Spanish Villa Resort Microwaved Towel Fiasco Aftermath: Friday, March 6th!

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. -Michelangelo Buonarroti, sculptor, painter, architect, and poet (6 Mar 1475-1564)

Vinocycle!

Patrick James Dunn Certainly need one, or more, in The Okanagan!

Up at 7:00 am to find that Mme Coriandre had de-camped to the living room couch during the course of the night. Pillows on bed were too large and irritated her already sore, kink-afflicted neck. She was more comfortable there, with smaller cushion and luxuriated in the heat blasting from the wall unit. Great if you like sleeping in a sauna! Made myself some Instanto and could still detect the lingering smell of roast towel in the microwave!

[Patrick James Dunn Will serve on our back deck in new house this summer!]
 
At any rate, after quick showers and a delish omelette for breakfast we met Gil at his office at 9:00 am and started our tour of properties. The charming bungalow I was devilishly keen upon, 341 Scott Ave, (We'd seen it at the end of January on our first preoperty hunting foray, along with Clarisse and The Dustman!), had sold a few days earlier so I was down-in-the dumps from the get-go! Cora Lee was keen to visit Summerland properties with a lake view so Gil had arranged all the viewings there. One that she was most interested in was not available to see until Monday so it was out. 

Later, Gil inadvertently took us to another property on same street, Lipsett Crescent, and it was a distinct possibility but another, nearbye on Solly Road, was Cora lee's dream house. Had a spectacular vie, looking south, of the lake, and a wonderful deck, with hot tub, for terrific outdoor entertaining. Given date house was built, 1920's, some very attractive features, inside, (wainscoting, charming staircase to second floor), original wooden floors, where not changed to tile, refinished, etc. 

However, a number of significant negatives, two-floors, for one, and all three bedrooms were upstairs, with only one bathroom. However, to my mind, the real concern was the actual front of the lot, beyond decking. After we had seen inside we were making our way downhill to look at another property and happened to make a wrong turn which took us almost immediately below the house. The owner was outside, talking to a neighbour, and she invited us to see what had happened to the retaining wall, just above her property line above. 

Salvation Army uses ‘The Dress’ for domestic violence campaign

“Why is it so hard to see black and blue,” reads the tag line. “The only illusion is if you think it was her choice.”

It had collapsed and debris had fallen/slid onto her property. (Later learned that an estimate to stabilize grade was about $6,000.), but even though Geo-technical report done for vacant lot next door, (another drawback), suggested risk for further subsidence was "low", I really didn't want to  chance buying a property we could have slither down the pretty steep hillside. Another major disadvantage, aside from ones already mentioned, is that one would need to drive to go shopping or to get to anywhere else, even locally.

[Listen to BESTiE’s Cover of ‘Eyes of a Stranger’ Patrick James Dunn Am very taken with the song’s reggae aspect! Needed you to alert us to the Payolas back in the '80's Chloë!]


[Hi dad, I guess I did get the email but when sent to my work email I don’t get it if I’m not at work!!! Glad Mom did not burn down the place! Her and Annie are more alike than we thought I gather!! Love you, Happy house hunting!! Chloë]

After taking a look at number of other places behind Giant's Mountain, only attractive feature was view of this magnificent rugged rock/cliff-face formation, we returned to Gil's office around noon. He pulled up a number of other listings he thought might be of interest, in addition to ones Cora Lee had already put on her list, and we arranged to meet at 9:00 am on Saturday. Thanking him, we returned to the Spanish Villa for a bite to eat. We hadn't expected to have the afternoon to ourselves so I was delighted to be able to go for a ride while Cora Lee made some exploratory shopping forays. After I suited up, we arranged to meet at Poplar Grove at 4:00 pm.

Bit cloudy and the wind off the lake was quite coolish but once I started to climb Vancouver Ave towards Lower Bench Road I was more protected. Had decided I'd ride Naramata Road all the way towards the turn-off to Chute Lake, so I started by dipsy-doodling back and forth along Middle Bench Road North and then Upper Bench Rd South before taking McMillan Ave, past Township 7, to Naramata Road. Great to be back in this area as I'd not cycled here since the Granfondo last July. Fairly strong head-wind but I knew/hoped, that I'd have it at my back on return. We had seen a huge plume of smoke emanating from near Naramata Village, when en route to Summerland and shortly after I crossed from Penticton into Naramata, the smell was quite noticeable, strong enough to be slightly uncomfortable. I was immediately reminded of the fire at the Port of Vancouver this past Wednesday. Although not a chemical fire, the smoke from this one, (Later learned that is was a "controlled" burn that managed to get out of hand!), was not just that pleasant whiff of a wood fire. Fortunately, once I was past turn-off to the Village itself, wind kept low layer of smoke away from me and I was out of the toxic zone.

Had ridden this part of Naramata Road once before so I enjoyed revisiting some of the long, reasonably steep grades on the uphill, quite a bit more on the swoops down, as you can imagine. With the earlier dipsy-doodles I had the distance just about right and was at the 28.5 km mark buy the time I turned around, near the intersection of the road which takes one to either the small community of Indian Rock or Chute Lake. Needed a dipsy-doodle along Upper Bench Road and then two more on Middle Bench before pulling into parking lot at Poplar Grove at a few minutes past 4:00 pm with 52 km on the clock for an AVG of 19.9 kph. I somehow managed to delete the ride, instead of saving it, so you will simply have to take my word for it, Dear Reader!

Found Cora Lee inside, already having tasted, chatting with Laura, behind counter. It turned out that she had served us when we were last here with Flamin's and Sarge for Lynne's 70th. She remembered us meeting Anne and Byron in the Tasting Room, up for the celebration as well. Laura lives in Indian Rock so I quizzed here about road there. Turns out it is all downhill so probably about a 5 km grind back up! At any rate, enjoyed a delightful tasting and met a couple, Theo and Jill, (As well as their gorgeous pooch, Messi, leashed outside the winery. He loved to have his tummy scratched!), who belonged to the wine club. Laura very kindly allowed us to piggy-back on the reserve tastings so we freeloaded our way to more happiness. Bought two Poplar Grove wineglasses, (Ones at our low-rent digs were laughable and we used water glasses night before!), in addition to three bottles Lady Mary had already purchased and said goodbye to one and all, making for Upper Bench.

We wanted to pick up some cheese and more wine and knew the place, according to sign, would be open until 6:00 pm. Enjoyed another terrific tasting and just as we'd finished the white line-up, Jill and Theo walked through the door. Continued to chat and learned that Jill manages the Tasting Room at View Winery, out of Kelowna, and Theo works for Cedar Creek. Not sure in what capacity. Loads of fun we toasted them on their 2nd wedding anniverary. They had celebrated with lunch at Poplar Grove and that is how we happened to bump into them earlier. Already starting to make friends and haven't even ought our place yet!

Back to our home-away-from-home to have a shower while Coriandre read. After I was squeaky clean and changed I opened a 2012 Upper Bench Pinot Blanc, 13.5%, while I threw together a mixed salad. We had brought along overlefts of pasta and Moroccan stew for dinner so once that was zapped, I opened  the Poplar Grove, 2010 Merlot, 14.8%, Cora Lee had selected, and it went down exceedingly well with our tasty meal. While dining, we watched Brad Gushue lose to Brad Jacobs in the Brier. Quite a full, full day with property viewing, fab bike ride and great wine-tastings so we were both ready for bed by shortly after 10:00 pm.

Pat, Hope you are successful in finding a great place to live in Penticton.
Watched the news tonight and saw Peter Moody receiving a medal for bravery from the Attorney General in Ottawa. Sylvia thinks he is about 85 and he looked very well. Great weather here and probably even warmer where you are. Ray  

Dear Pat and Corinne, I am sorry I haven't been in touch. Not sure where the last week went! I want to thank you very much for a lovely dinner last saturday. Your appies and seafood lasagna were delicious not to mention the lovely wine. I really enjoyed chatting and sharing stories with you. You have lots of exciting changes and possibilities ahead.
 
Were you kidding Pat when you said the ambulance was coming or were you just pulling our legs due to the smoke inhalation? That sounded pretty scary. Sure hope you didn't have to go to the hospital.

Well, I am finally ready for our adventure to the Baja. I have been slowly working away at packing but it always seems there is more to do that one expects right at the end. I am a wee bit sleep deprived but know we have two glorious weeks to have fun and relax! I am feeling so lucky to have this time with George- our very first adventure.
 
How is the house hunting going? Have you found anything you feel like putting an offer on? Enjoy the sunshine, riding, eating and exploring your soon to be new neck of the woods! All the best! Hasta luego, Jane