Sarge's Surrey HQ Retirement Blues: Tuesday, March 29th!

Kindness is always fashionable. -Amelia Barr, novelist (29 Mar 1831-1919) 

Hello Craig's List People! Pleased to learn that you were able to sell everything! Now at least, when next we stay, all the deficiencies noted on last evaluation form, will, we sincerely hope, be addressed!!

Trust your Easter Weekend went well. Not sure why Chloë wasn't in touch but suspect it was due to the fact that she flew to LA for the Easter weekend. Ayn very generously picked up the air fare. We spent the weekend, (Saturday and Sunday nights), in Osoyoos, staying with good friends of the Durstons, Sandee and Arv, from Falcon Lake. Just by chance, the apartment they'd rented for last three months is immediately next door to one Flamin' and Sarge own so we were back and forth, eating two dinners there, so it was loads of fun. I rode down to Spirit Ridge on Saturday and it was one of the toughest rides I've ever had, I think, as fierce wind, 28 kph and more, was in my face for entire time!

Left yesterday morning and Lady Dar dropped me off at Tinhorn Creek where I met hiking group for a wonderful trek into the hills above. Did part of Golden Mile Trail. Home to unpack, sort of, and then start packing again as we are back on the road on this morning! This being the case I set my alarm for 7:15 am but was up, beforehand, at 6:15 am, having had a wonderful sleep! Hike must really have tired me out. Will start to further assemble all the gear we will be taking into the city, for the next few days, shortly. In pretty good shape as we don't have to leave until around 10:30 am to put us in Surrey around 3:00 pm, in plenty of time for Sarge's retirement party, scheduled to start at 3:30 pm!

We will stay at Chloë's place for two nights. Perhaps we can arrange for Ragin' Bull to drop by your place, early on Wednesday evening, to collect the money for sold, forgotten items, as we have invited him for dinner as a small thank-you for upgrading Chloë's laptop. We will probably be in your neck of the woods late that morning doing a bit of shopping so we could pop by to collect the monies mentioned above if you leave them in a sealed envelope on back deck! Quite obvious that the deficiencies have not yet been addressed or else the owners of Extremely Faulty Towers owners would not be swanning around on The Sea-to-Sky! Otherwise, we could scoot by on Thursday morn, before we head back home. Let us know what you think and we'll plan accordingly. Enjoy your stay in Luxury, Sheer Luxury and we'll be in touch.  Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Wine-tasting at Clos du Soleil on Good Friday. I rode to Orofino to meet gang there; Go Vees! We drove home after Flamin'/Sarge continued on to Spirit Ridge to meet Peter for dinner at the Penticton Golf Club and then walked across the street to hockey arena; My fans, [Marvin, Nicole's husband, and Sandee], on balcony, Saturday night. When I finally made it to SR, everyone who was sitting on balcony, at the time, stood up to cheer me as I rode past! Flamin's gorgeous salad and Father and Daughter!

Hello Johnny Blue! I spit on blended scotch as you should know, you dolt! The Wise Cousin, Patrizzio the Younger, called last week and we discussed, at length, and most amicably, [Thank you for your thoughtful call, young man!], your propensity for chain climber malt. He insisted that I list a number of worthwhile tipples you should bring, as entrance fee, but I won't tax your pocket book until you find permanent employment, other than to say that both Lady Dar and Chloë enjoy extremely expensive wine, white and red, in copious amounts! Looking forward to your visit, with Jessica Jones, Vittorio!  Fondestos from Lady Dar to her favourite Swedish Twins. Cheers, Patrizzio the Elder!

Hi Patrick, Thanks for the very apt spring greeting card. We look forward to seeing you Friday. Peter 

Hi Michaelo et al! Am just wondering if people are up for an early afternoon of bridge, at our place, 611 Burns Street, this coming Sunday afternoon. We are out to dinner at 5:30 pm, and then a jazz concert, so probably we'd play between 1:00-5:00 pm, or thereabouts. Most of you know that Jos and Aarturo are travelling in Bali for next month so thought it would be a good time to bring another Summerlandian and a Naramatian into bridge mix. Let me know what you think and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pat , Thank you for the invitation to play bridge. I am in Calgary packing up our belongings readying for our move to Naramata, otherwise I would love to join you. I am out of commission until mid May...once we are packed up and moved from Calgary we pack up our house in Naramata. We plan to start construction of our house in Naramata in mid-May. All the best, Pam

Hi Spamela! Mary Lee had mentioned that you were in Calgary but I thought that you might have been back when I sent out message. Anyway, we have a foursome now so all goes well on the bridge front. Buona Fortuna with packing and moving. I have nothing but empathy for you, having been through our own move last April/May! Give us a shout when you are back and quasi-settled. You'll need to stop by for a drink if nothing else! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pat, Thank you for the encouragement. I look forward to getting together once our moving dust has settled. Cheers, Pam

Thank you Patrizzio for the wonderful hike narrative and great pics! Many hugs, Olly

Sounds like fun for me, so if everybody is in I will join you with pleasure.
Cheers, Mike Hi Patrick! Safe drive to Vancouver today! Yes, Sunday works for me. A little tight, what with church and all, but I will endeavour to make it for 1pm if it works for Mike as well..... Thanks for the invite! Pam

Hi Michaelo! Great that you are available and interested. Unfortunately, had a message from our Naramatian, Spamela, and she will still be away in Calgary. Furthermore, Lady Dar has just informed me that she has a yoga workshop on Sunday afternoon. Since the three of us would love to play, do you have any other bridge friends who might be interested in filling in? If so, let me know and we can confirm gathering. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! 
Hi Guillermo! Glad you enjoyed the card. On the bridge front, I have sent a message to Michaelo, Spamela and Spumoni to see they are up for an early afternoon of bridge. I'll let you know if game is on and, if so, you can "watch, pester and generally be...[more of]...a nuisance ...[than usual!]"  Fondestos from Lady Dar to her favourite bridge hector-er. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hey Patrick - wow, sorry I missed the Monday hike. Great description and  it sounds like it was a winner all the way around. Yes, definitely let me know if there will be some bridge on Sunday and lets start thinking about a possible bike ride soon.  Take care. Bill

Hi Patrick, Thanks for the very apt spring greeting card. We look forward to seeing you Friday. Peter Hi Jugos! Glad you enjoyed the card. Trust Lynne is much, much better.  Fondestos from Lady Dar to her favourite Naramatians. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic:  Stamp Mill from yesterday's hike.

Hi Jugos! Looking forward to seeing you and Lynne on Friday. However, just wondering if you might be interested in filling in on Sunday afternoon for a few hands of bridge, sometime between 1:30 pm-5:00 pm, +/-. Unfortunately, had a message from one in our bridge circle, yet another Naramatian, Spamela, and she will be away, in Calgary, this coming Sunday. Furthermore, Lady Dar has just informed me that she has a yoga workshop that afternoon. Since the three of us already available, would love to play, it would be terrific if you could be the fourth. It won't really be "beginner's level" so if you are interested let me know and we can confirm gathering. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello lovely Dunn-Durston-Prince Family! Happy belated Easter/ Happy Spring Sunshine in Vancouver! :)How are you all! Thank you for the e-card Patrick & Corinne! All is good here, just lots of work,- however I did manage to have some fun on the past long weekend and went down to Jericho beach to find some wild bunnies to feed carrots to. Made me so happy. Also celebrated Yda’s Birthday Friday with her, Arni & Marianne at Jaegerhof (lol) on Lonsdale. Was super fun and yummy.
 
Also had a lovely vacation –for my Mom’s 70th birthday-with my Mom, Aunt, Tommy, Min, Edi in Jamaica and Montreal in February (all went to Bob Marley’s house and were strangely blissfully happy there). Henning is again in Thailand (just got back from a sail to Malaysia), but coming to Vancouver June 12th again. Tommy and family are also travelling to HK this May and I will see them at the Vancouver airport for Dim Sum:) Edi is so funny, he is 3 now, and he had the Jamaican guys laughing tears. 

One day I whispered to Min (about a Jamaican resort entertainer at the beach who was being harassed by female tourists): “Poor Bruno, they treat him like a piece of meat”. Not sure how Edi heard that, but he stood up on his beach chair and pointed and shouted at Bruno: “Bruno, you look like a piece of meat!” Anyhow- Edi is a handful-lol. Also he had a crush on one of the girl dancers there already. (She did tell him, she wants to marry him one day. He was so proud) The guys said: “Edi you picked the best girl. Don’t come here when you are 18, you are gonna steal all the girls.” (Picture of Edi’s “future bride” Kelly, and picture of Edi with his friend Bruno attached- in Costumes).

Other than that- time is flying by and (it seems like) I haven’t seen you forever.
What are you all up to?? Xoxox Laura

thank you but unfortunately it got my allergies going.talk soon hope all is well matt 


Tuesday, March 29  Went to the airport to pick up the car' and headed off to Evora. Drive only took a couple of hours, so after checking in to the Ibis, we went walking around the old town. Evora is a walled city from Roman times, and still has some Roman ruins, such as a temple and an aqueduct as well as a large medieval cathedral and various other churches and a university. Had Frango for supper - flame grilled chicken. This concept was adopted by a British company - Nando's, and is now across Canada.


Hi Corinne and Patrick, This is just a quick update about Sunday night. Tim and I will meet the two of you at the Barking Parrot at 5:30 p.m. for dinner. Joining us will be two other couples - Al Tinka and his wife Mary, as well as other friends of ours - Paul Barber and his wife, Charlotte Burley. I hope that meets with your approval. I will phone the Lakeside Resort on Thursday to book a table for 8. Looking forward to Sunday night!  Cheers, Marian

That sounds fine we maybe a few mins after 5:30 as I have a yoga workshop till 5. Thanks for organizing dinner Best Corinne

We enjoyed your hikin-bikin-bitchen story, what a trip. Thanks for being super company again......we had a great time; and now are packing the van for the trip back East. Sandee found a jacket hanging by the door.....returned it to 33l, hoping they will return it to a looser......so take it easy on the wife.....ahem.
We also returned stuff after the phone call. xx Lots of love, hugs, etc.,,,A&S

 
Hi Patrick and Corinne Thanks for the informative missive and pics.
We had a busy Easter helping davey and Michelle move and the whole gang came round yesterday , so including Charlie we had 16 for Easter dinner. Now that the little gIrls are ,not so little , they eat almost as much as the adults, and it feels like we are catering for an army. Polly had prepared two delicious chicken pies followed by her now famous macaroons and we enjoyed a van Weston white and an Etna valley Chardonnay , plus some assorted plonk that I provided, I had merely a sip of the good stuff!!
 
We will be back form porteau cove on Wednesday evening, but I will be golfing Thursday morning and Polly plays duplicate, she will have a full day of bridge because James and Brenda are coming over later to play bridge and dinner. I will probably fall asleep at the table after an exhausting day on the links.
Wednesday evening for a branko pick up seems the best option. Cheers mick