Oliver Ranch Road Blues: Saturday, February 20th!

A woman uses no figure of eloquence -- her own, at most, excepted -- so often as that of accismus. Jean Paul Richter; Levana (translation); 1889.

Hi David! Whirlygig sent this to me after the message on Nikola Tesla. Giorgio and his amore, Calamity Jane, will be visiting us in two weeks so we are looking forward to seeing them. With one thing and another, have not been able to get together since late summer, in Vancouver. Fondestos to your amore, Patrizzia. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pic: Lady Dar with a bottle of Naramata Pete's just bottled Riesling, Valentine's Day. Jugos Dom Pedro, hisself, tippling a wee dram of malt, same day! He and Lynne, his wife, were couple we travelled with in Inja. When you and Trizzia visit, we'll have dinner at their place and you can see his small vineyard. On an acre or so, he grows Syrah, (plus a small amount of above-mentioned Riesling for his own use), for a local winery, Nicol. Some wonderful wineries on the Naramata Bench and the views of Okanagan Lake are breath-taking. Another reason to visit!

Hello Crammed Suitcase Man! Great to hear from you, Glasgow. Pleased to learn that whiskey tasting went well. I'll have to wait until May 13th when we re in town for the VWF A Dram Come True. By the way, I think I might have to cal you "Gypsy" instead of "Glasgow" as you seem to be moving about so often, one step ahead of the law! I'll set Rebus on you, now that he's retired. Enjoying Rankin's latest, Even Dogs in the Wild. Fondestos from Mme Coriandre, to you and Catherine. Travel safely. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Latest phase of construction next door. Shouldn't these lads be working on your condo?

Thanks for all this but how is Corrine's ankle? thanks for the tips. A fond fair vindaloo and off we go. See you when we get back. Matt
 
So I am a pipeline supporter. Will not be signing. Sorry. M Hi Maggie: You follow your conscience, I'll follow mine. Don't be sorry. Debate is what matters. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Forecast suggested that there would be showers around noon but by the look of the sky this morning, I didn't think that this was likely. Nevertheless, since we had company coming at 3:00 pm, for bridge, and then dinner, I knew I best be on my way or else risk harsh words from Lady Dar, if I was not ready and waiting by the time they arrived. Had suited up, (And pumped up my front tire again! I now have to admit that it has a slow leak!), and was ready to roll at just after 10:00 am. Had decided I'd make for OK Falls eventually but started out with my route regualre, (PTC, LD, RD), before taking Government to South Main. Made a quick dipsy doodle around Skaha Lake Park, filled with joggers, dog walkers and families with young children, day being so glorious.

Then on to Eastdside Road, delighted to find that the shoulders, for the most part, were quite free of sand and larger grit. Fairly strong head wind but since it was only around 11 kph I didn't even have to down-shift to made reasonable progress. Decided against taking McLean Creek Road on way south as once at the top, I knew the wind would make the slightly uphill grade there less than enjoyable. As well, relatively new tarmac from just past turnoff to Blasted Church so I decided I'd treat myself to a smooth ride. 

Sailed into OK Falls, greeting other cyclists heading north, and then through town to Oliver Ranch Road to make the loop around Stag's Hollow and Wild Goose, both still closed for the season. As soon as I was back on ORR the wind was behind me and on the downhill run into town I clocked 50 kph, first time this year! Decided to stay on ER on way back to Penticton as I was hoping to increase my AVG, over yesterday's, and knew that if I climbed up MCR I'd drop a fair amount and would probably not be able to regain the speed over remaining flatland ahead.

Was pleased to find myself sailing along, (Skaha a virtual blur!), the shoulder, even cleaner than the other on the opposite side of the road, at about 1 kph faster than my pace yesterday. Was able to maintain this all the way home even though I've taken to climbing an extra block or so up Dawson Ave to Dartmouth Rd, then along it to Carmi, before descending to Government. This allows me to
sidestep a number of busy lights and traffic on these streets is generally not as heavy either. Couldn't have been happier, not only with weather and route but also with AVG. I'm micrometering my way higher! Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1057500188#.VsjxEydaUuw.email

Back inside to find Lady Dar putting finishing touches to the chili she was preparing in the slow cooker. Zapped my mug of java, did a few dishes, (now in scullion mode), before showering and changing. Was squeaky clean and looking spiffy, as all get out, before Pam arrived. Short visit before Jos knocked on the door and we were soon dealing cards for bridge. I started out partnering with Spamala and we managed to win a  quick rubber before we changed partners. Jos and I did even better, winning two quick rubbers before we enjoyed Spumoni's wonderful spinach salad. A few more hands and then we tucked into Lady Dar's delicious chili. We had sipped a quite respectable 2014 Township 7 Gewürtztraminer, 12.5%, when we first started playing and I opened a 2013 Corcelettes Methir, (60% Cabbage, 40%). Fruit is from the rocky soils of the Middle Bench Vineyard in the Similkameen Valley. (Funnily enough we had first visited the winery with Jos and Aarturo, last fall, after we'd been at an Orofino release bash.) Wonderful nose, with a mouthful of black cherry. I was most impressed with its velvet texture, noting a pleasing hint of slate minerality on the long, spicy finish. Need to go back for more!

As Jos had to leave close to 7:30 pm we had her fantabulous baklava for dessert while we played a last hand. Hoping to win a slow rubber, I was a bit reckless, bidding 4 Spades when I probably should have stopped at 2. Only went down one trick so can't really complain. Thanking everyone for the most enjoyable evening, we saw our guests out the door and then settled down to watching a couple of British police-shows, Scott & Bailey  and Luther, before retiring to bed to read our own police procedurals, Dennis Lehane's Live by Night, for Cora Lee: "By 1926, Prohibition in the United States had given rise to an endless network of underground distilleries, speakeasies, gangsters, and corrupt cops. Joe Coughlin, the youngest son of a prominent Boston police captain, defies his proper upbringing by climbing a ladder of organized crime that takes him from Boston to Ybor City, Florida, to Havana, Cuba, where he encounters a dangerous cast of characters who are all fighting for their piece of the American dream."

For my part, I'm helping Rebus in Ian Rankin's latest in the series, Even Dogs in the Wild: "Rebus is dragged out of retirement – again – to act in the semi-official capacity of consultant detective, assisting in the investigation of a shooting at the house of another retired geezer, long-time foe “Big Ger” Cafferty. Meanwhile, Rankin’s more recent creation, DI Malcolm Fox, is assigned to keep an eye on investigators from Glasgow, who are monitoring the arrival in the capital of Glaswegian gangsters Joe and Dennis Stark, père et fils, who seem intent on kicking off a turf war with their Edinburgh counterparts."

Not a bad way to spend Saturday, day and night, Dear Reader!

Hi George, just wanting to get dates of your visit. I know your arriving on the 14 of March but just wanted to do some meal planning and hope you will be celebrating Jane's birthday with us? Thanks for signing my petition, Hugs Corinne    Corinne, we would love to celebrate Jane's birthday with you. We would also like to make a dinner (or dinners) for you on whatever night (s) works best for you. 

We plan to leave sometime in October, 2020, but can stay longer if need be. Our former ETD was Thursday the 17th March, 2016 - to Methow. Looking forward to seeing you both and your new digs. Fond regards. G

Hello Galiano Freeloaders! Absolutely delighted to be apprised of your extended stay dates. Couldn't work out better as we have been invited to join The Millionaires on a round-the-world cruise, (all expenses paid!), and now we won't have to worry about having to find a couple to house-sit. I am busy drawing up a list of projects that I will leave. Per esempio, raised vegetable beds, bike lockers, two more rain barrels for starters. Once you are in full swing, a carport and a pergola to shade patio doors. There will be plenty of wood for Calamity to split when she isn't washing your laundry in Penticton Creek, just down the way.

Please ensure that both the carport roof and pergola can support solar panels as we expect to be off the grid by October 2020! Since you will be saving money living here, [The monthly rent is half what Calamity pays in Kits.], we expect you to foot the bill for all the building materials, permits, etc. Furthermore, I will leave additional lists for local wines we'd like you to acquire while we are gone, not to mention a large selection of porch cleaner and chain climber not yet found in my ever dwindling malt cabinet. Can hardly wait for cruise to be over. I trust this doesn't dampen your ardour for visiting Burns Street Forced Labour Camp! Fondestos from Lady Dar, busily compiling lists of her own. Cheers, Patrizzio Penticton Parchman Farm Chain Gang Boss!

PS: We only dream about celebrating birthday's at Parchman. The only candles here 'ain't ones you put on a cake, supposin' we even got candles!

Pics: Bridgettes last night! Spumoni in pink, Josinta with red scarf. Pam brought a wonderful spinach salad, Mme Coriandre fab chili and Jos delish, home-made baklava. Patrizzio was too, too busy winning to contribute to menu!
 
Hi Nicole, we would love to see you before Easter. We are thinking of coming down for a night to visit as well as we have a place to stay.Let me know what you are planning. Look forward to seeing you maybe before then. I'm coming into Vancouver on Feb. 28th and again on March 11. Will stay at Chloe and probably your parents for a night. Hugs Corinne

Oh great !!! Can't wait to see you Meant to write Pat back after reading his last email and then got distracted We will be in spirit ridge on good Friday until the Tuesday so when I was chatting with dad we thought maybe to stop by on the way up or back and do some wine tasting maybe in Penticton ? What day are you going to spirit ridge? (That's where you mean you have a hotel room right ?)

Also would like to chat about July cause Nadia is coming for a 2 week visit and we are in Osoyoos then while she is here so she is trying to figure out how she can come and visit you as well . But we can talk when you are here on the 28th
Tell Chloe to text me what your plans are and I will come meet you. Hope you are both well Also, are you planning to come to dads retirement party ?