Upper Bench Eastside Blues: Tuesday, March 15th!

Beware of the stories you read or tell; subtly, at night, beneath the waters of consciousness, they are altering your world. -Ben Okri, poet and novelist (b. 15 Mar 1959) 

Hello Dearest Hosts! Foist and foimost, thanks so terribly much to Polly and Michaelo for being such gracious hosts even if the numerous "deficiencies" made our stay less than extremely comfortable! We trust that when we next return those nagging annoyances, not already addressed, will have been seen to!
 

Come-In / Go-Away

Photo: Amazon

[AMBIGRAM:

MEANING:

noun: A word or phrase written in a manner that it reads the same (sometimes, a different word or phrase) when oriented in a different way, for example, when reflected or rotated.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin ambi- (both) + -gram (something written). Earliest documented use: 1985.]

Thanks, as well, it goes without saying, to Elaine and Theodorakis for the delightful evening of bridge. The meal, as always, Elaine, was wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, even if the bridge prizes were rather disappointing! So thanks to the Keatings and the Carters for making our visit such a stunning success.

Thanks, of course, to Mick for arranging the rugby tickets and to Public Transit Man Ted for shepherding us home after the games, as well as supplying train/bus tickets. Certainly generous of both of you and much appreciated.

I'm sure you will be pleased to know that we, ourselves, have been subjected to an invasion of Freeloaders, ourselves, with Calamity and Whirlygig, and Morita, their adorable Border Collie, making themselves rather too, too much at home, as of late Monday afternoon! This morning, around 11:00 am, Giggster and I suited up to ride. I wanted to show him some of regular routes so we started off down Ellis to Lakeshore/Riverside then climbed Vancouver to Upper Bench where I had to circle, endlessly, at Misconduct, waiting for Giorgio to strip some of his heavy outer wear. We then made for South Main, via Government, to take a brief tour off Skaha Lake Park then on to Eastside Rd to make for OK Falls. Took McClean Creek Rd, just past turn-off to Blasted Church, as I wanted to show Giggenheimer the lovely valley at the top of the ascent. Then we whistled down, past Syncromesh and Meyer Family Vineyards where we were delighted to see about five or six Bighorn Sheep grazing in a meadow there.

Down on the flats, just outside OK Falls, Weasel Man pleaded to head for home. I had wanted to take him to Blue Mountain and then the loop past Stag's Hollow/Wild Goose but his weak Galiano legs were not up for such an extended ride. Back towards Penticton on Eastside, running into hail around Skaha Bluffs and a bit of rain shortly thereafter. Didn't last so we were home, high and dry, although AVG was rather dismal, due in large part to the slow pace of the slug from Galiano! Found Morita confined to the back patio as she had rolled in goose excrement on the walk Calamity and Lady Darjeeling had taken down to the lake. Jane had scrubbed her, using precious water from one of our rain barrels, and she was to dry off, in the sunshine there. Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1086533700#.VuiM4qsdGNQ.email

Amira, Giorgio's daughter, studying at TRU in Kamloops, had phoned earlier, to say that she was free for next day or so and Giggster, without asking his hosts, invited her for dinner, this evening, and to stay the night. That's the trouble with Freeloaders, you give them an inch and they take a mile! Jos and Aarturo, from the hiking group, will join us for dinner so should be fun. Might even play a couple of hands of bridge.

Calamity is making home-made gnocchi for dinner, with Caesar salad and Lady Dar is providing her highly prized snowballs for dessert. Must away as I'm to open seven more bottles of wine to quench the thirst of the rather noisy cooks! Thanks again, dear, dear friends, for being such understanding, patient, forgiving individuals. Fondestos from the assembled company to one and all. Cheers, Patrizzio!

PS: Famiglia Carter, you may have already discovered that I left my water bottle and freezer packs in your fridge so will try to arrange to collect them next time we are in town. Pics: This past glorious weekend and then the downturn back home!

Hi Al, Jim, Tony, We are bringing some friends on Thursday and need 1 extra pair of snow shoes. Can you please help? Please let me know. Thanks! Cheers,
Aart   Hi Aaart You can use my daughter's ones, but they are for a quite light person. I will put them in the truck anyway. They may be better than the huge ones Jim has available, which Laxmi used her first time. Tony

Yes you may be right. The person is tall, not heavy (thinner than I am). Al will also take extras so we can decide tomorrow. Jim, thank you much. I guess we are set for tomorrow with Tony's or Al's. See you tomorrow! Cheers, Aart 

Greetings to all GB S-S hikers: As many of you heard from Rick, the snow conditions up on Apex are very good. The OF are going for a demanding, long SS hike and the GB may piggy-back, use their track part way and then shorten their hike, to make it approx. 3 hrs long, or we may make our trip totally independent of theirs.
 
This will be very likely (although not for sure) my last SS trip of this season. The destination will be decided when we meet. If you are interested, please let me know, I would not like to go alone. The arrangements - as usual. Al