Islay Inn 1st Viewing Blues: Tuesday, January 27th!

Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that! -Lewis Carroll, mathematician and writer (27 Jan 1832-1898)

Hi Corinne and Patricio, Here is Lynnie pretending to be Evil Knievel, pondering a motorcycle leap over the Snake River canyon at Twin Falls, Idaho. We've had two 8 hour driving days. We over-nighted in Salt Lake last night, off to Las Vegas today. We hope the big 90th celebration for Clara went well. When are you off? Cheers, Peter 

Hi Motorcycle Maniacs! Great publicity shot! When is the Dare-Devil leap?

With respect to Clara's 90th bash, it was great good fun. Entertained about 24 in total and food was a Greek feast, all prepared by Cora Lee and her two sisters, as I think I reported in an earlier message. One of my remaining tasks, before we leave, is to finish off overlefts! Not that I mind, you understand! Rosita's actual birthday is tomorrow and Chloë will join us. Probably invite Flamin' as well. She was adjudicating figure skating in Williams Lake over the weekend so she missed party on Saturday. Sarge in in Kamloops this week on some course or other.

Haven't yet set a firm date for departure but I think it will be on Monday, February 2nd, certainly Tuesday, February 3rd. Has more to do with dovetailing stop in Bellingham to collect hootch I have there. Elena, lady in whose garage we store wine, is back and forth to Vancouver, so need to make sure she will be home.

Have our first "viewing" today at 2:45 pm so I plan to head over the the gym to use elliptical while we are "banished" as forecast is for on-and-off rain and drizzle. Had a terrific session on Saturday before Rosita's party. Managed to burn 1107 calories over 70 minutes to climb 14,836'/3.45 miles. My best result to date so pleased with effort. Had two good rides on Sunday and yesterday so don't mind too, too much about today's weather.

[Funnily enough, as it transpired, I could have had a dry ride. Still, I managed my best elliptical workout to date: 1127 calories over 70 minutes to climb 15,037' with a distance of 3.47 miles, if I read stats on machina correctly!]

With respect to our arrival at Desert Storm, do you still want us to "overlap" on the 10th? Just let us know and we'll plan accordingly. Must away as I've a number of chores to accomplish to help ready place for showing. Travel safely for remainder of your trip. Fondestos from Mme Coriandre. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Nancy with Clarisse; corsage from Nancy and David; The Sisterhood; oldest and youngest, Avery, Flamin's/Sarge's first grandchild; Tina, from Adelaide, here over weekend, en route to Sun Peaks to meet her husband, in front of one of Picasso's latest! 

Hi Kids! Thanks for call Big Al and "reminding" me about phone message! Changed it just for you!!! Cheers, Patrizzio!                                                OK guys, with four gatherings in 2015, it’s time to accumulate the scores and declare the rankings for the first month of the new year...here they are attached, with the 2014 results shown in the previous tab. Now we can normalise on number of hands played by each player as well as number of players! I’ve included Patrick but slightly unfair to do so, as he has only played two evenings and still learning our quirky conventions, which seem to change every time they are explained!! C 
 

Dear Clive The long trek to December is on - with our interesting and quirky conventions. All Best David Bugger Patrick, we are all still learning the quirky conventions. 3 over 2, Nendick

Hi Clive et al! Thanks again for including me in stats. Much appreciate being the underdog. Nowhere to go but up! However, I must say that I do enjoy learning about the various "quirky, shifting sands, conventions" and the heated explanations, particularly those proffered by Sometimes Wrong but Never in Doubt Byronator! After mastering some of the conventions I'll need to take Accounting 101 in order to make sense of the various spreadsheets. And I thought school was over! Cheers, Desperately Seeking to Understand 2 over 1, Paranormal Patrizzio! Fear not bridgers all shall come clear with a little practise. It is quite simple and logical. 2 over 1 Byron

Hello Elena! Trust you are well. Thank you for facilitating the "wine transfer" this past December. Very much appreciated!

On a related matter, Corinne and I are heading to California early next week, departure flexible. Chloë mentioned that she talked to Katie and learned that you are planning to visit Vancouver shortly, coming up either this Sunday or Monday. We certainly do not wish to change your plans but if you were not leaving Bellingham until Monday we would make a point of being at your place, well before you left, in order to collect some wine. Not sure of your travel plans to Canada but we'd be happy to drop you at the bus or train station, in Bellingham, should that be how you will travel north.
 

Anyway, please do not worry about accommodating us if it is not convenient for you, for whatever reasons. Again, thank you for allowing us to store the wine at your place. All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patrick, thanks for your message. yes, I was planning to leave for Vancouver on Monday, Feb. 2nd. I usually go up by train, which leaves Bellingham at 9:57 am. For me, that means leaving the house at 7:45 am in order to catch the two local buses that take me to the train station. I'm afraid that would make it a bit too early for you - even if you'd be willing to drive me, we'd still have to leave my house around 9:15!
 

 If you really want to get up before the crack of dawn, please let me know! If not, I'll be looking forward to seeing you and/or Corinne at some other time in the near future! All the best to both of you, Elena

Hi again, Elena! Thank you for your more than speedy reply. The timetable you outline is just fine with us. We would hope to be in your driveway, by 8:30 am at the very latest. That should give plenty of time to collect some wine, load it and any baggage you might have, into car and leave for station before 9:15 am.
 

The only real problem I can foresee is the border and I hope that it won't be too, too busy at that time of the morning and on that day of the week. If we are somehow delayed by some set of unforeseen circumstances, (traffic jam on freeway, etc.), and not able to reach your home in time to drive you to the station, we would certainly call you so that you would not miss your bus connections. I trust this plan suits you. Again, thanks for accommodating us. Certainly much appreciated! When you have a moment, let me know what you think and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!  

Hello Digitale and Fingare! Trust you are both well. Just had a message from our wine warehouse manager in Bellingham and we will be able to pop by her place to collect some hootch on Monday, February 2nd. Need to be there between 8:00-8:30 am as she is taking train to Vancouver that morning. It leaves at 9:57 am and we offered to drive her to station. Need to leave her place by 9:15 am it would seem. Anyway, this means that we should be knocking on your door, (if we are still welcome!), sometime around 3:00 pm +/-, traffic, weather and gods willing. [Hey Patrick,
We'll be here. See you Monday afternoon. Have a safe trip. Marilyn]

Michaelo, you didn't send me a message regarding your request for D-Day book/info. Anyway, let us know if a visit works this coming Monday and we'll plan accordingly. Again, please don't re-arrange your lives for the Pushy Canucks. Slumberestos from Cora Lee, already abed and asleep! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Friday evening before Rosita's 90th birthday bash; Sarge with Rachel, Cora Lee's niece; Clarisse; The Dustman enjoying a glass or two of Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaardonaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! 

great shots!  Looks like Rachel has a new best friend in Wayne! Xoxo

I think she has taken over for Annie. Mom used to sit beside Sarge at the table and stroke his arm! He's a good boy...ha ha ha

 Seahawks Super Bowl XLIX Mania!