River Road Dram Come True Blues: Friday, May 13th!

The Panama Canal was dug with a microscope. -Ronald Ross, doctor and Nobel Prize laureate (13 May 1857-1932) [alluding to the research done to get rid of the mosquito]

Hi Patrizzio, Thank you for your email. Glad that Nele could join and have a good time with you all. Hope to join the hike one day again. Cheers Tanja

Heading off to the funeral of Millie's husband, Randy this morning. Friday the 13th and I am going to a funeral and have to see Melvin and Wisnton peed on my shoe at by park. Hope the honeymoon at the Quay is going swimmingly for the 40th!! Love to all Any

Dear Corinne and Patrick, I am really sorry we can not be with you tomorrow to celebrate this important milestone in your life. I am sure a great time will be had by all and I look forward to seeing the pictures.

Corinne - I wore the pink/maroon one of my two new jackets I purchased with you at your favourite shop recently to a Board dinner and a couple of men actually complimented me on the wonderful colours and silk fabric. They even asked where I bought it. Thank you so much for introducing me to this amazing casual yet elegant look.

Patrick - Andre and I are just reunited in Chabeuil for the weekend - I have to head back to London on Tuesday for work. When I left Vancouver he apparently briefly hooked up with JP and Heather who were staying in Sydney, VI. Not sure if they are really planning to buy there (so their current story goes) or just free-loading whilst staying with friend Andrew (?) but all I can tell you is that it certainly put me off thinking about buying on the island. No doubt they will be in touch so watch out!

We made an offer for a property near Oakridge on Monday (sight unseen - that is how desperate I am) but, as has become common practise, I felt totally stitched up by the Chinese real estate agent and his fixing of the deal, no doubt with backhanders involved. I am too anger to bore you with the details.

Have a wonderful time tomorrow evening - I will be thinking of you having fun and be missing you all like crazy.Much love, Rosemary XXX 

Lynnie, This bottle is being delivered to Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau. If it’s good enough for her, maybe you should reconsider your thoughts on our AWON Chardonnay! XXX

Dear AWON, The bottle of Chardonnay that we wish to get to Sophie is now ready to send. Well almost. Packaging complete but letter to be included still needs final wording approval and printing. wayne & Mark
 
Dear Sophie, Our Artisan Winemakers Club of Naramata (AWON) made a French oaked Chardonnay from last year’s especially sun kissed Okanagan fruit. We tasted it over several months as it evolved and tossed out descriptions like “Special” “Refined” “Beautiful” “Together” “” Elegant and Complex, but Approachable”. At one meeting one of our members suggested that all those descriptors applied to you, so we named the wine “Sophie”. This bottle is presented with full respect and appreciation.

Dear Admirers of Sophie, or at least one! I'm sorry that we couldn't have taken a bottle of your wine stellare to celebrate our 40th! Instead we had to make do with a 2015 Black Widow Sparkling Rosé, 14.5% in our 5th floor balcony, before a wonderful dinner at Wild Rice just down the Boardwalk. 2014, (We think!), Moraine Syrah with dinner and then a 2013 8th Generation Syrah, 13.2%, back in our love nest to make everything blend in! Quite frankly, I barely remember brushing my teeth!

Off for a bite of breakfast and then I will ride, via Queensborough Bridge to River Road, then Cambie Sky Train Bridge to Marine Drive and eventually to UBC and home to Harbour Terrace. Lady Dar will meet Chloë at Costco on Willingdon for fixings for our bash at her place tomorrow. This evening is A Dram Come True at Hycroft. Sarge is joining us and we will see Paul and Joan there as well so should be fun. Must away. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Last night and view this morning at 5:05 am!

Had a lazy sleep-in until about 8:30 am. I had just stepped out of the shower when the phone rang. I was expecting it to be Chloë but it was Michelle, the Assistant Manager, inquiring how our stay had been. Chloë had phoned the day before to ask if it was possible to give us an upgrade. The one-night stay was donated by the hotel so Chloë knew Michelle. At any rate, she was pleased to give us and up-grade and said she'd include a bottle of wine as well. Chloë had mentioned all of this but while we did have a lovely suite, there was no wine! Not a big deal as we had brought plenty of our own, as mentioned.

Any how, Michelle asked if we had breakfast plans and we said we hadn't decided yet. She apologized for not having a bottle in the room and said that she would leave a $25 gift certificate for The Boathouse, the restaurant next door to the hotel, at the front desk. I thanked her and then told Lady Dar about the call after she was out of the shower. We had made reservations for dinner there the night before but when Mme Coriandre discovered Wild Rice just down the Boardwalk we decided to go there instead. [Had a simply wonderful meal so glad we did!] Anyway, we had a delicious breakfast and after loading the car I rode, via Queensborough Bridge, to River Road, then Cambie Sky Train Bridge to Marine Drive and eventually to UBC and home to Harbour Terrace. Lady Dar met Chloë at Costco, downtown, for fixings for our bash at her place, on Saturday. Map and stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1167028173#.VzZqqwSoUKU.email

That evening we attended A Dram Come True at Hycroft. Sarge made a lovely dinner to line our tummies before we started slurping malt. He joined us and we also saw good friends, Paul and Joan, there, as well as quite a few other acquaintances so it was a blast, aside from all the wonderful malts and tasty hors d'oeuvres. Quite happily, we toddled home, down Granville, about 10:30 pm, hiccuping all the way!

[Pic: Selfie with Babes: My last fling, before 40th, last night at malt tasting at Hycroft, A Dram Come   True! Lady Dar is hoping to run away with Sarge!]

Hi Patrick, Well it’s the 14th over here and I have absolutely no idea what day it is over in your part of the world. So thought I would just do it now so, to the both of you from the both of us may you have a delightful and perhaps slightly intoxicating 40th anniversary. Hugs and perhaps a kiss to be exchanged from Greg and Claire 

Hi Patrick: I am planning to drop by tomorrow. I am looking forward to seeing you two lovebirds. Julia Happy 40th tomorrow Hope you celebrate in fine style!! 👍����💐👏�� Maggie & Frank Hi Maggie and Francesco!Thanks so much for anniversary wishes! Cheers, Patrizzio!