Bridal Falls or Bust Blues: Wednesday, April 20th!

I love you, and because I love you, I would sooner have you hate me for telling you the truth than adore me for telling you lies. -Pietro Aretino, satirist and dramatist (20 Apr 1492-1556)

Call me when you arrive. I have a dentist appointment at 2 PM and will be home after that. We have cancelled our dinner reservation for tonight so will have dinner here.  Might see if Darren wants to join us.
  

Hi Giggster!  Sorry I've not replied sooner but life seems to have been even more of a social whirlwind of late! I do agree about Carroll's wonderful, wonderful words. However, "slithy" best describes the collective noun of the Lawn rather than 'Orrible, in particular, so I'll have to keep an ear out, so to speak! Was more than delighted to see "chortle" this morning as it has always been a favourite and must confess, I did not know its origin. I always assumed it was from some British regional dialect.

Rosemary and Andre, (London/Chabeuil), drove up from Vancouver on Sunday afternoon so we had a grand time catching up. Monday, I was back from my regular hike by 1:00 pm, (What a glorious event but have been so busy that I've not had time to write it up or edit pictures yet!), and after showering and changing we took off for Naramata to do a bit of wine-tasting. 

Stopped at Poplar Grove, Black Widow and Deep Roots. Andre used to pick fruit at Deep Roots, (when land was planted with apples, peaches, etc.), during the summers in high school so we had a lovely time with Bryan Hardman, the owner. Also met Will, his son, the wine-maker. He convinced his father to plant the vines! Their Syrah is stunning and almost as peppery as our once favourite Petite Syrah from Granite Springs in Amador County, foothills of the Sierras, east of Sacramento. Original owner, Les Russell, eventually sold winery and the wine wasn't nearly as exciting after that, at least in my opinion.

Back home we invited a new neighbour, Norm, a retired dentist from Spruce Grove, across back lane for a drink. Got to know him as he was re-roofing his garage and over the course of the work we'd chat, he atop the roof, we in our back patio. Lady Dar bbq'd delish ribs for dinner and we washed them down with a bottle of the aforementioned Syrah as well as one of Merlot, again from Deep Roots.

Lazy morning yesterday morning and after The Sisterhood took a walk downtown we drove out Eastside towards OK Falls. Stopped at Noble Ridge as we wanted to show them the stunning view of Vaseux Lake from the Tasting Room patio. Winery was actually closed as staff were having a development seminar at a picnic table in the gorgeous garden, (Day was phenomenal, 29º!), below the Tasting Room. I asked if we could show our visitors the view and we were welcomed with open arms so we ended up having our picnic lunch there, drinking in the gorgeous view, along with a bottle of their Pinot Grigio!

One of the senior Tasting Room staff, Judy Ritcey, is also a lay minister at Oasis United so Lady Dar knows her quite well. She is simply terrific. Rosemary ended up buying quite a bit of the attractive pottery they have for sale in the Gift Shop so their hospitality paid for itself! Judy also said that they sell their used wine barrels and gave me a number to call. Ruthless and Ricardo want some for planters at Little Shuswap and none of the wineries I'd talked too, thus far, had any available.

Thanking everyone, we set off for Gallagher Lake as Andre has friends there, Dan Atkinson and his wife, Val. Dan's father started Ace Cycles on Broadway, right beside Young Brothers, as you probably recall. Long story but upshot is that they moved to Gallagher Lake about six years ago and have two houses on the lake itself. They live in the smaller one and rent out the larger one as a holiday property. 

Dan used to come to the campsite next door, starting in his teens, I believe, and was always enamoured of the hamlet. Funnily enough, their son, Ryan, works for Bridge Brewing Company, in marketing, in North Van, owned by close friends of Chloë. The parents own a spectacualr home in Trout Creek, (Summerland on the flats.), and we had Thanksgiving dinner there, last year, with Lynne and Peter and Louise and Henryk, couple who house-sat while we were in Inja!

Great visit with them and around 5:00 pm we drove across the highway to stop at Dubh Glas Distillery. Grant Stevely, the owner/distiller was there and he welcomed us in. Wonderful chap we'd first met at the Farmer's Market last summer. Malt is his passion and he is working towards his first release, in a couple of years, I think, but until then has to earn money with Gin, (His Noteworthy is the best I've ever had!), as well as a new product, (Dan gave us a taste earlier and then we had G/T's with Noteworthy while we sat outside at their picnic table overlooking lake!), and a new release, Virgin, an unflavoured spirit, (50.1%), an extremely smooth, tasty white lightening! Great visit and then we had to head back home as Brian Simpson of Suncoast was coming by to do an inspection on louvered roof and we also had to pay him the remaining amount!

Another wonderful meal with plenty more of Deep Roots hootch. By 11:00 pm everyone was pretty tired so we said goodnight. I was up at 6:30 am as I'm off to Vancouver this morning. Rosemary and Andre will return to Vancouver on Thursday morning but sometime after breakfast, probably by 10:00 am, at the latest, I will be heading into Vancouver. Have two appointments with specialists, (Six month check-up with dermatologist as well as seeing my orthopedic surgeon to see about a possible replacement for my left hip. Starting to exhibit some of the tell-tale symptoms I experienced prior to having my right side done. Will know more, of course, after consultation.), on Thursday. Delighted that I could arrange to have them on same day, let me tell you!

Am staying at The Heartbreak Terrace but not with Sarge and Flamin' as Ryan is still there, over exams. I will bunk at Joanne's place as she is in Taiwan with her daughter and family. Have arranged to have dinner and play bridge with Ragin' on Bayswater with Keatings tonight. [Funnily enough, yesterday morning had a phone call from Ted to make a "reservation" for May 8th. He and friend, Jim Gere, another Peggster, are on a golf-trip and need a spot for the night. We often stay with them Keatings, as you know, when in Vancouver, so delighted to be able to host them for a change. Anyway, trust you and Calamity are well. [Might try to call her if I have a spare moment, if only to say hello.] Fondestos from Lady Dar, still abed! Must away to start packing and make a bite of lunch for road-trip ahead! Cheers, Chortlin' Patrizzio!

 

Tummler, sorry to learn your other hip is naggin ya. Hope you can sort that soon. Regards to all the bridge cronies. Safe and chortling travels, W

Re: Whirlwind Tour - the 16th Ave rooming house is now open if you need a place to stay. The rates are good - less than half what Burn's St. asks.

Hello Landlord, 16th Avenue Boarding House! Thank you for the notice of bargain basement rates! Certainly much appreciated! However, I've already "freeloaded" my way back into Harbour Terrace, in part because it is within easy walking distance of VGH where I have my two medical appointments tomorrow. If you two will be at home around 5:00ish today, I thought I'd pop around just to say hello and have a quick visit. If not, that is fine, of course. At any rate, I'll give you a call once I hit town and have run a few errands to see what might work. Thanks again for very kind offer! Cheers, Patrizzio!

To back up a tad, Rosemary and Andre, (London/Chabeuil), drove up from Vancouver on Sunday afternoon so we had a grand time catching up. Monday, I was back from my regular hike by 1:00 pm, (What a glorious event but have been so busy that I've not had time to write it up or edit pictures yet!), and after showering and changing we took off for Naramata to do a bit of wine-tasting. Stopped at Poplar Grove, Black Widow and Deep Roots. Andre used to pick fruit at Deep Roots, (when land was planted with apples, peaches, etc.), during the summers in high school so we had a lovely time with Bryan Hardman, the owner. Also met Will, his son, the wine-maker. He convinced his father to plant the vines! Their Syrah is stunning and almost as peppery as our once favourite Petite Syrah from Granite Springs in Amador County, foothills of the Sierras, east of Sacramento. Original owner, Les Russell, eventually sold winery and the wine wasn't nearly as exciting after that, at least in my opinion.

Back home we invited a new neighbour, Norm, a retired dentist from Spruce Grove, across back lane for a drink. Got to know him as he was re-roofing his garage and over the course of the work we'd chat, he atop the roof, we in our back patio. Lady Dar bbq'd delish ribs for dinner and we washed them down with a bottle of the aforementioned Syrah as well as one of Merlot, again from Deep Roots

Whirlwind trip to Big Smoke went very well. Played bridge with Ragin', Elaine and Ted, this evening. [I partnered with Elaine against Ted and Branko. At one point they bid and made a small slam, 6 Clubs. It was Branko's contract and he played it extremely well. However, a few hands afterwards, I doubled their 3 No Trump contract, when vulnerable, and they went down three tricks so we made more points than they did with small slam! In the end, sad to relate, they won the slow rubber but only 120 points ahead, overall. Plenty of great good fun, however.] Beforehand, had a brief visit with former colleague, Jo-Anne Naslund and her husband, Colin, just back from Portugal. My non-Okanagan wine tip is for a 2013 Duas Quintas, Douro, 14%, (porch cleaner strength!), served by Colin when we dropped in. I plan to taste, over the next little while most of the offerings available here as I think they are very good value and not yet discovered!

Hi Ragin'! I'll give you a call once I hit town and have run a few errands but I've made arrangements with Keatings for dinner/bridge. I'll be by around 5:00 pm to collect you. Hello Patrick Great to hear from you! We will be home at 5:30 tonight--so please drop by. Cheers Jo-Anne

Hi Patrick, Sorry for such a last minute note, but a few things came out lately.
Are you, and your lovely wife, available for the game tomorrow evening? Cheers, Mike

Hi Michaelo! Great to hear from you! Unfortunately, for me at least, I'm in Vancouver at the moment! I drove in yesterday as I have a number of medical appointments today. Back home on Friday. Such a whirlwind of activity, once here, I didn't read my email until just now. Funnily enough, I arranged to play bridge with good friends last night so we had a delightful evening of cards.

After I'd run a few errands I collected my friend Branko and we popped in to have a quick drink with Jo-Anne and Colin. Jo-Anne and I were colleagues at UBC when I worked at the Education Library there. They are just back from a wonderful holiday in Portugal so it was terrific to hear all about that. Then on for dinner with Elaine and Ted, very close friends. Riley, their latest grandson, was my bridge partner! Actually, I played with Elaine against Ted and Branko. At one point they bid and made a small slam, 6 Clubs. It was Branko's contract and he played it extremely well. However, a few hands afterwards, I doubled their 3 No Trump contract, when vulnerable, and they went down three tricks so we made more points than they did with small slam! In the end, sad to relate, they won the slow rubber but only 120 points ahead, overall. Plenty of great good fun.

Sorry about not being able to join you. Otherwise, we'd have been more than delighted to do so. Hope you manage to find other players. I'll be in touch, once back. No bridge this Sunday as Corinne will be in Vancouver herself, for weekend, and I'm hosting friends of Pam's. Wine-tasting is on the agenda for Sunday! All the best, Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Branko, Jo-Anne and Colin; Riley!

Hi Patrick, Cool staff, sounds like you have great time, good for you guys! My group/ partners, just two of them, happened to have something going tonight, so I was hoping you and Corinne might have a free time to join me, and my other friend, for a game at my place.  Well, another time I hope. By now, drink a lots of good wine, and enjoy good weather in Vancouver. Regards to you and Corinne, Cheers, Mike

hi Pat, recently had lunch with our buddy Al Soroka and the law library gang.

Al says you moved to Penticton! must be hot there today. What is your Canada Post address? i have a new novel out and would be happy to send you a copy. Cheers, John Hi John "Updike"!

Congratulations! Must apologize for not replying sooner. Have been meaning to say hello for ages. No excuses but plenty of reasons! How time flies! Would love to read your novel. We will be in Vancouver at the Folk Fest so if you are round we might have a chance to cross paths, at some point. We will be staying at 7th and Bayswater. Anyway, let me know and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!