Down Under Cabriolet Blues: Saturday, February 28th!

I feel we are all islands -- in a common sea. -Anne Morrow Lindbergh, writer (1906-2001)

Hi Patrick, We have not been up to much other than enjoying retirement by working a lot. Claire went off to a bicycle repair course just to see how to do it, whilst I was working in Melbourne for the week. In between Tony and Elly became grandparents yesterday all very exciting for them I am sure. We are now in training for our trip in April just light 20 km rides at a leisurely pace so we can manage to ride about 50 to 60k a day. I did get a little frivolous the other week and bought a Citroen DS3 D sport cabriolet to have a bit of fun. Great little car good economy from a Turbo 1600 cc engine. 

The trip in 2017 is starting to look like an option at this stage we think we have 6 people that are interested beyond the Canadian contingent so I might have to start planning when we get back. Hope all is well at your end now that you are about to move into spring Cheers Greg and Claire

Hello Jet Setters, Bicycle Repair Woman and Cabriolet People! Trust all goes well with you and your busy lives. Seemingly so. Thanks for letting us know about new grandparents on the block. Now it will be a case of one-upmanshiip between them and Flamin' and Sarge, currently in Maui with The Millionaires! Timing for 2017 looks more and more promising so do keep us in mind, if it works.

I took my Trek in to West Point shortly after we were back as I wanted it checked out before I rode it for any distance. Had I known, earlier, I'd have shipped it off to Claire! Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Congratulations to you both, Elly and Tony! Just heard from Cabriolet Man about you becoming grandparents! Hip Hip Hooray! Fondestos and Cheers, Cora Lee and Patrizzio! 

Hi Pecos Pesos Pete and Fiel Compañera! Great to have a visit, lasterday, if only a brief one. Trust Cupsucker went well. Just back from a service at 1st Memorial on Kingsway, former UBC colleague, Dan Heino. [Interestingly enough, last time I was there was for the memorial service for Fernando/Alfreddo, Sharktooth Annie's boyfriend. She was still alive at the time although not able to go herself.] Sadly, he was smitten with early onset Alzheimer's and died after a difficult ten year struggle with disease. At any rate, a very fitting, moving celebration of his life. Saw many other former colleagues so had a chance to catch up with good friends, even if it was a sad occasion.

Had taken Mme Coriandre to Shaughnessy Heights United, on 33rd/Granville, at about 8:30 am this morn, as she is in an all-day workshop there. She is supposed to wrap up around 5:00 pm but may have to do a bit of clean-up afterwards. This being the case, you can decide if you wish to make your way to the Islay Inn, under your own steam, or have us pop by to collect you once I've snared the Bible Thumper. Whatever option suits your busy lives. If you decide to walk over I've alerted Rosita that you might well knock on their outside door to gain ingress to All Star Liquors.

I'm about to head out for a jaunt so send along a message or leave a note on voice mail, preferably on the back of a 10,000 MXN Peso note! Cheers, Il Conduttore! Pic: Reason for moving up-country!

P, as you might glean from the voice mail, we would grab a ride if that is convenient. Just let us know the time -- when you know. If we could we would ask you to do a slight dipsy-doodle down 4th so we would like to pick up a special dessert -- just across from McBride Park. If this does not work, all is good. We will see you at the Islay Inn. W & J

Hi Diana! Trust you are well. I'm writing to you to inform you that my wife and I jut sold our condo, here in Vancouver, this past week. We are now planning to relocate to the Okanagan, BC's wine producing region! This being the case, we will not be visiting California with such frequency as in previous years so we have decided not to continue belonging to the Soda Rock Vineyard Club.
 

[Freeloaders and Feastology, Saturday evening! Great salad by Jane and Whirlygig, fab shrimp/scallop lasagna by Cora Lee.]

Nevertheless, Soda Rock remains one of our favourite wineries in the Sonoma and we certainly plan to visit whenever in the region. In fact, we will be having a bottle of  the 2011 Five Star General with dinner this evening. Thank you for the all wonderful wines we have enjoyed in the past. All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Dipsy-doodleage around Olympic Village and then same around Kits Point as it was so busy that I didn't want to risk either Seawall or Spanish Banks! Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/708238910#.VPJt-4JGG1g.email

[For Winston!] P, as you might glean from the voice mail, we would grab a ride if that is convenient. Just let us know the time -- when you know. If we could we would ask you to do a slight dipsy-doodle down 4th so we would like to pick up a special dessert -- just across from McBride Park. If this does not work, all is good. We will see you at the Islay Inn. W & J

Did you come to a final conclusion about the offer on the Island Inn? Wayne 

Hello Hawaii! Trust all goes well with you four!  Fondestos from Cora Lee to everyone! Cheers, Patrizzio/Il Conduttore!

Wow. That is to bad. Should have held out for 50k more. Wayne Sutherland Hi Sarge! Gather from your most recent post that you are winging your way home tonight! Trust your dinner with Flamin' was lovely. Travel safely. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thanks Patrick, When you guys decide to do something you really get on with it. We are pleased you got a good price for the “Inn” and now the challenge of finding new digs that meet both your needs. Over here we sell when we get an offer clearly we try to talk it up but at the end of the day every week that goes by you are paying interest rates etc. which just erodes the final price. 

It sounds you got what every vendor wants, a buyer that just wants the house they don’t come along too often. My daughter Lynda had the same experience she held an auction and had the one person that really wanted the house (it was a wreck of a house probably needed a $100,000 to fix it) and they just wanted it. They paid a little under expectations but Lynda got out of the property in pretty good shape I think a $150000 above their original purchase price. A classic case of a bird in the cage is worth several hands up your jumper. 

Though not familiar with the possible locations you mentioned we guess still in Vancouver somewhere, the idea of a house boat is interesting and with global warming you may be able to travel inland to find new locations. We are spending Sunday working, Claire is writing a Journal Article she has been asked to do (very exciting from an academic perspective) and in line with her presentation to be delivered at the Chinese University in Hong Kong in two weeks. I am just re writing training programs and redesigning delivery systems to improve the training delivery options for my erstwhile employer on contract. At least I can do it from home so this is a bonus. The joys of the interweb.
 

We have just finalised all our travel arrangements for our next little trip in April so all getting close now. It show us the options for 2017 as it winds its way to Paris from Bruges over 14 days so should be a good indicator of the possibilities. Cheers Greg and Claire 

Hi Citroen Cabriolet People! Looks like a sporty, snappy car! What colour, Cora Lee wishes to know! Work hard, the both of you, and travel safely, Claire. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Hi Patrice, 1:45 am and heading to bed. Thinking we could meet at Kent and Boundary at 11:00 If that works for you. Let me know as I'll be up by 9. Cheers.