Toshiko-San, Madroña Manor Blues: Saturday, February 11th!

 


Happy Belated Birthday Pierre! For He's A Jolly Good Fellow! For He's A Jolly Good Fellow! For He's A Jolly Good Fellow! Which Nobody Can Deny! Hip Hip Hooray!Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Much Love, Nana and Poppa!


and then last night at Mary Lee's and Paolo's. Funnily enough, there were two other couples along and while we knew Rita and Bill, initially, from wine-pick-up/tastings at Orofino, I had bumped into Laura and Patrick, downtown, a few weeks ago when snow had finally gone. I was going to the bank to deposit malt cheques and they were headed there as well. I was wearing shorts as day was gorgeous, sunny and no wind, so they commented on my attire and we had a fairly long chat, waiting in line.

Hi Sarge! Thanks very much for allowing us to use you for our passport reference. Much appreciated. Yes, Grogg and Lurch are to arrive later today.

Must away as we have to get house ready for next round of Freeloaders! I assume G/L will be here before Toshi's flight arrives at around 6:30 pm. Thanks again. Cheers, Patrizzio! Just in Osoyoos, so will see you before 3:00PM, G

Pics: Table top glacier began to melt yesterday. This morning! Mah Jong Sisterhood! Dinner with three birthdays to celebrate, Paolo's, Patrick's and Laura's. Lady Dar did a wonderful chocolate/orange, gluten-free cake! Rita, Bill, Paolo, Patrick, Lady Dar, Laura and Mary Lee! Hostess with the Mostess!
 
Around 2:30 pm we had close friends arrive from Nelson. They had been skiing in Banff, earlier, as well. We took them to Play for a wine tasting as they had not been before. Afterwards we went to the VQA Store and enjoyed another tasting there, Van Westen. 

At 6:30 pm our former boarder, Toshi, flew up from Vancouver to stay until Tuesday. She will be attending a conference at Whistler next week so was able to manage her flights to enjoy a visit with us. Last time we saw her was in 2012 when we stayed with her and her mother, in Osaka. Toshi moved to Tokyo a year or so ago, her work taking her there. Francesca and Gregg knew her when she lived with us in Kits so it was a lovely reunion for everyone. Gregg had his guitar along so he played and sang for us  after dinner. They left around 8:00 am this morning, stopping in Vancouver for an hour or so before catching ferry back to Nanaimo around 3:00 pm. They have been living in Parksville for ten  years or so.

Etta and Duke were more than delighted, as I'm sure everyone can imagine, to have so many new people around so we had plenty of laughs at their antics. 

Hi everybody: Our plans have changed and I am free, so there could be a hike if there is any interest. Let’s meet at the usual places – HH at 9:00. Summerlanders at 8:40 at IGA and all of us in Pent. The destination will be decided on the spot, it will depend on the weather/snow conditions. It will be short and easy, 3 hrs max. I am thinking of the W side of the Channel, N of Green Mt Rd and S of West Bench. We haven’t blundered through this area for a while. Another idea is to go N from Sage Mesa, along the Hwy bluffs. The snow is disappearing fast, maybe some other places would be accessible. Suggestions? Al