Stroll Through The Farmer's Market Vendor Based Blues: Saturday, June 30th!

I believe the greatest gift I can conceive of having from anyone is to be seen, heard, understood, and touched by them. The greatest gift I can give is to see, hear, understand, and touch another person. -Virginia Satir, psychotherapist and author (26 Jun 1916-1988) 

Early Morning Greetings from Dresden: Hi again, Bike Locker Man! Too, too early to have results of CT scan. I presume dottore will be in touch after long-weekend to let us know if anything is amiss, either with chest x-rays, blood work or CT imaging. That being said, I awoke at just before 4:00 am, this morning, feeling like I'd had a most refreshing sleep, not groggy as I have felt for past few days, so decided to head to my office to try and reply to some of the many concerned messages I've received.

Don't worry, I certainly will not be over-doing anything, although I do feel I need to start walking a tad further each day to help my body on the road back to Niels Bohr and his "relative normalcy", Patrizzio Through The Wormhole/Looking Glass, say Duke and Etta our very own Cheshire Cats! To this end I'm still planning to enjoy a short stint at Farmers' Market this morning, from about Front Street where I'll have one of my "nurses" drop me off. Will use my hiking poles for extra stability as I make my way, mainly past the vegetable and fruit vendors there and on down to Lakeside where I can easily rendezvous with my chauffeur for ride back to Burns!  

While we don't need any more bike lockers, at a certain point want to re-use the shelving in garage that was removed, a day or so ago, to make room for washer and dryer, relocated there from hallway, off old kitchen. Not a top priority, at the moment, but something that will need to be done, at some point, once appliances are in place and hooked up. Want to have a place to hang any garments that really don't need to go into dryer, as well as a place to hang coats, and such, when one enters house from back door. Maybe I'll contract you and Ragin' Bull while I sit back and supervise/criticize the unskilled, grossly overpaid, grumpy workers! 

Have attached a number of snapolas, just received from Patrizzia, eldest in cycling group at 73, from Sunshine Coast, of a fabulous wine-tasting evening we had in Brno, day or so before cycling tour in Czech Republic finished. Happier Days but Onward, Fight, notwithstanding latest hiccups! Fondestos from Nurse Darjeeling, still abed. Hello to Zoe and Matt. Cheers, Patrizzio, The Penticton Patient! Pics: Wonderful, wonderful wine tasting in Brno, in front of winery door; with Pat and Lorraine, two of the other Sunshine Girls on bike tour; wine-maker/owner, Jaroslav, with Katarina, et al, bike tour leader, at the start of underground tunnel, beneath winery, where much of the bottled wine is stored.

 

Hello Patrizzia, et al, The Sunshine Girls Extraordinaire! Thank you so much for the wonderful snapolas, Patrizzia, as well as for everyone's concern. I trust everyone is well. Thank you, Sweet Lorraine, for the message and I do hope you might have time to drop in, at the very least, when you are up our way. I'm sorry to hear about your terrible jet-lag, Merrily. For my part I really didn't have any. I surmise that my poor body, with everything else it had had to deal with put time-change way down on list of issues to worry itself about! Yes, I did receive your "Happy Travels" note, left on my bike, and had fully intended to reply, had not things turned out the way they eventually did. Pat, I assume you are back on the pannier route in The Netherlands but you may well be back. Not sure of your trip dates. At any rate I hope you are enjoying/enjoyed the riding and the countryside. A country that is high on my list for one of next cycling tours when I'm ready for such a holiday! Onward!! Fight!!! 

For now, I'll be sticking pretty close to the various beds and couches still accessible, given massive kitchen renovation Lady Dar has undertaken! Removal of existing kitchen cabinets, counters, appliances, etc., started on the Monday before we flew back from Berlin, this past Tuesday. Should be a wonderful new space when everything is installed, new appliances, new island, new cabinetry, wall oven and a huge wine fridge, top priority, it goes without saying! Hip Hip Hooray!!! 

Lady Dar and Chloë will head down to the Farmer's Market this morning and I'm planning to join them for part of the outing. I'll ask to be dropped off near Front Street so I can wander for a bit, where most of fruit and vegetable vendors are set up, down to Lakeshore. I'll take my hiking poles for extra stability and then can easily be whisked home. I know I need to start increasing the level of my physical activity as sitting and napping during the day is really not contributing to a gradual return to relative normalcy. Anyway, one day at a time. Must away as I'm going to have a bowl of yogurt with fresh raspberries. Fondestos from Lady Dar and Chloë as I've told them all about The Gang of Four. As I might have mentioned, we have quite a few friends on the so-called Sunshine Coast and it would be wonderful to have a reunion, at some point, with all of you, busy schedules allowing. Until next we chat or see one another, stay well. All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Ragin' Bull, Glasgow, Santiago, Pickle-ball Men, Whirlygig, Calamity Jane, Denise Dangereuse and Wild Bill, Dom Marcello, By The Ocean Goil, Soon-to-be-Officially Retired Head of Dunbar, Offically Retired UBC Librarian, The Deer Hunters and Sunshine Valley Folk!

I apologize for the "Christmas Letter" approach to replying to all of your messages of concern and most welcome wishes for a speedy and full recovery. I trust you understand. At any rate, I awoke at just before 4:00 am, this morning, feeling like I'd had a most refreshing sleep, not groggy as I have felt for past few days, so decided to head to my office to try and reply to some of the many caring messages I've received.

Ragin', terribly sorry to learn of your Dad's fall and subsequent hospitalization. When next you are able to visit, plan to stay for months as how much shelving is still left in you! Pickle-ball? How the Mighty Have Fallen! Will tiddly-winks be next, Cudgel Man and Pulled-Calf-Muscle Man? we'd love to see you, Mick and Polly, in September, when you re here with Rosie and her husband. You can all stay in our new kitchen there will be so much room! Salish Sea People, I trust your mini-music fest will go off well. Would have been grand to make it and finally see your stunning abode. Perhaps later in summer, all going well, we might be able to visit with you and The Courtenay/Sidney Island Folk in a grand tour of the Gulf Islands and VI. Sorry we will miss you when in town for Folk Fest, July 13th-15th, Janet, but I know you will enjoy your trip to Newfoundland. What great news that your Mother is able to travel. Best wishes to her from both Lady Dar and I.

Thanks for offer to stay, DD and WB, but Lady Dar has already arranged for us to be with Elaine Keating while in town. However, the offer of a dinner with endless bottles of your expensive wine sounds wonderful! Trust your coming eye surgery will go smoothly and ever so successfully, Denise. Sorry to hear about your blackberry vines back, Wild Bill. No laughing matter, especially after your history of back trouble. Enough room for you two, along with Clan carter so come on up in September for some lower back lubrication!

Terrific to chat on the phone, Stanchion Man. Trust all goes well in Sunshine Valley this Canada Day long weekend. Look forward to seeing you at Spirit Ridge in July, after we return from Folk Fest. Thanks, Miss Marpole, for our obvious concern. While I trust I was not truly on the brink of extinction, as you worried I might be, from the certainly serious pneumonia, I was very, very fortunate indeed to receive such wonderful medical care and intervention when I did. Feel badly for the shocked Germans as their collective hopes for a back-to-back World Cup win were dashed by the South Koreans. While in the Adina hotel, after being discharged from the Charité, I watched about four or five matches, quite enjoying the play. Our taxi driver, to Tegel Airport, this past Tuesday, predicted Belgium to win. What say the rest of you fans?

Again, thank you all for your kind concern and, it must be recorded, not so gentle criticism! From Mick: "I was sorry to hear about all your troubles and the story of your “Good Samaritan“, Ulrike, is quite uplifting. Why she would help a scruffy looking, beaten up, old tramp like you is remarkable! (And give you money!)" Must away as I need to bind my ever so deep emotional wounds and then I'm going to have a bowl of yogurt with fresh raspberries, with a dash of the arsenic Lady Dar insists will improve the taste! Stay well until next we chat or our paths cross. Fondestos from Lady Dar and Chloë to one and all. Cheers, Homeless Tramp Patrizzio!

Pics: Day, in Poland, I had two pinch flats and then a catastrophic handlebar stem shearing. Had I not being going slowly, at the time of the fracture, who knows what might have happened. Can hardly bear to think about it, even now! The story of the aftermath is another truly remarkable tale which must wait for another day or until we meet, face to face. Glasgow had a roll of medical tape which I was able to wind around stem, to stabilize handlebars so that I could at least push bike, laden with heavy panniers, about 3 km to start of village, Rytro, where we were staying that night.

Hi Pat, Well, you certainly have had an eventful couple of months. You really don't need to go to that extent to rouse our attention! The main thing is that you are on the road to recovery and surrounded by people who love you.

Kjell is arriving in a couple of days and I'm in my usual pre-arrival panic, making lists of things to do and get done before he gets here. We would really like it if you came here and did a Vancouver Island visit to all and sundry in this neck of the woods. Have you ever been to Ross and Julia's place on Sidney Island? It is quite the place.

Kjell and I would like to do a road trip this summer. I'd like to go over Railway Pass to Bralorne, then along to Pavillion and up to the Chilcotin Plateau and to Cache Creek, then down through the Okanagan and back along the south. I'd like to do it in the van but Kjell is nervous about the van, so we'd probably have to take the SUV.

Summer has been a long time coming, or rather it has come in fits and starts, with an absolutely gorgeous May and a cooler, wetter June. Kjell is bringing some good weather though. Must off to the Saturday market before it ends and some town errands. It is always nice to receive your long epistles. I always read them right though! Am less good at replying though. In the meantime I hope you are better and better every way in every day. Fondestos, (as you would say!), Jane

Hey Patrick. Just heard about your near death experience(s). Believe it or not, I feel deep sympathy. ...Partly because of your injuries and partly because Housewives of America will try to confiscate your bicycles and relegate you to a walker. I’ll call to get the gory details. As for Sidney Island, yeah let’s make it happen. Maybe early September? -Ross 

Heard about your misadventures. Hope you are on the mend. You have to take it a bit easier and stop pushing yourself. Was the bike tour group all 20 and 30 year olds that you were trying to keep up with?

Our wild trip was 7 countries and 14 cities in 24 days. I now feel like a whacked weasel. Driving in Ireland was hairy. The coastal road between Limerick and Galway has no shoulders and was very narrow. Instead of shoulders there are rock walls. Plus areas like "corkscrew" hill. Needed much Irish holy water after that. Anyways, take care Colin Hi Irish Holy Water Man and Miss Marpole! If it's Tuesday, it must be Galway! Wow! What a pace you set for yourselves! We'll have much, much to talk about when next we are able to meet. Lovely to hear from you, Colin, especially when you feel like a "whacked weasel!" I sympathize entirely with your description of narrow roads and rock walls. Reminds me of the nerve-wracking lanes, in Devon and Cornwall, when we were there in 2013. My main fear was that I'd have to back up, for a mile or more, if we ever met an oncoming vehicle as there was simply no room to pass. Fortunately, for me, at least, never encountered such a daunting situation. Glad you survived and am sure Holy Water helped unwind! At any rate, thanks for your best wishes. Stay well and take care of each other until next we chat or see each other, face to face. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio

Wow you had quite the trip! You are lucky to arrive back to Canada still alive!! Hope you are on the mend now. How did you make out in Poland? Did you like that part better then the Republic? More hilly? I came back with a very sore knee, torn miniscus . I think I got run down after biking every day and not enough training. But the good news is I am retiring soon! I took a temp job in oliver cooking, but quiting hospital and Oliver, this summer! More time to get in shape! hope you feel good soon, and back on the road soon, see you on the trails! PS we have a mutual friend, Mike and Mariola, you play cards with apparently! Judy 

Hi Patrizzio, thank you for the email. We are glad to hear you feel better now and back home in the beautiful Okanagan. You had good luck meeting Ulrike, after such an experience! Happy Canada Day. Stay well. Happy Trails,
Carol & Tom 

 
Hello Naramata and Summerland! Thank you both for the good wishes. I enjoyed Poland very much, except for the really rough and muddy bike trails that I don't think Katarina should have lead us over. For my part I was more than happy and comfortable on the regular roads. Anyway, sorry to hear about your very sore knee, Judy, but congratulations on your coming new freedom! Yes, Michaelo is in hiking group and we do play bridge together, although not Mariola.

Thanks again for bike lock, Carol and Tom. It was very useful at The Ginger Hostel in Kraków as I used it to lock my bike to stair railing while I was there. I have it here so if you are passing by 611 Burns Street, drop in to say hello to the Penticton Patient. Otherwise, send along your street address and we'll drop it off at some point, convenient to you. How was rest of your trip in Germany? Unfortunately, as you know, my trip to Denmark and then back to France was cut short. At any rate, great to be back home with Guardian Angel Ulrike's considerable help!

We had a short time at Farmers' Market this morning, from about Front StreetLady Dar parked near Cannery Brewing and we walked over from there. Had a lovely time chatting with many of the vendors we have come to know and even bumped into Nancy and Bill, neighbours from further down Burns Street. After about an hour and a half I was ready to go home so Chauffeur Cora Lee went for car and I waited on seat across from Bus Depot.

Must away as I'm going to have a bowl of ice-cream, with fresh raspberries. Stay well until next we chat or our paths cross. Fondestos from Lady Dar and Chloë to one and all. Cheers, Homeless, Within His Own Home's Kitchen Construction Zone, Tramp Patrizzio! Pics: From Farmers' Market this morning and Duke waiting for us to return!

 

Hi Old Farts, Great work on the Sheep Rock trail. There were lots of deadfalls and loads of brush beside the trail. Now there are less of each, particularly on the first half of the trail. Now, about this Thursday…….

I will likely not be available or, if so, I will have a little person in tow, So, it is best that I not plan on being there. Someone is needed to lead a hike. If you are available and willing, I would be most appreciative. Hikes were suggested to Apex or Dividend but, if you are willing to lead, the choice is all yours. I will even put out the information blurb for you. Please let me know soon if you can. Many thanks, Jim

More X-rays and Blood Test Blues: Friday, June 29th!

Many individuals have, like uncut diamonds, shining qualities beneath a rough exterior. - Juvenal, poet (c. 60-140) 

Impeach: To charge a public official with misconduct in office.

Hello everyone, We are sad to announce that Nicholas (Nick) Omelusik, a former librarian with UBC Library, passed away on June 18, 2018. Mr. Omelusik was hired at UBC in 1966. He retired as an Administrative Librarian Emeritus in 2005. Further information will be provided once available. The BC and UBC flags (at the North Plaza of the Old SUB) will be lowered on Tuesday, July 3. Ina

Hey Patriccio you home in a piece eh? Was going t call but realised I only have your old landline on my CAN cell Sarge n Michele up for supper a coupla nights ago talking about you ... new baby hadn't arrived yet so seemed the obvious conversation to have. Guess you've seen them. Had a stunning time at the Summer Solstice bash, so did abt 120+ others. Went over n back w Johnny Mac, great company, laughs. We've been thinking abt Corinne too, hope she's bearing up to your dramatic tales; keeping her strangling hands under the table. What's on for C-Day?

Hello Stefano and Kathleen! Thank you for your concern. We can be reached on our landline. Almost anytime is fine as I'll be sticking pretty close to the various beds and couches still accessible, given massive kitchen renovation Lady Dar has undertaken! Should be a wonderful new space when everything is installed, new appliances, new island, new cabinetry, wall oven and a huge wine fridge! Until then, we are "camping" out in the back patio with the summer kitchen set up around new, gas-fitted bbq.Yesterday, Lady Dar whipped up a fabulous scrambled egg concoction incorporating fresh chives and garlic scapes, all from our own plantings. Tonight we are having sausages and a mixed green salad. Chloë just returned from a long walk on the KVR so Lady Dar was waiting for her until she starts grilling.
 

[Alan Waldron Beats a midnight Granville mall street smokie, I am sure!] On the health front, Lady Dar dropped me off at PGH this morning, at 9:00 am, and I was able to have a chest x-ray and more blood work. After Nurse/Chauffeur Cora Lee dropped me off she had an initial meeting, downtown, with the couple she will marry on September 14th at Little Engine Winery, a high end winery not far from La Frenz, if you remember the Naramata Bench. Once back I watched a number of recorded episodes of Blacklist and while viewing PGH called again to tell me I had an appointment for a CT scan at 4:00pm. A couple more episodes of same and then it was time to return to PGH. Once I'd checked in it didn't take long to undergo CT scan and we were back home well before 5:00 pm. Had last episode of Season 6 of Homeland to watch so lay down on couch in Rumpus Room to see how things would be resolved. Chloë said that Season 7 will be last in this remarkable series, one of reasons being that Clare Danes is pregnant. Cannot emphasize how much we have been riveted to this highly intelligent take on the current state of US politics and related black ops. What an incredible cast of both primary and secondary characters. Now it is time to catch up on both recorded episodes of both Elementary and Endeavour, Season 5. 

This evening, for dinner, we enjoyed sausages and a mixed green salad, after Chloë returned from a long walk on the KVR. Lady Dar was waiting for her until she started grilling. Miss Etta was quite interested in helping, savouring the smells of the tasty sausages, wanting to clamber up onto the bbq! Lady Dar and Chloë will head down to the Farmer's Market tomorrow morning but I don't think I'm yet up to such an outing. Will see, however, and perhaps if I'm dropped off near Front Street I can wander for a bit and then be whisked home if I feel too tired to stay. I know I need to start increasing the level of my physical activity as sitting and napping during the day is really not contributing to a gradual return to relative normalcy. Anyway, one day at a time. Must away as I'm going to ask for a bowl of ice-cream for dessert while we watch Sherlock. Fondestos from Lady Dar and Chloë, finishing their delicious dinner around the un-lit fire pit, to you, Stefano, and Kathleen. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Yesterday, Duke in drying rack in our bathroom and kitchen after Mike, contractor, and his crew left, with shots of our bedroom, Rumpus Room and then my Office with our outdoor kitchen for next two weeks or more! Chef Lady Dar and her bbq station, this evening!

Relief t hear all that. What's the CT saying? Some reno, more like the rebuilding of Dresden. Cat looks comfy. "Relative normalcy" is a challenge. I've been reading about the Copenhagen position in quantum theory, "relative normalcy" could send the physicists down an enlightening wormhole. Without speculating where it could deposit you. Don't get too hard on yrself for exercise, I can say with certainty that it will delay relative normalcy. Same certainty as niels bohr.
Need any bike lockers? S
 

[You look like a different man - all shaven and trimmed.

Thought you'd like some pics from that memorable day!!]

 Hi TNT! Thanks for the Canada Day Card. Happy Birthday to Kirsty! Thanks for your concern. Much appreciated. Will say goodbye for now as I want to go and have another lie down. Wonderful, wonderful Nurse, Lady Nightingale, sends her very best wishes to one and all. Fondestos and Cheers, Pneumococci Pugilist Patrizzio! Pic: Wild Mountain Man no more, this past Monday, after a wonderful time with Barber from Bristol, Jake, who followed his German girlfriend to Berlin!

Cartoon: Kipling West

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Hipster Paolo and the Next Round of Post-Hospitalization Blues: Thursday, June 28th!

What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness? -Jean Jacques Rousseau, philosopher and author (28 Jun 1712-1778) 

Marlo at chemotherapy this morning. I told Ryan I want him to do a sexy dance for her and he was unwilling as it was a room full of people... I said that would make Mar laugh. Laughing at the idea of Ryan doing a sexy dance for her.

Thank you, she looks beautiful. Hi Chloë, et al! Thanks for picture of brave Marlo. [Wow, the room looks huge now! Thanks for the update and it was great to finally hear your voice in person today xoxo Ms Tinsel Town] I'm off to see the doctor at 4:30 pm this afternoon to see what he might think in terms of follow-up, etc.

Most of kitchen walls, etc., have been removed now. The section where the pantry, opposite washer and dryer, is will be removed tomorrow. The shelving in the garage, where w/d will now go has been removed. All the required electrical work has been installed but the plumber still needs to come before washer can be hooked up with all the necessary hot and cold water piping and drain exhaust. Not quite sure but I assume holes will have to be made in concrete footing to allow all this to be installed. Will be great to be able to do laundry so hope it will happen before the long weekend. Of course we can survive but it will certainly be far more comfortable if we can do laundry, under circumstances.

One of the "good" things about my convalescence is that I'm reading more than I have done in a long while. Also catching up on a whole host of recorded shows. I may well give up cycling and become a Netflix junkie! Time for a shower before Lady Dar takes me to see the dottore. She just left to go to bank so that she'll have plenty of cold, hard cash for tonight's Penticton Art Gallery dinner/fund raiser. Lynne and Peter will come by to pick her up. Chloë is going but I think on her own as she is very busy at work. Of course, I'm being abandoned, like last night. Might as well have stayed in Berlin! Fondestos, Love and Cheers, Patient Poppa Patrizzio!

Pics: Duke in drying rack in our bathroom! Kitchen after Mike and his crew left, with shots of our bedroom, Rumpus Room and then my Office with our outdoor kitchen for next two weeks or more! Garage where w/d will go and shelving outside!

Patriçio, I am glad you are back safe in the bosom f your loving family. Tough break in Europe! I was hoping to drop by just to say “hi” - I could use a road trip - but I found my Dad on the floor this a.m. and he is in the hospital now, very weak, aery dazed & confused. I will get on the phone mañana and look into upping the home care. Until then, I will be sleeping on the pull-out in his LR in case he gets up in the night. I hear muchos renos happening? Women eh? Anyway, talk soon, take care, and please start considering touching the burning ground on a bike ride! A java at the half way point is a good thing!!! Talk soon, bjp Branko 

OH my goodness Patrick!  What terrible things have been happening to you since the Poland trip!  I was so shocked to hear about your accidents, the damage to your face and hospital visit in Krakow.  If I had known all that was happening, I would have at least visited you in the hospital as I was still in Krakow at the Ginger Hostel till the 12th.  (Rented a bike on the 11th and rode along the Vistula to Shindlers Factory (closed) and then out towards the kayaks again.)  Instead, as I was leaving for the airport on the 12th,  I left a note in your bike basket saying Happy Travels!  

After I arrived home, I had the worst jet lag ever and it lasted for a solid week! Never experienced that before.  During that week I barely looked at emails or did much of anything except take George for his shoulder surgery, back and forth on the ferry.  That was about all I could handle.  so I didn’t really know of all your troubles till just a few days ago.  I hope you are on the mend and getting back to life as you would like it to be.  So good of your Lady Dar to come to your rescue.  Sounds like you have the best of the best taking care of you.

I discovered a Polish bakery in North Vancouver today and found Lindon tree honey there!! Of course I bought some and some Polish saurkraut too! Can’t wait to try them! I love reading your journal reports, as they bring back great memories of the trip! Even with all the little calamities it was an awesome adventure with an awesome gang! Now working on trying to organize my pictures! It would be fun to have a cycling reunion one of these days! Happy healing Merrily

Hi Patrizzio, thank you for the email. We are glad to hear you feel better now and back home in the beautiful Okanagan. You had good luck meeting Ulrike, after such an experience! Happy Canada Day. Stay well. Happy Trails, Carol & Tom Hello Patrick, I was just thinking of emailing you and asking where the hell you were and what you were doing? What a crazy adventure you have had!!

Oh boy! What a nightmare! It hurts just to read about it. But, not all bad, huh? Ulrike Blaschke makes me think of the Wim Wenders movie "Der Himmel Über Berlin"/"Wings of Desire". Speedy recovery, Patrick, and I hope to see you and Corinne on the island before summer is over. Buona fortuna, Marcello

Dear Patrick and Corinne I knew something must be really wrong. I had thought of contacting Corinne just in case but then thought that was a bit much as it would worry her. I said to Colin tonight that I was going to email to just see if I could get a response.

And then what do you know--an email from Patrick Dunn. Thanks for sending this account. Really feel for you--my God you are so lucky to be alive. Pneumonia is very very serious and it would seem that your system was drastically compromised. I am truly glad that you got to a hospital and that you encountered individuals who helped you so much. People for the most part are truly excellent. You need to rest and recuperate--make sure you do!! Thank goodness Corinne was able to fly to Berlin to rescue you. I will write a better note tomorrow but I want you to know I did so appreciate hearing from you.
Lots of love for now Jo-Anne

Hi Patrick, Wow, what an experience you’ve had! Actually you are a very lucky relatively old man -Pneumonia can readily finish us off! Also you have an amazing wife; you should consider yourself very lucky on that point too.

I (Bill) was just about ready to write you when this shocking news came in from you. How are you feeling now? I was going to remind you that you and or Corrine would be welcome to stay in our spare bedroom which you will find very comfortable. I remember that you were arriving from Europe on Wed July 10th and were going to stay in Vancouver through the Folk Fest the following Sat & Sunday. Denise is still having her eye surgery on Friday so we would prefer to be on our own on Thur Jul 12th and Fri 13th nights. Or we would like to have you for dinner on anther night if you are available. Of course I don’t know your plans now so let me know.By the way, are you still having your shoulder(?) surgery on July 26th(?).

There were some points in your epistle that I was not clear on, so when we get together we’ll resolve them. Denise & I just got back from a month in France and England; there was a river cruise plus a lot of visiting the rellies in the UK. Everything went very smoothly except I may have buggered up my back pulling out blackberry vines in Jennifer’s back garden plot.

Glad to hear that you are giving your liver a rest -right now, because it’s wine-o-clock, I’m enjoying a Sage Hills rose. If you haven’t visited this winery you should go -it’s a beautiful spot with really good wines. Just not of Summerland. I’ll miss the OK Valley this summer as we decided to visit elsewhere for a change. So we are visiting Cortez Island which is lovely very rural spot near the entrance to Desolation Sound. We’ve got a beachside cabin there. Really looking forward to seeing you guys and hearing about your adventures. Say hello to Corrine for us cheers, Bill & Denise.

Hi Patrick I hope you are on the road to recovery. I was sorry to hear about all your troubles and the story of your “Good Samaritan “ , Ulrike, is quite uplifting . Why she would help a scruffy looking, beaten up, old tramp like you is remarkable! ( and give you money). I’m sure a bit of Okanagan sunshine will help to quickly cure your pneumonia.
 
We had a lovely time at sandy beach lodge, although my wine tasting was somewhat limited, due to excessive amount of babysitting. We had to rent three cabins this year to accommodate the mob, but everyone had a great time and it is fun having us all together. I did manage to visit a few wineries, and picked up my summer case from Tera vista, and had a good chat with Senka,. I really enjoyed the wines from moraine winery and joined their wine club , to buy their red wines twice a year. Also bought wine at van western, nicol, Bella and a rather expensive cab franc at poplar grove. Enjoyed a lovely, albeit pricey lunch there , and also at lake breeze. I think I could quite happily live in Naramata, I love the slow pace of life and the fact that very little seems to change year to year.
 
My sister Rosie and husband Al are visiting in September, so I have booked a cabin at sandy beach lodge for four nights from Monday September 17th, so hope we can see you and Corine then. I have been playing pickleball with Ray banks on a regular basis at the kits community centre and had some great games whilst at Naramata, ( we marked out one the tennis courts with chalk ) but I over extended myself playing with the three boys ( thought I was thirty again ) and pulled a muscle in my calf and have been hobbling ever since.
Polly seems to play bridge about three times a week and I am left to watch Netflix. I think Netflix is amazing and I am working my way through all the British police dramas. All good here and we are now in town for the rest of the summer. Cheers, Mick

From the Frying Pan into the Kitchen Fire Blues: Wednesday, June 27th!

It may be observed that the English language is not a system of logic, that its vocabulary has not developed in correlation with generations of straight thinkers, that we cannot impose upon it something preconceived as an ideal of scientific method and expect to come out with anything more systematic and more clarifying than what we start with: what we start with is an inchoate heterogeneous conglomerate that retains the indestructible bones of innumerable tries at orderly communication, and our definitions as a body are bound to reflect this situation. -Philip Babcock Gove, lexicographer (27 Jun 1902-1972) 

Michele Darrow-Sutherland I want to introduce you to the newest Sutherland - Alexandra Celeste - Alexandra after Wayne’s dad and Celeste after my grandmother . Megan Ryan and Grace are ecstatic!! I am very blessed. Patrick James Dunn Congratulations, indeed, Megan and Ryan! Hip Hip Hooray! Cheers!
 

Dear Corinne and Patrick: Oh my goodness -- such startling news! What a super-stressful time for both of you. And how disappointing to hear that the European adventure has gone sideways in such a manner. But it's good to know that you are both safely back in Canada. The thought did occur to me that if one is going to be sick in Europe, Berlin is a good place -- the Germans are so very, very professional, efficient and clean (if I can be allowed to engage in such
generalizations). Actually, I am expecting to be in Berlin again in October -- I loved it so much during my first visit last fall.

 

I'll miss you both on Canada Day . . . but I certainly appreciate the difficult circumstances. We won't be able to connect during the folk festival either, as I will be in Newfoundland. Karen, Mum and I are flying to St. John's on July 11th, to meet Sandy and her daughter/my niece Anna (who is completing teacher training at Memorial). Apart from Sandy and Anna, we have never been to Newfoundland before, so we are looking forward to it. We fly back to Vancouver on July 19th and I expect that you'll be back in Penticton by then. But now that I am retired, the possibilities for getting together are so greatly expanded that we should be able to find another opportunity in the relatively near future. All the best and stay well! Love, Janet 

Hello Patrick, I was just thinking of emailing you and asking where the hell you were and what you were doing? What a crazy adventure you have had!! Happy to hear that you are safe and sound and back in Canada and home. Take care of yourself and enjoy your time back home!! Best wishes, Lorraine  OH my goodness Patrick!  What terrible things have been happening to you since the Poland trip!  I was so shocked to hear about your accidents, the damage to your face and hospital visit in Krakow.  If I had known all that was happening, I would have at least visited you in the hospital as I was still in Krakow at the Ginger Hostel till the 12th.  (Rented a bike on the 11th and rode along the Vistula to Shindlers Factory (closed) and then out towards the kayaks again.)  Instead, as I was leaving for the airport on the 12th,  I left a note in your bike basket saying Happy Travels! 

After I arrived home, I had the worst jet lag ever and it lasted for a solid week! Never experienced that before.  During that week I barely looked at emails or did much of anything except take George for his shoulder surgery, back and forth on the ferry.  That was about all I could handle.  so I didn’t really know of all your troubles till just a few days ago.  I hope you are on the mend and getting back to life as you would like it to be.  So good of your Lady Dar to come to your rescue.  Sounds like you have the best of the best taking care of you.

I discovered a Polish bakery in North Vancouver today and  found Lindon tree honey there!!  Of course I bought some and some Polish saurkraut too!  Can’t wait to try them! I love reading your journal reports, as they bring back great memories of the trip!  Even with all the little calamities it was an awesome adventure with an awesome gang!  Now working on trying to organize my pictures! It would be fun to have a cycling reunion one of these days! Happy healing Merrily

 

Glad you made it home safely. Take care. Pat, Sorry to hear about your accidents and pneumonia. Nice to know that there are public spirited people willing to help in other countries. You look to be recovering well. Give yourself a proper break in order to recover completely. Painting the house at the moment. Non too sprightly on the ladder, I must say, and lying down on the roof to get to the places I can't reach isn't much fun. Mike Carter and I are really enjoying pickleball. Once a week at Kits Community Center for the past several weeks and we are intending to play outdoors at Dunbar tennis courts next week.
 

Patriçio I am glad you are back safe in the bosom f your loving family. Tough break in Europe! I was hoping to drop by just to say “hi” - I could use a road trip - but I found my Dad on the floor this a.m. and he is in the hospital now, very weak, aery dazed & confused. I will get on the phone mañana and look into upping the home care. Until then, I will be sleeping on the pull-out in his LR in case he gets up in the night. I hear muchos renos happening? Women eh? Anyway, talk soon, take care, and please start considering touching the burning ground on a bike ride! A java at the half way point is a good thing!!! Talk soon bjp Branko  Look after yourself. Ray
  

Pat: We have not had news from you since the accident. How are you making out? All better I hope and back at home. Drop us a short note when you have the time. Cheers Ben Hi Santiago, et al! Thanks for your concern. Much appreciated. Had been in Berlin since last Sunday, June 17th, when I was hospitalized for pneumonia for a week. At the time I was en route to Denmark to spend time with close friend, Margareta. Obviously that part of the trip didn't happen, as well as my return to Chabeuil, France, to leave my bike. More to the story than that but this will have to suffice for now.

To help me home, Lady Dar flew to Berlin, arriving on Saturday, June 23rd, to make sure I got home safely. She came to the hospital as soon as she had checked into the hotel which was only about ten minutes away, [planned by her], so a truly  unbelievable amount of good luck in this regard!

Lady Dar collected me, Sunday morning, around 10:00 am. After I was discharged she walked my pannier-laden bike back to the hotel and I followed. Fortunately the rain had stopped so it was quite pleasant to be out in the fresh air. We were comfortably ensconced here until Tuesday, June 26th, when we flew to Toronto. 

Plane was three hours late so we knew we'd miss original connection to Vancouver but fortunately we were booked onto a flight that put us in Vancouver with twenty minutes to make connection to Penticton, at 11:15 pm. Staff announced our plight and that of others with same connection, and we were able to leave plane first. Landed shortly after midnight and Chloë, wearing her pajamas, collected us! About twenty-four hours, what with delays and waits in various airports so we were both pretty tired but more than delighted to be home, as one can well imagine, without having to spend a night somewhere.

Back to Berlin, on Monday, Lady Dar insisted I have a haircut and beard trim as she claimed I looked like a wild, mountain man. Sarge said I could pass for Grizzly Adams when he saw a picture of me. Barber, Jake, was a terrific chap, from Bristol, so it was a treat to chat as he snipped and buzzed. Afterwards we tried to find a soft case for my folding bike but to no avail. 
 

The one store Lady Dar found that would likely have had the sort of carrying case Air Canada required was closed and we knew we wouldn't have time, next day, before flight to pick one up, even if they had one, which we didn't know for sure. This being the case, we arranged to have the bike shipped to Maggie, in Denmark. So I guess I'll be cycling there when next we are back in Europe! Perhaps rest of cyclistii need to join me to make sure I'm fine!

Unfortunate way to end what had otherwise been a remarkable month's worth of cycling in the Czech Republic and Poland, latter with Glasgow. Not sure if my pneumonia would have surfaced anyway but to add to my woes I tripped on an uneven paving stone at Auschwitz on Monday, June 11th, knocking myself out, and spent two days in hospital there. Once back in Kraków, I fell again, trying to avoid a pedestrian who suddenly moved right in front of me, coming back from train station where I had had to change my rail reservation! 

Landed on my poor face but didn't lose consciousness and after about six hours in hospital, (five stitches in my forehead, five in my right hand), I was released. When I left, made it as far as Prague where I had to spend two nights as no train reservations for my bike for two days. On to Berlin where same was true when I tried to board for Hamburg. Probably a good thing, given my increasing pneumonia. Unbelievably, a complete stranger, Ulrike Blaschke, "saved" me and called the paramedics when I couldn't board train. She arranged for my bike and baggage to be stored at the station until I was ready to collect them and I was whisked off to the hospital, the Charité, but ten minutes away. 

Hospital stay was fine but I had no internet access and my phone was with my knapsack at station. Eventually I was able to phone Maggie from hospital and she alerted Lady Dar who set everything in motion for my Escape from Berlin!

Furthermore, this past Saturday, Ulrike and her boyfriend, Thomas, came to visit me. Earlier that week one of my doctors had called her when I knew that she planned to visit, (Lady Dar called her from Canada to thank her on my behalf, for everything and Ulrike mentioned the coming visit to her.), and the station so that authorities knew she had permission to collect my bicycle and baggage. 

Unfortunately, they were not able to meet Corinne. It was shortly after 7:00 pm when she was able to walk from the hotel to the hospital and they had to leave by 6:00 pm to catch their train home.

Furthermore, unbeknownst to me, (until I read a note left with paramedics), she had put €50 in my knapsack in case I needed a bit of cash and couldn't get to an ATM! I suppose I was still not thinking as clearly as I should have been as I had fully intended to return the €50 her when she visited but completely forgot. This being the case, when we were out on Monday we stopped by a post office outlet and picked up a small box. 
 

I still had three tea towels, (with indigenous designs I'd brought as small gifts for friends, along the way), and Lady Dar packed them, together with money, to mail to Ulrike before we left. I had asked her to send me her street address so that we could post the small gift, (along with the money), as a tiny measure of thanks for simply everything she did, for all her selfless kindness and remarkable assistance, rendered to a complete stranger!

Overall, I feel reasonably well, given my week in hospital, but still not a lot of energy, due to the pneumonia, of course. To add to all this Lady Dar has contracted to have a fairly major renovation to our kitchen, (more later as project proceeds), so we arrived home day after things were being ripped out, in preparation for new appliances, cabinetry, counter tops, etc. 

Her original wish of removing wall behind existing counter/sink, has come true so after washer/dryer are moved into garage, kitchen will be considerably enlarged. Until plumbing is changed and new sink installed, our bathroom will be where we will do dishes.

Sarge and a friend, (when they stayed overnight a few weeks ago), put together a new bbq which is now hooked directly into gas line which feeds our on-demand hot water unit so all cooking will be done here until new gas stove top, on new island, is ready. A wall oven and new microwave are also part of expanded kitchen and I'm assured everything will fall into place, probably in three weeks, if all goes well.

Most of the rest of the house is quite a mess with boxes everywhere, most from having to decant kitchen but also some things that Chloë has acquired for her new place in Sendero Canyon. Great good news here is that townhouse is coming along very nicely and it even looks like she might be able to move in before end of August, date given to her this past winter. Not that we mind having her here but she herself is looking forward to being in her own place. Anyway, she is quite pleased with work which has already been completed as she has visited site a number of times, over last few weeks.

Poor Etta and Duke are quite fussed by all the noise of kitchen work but think they are happy Lady Dar and I are home now and around during the day and evening. [Etta curled up on me when I went to bed last night.] Chloë has been extremely busy for last few months, if not more. She leaves for work reasonably early and isn't home, with AGM meetings, etc, often until well after 9:00 pm.

So there you have it! Will say goodbye for now as I want to go and have another lie down. Lady Dar is off to Book Club, [one I started when not allowed to join her The Sisterhood Only!], this evening, hosted by Senka, winemaker at Terravista. Sorry I haven't read book as I wasn't going to be here, according to original itinerary but I really don't have a taste for alcohol of any kind at moment. I really must have smacked my head!!! Wonderful, wonderful Nurse, Lady Nightingale, sends her very best wishes to one and all. Fondestos and Cheers, Pneumococci Pugilist Patrizzio!

Pics: Morning I left Penticton, for Vancouver, April 12th. Lady Dar beside her "MarriageMobile"! Chloë drove me to Vancouver as she was going there for the weekend. What I looked like after fall in Auschwitz and then near Castle in Kraków, two days later! Wild Mountain Man no more, this past Monday! Glad you are back at home and on the mend Patricio!!!!! Ben/Santiago!