Vladimir IIyich Lenin and the Nowy Targ Blues: Friday, June 1st!

It's far better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone. -Marilyn Monroe, actress (1 Jun 1926-1962) 

Map and Stats for ride, Zakopane to Oberża pod Różą, Nowy Targ:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2743708034#.WxFyl_t3DSw.email

Map and Stats for ride, into Nowy Targ, for ice-cream:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2743708056#.WxFyvmFaXjs.email

 

sounds amazing Patrick, wish we were there! My knee was sore though, and have been giving it a break.  I think Poland may have to be our next trip with Katarina!  Enjoy every moment! 

Mom and I had a visit with her yesterday afternoon. We stayed for about an hour. George said she enjoyed our visit. She was fitted for a back brace to support her spine and hopefully reduce some of the pain she is in. Tuesday she and Ryan will go and see the cancer specialist and decide on treatment. She is already showing some jaundice as it is in her liver. 
 

George and Barb are bringing Emmett out tonight until Sunday. Quinn is at camp with her two aunts, Carly and Karen(Ryans sister). So that will give Ryan and Marlo some time alone. Ryan has been working most days as Barb & George are there. I'm staying with mom. Took her into Winnipeg yesterday to see her dentist and then denturist. We have to go back for next Thursday for 8:30 am appt. So we are going to go into Winnipeg on the Wednesday and stay in a hotel near the denturist office.
 

Saw a big wolf on the highway side on the way into Winnipeg early yesterday morning. It is cool and windy here. High of 13 or so so I'm not out working in the garden as it is wet from rain. Have my wool socks on and mom put on the heat this morning. Will go to Pam's cabin for lunch after church on Sunday. Her friends Monique and Larry are visiting. Will keep you up to date on Marlo. Love you all, Corinne/Mom/Nana Thanks for the great pics of your ride and accommodation. I hope you are having supper with Matt occasionally as he did come to bike with you. And thanks for the money, I sent you an email already today. Poor Duke is missing the daytime company. He loves to be around the house in the mornings. Off to start supper! Love Cora Lee
 

Hi Chloë and Kitchen Woman! So sorry to hear about the depressed soccer boy! Too, too bad you can't ship him over to Poland as I'm sure he'd love to be traveling through the countryside with me. Fabulous rolling hills and wildflowers today, along with almost an entire village where the traditional house construction is from logs, squared, not rounded, but still fascinating to see. As unexpected as it might seem, we have spent the last three days in the Polish equivalent of Whistler. Incredibly interesting and this afternoon, after we had cycled, (69 km for me but rest about 15-20 km less as I often went ahead, etc.), from Zakopane to Nowy Targ, the hotel there was over-booked so we have been put up in a number of ski chalets for the local ski hill! Family who own hotel in Nowy Targ also have a number of chalets in this resort village, about 10 kms from Nowy Targ. 

By the time we were driven to where we would stay is was close to 6:00 pm. Since we were sharing a bathroom with Carol and Tom, from Naramata, we let them shower and change while Matt and I walked into the village. I bought a few groceries and then we had a much needed beer before I left Matt to have a bite to eat. I had a sandwich and radishes back at the chalet and I wanted to try and send a few messages before going to bed. It had been a long, long day and we are to be collected at 7:20 am so I needs must hit the sack soon. Just wanted to say that I hope poor Duke is feeling better. I'll spend loads of time with him when I'm back. Until then, much love to you, Chloë, and your Kitchen Mom! [I transferred $25,000 into the joint account but not sure when transaction will be completed.] Fondestos and Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio!

Pics: Matt at the start of the ride on a trail I wouldn't go on as it was too rough for my narrow tires. Eventually group tuned back and came the same way I did as it was too difficult even for mountain-bike tires! [We had arranged a rendezvous point so I joined them about 90 minutes later.] Log cabin village; lunch break and then riding out of village; Tatra Mountains in distance over rolling hills; My cone and gang enjoying theirs. We cycled into Nowy Targ to reward ourselves for long ride; our chalet and my IPA!

Greetings-where are you? Heard you might be cycling in Europe. Did some cycling in Bordeaux, around St Emilion for a day-very nice! Just had a week at a house in country, exploring country, small villages, and of course, wines and eateries! Off to Limoges, Vichy, a few nights in Burgundy, and finish in Paris-home June 15th. Hope all is well! Cheers, Grog & Lurch A few pics from last couple of days...G Hi Lurch and Grogg! Great to hear from you. France sounded wonderful. I enjoyed my time there before I left for Switzerland. 
 

First bike tour in Czech Republic was wonderful, as has been time in Poland so far. Weather has been all we could ask for except for one very, very wet day out of Brno and then a thunderstorm, with hail, two days ago which caught me but not rest of group! I'll be on my way to Aarhus, Denmark, when you fly back from Paris. Hello from Glasgow. Stay well. Travel safely. Cheers, Patrizzio! Hi Kids: Here is an account of ride, a few days ago, out of a wonderful town called Zakopane, if interested. Cheers, Patrizzio! Hello Brat Pack! [Katarina, bike tour leader, is from Bratislava!]

 Thank you for the update MOM Good that Marlo and Ryan will have time to themselves for a bit this weekend Love to all and we are always thinking of Marlo, Ryan and the kids I am making a little package of Hallmark Movies for her as she likes them and they will be a break when she wants one.
 
Thanks for the great pics of your ride and accommodation. I hope you are having supper with Matt occasionally as he did come to bike with you. And thanks for the money, I sent you an email already today. Poor Duke is missing the daytime company. He loves to be around the house in the mornings. Off to start supper! Love CoraLee

The Tatra Mountain Thunderstorm Blues: Thursday, May 31st!

I never would believe that Providence had sent a few men into the world, ready booted and spurred to ride, and millions ready saddled and bridled to be ridden. -Walt Whitman, poet (31 May 1819-1892) 

 

Hello Reno Bound Goil! Glad you will be taking the kitchen money to gamble with. This way, after all your winnings we can pay for the extension as well! [I paid Costco. What do you want to do about transfer for kitchen? Can it wait until I'm back?] Just a quick note as we are dashing out the door to start today's ride. 

When I first looked at the clock it was about 5:00 am and so I closed my eyes again, not to wake until it was close to 7:00 am. Enjoyed a delicious sleep as the cool mountain air was perfect for contributing towards a more than sound sleep. Of course, the 500 ml bottle of Zbójecka na zdrowie Cytrynówka, 40%, [local Lemon Vodka], that Thomasino and I managed to polish off in my room last night, didn't hurt either! Glasgow had gone out for a bite to eat earlier so he was not part of the demolition crew and declined to even taste the marvellous elixir upon his return. 
 

At any rate, breakfast is not served until 8:00 am so everyone is enjoying a bit of a sleep-in as most mornings many of us are down to have our first java by 7:00 am, at the latest. I made myself a cup of Instanto, quite good in fact, so will be fine until I hit the dining room. Curious to see what will be served as the hotel itself has just recently opened and it is perhaps the most deluxe we've stayed at, either in the Czech Republic or Krákow. Ultra modern with a wonderful shower and other sleek bathroom  fittings. Plenty of room for toiletries and even a hook or two!

Single beds are very, very comfy and we have a small fridge, great for chilling our water and juice. Even large enough for my camel pack's bladder. Two balconies, no less, so we can dry our "washing" outside. We share one with Pat and Merrily and view from their balcony has most wonderful view of the Tatras. Basically, Zakopane is a ski resort, [Whistler Village or Lake Tahoe, on steroids!], but with hiking, climbing and mountain biking as seasons allow. Three million visitors per year and numbers are increasing each year. 
 

Peter, yesterday's guide for an incredibly interesting and informative walking tour of the historical part of the town, informed us that due to hotel, hostel, B&B infrastructure, etc., place can accommodate about 400,000 thousand visitors at one time! This when local population is only 25,000! Quite an experience to walk the main pedestrian concourse with its share of shops dedicated to selling wares and services specifically for holidayers and other tourists, as well as many high-end fashion stores, etc. Still the local, wooden architecture is extremely attractive and locals are fiercely proud of its so-called "Highlander" style, a variation of what many of us would think of, without meaning to be disrespectful, as being somewhat similar to Swiss chalet or Bavarian homes, with steeply sloped roofs for heavy snow, etc. 

Much, much, love to you, my Darling. More later when we are back. You'd love Poland so I trust we can travel here together. Fondestos to Clarisse et al. Cheers, Patrizzio! PS: Thanks for Folk Fest newsletter! Pics: Tatra Mountains; view of Zakopane from funicular viewpoint, from opposite side of the valley, looking across town to Tatras; Vodka and Glasgow!

Dear Sir Pat. Trust all is well and no news is good news. Phoned Lady Dar and only got answer-phone. Perhaps I should have booked a wedding! I arrived back from France on Monday. I was away with Now The Twin Town in a suburb of Paris. Now I have a new phone and can send emails. Let me know how your trip goes. Fondestos. Sir James and Lady Patricia.

Hi Jo-Anne! Arrived here in Zakapane yesterday. What a place! This morning, after a truly fabulous breakfast, (scrambled eggs with diced ham, just for starters. All sorts of fresh fruit, (grapefruit, watermelon, pineapple, grapes, canteloupe), buns and breads to be topped with five or six heavenly sliced meats/cheeses and four or five different salads which I didn't have time to get around to sampling. Yogurt and coffee which I sipped with my "dessert" warm poppy-seed pastries! Most of us "make" sandwiches and take a piece of fruit, [oranges, mandarins, apples, kiwi fruit), for picnic lunches at some point during the ride. I usually take a cup of coffee, (Java has been terrific everywhere, almost without exception.), back to my room to have it when we return from ride, usually between four and five o'clock.

Had a great ride to a place called Dolina Chocholwska today. Left at shortly after 9:00 am and rode through Zakopane, enjoying seeing many of the inhabitants in colourful local costumes. It is a National Holiday today, The Feast of Corpus Christi, a Catholic festival celebrated on the second Thursday after Whitsun, and people were streaming to various local churches. Many more decent hills here then in Kraków so some good climbs until we took the turn-off to Dolina Chocholwska where we were going to ride through part of a The Tatra National Park. After Katarina bought the tickets we set off on a pretty good road, at least for a couple of kilometres anyway. Here, one comes upon numerous tiny huts where the local shepherds make sheep cheese. I bought some yesterday and it reminds me of Greek Haloumi, quite salty and great for frying. [Lady Dar and I often serve it, as an appetizer, with sliced tomatoe and a wedge of lemon, to cut the salt. I did the same, minus frying, last night with the local Lemon Vodka!] After leaving these attractive, mini-chalets behind, the surface becomes more difficult, especially for me with the quite narrow tires on my bike. Others have more mountain-bike like tires so a bit easier to negotiate the rocky or muddy surface.

In fact, it really is a logging road as one passes heaps of logs along the way, part of a managed forest program, I assume. One does see evidence, from time to time, of logging up on the hillsides above this road. Anyway, Glasgow and I were in the lead and we soldiered on. I was reasonably pleased with how I was managing over the rough surface until we crossed a small bridge and the surface thereafter was composed of stones, set into the roadway, much like cobblestones but not nearly as flat or even. Needless to say progress was difficult enough on the flat but when the road started to climb the going was tough, very tough. 

Even Matt, with his wider tires was having to struggle. Unfortunately, for me, after a few kilometres of this, my front wheel caught a smooth surface and the tire slipped sideways forcing me to un-clip and come to a stop. Problem was that once stopped it is well nigh impossible to start again, grade being what it is and surface so uneven. Had to walk my way to the top of the next rise and then was able to ride down a short slope to where another bridge was to be found.
 

By then, I'd decided I'd had enough of struggling with the very difficult, potentially hazardous surface so left Matt to return, on my own, back down the loosen-your-filings-slope. He was going to wait for the gang where he was but I wanted to put the treacherous downhill slopes behind me as soon as I could to then continue on with much more enjoyable cycling. Pleased to say that I took the descent very slowly and carefully and didn't experience any nasty situations. Once back on the regular tarmac, pitted though it was, at this point, I was more than delighted. Planned to ride as far as the shepherd's huts , snap a few more pictures and then ride back as far as the surface was descent, to meet the others.

However, Rain Gods had other plans for me. Just after I'd stopped to take a few snaps of the lovely creek which runs parallel to the trial and the substantial pile of logs pile nearbye, I felt a few telltale raindrops. Then a couple of thunder claps and I knew I was in for a downpour, the sky above angry and threatening. Hoofed it, as quickly as possible, towards the trees of the surrounding forest, about 500 metres further along the trail from where I was when drops began to fall. Only made it as far as a fairly small deciduous tree before the deluge began. It was just teeming and shortly thereafter, hail stones, about the size of a chickpea, began to fall. I had managed to put on my vest and then my rain jacket before the worst began but my back was still pretty wet. I was worried about my camera so while I was not all that comfortable, I felt that my front, where my camera was hanging, was relatively dry and protected.

I think I stayed, huddled under the very, very few overhanging branches the tree afforded for about 15 minutes before I saw a shred of blue sky and the downpour seemed to ease off a bit. Knew I was not getting any drier so decided I'd cycle on, hoping worst was over. Not to o bad for a bit although the road was now a stream bed and so I had to be ever vigilant for nasty potholes as the streaming water made it almost impossible to see them or determine their depth. That problem was solved, for the moment, when it started to pelt again and this time I sought refuge under a covered picnic table, along with about fifty other unhappy people! 
 

I squeezed under a large tree at the edge of the table and was fine. Started talking to three chaps there, all smoking so I knew I was going to leave pretty quickly, rain or shine. Anyway, aside from their nicotine habit, they were most pleasant and even offered me a slug from their bottle of vodka. Declined as graciously as I could, really not wanting to have anything to drink as I wanted my wits about me, especially if I was going to be riding back to the hotel in the rain. Not sure if I wanted to drink out of the communal bottle either and some of the dental hygiene looked a bit suspect, Dear Reader!

Anyway, rain did let up so I thanked them for their kind offer and waved goodbye. Road was a little easier to ride upon by now but since it was a gradual downhill grade, I was soon chilled by the air rushing past. No question, now, in my mind that I was going to wait for my compatriots as I was simply too cold to stop. Knew that once I was back on the highway and started to climb back up the hills towards Zakopane I would warm up and i wanted nothing more than that, let me tell you. My hands were quite numb, as my riding gloves were soaked, while my boots were squelch, squelch, squelching away! Still, the gradual climb along the highway soon warmed me up and I noticed, almost as soon as I turned onto it that it was bone dry. The thunderstorm had obviously been very localized as road was dry all the way back to the hotel.

Once I started to feel more comfortable I actually enjoyed the rest of the ride and some of my clothing started to dry out as the sun was now shining. Part of me had dreaded the climb back up but in fact it was not nearly as taxing as I had anticipated, relatively easy I'm pleased to report, so I was soon zooming down into Zakopane. I had a pretty good idea of where the hotel was but did make a few wrong turns before I found my bearings. After I knew where I was I simply rode through some of the neighbourhoods close to our hotel, exploring a bit more of the lovely town with its tree-lined streets and endless, and I do mean endless, small hotels and pensjonaty.

By the time I'd dipsy-doodled my way towards 50 km I knew I was very close to where the hotel was located so decided to climb one last street and at the top I came across the ski jumping facility. It is obviously a huge tourist attraction as there were countless tour buses parked alongside the road as well as an endless procession of tacky souvenir kiosks lining the side of the street across from the the two runs themselves. I'm not really a fan of skiing, let alone ski jumping, but I was pleased to have seen the facility if only because the 2017–18 FIS Ski Jumping World Cup was held here last year. Thousand of the sport's fans and about 80 ski jumpers from all over the world came to the so-called Polish winter capital, Zakopane, for the event.

Anyway, I took a few snaps of the ski jumps and then made for the hotel, just a few blocks away. I was back in my room around 1:30 pm, after I had ordered a cappuccino to take up with me. Once I'd downed the java I took a lengthy hot shower, washing my riding gear at the same time since it was soaked anyway. As well, took all my folding cash and arranged the bills on strips of toilette paper to dry them off as they were soaked! Had my money clip in a small pouch in my camel pack and it got drenched along with everything else! Glasgow arrived about an hour later to report that they had not suffered any rain at all! I was quite pleased to learn this as I was worried about how some of the people might do on the really rocky part of the trail if the stones were made even more treacherous by being wet. At any rate, everyone made it home safely and soundly. Map and Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2740911035#.Ww_79713qD8.email
 

Earlier, it had been agreed that the group would meet for dinner in the hotel dining room at 5:30 pm so I beavered away on messaging until then and joined the gang. Must say that the food was simply remarkable. I had the Highlander Sour Soup which includes ham, bacon and sausage and was what I should have had when waiting out the rain under the tree! Next was Highlander Salad which included goat's cheese, Belgian Endive, corn, radishes, arugula and red peppers, along with four pieces of bread for soppage! Last was Highlander Dumplings, (perogies), filled with the local cheese: 

Oscypek is a smoked cheese made of salted sheep milk, produced in a traditional way in little shepherds’ huts. Polish highlanders make it entirely by hand using only wooden tools. Oscypek production is a long process. In springtime shepherds take their sheep to pasture in the mountain meadows. The cheese is made from May to September only and may be purchased until the end of October. The production starts with milking sheep in the morning. The milk is then filtered and curdled. The formed cheese is then put into special wooden moulds that give it a traditional cylindrical form and original ornaments. Later, oscypek is soaked in salt water and after draining it is smoked over pine or spruce wood in the same hut where it is prepared. The colour of the cheese varies from pale lemon to brown depending on time of smoking.

These were garnished with sour cream and chives. Dough was quite tender so they slipped down very easily. I think my dear Grandmother, Catherine, would have approved, so tasty were they. I needed a large glass of Żywiec and two 4 oz snorts of Żubrówka , [bison grass vodka], to make everything blend together. 

After paying our wonderful waitress I hied myself upstairs to pack for the morrow, taking with me another snort of bison grass! Another full, full, more than wonderful, wonderful day on Wycieczka po Polsce! Well, must away as I'm starting to feel sleepy and it will be another, long busy day domani! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! Hello Brat Pack! Latest adventures! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Greetings from Room 211, Foluszowy Potok, Zakapane!  Hi Kids!

Didn't have either of your email addresses when I sent this out so here it is! Cheers, Patrizzio! Thanks, when does the travel guide come out? ☺ Tom & Carol Hi Patrice,

FYI, I am definitely “interested”! I have been enjoying your accounts where I can and chuckled at the first part of this one re the vodka 😊. Sounds like you are having a fantastic time and I am very happy for you as well as wishing I had been there to experience with you. Anyway I look forward to hearing lot’s more in person upon your return. Be safe my friend. Fondestos!! Al

Kraków to Zakopane and the Highlander Blues: Wednesday, May 30th!

Speculation is perfectly all right, but if you stay there you've only founded a superstition. If you test it, you've started a science. -Hal Clement, science fiction author (30 May 1922-2003) 

Thanks for the email finally. I thought you might be injured having gone 3 days without posting. I’m glad you are relaxing and don’t feel the need to be online all the time. Took mom into Winnipeg this morning to see her dentist. She has to back next Thursday to have her partial relined.

We managed to get in an hour visit with Marlo before she left with George and Barb to have a shower at her in laws. She can’t get up the stairs or down to their bathrooms. She has been fixed for a back brace and she and Ryanwill see the cancer specialists on Tuesday.
Emmett is coming to the lake with George and Barb tomorrow. Will stay until Sunday while Quinn is at camp.
 
I have $34,000 to put into the renovations have already paid $16,000 as of today. It would be great if you could do the same. Your $25,000 will be needed by June 11 so transferring it into joint acount would be great. The rest later would work. You will love the new space when you see it. Taking mom back into city next Thursday, Also into St Anne for blood tests and to Pam’s for lunch on Sunday with Monique and Larry. Have. Lots of weeding to do in garden but we had rain yesterday so too wet right now. Have fun, with Matt, Love Cora Lee
 

Hi D, Duke is depressed, with mom gone and my late meetings three night this week he is sad and this morning he came in and slept on your bed and last night he slept in there alone. You’ll need to fly back for soccer time!!! Miss you, although I have no time for anything but work. AGM season is upon us!!! Hi to Matt, hope you two are having a grand time!!! ❤️Map and Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2740911035#.Ww_79713qD8.email

sounds amazing Patrick, wish we were there!   My knee was sore though, and have been giving it a break.  I think Poland may have to be our next trip with Katarina!  Enjoy every moment! Judy

A Short History of The World  by Christopher Lascelles, Crux Publishing Ltd., 2011

The Portuguese support for the British foiled Napoleon's plans for domination:

"The British continued to frustrate Napoleon's ambitions, however. Most notably, at the Battle of Trafalgar -- off the coast of south-west Spain -- in 1805, they destroyed or captured two thirds of the combined French and Spanish fleet, without losing a single vessel, although Admiral Nelson, who again led the British fleet, was mortally wounded. Despite this defeat at sea, the French continued to have great success on land, defeating Austrian, Russian and Prussian armies in quick succession.
 

[The Second of May 1808 (The Charge of the Mamelukes]

 

"Increasingly concerned by the possibility of Europe becoming unified under a hostile power, the British organised a new anti-French coalition -- an act which naturally infuriated Napoleon. Unable to invade Britain while the British navy commanded the English Channel, Napoleon sought to implement a blockade of British goods, forbidding their import into any part of Europe either under his control or in alliance with him, and declaring open season on all British ships. He hoped that this action would force Britain to sue for peace.
 

"Most countries fell into line, but the Portuguese -- long standing allies of Britain -- proved intransigent. This provided Napoleon with a reason to invade the Iberian Peninsula in 1808, and place his brother, Joseph, on the Spanish throne. The king of Portugal fled to his colony in Brazil, which he established as the temporary capital of the Portuguese Empire. To Napoleon's dismay, the Spanish did not accept a French king and, aided by the British, the entire Iberian Peninsula became a persistent problem for him, successfully distracting his attention when it needed to he focused elsewhere.
 

"Despite these setbacks, however, by 1812 Napoleon controlled a quarter of Europe's population, and members of his family occupied thrones in Spain, Naples and Holland, creating a new dynastic family in Europe. He even took as his wife Marie Louise, the Hapsburg daughter of the Austrian emperor, Francis I, and niece of Marie Antoinette, the murdered queen of France.

 

"Yet it was not only the Portuguese who refused to cooperate; the Russians also continued to trade with Britain. Suspecting Russia's imperial intentions, Napoleon invaded the country in the summer of 1812 with approximately half a million men, but the Russians adopted a scorched-earth policy, depriving Napoleon of the ability to feed his army. The effects of disease and desertion were exacerbated by an inconclusive battle at Borodino, just outside Moscow, in which some 50,000 of his soldiers were killed. When Napoleon succeeded in reaching Moscow, only 100,000 of his men remained.
 

"Worse still, when it finally became dear to Napoleon that the Russians had no intention of surrendering, his army was forced into a retreat during the Russian winter. Where desertion and hunger had failed, 'General Winter' and 'General Typhus' succeeded. Of the half a million men who had set out, only some 20,000-40,000 returned. Huge numbers of horses were also lost -- some estimate as many as 200,000 -- contributing directly to Napoleon's defeats over the coming years, in a world in which a strong cavalry could make or break a battle.

 

 

"Like that of the Habsburgs before it, Napoleon's growing empire was a threat to other European powers. Encouraged by his defeat in Russia, these powers formed yet another alliance against him, advancing together on Paris, where, in 1814, Napoleon was forced to surrender. He was sent to exile on the Mediterranean island of Elba."

 

 

Lady Dar and the Transformation of the Burns Street Kitchen Blues: Tuesday, May 29th!

To blame the poor for subsisting on welfare has no justice unless we are also willing to judge every rich member of society by how productive he or she is. Taken individual by individual, it is likely that there's more idleness and abuse of government favors among the economically privileged than among the ranks of the disadvantaged. -Norman Mailer, author (31 Jan 1923-2007)

Hi Patrice, I finally managed to take some time out to catch up on your last email as guilt was starting to set in due to my normally attentive nature to my friends lives. Anyway sounds like you are having a very interesting and entertaining time and I am very glad for you. I do wish I could have partaken in some if it with you but on the up side you will have lots of fresh stories to tell me as we ride! 

I have been getting out on the bike again and was surprised as It seemed to be very little effort to ride across town and back. I rode over to VGH to see my Mom as well as down toy friends shop at Kent and Oak and although a bit saddle sore otherwise felt good. Unfortunately I do go back to work next week until the end of July when we come up to see you guys. Would love to travel light and bring the Sunbeam so maybe I can rent a bike or borrow one again. Must get going as I am starting on my garage extension project today and want to try and get it done before heading back to the grind.
 

I saw this girl while out riding and she was asking about the famous Patrizzio and if I knew where he was and how she may join up for your ride?. Send your contact info so I can put her in touch! Stay safe! Cheers, Al

Hi Patrick, sorry I have not emailed for awhile. I've been busy getting the house ready for the renovations before I leave again for Manitoba. Which I am doing tomorrow at 6 am. Will stay in Falcon until the 20th of June. Mom is very happy I'm coming back she is quite lonely with out George and Barb. I'm working with a great designer supplied by the cabinet maker New Generation which is on Ellis. She has designed a fabulous kitchen which I'm really excited about. It is going to transform our living space.  

The cabinets are white and the counter as well is white. The island will be grey to match the fireplace with the white counter top. I gave them a 50% deposit of $16,000. so we will be in line for installation in July. Scott has said that he can do the demolition in June to make it ready for July. I think you will love the design which includes book shelves on the wall where the cabinet from Salvation Army is now. Marlo is to have come home today providing that a hospital bed was set up for her in the living room. She will now be looked after by Cancer Care as far as I know there is no treatment plan set up.

I had a great time at Spirit Ridge, ate at Wayne and Michele's every night. We went to Kismet for lunch on the Saturday where Sandy and Dave were playing. We all really enjoyed the music and the food. Their wine was also great. Michele's friend Michelle and Doug where there as well. Looking forward to going back with you in July. Hope you are enjoying Poland, I'm sure the scenery will be great. I will email you from Falcon. Chloe plans to go over the July 1st weekend. She is really upset about Marlo and the emotional pain that everyone is going through. I miss you and love you! Lady Dar
Hi Patrick hope you aren't lying on the floor in shock over the kitchen. 

If you can commit $25,000 to the Reno's I can provide the rest. I arrived in Winnipeg around 2 and George drove me out to mom's. He gathered up a few things and then drove back to Winnipeg. Marlo will get a back brace tomorrow and have her first radiation treatment. They told the kids last night not sure if Quinn really understood but wants to help. We will go into the city to see Marlo next week, mom needs to see a denturist and of course wants to see Mar as do I. We will wait to see how the radiation goes and how she is feeling. She can't climb the stairs so has her hospital bed in the living room. Just had a short windy thunder storm here. It was 38 C. Chloe said that rain is expected in Penticton tonight. She is happy not to have to water the garden. I did plant some zucchini and some tomatoes before I left.
 

You must be having a great time with Matt. Just talked to Patti. They leave for Spain on Thursday will be doing a Rick Steve's tour while there. Lots of garden work here so I will keep busy and some wedding work as well. Thinking of you,
xxxooo Corinne

Map and Stats for ride: 
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2736546884#.Ww2Sd3F_3zc.email

Hi Patrick, i have put $300 in the joint acct for you. Could you please pay the Costco bill.
I have been once since you left and also paid for gas for chloe when we went into Vancouver last Friday for her procedure. Thanks Corinne                 Dear Sir Pat!

Trust all is well and no news is good news. Phoned Lady Dar and only got ansaphone. Perhaps I should have booked a wedding! I arrived back from France on monday. I was away with Now The Twin Town in a suburb of Paris.now I have a new phone and can send emails. Let me know how your trip goes. Fondestos. Sir James and Lady Patricia.

Hi Old Farts, Jim here….back in P’ton. There has been very little response to Pete’s plan for Lundbom Lake on Thursday, so I believe he is scrubbing it. Here’s another idea. Let’s hike up the Rock Oven Trail from Skaha Bluffs. We will: -meet at 0800 (please note the time) at Home Hardware north parking lot (0740 at IGA in Summerland) -carpool and drive to the Skaha Bluffs parking lot -hike the Rock Oven trail. I am hoping that we will do the circuit, returning via the pictographs. -meet afterwards for coffee and debriefing. Interested? Let me know soon. Cheers, Jim