High Wire Eavestroughs Blues: Tuesday, April 4th!

Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends. -Maya Angelou, poet (4 Apr 1928-2014)

Contest! Name our new white wine:   We are holding a contest to help name our new 2016 white blend. It is a lovely blend consisting of Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and a hint of Muscat. It displays aromas of lychee, guava, mango and citrus with rich flavours of lemon zest, bright citrus, slate and an oily viscosity. Simply reply to this email with your name suggestion. The winner will receive a case of this delicious new wine! The winning name will be announced on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (so make sure you're following us!) this Friday, April 7th and we will accept entries until this Thursday, April 6th at midnight. So put your thinking caps on and send us your best name suggestions for a chance to win a case of wine!

[Trevorino's Birthday weekend!] First go around: Simply White; The Mingler; Harmonium; (Upper) Bench Blend; Zest is Best; Shades of White, Floral White, Tropical Tango, Wild White, White Magic! 

Hello Hard-at-Work Wordsmiths at Upper Bench Winery and Creamery! Here are not one, but two, winning entries. Take your pick! Simply White or White Magic! All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio! Great suggestions Patrick, thank you! Cheers, Sarah Sloan Hi Sarah! Can hardly wait to taste it! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Bridge Friends, So sorry but I will NOT be able to join you for Bridge as planned since my company have informed me that they will be staying with us an extra day. They have just arrived after 3 months in Australia and Tasmania.

Got some great news today: the kidney function has not only stopped the free fall but has improved......so I'll celebrating. Blood pressure remains a problem and continued testing and adjustments of meds to follow but I'm happy with the good news. I plan to join the hike on Thursday if my company is leaving. Enjoy a great Bridge evening, hugs, Olly Hi Olga Polga, et al! Sorry to hear you can't play but simply delighted to learn that medically things have turned for the better! Bravo! Hip Hip Hooray! By my count, we will have seven players now so Dummy will move. Spiller Folk, are you car-pooling with us? 6:10 pm if so. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Hi Patrick and Corinne What a week we have had! Last Monday was Trevors dads funeral but after the funeral we headed down to see Kirsty and Chris’s wonderful 2 story home on the sand dunes at West Beach, just south of the outlet from the Torrens, I have cycled past it many times.

Tuesday 28th was Trevors 70th birthday, [Happy Belated Birthday SKI BUM!!! For He's a Jolly Good Fellow! Which Nobody Can Deny! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!! Hip Hip Hooray!!! Fondestos from Lady Dar and Patrizzio!!!], we celebrated with all of the family at a wonderful café/restaurant, The Pickled Duck” wonderful evening and great food, he was quite surprised as I had told him only Mark et al and Kirsty/Chris would be there! 
 

I told him that he had another surprise on the weekend but didn’t tell him what it was until Friday when I explained that we were driving down to Goolwa for the weekend. Little did he know that I had invited 6 of his best friends and of course Mark et al to spend the weekend with us. You should have seen his face when they all started to arrive!

We had a wonderful BBQ on Friday evening with lamb and haloumi shasliks, marinated steak and chicken/pine nut sausages, our friends had all made wonderful salads. Much wine was consumed before, during and after the meal. Pears poached in vanilla and cinnamon with vanilla bean yoghurt, ( made by me), was dessert. Then Mark made a scrumptious cheese platter with his own glaceed figs! After dinner we had a wonderful walk on the beach. 

After a very comfortable night we had smashed avocado on sour dough and Hot Cross Buns for breakfast with copious amounts of coffee, followed by another brisk walk, this time in day light along the beach again. Time for a seafood lunch, delish, in a café right on the beach called Bomboras. Then we walked 5k to the Watershed Brewery in Goolwa and partook of a few Ales and G&T’s for the goils. We were able to take Bella so she had some wonderful walks with us. Dinner was an Italian banquet at a home style restaurant, Focaccia, Arancini, meatballs and pasta, Watermelon, finished off with Tiramisu. Plus of course lots of wonderful wine. Music and an open fire was provided so we sang/danced and warmed out bodies by the outside fire pit. 

Once we were home we sat and talked and laughed together. Sunday breakfast was pancakes with bacon and Canadian maple syrup with lots of coffee! We then walked the 5k back into Goolwa for the Sunday market, usual farm style stuff, finished off with coffee in the local coffee shop.

Once we were back at the house we packed up, and left for our final lunch destination Kingsbrook Estate, an Italian/French folly of renovated mansion, old home, accommodation and restaurant, magnificent local produce food. That my dears was the end of his birthday week! Today we went down to Kirsty’s mansion and did a few jobs, had lunch on their back veranda and watched the ocean waves…..life couldn’t be more perfect! I will post some photos from my phone as I haven’t downloaded them yet. Love Tina

Hi 70th Birthday Celebrants! Wow! What a grand time was had by all! Both Lady Dar and I have already bought our tickets to Adelaide to be there on our own birthdays, to be orchestrated by Event Planner Extraordinaire Teens, such was our amazement and wonder at the simply wonderful times everyone obviously enjoyed, with friends and family, over  Trevorino's birthday week! Thanks for the terrific pics, as well, of course.

Attended Lens on Lent again, this evening, the film series at Oasis, Lady Dar's United Church of choice, here in Penticton. Film screened was Dark Horse: The Incredible True Story of Dream Alliance, a 2014 documentary. In case you don't know it: "In a small valley town in South Wales, a barmaid decides to breed a racehorse she ultimately names Dream Alliance. She and her husband buy a broodmare and she asks other villagers to join in the effort with funding and advice. The horse goes on to win the Welsh Grand National."

An extremely, superbly well-crafted, never flashy or slick, work which let the characters speak for themselves. Filled with endearing, dry, self-deprecating humour and deep, deep affection for the tiny, virtually unknown, at the time, village/community and Dream Alliance, the stunningly magnificent horse at the centre of this most unlikely story. The ultimate heart-warming, and heart-wrenching tale of an impossible dream come true against seemingly impossible odds! Fondestos to you both from Lady Dar, already abed. Must away to join her! Once again, Happy Belated 70th Birthday, Trevorino! [Lady Dar didn't miss mentioning that you are the first of The Gang of Four, to hit this mark!] Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Hello Patrizzio you have a busy life for sure. It is uplifting to read your e-mail, you are not sitting still and wait for the world to come to you. You are out there to get it. And you enjoy every day with all the ups and downs. I get a chuckle reading you adventures. 

I just spent another day being nanny, but I love to help Roman, he is very close to my heart. And Sebastian as active and tiring as he is, but he is lovely and very bright child. he is a very independent little boy, no holding hands not much cuddle, always on the go.

yes we did have a bit of sunshine and very warm. Sitting on the balcony and getting my first burn, was the result. Today the sun is on vacation again. I will go for my dancing, (exercise), and most likely for a walk. Take care Patrick, hello to Corinne. Always love Gisela Hi again, Dancing Queen! Glad you enjoy my silly missives but sorry to hear about sun's vacation. On holiday here today as well. Fondestos to you, Gisela. Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dear Nadine, Thank you for your continued effort to organize our annual lunch, whenever this will be possible. Maybe fewer retirees will be travelling then and we might have a larger group. So far I should be available in September since my travel plans are limited. Vancouver is so attractive that my relatives and friends do come my way😊. I hope you are keeping well. We certainly had a tougher winter than usual - but I was very comfortable here.

You will have noticed that Arbutus Village is certainly not what it used to be. Glad that we still have the Bank of Montreal, the Liquor Store and the Safeway Pharmacy which has added a sort of small corner store. The only thing missing there are fresh fruit and vegetables, but I am not complaining. It will all return in two years time we expect. And Choices on 16th is not too far away! Thanks again, Nadine, Lore

Hi all, I have plenty of hikers for Thursday’s outing. If you have already replied, consider yourself included. If not, sorry, but we’ll see you another week. Cheers, Jim

Patrizzio, I have the “newer” model (Edge 20) of the same Garmin you have, so I will follow up on your clue. I would be more than happy to offer Lady Dar an exhilarating experience in a BMW with the caveat that I will not be responsible for subsequent not-too-subtle hints that come your way w.r.t. xmas, birthday or spontaneous gifts she might like. I will plan to leave Vancouver April 25th and will confirm a.s.a.p. [Pic:  perhaps the next car Lady Dar will want after a BMW experience (comes with a convertible roof too) …]

W.r.t. a KVR adventure, I gladly leave the planning to you. I would even be up for an overnight at a B&B along the route, but I’m easy. I am sure my robust ancient Canondale with the wide tires I use - which are great on the street btw - will handle anything the KVR has to offer. So for surface quality, I think we are only limited by your wheels. Let’s exchange some sketches of what you want to build. Branko

Hi Garmin Guy! Must be nice to have the fancy, smancy, newer version of my Edge 200! I dream of upgrading but will have to put my hopes on hold for now. Earlier this morning, Lady Dar tipped almost a full cup of apple cider vinegar and water mixture, (Her latest self-medication kick!), onto her MacBook Air! I helped her mop up as much liquid as possible and then used hair dryer. I noticed that the screen was flickering shortly after moppage and a few minutes later it went black. The battery is fully charged, (green light on magnet is on), and the computer makes the noise of coming on when one presses the On/Off button. I suspect the video card has been compromised or some other part of the circuitry. Any suggestions? I just talked to a computer repair store, down the way, and chap mentioned it would be $199 for an inspection/cleaning plus any parts, if necessary, of course. I can't remember exactly, but I think her machina is three or four years old. O The Sisterhood!

On that ominous note, [Don't let her bring any open containers of liquid into vehicle!], she is delighted to hitch a ride with you on Tuesday, April 25th, so thanks for that. She is happy to leave around noon, that day, but you decide about departure times, etc. I believe she will be staying with Robyn who now lives in East Van, somewhere in the neighbourhood near Main and Kingsway so convenient, inasmuch as on the way to freeway.

With respect to the KVR, I think we'll have plenty of good rides, north and south, out of our place, without having to B&B. I we we do make a Costco run to Kelowna, I do suggest visiting the trestles as it is an extremely picturesque, historically interesting ride. We can decide when you are here and plan accordingly. Also suggest stopping in Abbotsford, at Costco, just a few minutes off highway, (In case you are not familiar with this outlet, follow sign for Customs/Boarder crossing to US.), for any groceries that either of you wish to pick up, as well as gas. Even cheaper than at Shell Station in Bridal Falls! 

With respect to shelving, what we had discussed on your last visit, with structure under shelving and into corner next to malt cabinet is still what we'd like. I feel it can be a self-supporting unit, not needing any separate arm braces, much like shelving in garage. I have attached a couple of shots of the drawings Dusty did a year ago. Basic design which may well need to be modified, given space, etc. Furthermore, I'd also like to build another workbench/table, similar to one you realized on your first visit, although not necessarily as large and solid, to have outside, to use for my bike cleaning, oiling, etc., and any other yard/garden chores, etc. Not a top priority but perhaps something in conjunction with the small clothesline platform I'd like as well. You'd better plan to stay for two months! 

Photo: Okay Yaramanoglu

More bridge in Summerland tomorrow night but need one more player, if Dummy isn't to move, so beam yourself up in your Beemer, Scotty! Fondestos from an ever so embarrassed, but resolutely unrepentant, Lady Dar, to you, Ragin'! Stay well. Chat soon. Cheers, Il Conduttore/Patrizzio!

Patrizzio, Bad news about the MacAir — yikes. Try putting it near a heat source (not too hot, just warm and dry air, and give it a few days to dry out completely. There are not a lot of “parts” to these machines. Every component, ie, the video chip and I believe in a Macbook Air even the memory chops are fused into the main board. Only option is to replace the whole thing. If the screen itself is gone you could be looking at $$$
 

Is that computer store (or the tech) Apple certified? Simply computing (there is one in Kelowna) will do a hardware checkup for $50, then you could decide whether you want to apply that to the repair. I will re-ponder the shelf/audio cabinet project. Another workbench is easy. I will confirm ride a.s.a.p., however I am 99% sure it will work. Luckily, I don’t have cup holders in my bmw, so liquids are limited to capped bottles. Branko                                                              Hi James! Thanks again for another terrific evening, pizza and film! Have attached some of the snaps I've taken over the last few viewings.

With respect to a number of film suggestions the list is almost endless BUT here are a two English films: A Month in the Country is a 1987 British film directed by Pat O'Connor. The film is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by J. L. Carr, and stars Colin Firth, Kenneth Branagh, Natasha Richardson and Patrick Malahide. Set in rural Yorkshire during the summer of 1920, the film follows a destitute World War I veteran employed to carry out restoration work on a Medieval mural discovered in a rural church while coming to terms with the after-effects of the war.

Enchanted April is a 1992 film directed by Mike Newell. The screenplay by Peter Barnes was adapted from Elizabeth von Arnim's 1922 novel The Enchanted April. The film stars Miranda Richardson, Josie Lawrence, Polly Walker and Joan Plowright, with Alfred Molina, Michael Kitchen and Jim Broadbent in supporting roles.
 

Elizabeth von Arnim's novel tells of four dissimilar women in 1920s England who leave their rainy, grey environments to go on holiday in Italy. Mrs Arbuthnot and Mrs Wilkins, who belong to the same ladies' club but have never spoken, become acquainted after reading a newspaper advertisement for a small medieval castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be let furnished for the month of April. They find some common ground in that both are struggling to make the best of unhappy marriages. Having decided to seek other ladies to help share expenses, they reluctantly take on the waspish, elderly Mrs Fisher and the stunning but aloof Lady Caroline Dester. The four women come together at the castle and find rejuvenation in the tranquil beauty of their surroundings, rediscovering hope and love.  

You know, I'm sure of The Full Monty, (Despite being a comedy, the film also touches on serious subjects such as unemployment, fathers' rights, depression, impotence, homosexuality, body image, working class culture and suicide.), and Calendar Girls, (A true story of a group of Yorkshire women who produced a nude calendar to raise money for Leukaemia Research under the auspices of the Women's Institutes in April 1999.)                                                         A fascinating documentary is Searching for Sugar Man, a 2012 Swedish–British documentary film of a South African cultural phenomenon directed and written by Malik Bendjelloul which details the efforts of two Cape Town fans in the late 1990s, Stephen "Sugar" Segerman and Craig Bartholomew Strydom, to find out whether the rumoured death of American musician Sixto Rodriguez was true, and if not, to discover what had become of him. Rodriguez's music, which had never achieved success in the United States, had become very popular in South Africa although little was known about him in that country.


Last one,  à propos of next week's screening, is The Intouchables, a 2011 French comedy-drama film, the story of the friendship between the two men is then told as a flashback: Philippe, a wealthy quadriplegic who owns a luxurious hôtel particulier, and his assistant Magalie, are interviewing candidates to be his live-in caregiver. Driss, a candidate, has no ambitions to get hired. He is just there to get a signature showing he was interviewed and rejected in order to continue receiving his welfare benefits. He is told to come back the next morning to get his signed letter. The plot of the film is inspired by the true story of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and his French-Algerian caregiver Abdel Sellou, discovered by the directors in À la vie, à la mort, a documentary film. I could go on and on and on but I'm sure others will have suggestions. Thanks again. Cheers, Patrizzio!

 
Attached is the write up of this piece...sorry it took awhile but everything's for a reason. Musi...Thank you for enjoying this piece as much as i have producing it. 

Hi Clayton! Thank you so much for the more than powerful background story to Bear. A tale of unbelievable love and courage, to be sure, and I am so moved and grateful that you have shared it with me. I will always cherish both this and the incredible artwork.

Les Bourgeois de Calais by Rodin

Photo: Michael Leuty

However, I am the one who must apologize for not being in touch sooner as I was able to collect the painting a number of weeks ago. My wife, Corinne, and I, attended the opening of the latest exhibition, (#Grasslands), at PAG and Paul very kindly gave me the work just before we left.

We have yet to have it framed but plan to do so in the next week or so as I can hardly wait to display it, such is the strength and joy, energy and power it emanates. Thank you again for both Bear and the Feather Box, absolute treasures I am so proud, and certainly humbled, to have. Not to own for the sake of owning but as emblems, symbols of such apparent, undeniable creativity and spirituality that must be seen, whose stories must be told, both for the healing and the miraculous wonderment they embody and engender! I plan to give the latter to Corinne as a gift of love on our 41st wedding anniversary this May 14th.

Stay well, dear friend. I trust our paths will cross again, somewhere, somehow, in the not too, too distant future. Until then, all the very best, both with your sublime art and craft and in life itself. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Paul; Corinne and Julie, Paul's wife; Your publisher at Theytus Books with two others I'd not met before, attending opening.