Thanks, paprika!  Nice pics but what are you doing to the poor, ol' grinch? Tree is up. Most of the wrapping is done and just the single malt left to buy! Looking forward to 2015!  2014 was awesome but 2015 May be our ticket back to the west coast. Best wishes to the whole clan for a wonderful Christmas. Are dusty and Clara in Winnipeg or The island Inn? xoxo

P, Mark would like to join us. If the 17 January works for you for a get together at the Islay Inn then Jane will put that forward to Perry. W

Hi Kids! Mme Coriandre says that January 17th is fine with her so I'll let Jane let us know if that date will work for Perry. Is the 17th fine with you, Marcus Aurelius?

1st edition of Opticks by Newton 

Photo: Wikimedia

Bit of a late sleep in as I was up to about 2:00 am talking to friend, Andrew, in Toronto. Fact that I was sipping Bushmills while chatting, didn't help matters either! At any rate, didn't clamber out of bed until about 9:45 am and when I did so, checked the forecast and it looked relatively dry for most of the cycling day. Had some yogurt and fruit/cereal for breakfast and by the time I was suited up and ready to roll it was close to 11:00 am. 

Wanted to see if I could log 100 km as with Christmas looming I knew I'd probably not have another opportunity until after St Nicholas visited. This being the case. I decided I'd take advantage of the closure on Marine Drive and make for Iona. Headed out to UBC and all went well. Again, really enjoyed riding along Marine without any traffic past 49th. Once over CSTB I decided I'd rather head into the wind on way out so followed River Road al the way to Westminster Highway and then turned around to retrace my earlier route. Still a slight cross wind as I made my way back to CSTB but not as forceful as riding the other way. 

Soon back on Marine and then it was a pretty uneventful ride back to UBC and home. Given that today is the shortest day of the year, light was starting to fade by 4:00 pm but I was at the Heartbreak Terrace but five minutes after the hour. Gave my steed a thorough rinsing once home as although the road surfaces were fairly dry many shoulders had loads of fine silt/grit on them so my frame and chain collected plenty of detritus! Pleased with outing although I'd have liked my AVG to have been higher! Stats for ride: 

http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/654767204#.VJdugEVX1yI.email

Ayn and Chloë were visiting with Clara and Dusty when I arrived. They took off a few minute later to do a bit of shopping at GI and when they returned Nicole, Marvinator and Alberto came upstairs to say ehllo to Ms Tinsel Town. They visited for half an hour or so and then Sutherlands went back downstairs to watch Seahawks game and the teo sisters left to have dinner with friends. Coramandel was home from church by close to 6:00 pm and once she dressed a bit more warmly we walked over to GI to take in the  Winter Solstice Lantern Festival. 

It was loads of fun. We could see one group coming along the Seawall. They had started at Leg-in-Boot Square and joined the Carnival Band, much like a Mardi Gras group, their instruments and costumes festooned with colourful led lights, played and entertained the crowd gathered at the Water Park. When the latter group arrived the traditional torch-lit Song Of Welcome by The Vancouver Morris Men was performed. All in all a most enjoyable and appropriate way to celebrate the Winter Solstice. For much of the time we were standing on the rubberized surface of the small playground just off the Kid's Water Park so its very forgiving surface was great to dance on and sway to in time to the spirited music and drums. Walked home about 7:30 pm to have dinner and toast the lengthening days with a 2008 Soda Rock Cabernet Franc, 14.5%, very very tasty, I must admit. One of the three bottles Ayn muled for us yesterday!

All the best to each and every. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Winter Solstice Lantern Festival.

Hello good people! Thank you for your, as usual, interesting email and photos. We have just returned from our mini cruise to Belgium. Had a fabulously relaxing three days and indulged in some superb food and wine. The wine list was quite extensive but as I started examining what was on offer it became obvious that much of it was very expensive, some bottles on offer topped $900 US. I scanned the price column and finally found a selection at a price I could live with, around the $40 to $50 mark. I'm sure the wine waiter wasn't impressed with my choices! The ship, Queen Elizabeth, was decorated for the Christmas season and was looking quite splendid. Our cabin (I use the word loosely since it was bigger than our bedroom at home), was very comfortable and we were treated to canopies every evening in our room before heading off the the Queens Lounge for cocktails before dinner! 

Gayle finally has an excuse to 'dress up' when we are cruising!! There was a German lady and her mother from Hamburg sitting at a table near us in the dining room. The daughter, who looked in her late fifties, spoke English but it was obvious the mother didn't. She informed us they had combined three cruises together and would be staying on the ship until after Christmas. After we disembarked at Southampton the ship was returning to the Continent for another three days then back to Southampton and finally heading off to the Canary Islands for Christmas.

Bruges was wonderful. This medieval town is just so picturesque with cobbled streets and superb historical buildings. I can understand why they call it the Venice of the North since the city is more or less surrounded by water with canals running through the centre. Bruges is a UNESCO world heritage sight and most of its medieval architecture remains. Certainly a place I would like to go back to for a long weekend. Of course you can't go to Belgium without buying the most delicious chocolate. Gayle also spotted a little cafe which had freshly baked Belgium waffles with warm winter cherries. We naturally had to try them!

Prior to boarding the ship we spent a few days at Marnie,s since it was Tristan,s third birthday. Marnie and Ant had booked tickets at the Imax to see the last Lord of the Rings movie. Unfortunately they were both unwell and so Gayle and I bought their tickets and went in their place. A very enjoyable experience! There is so much sickness around at the moment over here. People are dropping like flies. I put it down to the unseasonably warm weather. The germs are thriving! Marnie and Ant were having their main Christmas dinner today for Ant's mum and brother along with six of their good friends. Ants Mum suffers from a bad heart and his older brother is Down Syndrome. They live in Portsmouth so Marnie has to drive over to pick them up and also drive them back of course. Ants other brother lives in Australia and he has two other sisters that live further up the country. 

Marnie phoned earlier to say three of their friends cancelled because they have all come down with a flu like virus and Ants friend Shaun has had to fly to Australia since his dad is very ill. Ant has been in the kitchen all morning cooking so needless to say they will be eating leftovers for a few days!! We were also preparing for Gudrun and Steve to come to dinner here this evening but Gudrun has just phoned to say they have both come down with a nasty bug! They were supposed to leave tomorrow to stay with Tanya and Charles for Christmas!

You mentioned the TV programme The Fall. Yes we are just into the second series and it is becoming very tense. We missed two while we were at Marnies and on the cruise so, now that Gudrun and Steve are not coming for dinner, plan on catching up on BBC I Player this evening. 

There is another BBC production which, if you haven't seen it, is well with watching called The Missing which explores the emotional roller coaster of a child's abduction of an English family on holiday in France and the effect not only of the family but also on the local community. Very very gripping. Season two starts later next the year.

Have attached a few photos. Thank you for the E card which was very pretty and entertaining. I believe Gayle is in the process of sending you a email of Christmas greetings but I think it just contains a boring picture of the two of us!! Best wishes to you all for Christmas and New Years Derek 

We are wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas and happy New Year! lots of love Gayle and Derek x x