It took less than an hour to make the atoms, a few hundred million years
to make the stars and planets, but five billion years to make man!
-George Gamow, physicist and cosmologist (4 Mar 1904-1968)
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| George Gamow |
Hi Patrice, Sorry for the tardy reply but was just trying to figure out what was up for this weekend. Turns out Colleen has some engagements that will keep her in town and I hadn’t decided if I would go up or not. As it turns out there are lot’s of things I could get done this weekend back here so I think I will stay put. You guys are more than welcome if you like to use the place on your way there or back so let me know if you think you might like to and I can give you instructions on various things.
["Massive plumes of smoke that smothered parts of the city after a
chemical fire broke out at the Port of Metro Vancouver contained a
respiratory irritant dangerous to breathe in large quantities, according
to health officials.
Vancouver Coastal Health said a container that went up in flames
Wednesday contained an industrial disinfectant and bleaching agent
called trichloroisocyanuric acid, exposure to which can be similar to
breathing in bleach. The compound is often used in water treatment and
swimming pools.
Some people in the area reported symptoms of burning throat and eyes,
but Coastal Health said the chemical's effects are short-term and were
expected to dissipate when the smoke cleared.
The blaze broke out at around 1:40 p.m. Wednesday in a shipping
container buried six-deep and two-high in the Centerm terminal,
according to fire officials. The terminal has since been shut down and
evacuated.The fire was eventually upgraded to a four-alarm and officials reported that up to three containers were aflame. More than three hours after it began, fire officials said the blaze had died down slightly and no injuries have been reported.
Port Metro Vancouver evacuated the 700-block of Centennial Road as well
as the Clark Dr. overpass and shut down all operations on the South
shore. CP Rail also shut down a rail line while crews dealt with the
blaze.
At least one West Coast Express departure was cancelled after
authorities closed the rail tracks around the port, and TransLink told
riders to find alternative transit to get home. Further delays and
cancellations were expected."]
You didn’t mention what the pictures were of but I am assuming it is some pace you looked at to stay for the interim? I enjoyed the stories of being young and stupid! although stupid is perhaps a bit harsh, maybe insert young and carefree instead? we were all like that to some degree I think and remember them as the “good times” although these are also the good times that we are making now for our future!.
Really looking forward to acquiring a new two wheel mode of transport and getting out again soon. talking to Jesse yesterday and he has a scheme with his friend Steven to start putting together these two stroke motorized bicycles. they have both had one and they are amazing!. it’s a kit you can get that adapts to most bikes and costs about $150.00, it comes with everything including gas tank, levers, brackets etc. and the boys can put one together in a couple of hours. Seems like a pretty good plan considering the price and potential cost savings for people who want to commute by bike but just aren’t motivated to go a long distance. these things get over 150 mpg! and do around 60 kmh!!. I’m sure you’ve seen them buzzing around somewhere but nobody is really offering a ready made unit so who knows ..might be a niche market there. let me know your thoughts on the weekend and good luck with the house hunting! Cheers, Al
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| George Gamow |
Hi Two-Stroke Stanchion Man! As you know, we are off to Penticton tomorrow to view more properties. Will most likely return on Saturday unless we need to stay longer to negotiate, etc. Thanks so much for offering your place that evening but since you two won't be there we probably will drive back to Vancouver. There is a chance we might return to the Okanagan the following weekend.
We had arranged to go with Flamin'
and Sarge, some time ago, as they are keen on looking at recreational
property in Osoyoos. Since sale on our place went through, we felt we
should start looking sooner! At any rate, if we need some follow-up viewing properties, and the like, and you will be in Sunshine Valley, perhaps a stop overnight, at that time, might work. Of course, will have a much
better idea after our trip this weekend.
Motorized bikes sounds
like a great project! maybe Jesse will become the Steve Jobs of
Two-Stroke! The pictures attached to last message were sent by Ayn, her
new sofa and fold-out couch/bed, purchased after our last visit or we might still be in Tinsel Town! Fondestos from Corazon, just off to West Van to lead her Elder College Book Club. Cheers, Patrizzio!
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| #nationalgrammarday |
Busy morning answering messages and then enjoyed my breakfast of overlefts shortly after Corazon left around 9:30 am, for her Elder College Book Club in West Van. Had just sent off a message to Kjell and Jane when Jane called! She was in town dealing with the last few remaining details having to do with the sale of her condo so we had a great catch-up chat. Unfortunately, given everyone's busy schedule we couldn't squeeze in even a short visit. Still, hope to have the chance to see her new place outside Courtenay in the not too, too distant future.
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| Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers |
After we said goodbye, I lubed up and set off, at about 12:05 pm. Had not really decided where I'd go but decided I'd start with dipsy-doodlage around Olympic Village and environs. By the time I had about 10 km on the clock a plan had formed in my noggin. I would work my way out to UBC but would add incremental distance at various stages of the ride. Had reached 22 km when I made my way to Kits Point and gerbilized the route there until I was at 43 km, knowing I'd have 50+ km by the UBC Foreshore Hill. Slight change of plans when I approached Spanish Bank Creek as a work crew was had reduced road to single lane traffic. Not wishing to touch The Dreaded Burning Ground while waiting for flag person to wave me through, I took the hard-pack track until I was able to return to the tarmac.
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| Storm Brewing |
Not a big deal, in and of itself, but I had thought that I would log another 10 km here, doing a number of lops from bottom of Foreshore Hill back to parking lot near concession building. Had to settle for a shorter version of this but managed to clock 62 km by the time I was climbing the hill to UBC.From there on
it was auto-pilot, more or less, as I made for 16th/Imperial and then
back down to Marine, to do but the barest of dipsy-doodles into campus
before taking Chancellor for home. Very pleased with 21.1 kph AVG as
head wind was pretty steady for much of the ride. Stats for ride:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/711533094#.VPfsHKByC8E.email
Home by just after 5:00 pm and as I was opening the door to storage room to stow my steed, met Sarge. Last night he had offered to help me bring the King mattress back from storage unit so I had a quick rinse and change of clothes and we set off. Managed to empty locker of last few tubs and bed frame. Mattress went on roof rack and after Sarge tied a rope around it, he climbed into the passenger seat and held it tight as we drove slowly back to The Islay Inn.
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| Yellow Dog Brewing |
He helped me bring mattress and large end pieces of bed frame into our place and then I released him from servitude as he was meeting a friend on GI. Chloë happened to be here as she was meeting friends later and she was in our neck of the woods after work. [Sarge thought she might have been here. See story above. In fact, Chloë did manage to go back to her place to
close her windows as she was worried about the loft filling up with the
toxic smoke but wind direction kept it away from her location,
fortunately!] She helped me unload rest of tubs and smaller parts of bed frame and it clear-out was finished! While Chloë was watching the tail end of a Blacklist episode she'd missed I made myself a salad for dinner. She left shortly before 7:00 pm and I attended to my email backlog after relishing my saladin.
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| Postmark Brewing |
Sarge came back
upstairs around 9:00 pm and he helped me re-arrange mattress, bed frame
and tubs more efficiently so that we are now tunnel rats in our own
bedroom. I plan to see if we can audition for Hoarders,
a US documentary series on A&E which depicts the real-life
struggles and treatment of people who suffer from compulsive hoarding
disorder, an affliction Cora Lee claims I might well be the poster child
for! Bit harsh but you decide, Dear Reader!
When Corazon returned from her
interminable meeting we went downstairs to say hello and goodbye. Sarge
is leaving tomorrow, for Vegas, for weekend, for Ryan's stag. About
twelve lads will be attending. They will take two cars and drive to
Bellingham to take advantage of cheaper flights. He will be back on
Sunday so we are both booked in for bridge following day at Big Mac's
place, Byronator to chauffeur.
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| Strange Fellows Brewing |
Take heart all you aging bridgers. Yesterday I played two hands in duplicate against a 99 year old woman. I think she took top board against us on both hands! I asked her what her secret of longevity was and she said “Stay away from Doctors!” Onward and upward, Roger
Get good genes so that you don't need doctors - and radiation and surgery and such in fact! And now we rely on our beloved Welsh Brothers to win in Cardiff against Ireland! Backward and Downward with a Smile David
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| Steel & Oak Brewing |
Hi Patrick Thanks for your reply. I am looking after Wayne well but he is a very good patient. I am sure Wayne and Michele are very disappointed to learn of this move on your part. I cannot believe Corinne's parents are actually that old. Are they still in good health? We wish you well with all your prospective endeavours. Peggy
Come on Kevin, don’t you guys do a little due diligence down there? By the way, what in the heck’s “reticulation" -some sort of Aussie snake investigation? Patrick you are a man of the world, you can explain it to me. And Kevin, you are right -this seller guy is certainly older than Patrick who isn’t totally geriatric -yet.
Patrick, I love your plan about going down to the Marquis on the 14th but no worries, if you got go up to the OK I can understand -you have a lot of work and decisions to make over the next few months. cheers, Bill.
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| Brassneck Brewery |
ps Kevin -we don’t have trip plans yet but we have Aussie very much in the back of our minds. B.
Hello Reticulation Experts and Aussie-in-the-back-of-your-minds-People! What a nightmare it must have been, Kev/Bev. Trust all is sorted now. Nothing but sympathy, unlike insensitive Wild Bill! For his information, "reticulation" is Strine! Used chiefly in Australia/NZ to describe a network of pipes used in irrigation and water supply as opposed to snake investigation!
Will be in touch about Marquis once were back, Wild Bill. Certainly be thinking of everyone when we are wine-tasting between viewing properties! Bestestos from Lady Mary to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!
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