Fearing no insult, asking for no crown, receive with indifference both flattery and slander, and do not argue with a fool. -Aleksandr Pushkin, poet, novelist, and playwright (6 Jun 1799-1837)
Thank you for a lovely evening yesterday. It was good to see Cloe again, she is so positive. Have a good trip, we will see you soon. Cheers, Aart & Jos Hi Patrick, Corinne and Chloe Thank you so much for the wonderful dinner and evening! It was very nice to meet Chloe. I marked October 14th on our calendar to dig a piece of rhubarb root for you to plant in your garden. In the meantime you might want to prepare a bed for the plant. Rhubarb is a big feeder that likes rich soil. Enjoy your visit to Manitoba and we will see you at some point upon your return. Cheers, Tim and Marian
Hello Dearest Summerlandians! Thanks to everyone for smashing evening. Lovely to see everyone and enjoy such terrific companionship, not to mention the wine and wonderful food that both couples contributed. Thanks for this, of course.
Chloë was delighted to meet her fabulously wealthy relatives and see Famiglia Dronkers again. She and Lady Dar just returned from Naramata, covered in sand, after a late afternoon there. Water is really warming up, according to the bathing beauties! You were all missed on today's hike, a much gentler outing than last Thursday's but still a gorgeous, gorgeous day. Michaelo was along so that is a very good sign as he has not be with gang for sometime now, as you probably know.
Must away as I've just been served a very tall G/T, made by Chloë, with Noteworthy Gin, from Dubh Glas, the distillery in Gallagher Lake. Thanks again for great time last night. Travel safely, caravan people, and enjoy your road trip. Enjoy being at home, playing tennis and weeding your garden, (Thanks for note about rhubarb!), kissing cousins! Look forward to a reunion when everyone is back and busy schedules allow. Fondestos from The Dunn/Durston Sisterhood. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Please resend address. Thanks. See you tomorrow ...late morning!Hi Lynette! We live on Burns Street, Penticton. Looking forward to seeing you. Travel safely. Cheers, Patrizzio! Thanks
Hi all, I don't know if Tom has already written to you, but here is a recap if so.
Mum's fall was precipitated by a bad infection that was impacting
her cognitive abilities. She is still in the hospital and is better,
but does still have some relapses. Unfortunately there are a number of
other issues that have become manifest. The
good news is that the health system works very well when you are in the hospital. No waiting lists!!! We are having a family conference later this week after which we should have a plan of action.
We are all still planning that Mum will be at the lake for most of
the summer. That depends on a lot of things, but mostly on her having a
lot of support around while she is there. She will not be able to
drive, so will be dependent (not a word she likes)
on others to chauffeur her around.
Mum does not have a phone and cell phones don't work there. The
staff has been very good about taking calls and giving her access to a
portable phone. It seems that the old system of having your own phone
is no longer in use. You can try to phone. I understand that they ask if you are a
relative, but Clara could pass for a sister, so I am sure you will be
able to get through.
Thanks for your concerns and best wishes. I will try to keep all
informed, but there is a lot to do and I am leaving to go back to
Toronto on Saturday. All the best, Ann Hi Ann et al: Thanks for the
up-date on Betty. Very pleased to learn that she is improving and
certainly look forward to seeing her in Falcon if she is able to be
there when were are visiting. Again, fondest regards and best wishes to
her. All the best, Patrizzio!
Hi Colonel Klink! Any ride tomorrow? Meeting spot? Time? Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hello and Goodbye, (for a short time), Fellow Meadow Valleyites! Thanks to both the Official Leader and Upstart Non-Leader, for such an endlessly pleasurable jaunt on Monday. (As well, it goes without saying, to Crescent Beach Chauffeur, Ali-Oop, and Brereton Lake Lou for allowing me to sit up front after the hike!) Cannot believe that my body isn't battered, bruised and savagely lacerated and that my frayed nerves aren't ajangle! Am I dreaming or did such a hike as was, of yore, tailored to meet different expectations and abilities, actually transpire? At any rate, thanks to one and all for such a completely enjoyable, laugh-filled outing, breathtaking views and pre-Manitoba mosquitoe resistance therapy. Take care of each other! Be strong in the face of tyranny!! Cheers, Patrizzio!!!
Meadow Valley, Field Report, June 6th, written in what little blood the mosquitoes left:
Up at just after 6:14 am to creep into the kitchen, so as not to wake the Still Sleeping Sisterhood. As quiet as a tiny mouse, I made myself a mug of steaming java and sipped it contentedly while I made my two sandwiches for the day's hike. 'Twas lovely and cool but forecast was for close to 30º C so knew it would be warmish on the trek, no matter how gentle it was promised, ("Cross my Heart and Hope to Die!" was the gist of Spumoni's email notifying all masochists of the planned forced march!), it would be! After I sliced and diced two of the delish Summerland apples Josinta had brought over the night before, I put the pieces in a small Ziploc bag and shook some salt over them, the better to have a bit of refreshing and tasty electrolyte replacement over the course of the coming outing.
Next was my camel pack as I needed to top it up with a high test malt after yesterday's ride, rocket fuel to help me keep pace with the rest of the gang of gazelles I was privileged to hike with. Much to my surprise, Lady Dar was awake,and reading in bed, by 8:20 am and so she very generously, if grumpily, tied my boot laces and I was off. Sped to Summerland and arrived with but minutes to spare, delighted to spy Michaelo in the IGA lot, a very good sign as he has not been with gang for sometime now, nursing, as many probably know, a nagging and debilitating shoulder injury. Guillermo pulled in just ahead of me so also pleased to see him out. Exchanged greetings and then went to see the rest of the assembled company. A very good turnout, 15 in all, so lots of fun saying hello to some I'd not seen over last few outings.
Anyway, once the powers that be had sorted out the destination and directions for getting there/parking, etc., I was bundled into Ali's car, Jeri-Lou riding shotgun, while I was compacted in the back seat with St Killian and Guillermo. Enjoyed the ride out Prairie Valley Road much more than on yesterday's baking bike ride but was happy to take a closer look at the Princeton-Summerland Road just past where I'd stopped, taking a better measure of the first set of hill climbs and then the reasonably flat stretch all the way to Fish Lake Road. Certainly hope to cycle this, in preparation for the GranFondo, once back from Manitoba at the end of the month.
Zipping along it wasn't long before Ali-Oop pulled in beside the rest of the vehicles, in a small, sandy parking area just off FLR, near a cattle-guard. Once the gang had all their possessions and were ready to go I asked them if they would close ranks for a group shot. Knew I wouldn't be hiking again, probably until the beginning of July, so wanted a picture of everyone so that I could enlarge it in order to throw darts at some of the annoying Dolce Zephyrs while pining away on the Prairies! Surprisingly, didn't take long to snap a few quick shots and we were on our way, carefully over the cattle-guard to follow, for a goodly way, a well-worn farm/ranch track. The day was simply gorgeous, the shade beneath the pines extremely welcome but the air was thick with pesky skeeters, ravenous beyond belief!
Continuing along the service road we stopped by a cattle water trough and those who wanted, slathered on repellent, batting away thousands of angry dive-bombers, their breeding ground threatened, all the while. Shortly thereafter, up a fairly steep, short slope with easy footing and no dead-fall, to return to the level again and find our way to the shores of a tiny lake, more a slough than a tarn or even a pond, but still an attractive body of water, sporting a few water lilies and many reeds, even if a grisly reminder of flesh-eaters at work, part of a rib-cage, bleached white, lay on the shore. Jumpin' Jack Flash was today's titular non-leader and it had been his goal to locate a number of lakes in the area so after we chalked up our first discovery, we sat in the shade and enjoyed a Tinka Tea-break, while Tyrannosaurus pored over his topographical survey maps to find the most difficult route between where we were and where he wanted us to go!
Refreshed and undaunted, (The terrain had been remarkably easy to negotiate, both in terms of grade and obstacles.), we put away our unfinished crumpets, screwed the caps back on a thermos or a water bottle and continued on. A few minutes later we skirted a second lake, much smaller than the first, a puddle, really, made to measure for mosquitoes, of course. Just past here Tyrant Tinka wrested command from Baffled Bart and ordered us to climb a large bluff, towering, almost to the clouds, off to the right of the rough trail we were now following. The feisty among the flock defied the imperious directive and chose to loll on the grass, in the shade, on a gentle slope, as the rest of us clambered over razor-sharp boulders, of all sizes and difficulty, up steep slopes slick with pine-needles that made a mockery of footing, slip-sliding away beneath the slightest pressure of one's boot.
As it turned out, Chuckerini realized, part way up, that we had climbed this hill before, but from the south side, and as we made it higher I started to recognize the route we had last taken. Good huff and puff but not punishingly so and once atop the views were spectacular: Garnet Lake shimmering to the north, Giant's Head shrouded in haze to the south. We all played tourist and shutter-bugged away for quite some time. Then, hearing anxious calls, from the valley below, we began the descent back to our lazy friends, following much the same route we had taken on the way up. Last time we went down the north face of the bluff. It is extremely steep and in one spot there is quite a drop with no real footholds of any sort. On that occasion Altruistic Al made an improvided step out of his two hiking poles and, bracing them on his knee, against the rock face, allowed both Federico and I a relatively easy way down. Nothing like this was required today and we were all soon back at Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe where the ultra-lazoids were happily munching and sipping and chatting, some even dozing in the sunshine!
Recognizing a good thing when it presented itself we quickly dug out our own lunches and joined in the general palaver. Twenty minutes or so, sandwiches and containers of salad consumed, we packed up and started off, back in the general direction we'd come, although at a slightly higher level than before. Again, terrain was not the slightest bit difficult so really a most pleasant walk in the park. Short stop to allow Professore Alessandro to deliver the Tinka Trunk Lecture: "The identification and cause of 'sworls' in Ponderosa Pine", soon to be published in Nature. Farily quickly after class was dismissed we happened upon the third lake so Jumpin' Jack Flash was jumpin' with joy: three for three!
Rest of the hike was on virtual cake walk along a virtual cattle highway so going was pretty flat with but a dip or two, along the way, to add interest. Consequently, a most fitting end to such a leisurely, ever enjoyable, easy-going outing. Bumped into a large group of cows, munching quite contentedly on low shrubs and grass, near a fork in the track, and following Yogi Al's advice, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it!", we left our bovine friends behind and soon came in sight of the vehicles. Once back the gang were kind enough to pose for another couple of group photos and then those not repairing for java or beer, said goodbye to one another. Thanking Jumpin' Jack Flash, in particular, for demonstrating to Tinka the Terrible, with action, rather than false promises, what the definition of La Dolce Zephyr truly is, in both word and deed! Hip Hip Hooray for the dawn of the new hiking Age of Aquarius! Peace and Love, Sister and Brother Hikers! Map and Stats for hike:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1201512780#.V1Xw97di7is.email
Thank you Patrick, I enjoyed your report and the wonderful pics, hope you are doing better. Vicky Hi Vicky and Jake! Glad you enjoyed the account of hike and album, Vittoria! Thanks for your concern about my fall. I'm delighted to report I suffered no ill effects, other than to my dignity! Thanks, as well, for helping me collect my spilled possessions. Fondestos to you both from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pat, I had a great walk with the gang on Campbell Mtn last Monday. Hope to get out a lot more. THe photos were great. Put me on the emailing list to keep in touch. Cheers, Tim Walkden-Brown Hi Tim! Trust you received the account and album for last hike. I'm already missing the outings! All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pat, I had a great walk with the gang on Campbell Mtn last Monday. Hope to get out a lot more. THe photos were great. Put me on the emailing list to keep in touch. Cheers, Tim Walkden-Brown Hi Tim! Trust you received the account and album for last hike. I'm already missing the outings! All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Old Farts, Jim's not sure if he can make the hike this Thursday (June 9th) & asked if I would like to carry the baton in his place. I of course agreed and consequently here are the plans for Thursday's hike. - meet at 0800 in S'land at IGA parking lot (0740 at HH for folks in Penticton).
- carpool and make our way to the end of Wildhorse Rd; specifically, to the Rod & Gun club at the end.
- head up the slopes to reach the top of Wildhorse Mt and then across to Rattlesnake Mt.
- return and decide on a place for coffee and debriefing.
- limit of 12 people in this group, so let me (Phil Robson) know soon via email. I hope I haven’t missed anything but hopefully someone will let me know if I have. Cheers, Phil
Dear friends: I thought you would want to know, however briefly, that my mother, Deidre Kessler, left this life on Sunday night, June 4th. We are doing OK, dealing with the consequent arrangements, and have cleared out her room down at the nursing home. Seven years after a stroke left her semi-functional in a nursing home, it is in some ways a blessing for her to have departed.
I attach the obituary which Nancy and I, with the help of brother Rod in
Salem, have pieced together. There's also a nice photo of her from
days gone by. in peace, David and Nancy -- "War is Terrorism" -Berkeley bumper sticker
We are very sorry to hear of your loss David. May she be at peace. Xsheli and sam Beautiful picture of Bub. Forgot how pretty and vibrant she was.
We are very sorry to hear of your loss David. May she be at peace. Xsheli and sam Beautiful picture of Bub. Forgot how pretty and vibrant she was.
Patrick James Dunn I always knew you punched above your weight, Morana!!!Morana Peric Haha, very true! ]Of course, I knew her, through you, as an outsider, not one charged with managing her increasingly difficult life as age and infirmity took ever greater tolls on her mind and body. Consequently, she remains for me, frozen in memory, standing in front of her doorway, the entrance-way wall almost completely covered with a gorgeous vine of some sort, feisty, funny and a tad forlorn. I dearly wish I had had the opportunity to get to know her a bit better, a bit more as she always struck me, [From this brief encounter and anecdotally], as possessing an incredible force. The two sketches/paintings you so generously gave to us are among our most cherished possessions, snatches of colour and joy and freedom in a world that is too often dark and filled with
despair and chains.
Know that we grieve with you and for you. [Chloë arrived this past Friday to house-sit while we are in Manitoba for Clara's/Dusty's 71st wedding anniversary. Ayn will fly up for the celebration. In fact, we leave very early tomorrow morning as we will drive to Medicine Hat the first day to overnight with close friend, Zircon, aka Jim Hillson.] Again, we send our condolences and love. Corinne, Ayn, Chloë and Patrick.
 |
| Hartford View |
No comments:
Post a Comment