World Malbec Day Blues: Friday, April 17th!

Everybody's talking about people breaking into houses but there are more people in the world who want to break out of houses. -Thornton Wilder, writer (17 Apr 1897-1975) 

Malbec. A humble grape with noble roots. Originally from the Bordeaux region in France, it was brought to Argentina in 1853. Over time, Malbec adapted quickly to the varied terroirs offered by Argentina’s rugged landscape and began to produce better wines than in its original home.

Hi G&L! Trust all went well on Monday. Guess you are pretty busy with your concerts and visitors. Just a quick note to thank you for the wonderful wines over the wedding weekend. Great time was had by all so loads of fun.

Busy back here. Saw Rosita and Dusty off yesterday morning and had a call from them last night. They were back at Falcon by 6:00 pm their time so trip, both flight and drive, went well. Have had some good rides this past week as weather has been gorgeous. I dovetailed the end of yesterday's jaunt with a visit to Norm's Sample Sale. He and Janet, like many others, of course, are very fond of the Okanagan so we'll probably see them in Penticton! [Vins d’Alsace Jacques Iltis & Fils.]

David Kessler http://www.iltis.fr/ I hope this picture says a thousand words! Lorraine is bursting with the blossoms of spring; the wines in Alsace are as good as ever; and we are having a fabulous time with our cousins here.To Paris on Sunday! Patrick James Dunn From the Anderson Valley to Alsace, you, Cactus, and Donna Florida, have it all! 

 

Did you know that courteous Volunteers are one of the main reasons why people buy their Christmas Tree at Aunt Leah's Trees. I always get quite excited telling people at conferences and around the office how great our volunteers are and how dedicated they are to making our Tree Lots successful.

By making a choice to donate your time and share your unique skills & knowledge, YOU HAVE made a profound difference to Aunt Leah’s Place, our Tree Lots and all the youth we support!!!

I am amazed and appreciative of all that you do! Sincerest thanks, Chloë Dunn, Volunteer Coordinator

Hi Volunteer Coordinator! Great snap and message! Onward! Love, Dad!

Having dinner with Glasgow and Catherine, at their place, this evening so leaving, shortly, on a longish ride, to work up an appetite and thirst, while Cora Lee continues with packing! Hee Hee!!! Fondestos and Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Pics: Some snaps from wedding; Big Den, Roger-the-Dodger and Sarge on Wednesday morning before leaving for airport; farewell dinner Wednesday night!

Hi Sheila and Des! Trust all went well with the rest of your trip. Lovely to see you both. Just a quick note to thank you for the wonderful malt! What a delightful surprise. Certainly much appreciated! [Big Den and I put more of a dent in it on Tuesday night when he and Roger were back from the States!] Great, great time at wedding was had by all so loads of fun as I'm sure you'll agree.
 

Saw friend, Norm, yesterday and he is having left hip problems! Hope all goes well with you and waiting list! You and Sheila can visit us in Penticton and we can show off our hip-replacement scars to The Babes! Fondestos from Mme Coriandre to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Rosemary and Andre, et al! Trust all went well with your flight back to London and you are gradually settling in, Rosemary. Wanted to send along a few snaps from various visits. Thanks again for wonderful Merlot from Deep Roots and Chabeuil almonds! Cheers, Patrizzio! Snaps: tea and dinner.

Hi again, Margaret! I did call Andrew but have not been able to actually talk to him in person. I'm not sure which is the St Mark's in question, where memorial service is to be held, so am hoping you can provide me with an address. I know it is to start at 2:00 pm tomorrow. Thanks, in advance, Patrick. 

Patrick, It's St. Mark's College or Parish - not sure what it is called now, but it is on the UBC campus. Probably off Wesbrook. You're welcome, Margaret 

Hi again, Margaret Thanks very much for confirmation. I wondered if it might be there but didn't want to take a chance, if not right church.  Coincidentally, I was out at UBC today as part of my ride. Thanks again. See you and Ron tomorrow afternoon. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dear Andrew! Once again, heartfelt sympathy to you and Ewa on Wila's death. It was with deep, deep sadness that I learned of this from Margaret Friesen. I gather, again from her, that you are coping as best as can be expected under these most difficult circumstances. Please know that Corinne and I grieve with you and for you.

With respect to St Mark's, I contacted Margaret shortly after I left you the phone message and she told me that the memorial service for Wila will be conducted on campus so no need to bother you further as I know where the College is located. Again, sincere condolences from Corinne and I. Patrick. 

Dear Patrick, Here is the map. I don’t want you to get lost on the Campus, which has changed somewhat since the good old days. See you, Andrew

Hi again, Andrew! Thanks for parking map. I couldn't agree more about changes on campus. I often ride around various parts of the university on some of my cycling outings, dodging huge cement trucks and flag-persons, overwhelmed by the on-going construction and development. I even need a GPS in the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre as I find it quite difficult to know where the ILL offices used to be housed "in the good old days!" Thanks, Patrizzio! 

Left the Heartbreak Terrace filled with trepidation as I had had occasion to consult AccuWeather.com and I knew I would be like King Lear raging on the heath,

"Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage, blow! You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout Till you have drenched our steeples, drowned the cocks!" Dipsy-doodled my way to 100+km ride today to celebrate World Malbec Day! Gorgeous outing in spite of the seemingly gale force winds, gusting out of the West at around 29 kph! Came home to find the bbq cover was trying to Mary Poppins itself up and away. Tied it down with four bottles of inferior Malbec, just in case they broke against patio wall! Saving the best for dinner tonight with friends. Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/749205286#.VTGVufCDf0c.email

Hi Big Al! Wow! I'm impressed with the eRedPen! Feel like I'm dealing with a Super-Executive Secretary. Far cry from Stanchion Man of yesteryear. That persona had an eye for knockers and now it seems he's taking minutes instead of taking notice! Wait until I tell the lads. They'll think you've gone over to The Sisterhood. Guess that is what happens when you don't ride regularly!

Didn't have time to hit truck rental so that is my first errand of the day tomorrow. Buona Fortuna with your ATV. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!PS: Trees/shrubs on patio and those around building are being blown about furiously. Just looked at AccuWeather and see that wind is now gusting to almost 34 kph. Glad I made it home sooner!
 

Greetings from the Relatively-Soon-to-be-Vacated Islay Inn! Trust all goes well in Elkville! Enjoyed a more than wonderful time, this evening, with Glasgow and Catherine, [Thank you both for the glorious meal, exceptional hootch and amicable company!], marred only by the lack of Scottish ballads belted out, boisteroulsy/drunkenly, sans Marilyn's accompaniment!  Matt insisted that I send along the following snaps to assure you that he is rehearsing, regularly, in anticipation of the next road trip. Not my idea but I was told, in no uncertain terms that t was an offer I could not refuse, so to speak!

The Scottish Highlander, Kenneth McKellar look-alike, is sincerely hoping, wishing, praying that you might be able to spread the word, far and wide, when the date is set, travel arrangements made, etc., so that he could sell tickets to a completely sold-out performance, a singularly innovative way to defray holiday expenses as well as pay for the repairs to his kilt, singed while he was bbq'ing the steaks last night! Fondestos from Packing Fiend, Mme Coriandre to you both. Cheers, Il Conduttore! PS: Glasgow and Catherine have already made reservations at the Burns Street Boarding House in beautiful downtown Penticton, this July, (10th/11th/12th), so look at your social calendar and consider joining us for the pre-concert road-trip tour! 

thanks patrick. yes in seedy it was nice to see you both' matt

Hi Big Al! Wow! I'm impressed with the eRedPen! Feel like I'm dealing with a Super-Executive Secretary. Far cry from Stanchion Man of yesteryear. That persona had an eye for knockers and now it seems he's taking minutes instead of taking notice! Wait until I tell the lads. They'll think you've gone over to The Sisterhood. Guess that is what happens when you don't ride regularly!

Didn't have time to hit truck rental so that is my first errand of the day tomorrow. Buona Fortuna with your ATV. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!PS: Trees/shrubs on patio and those around building are being blown about furiously. Just looked at AccuWeather and see that wind is now gusting to almost 34 kph. Glad I made it home sooner!

Greetings from the Relatively-Soon-to-be-Vacated Islay Inn! Trust all goes well in Elkville! Enjoyed a more than wonderful time, this evening, with Glasgow and Catherine, [Thank you both for the glorious meal, exceptional hootch and amicable company!], marred only by the lack of Scottish ballads belted out, boisteroulsy/drunkenly, sans Marilyn's accompaniment!  

Matt insisted that I send along the following snaps to assure you that he is rehearsing, regularly, in anticipation of the next road trip. He is hoping that you might be able to spread the word, when date is set, so that he could sell tickets to a sold-out performance, a way to defray holiday expenses as well as pay for the repairs to his kilt, singed while he was bbq'ing the steaks last night! Fondestos from Packing Fiend, Mme Coriandre to you both. Cheers, Il Conduttore! PS: Glasgow and Catherine have already made reservations at the Burns Street Boarding House in beautiful downtown Penticton, this July, (10th/11th/12th), so look at your social calendar and consider joining us for the pre-concert road-trip tour!