Gallagher Lake Dubh Glas Distilery Blues: Sunday, January 29th!

The vast majority of human beings dislike and even dread all notions with which they are not familiar. Hence it comes about that at their first appearance innovators have always been derided as fools and madmen. -Aldous Huxley, novelist (1894-1963) 

Hi Corinne and Patrick, Just finished "Nutshell" - enjoyed it very much. Andre tells me the owner of the "Deep Roots Winery" is coming to stay with us in Chabeuil in February/March so we will after all be having visitors from the Okanagan this spring. Hope all is well. Think it is time for Gin and Tonic, from DGD naturally. Cheers, Rosemary XXX
 
[Comfy on the heated bathroom floor!]
 
Hi Rosemary! This is the fourth time I've tried to send this message! Hope it goes through this time! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Gin and Tonic Girl!! Lovely to hear from you, Rosemary! Funnily enough, we will be driving down to Gallagher Lake, to DGD this afternoon. I have organized a "malt consortium" and by this past Friday everyone, (9 investors), had paid for their shares and money was deposited in my account. Can't believe how well the scam worked! Hootch won't be ready for 3 years and by that time I'll be long gone! Maybe I'll hole up in Mexico and have a market stall, selling maple syrup! In fact, as mentioned, will be heading south to the distillery to complete paper work/payment, so I've asked Kjell, (Swedish friend who drove his amore, Jane, up to Silver Star, for a few days of skiing, on Saturday. He'll be with us for two nights before returning to collect Jane.), to be here, from Silver Star, before 2:00 pm.

I won't be reading Nutshell for a bit as I've organized a book club here and have suggested Lisa Moore's February, 2009, the story of one woman's grief after her husband is lost when the oil rig, Ocean Ranger, sank, off the  coast of Newfoundland, in 1982. I met Lisa at the Vancouver Writers Festival, in 2009 or 2010, I believe, and have a signed copy of the book.

Great that Deep Roots owner will be visiting. We're both very jealous, of course! Lady Dar just left for Oasis so I'll be heading to The Rumpus Room to ride the bike as I'd like to get my exercise in before Kjell arrives so that we can have more time to visit. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you and Andre. Cheers, Patrizzio

 

Pics: Doug and Ariane, Damien, Rae, (friend who first met Tina on the ski-lift!), and Corben. Connector, just at the edge of the dense fog. Catching up on lap love last night! Etta and her favourite turtle this morning!

Patrick, thanks for invite. I could be interested but we'll talk when we get back. Still planning on being back in Penticton Feb 18. See you Gill Hi again, thanks for all your emails and good to hear you and Corinne are doing well. We're back from the Mexico dentist and Joshua tree. All went well though a bit cold in Joshua Tree the 2nd day with a raging cold wind then. Did some good hiking and great to see the sights in another park. I'd been before but it was new for Phil. Good prospects for me to go climbing there in the future too.

We've got sun today here in Sedona and I'm road biking with my friend this pm. Weather bad here when we were away. Look forward to seeing you both and biking when we get back after Feb 18th. hugs to you both Gill

Hello Raging Cold Wind People! Lovely to hear from you, Gilliana, though sorry that the weather hasn't cooperated! If it makes you feel any better, there is a very strong, cold wind blowing, from the south, today! Be delighted if you would like to join book club. We'll chat, as you say, when you are back. Much looking forward to riding together as well, it goes without saying. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you and non-Toothless Wonder, I suppose/presume! Will need to find another nickname now! Cheers, Patrizzio!

We drove down to Gallagher Lake this afternoon to complete paper work and pay for shares of malt futures. On the way there, we took McLean Creek Road to show Kjell, friend visiting from Sweden, some of the countryside. Just past Syncromesh we saw a small herd of mountain sheep so Kjell was quite impressed. I have often seen them, when cycling, as they feed in the large pasture below Peach Cliff. Just past Vaseux Lake we saw a much larger herd clambering over the rock benches to the east.

Had a wonderful time tasting at Dubh Glas and, along with another couple, visiting from Saskatchewan, (They are staying at Spirit Ridge for a couple of months.), Grant gave us a mini-lesson on distilling as he was doing a first run of malt to be. Not ours, unfortunately, as our cask will be in the "stream" in May now. Still, he poured a taste of two year old malt and it was fabulous, at least to my palette! Over the course of the aging, our group we be given tastings on the anniversary of the filling of our cask. If this goes, as did offering with Shelter Point, I'll be given a small sample to share with investors. That being the case, if 2018 unfolds like this year, we could taste here in Penticton when any investors, (Mick and Polly, for sure), are up, along with Roberto and then lucky tasters could take the thimbleful left back to poor sods in Vancouver! 

Hi Arv! How goes the battle in Osoyyos? Busy here. Chloë and Pamela, in Vancouver, on business next week, will fly into town, late Thursday night, to stay for the weekend so we are looking forward to their visit, as are etta and Duke. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you and Sandee. All the very best. Cheers, Patrizzio

Hi Music Man! Here's one for you! Cheers, Patrizzio! You've Got a Friend in Me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukD8zj6ngVY&sns=em


These are truly amazing. Love the Last Picture.........they just don't make things like they used to.......Hugs from Hildi

  http://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2017/1/18/456416-doc_20170113_wa0013.pdf

Hi Von Bingen! Trust you are well! Thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful, wonderful pictures. Thanks for the link. Must apologize for not being in touch sooner but life has been and continues to busy. Fondestos from Lady Dar, to you, Hildi. Cheers, Patrizzio!


 

 

 

Chateau Buenos Aires on Snow Creek Blues: Saturday. January 28th!

Pray, v. To ask the laws of the universe to be annulled on behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy. -Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914), [The Devil's Dictionary, 1906]

Hi Patrick Whilst you were freezing in Sun PEAKS I was in the amazing 34C at Balgowan. Pictures of sunset, my friend and her sister in the kitchen of the converted tram, view of the tram from the extension. Warm regards Teens 

Pat, Thanks for the recent e-mails. I'm surprised that the Kettle valley is in such good shape. With it's altitude, I thought there would be snow on the trails. Riding is not that good here as the roads are so poor and with sand and grit on many roads as well as numerous gouges in the surface, one has to be quite careful.
 
It's been quite a harsh winter, by Vancouver standards, and a trip like George and Jane have undertaken, would be very nice right now. A trip to New Zealand with Sylvia in just over a week would be just the ticket. The thoughts of walking and swimming at Ohope Beach are very enticing.

Mike and I are planning to watch the 6 Nations rugby if I can fit it in with my schedule. It starts next Saturday with England v France and I'm hoping to channel it in from the UK, although this match is on French Television. More tickets now on sale for the Sevens, so there should be large crowds each day.
Hope you and Corinne are both keeping well. Off to UBC on the bike to do some teaching in a few minutes. Ray

Hello Raymondo! Lady Dar says she'll go to New Zealand with Sylvia if you won't! Looking forward to Sevens.

Will go for a stroll through the resort this morning and then back for lunch with another set of friends, Ariane and Doug and their twin, 9 year old sons, Damien and  Corben. I knew Ariane when she was a lifeguard at UBC, doing her degree in Family Science and she introduced us to Tina and Trevor as she had met them skiing here, back in '97. They have been coming, from Adelaide, almost every year since then. When I mentioned to Ariane that we were going to Australia, in 2000, she said we should get in touch with TNT, and we did. Been friends ever since. 

Last year Tina visited us in Penticton and she came on a snow hike out of White Lake. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you and Sylvia. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Hockey game in progress, this morning, on an outdoor rink, new this year, according to Trev. Some of the other condos and runs one can see from the deck of condo we are staying in.

Attention Old Farts RE: Thursday, February 2nd Let’s do something just a bit different. Kilian has suggested that we go downhill skiing for the day. Though there may be the odd expert among us, most of us will stay pretty much to green and blue runs. -For those who wish to carpool, we will meet at 0800 at Home hardware parking lot and, from there, make our way to Apex. -Our meeting time as a group will be at 1000 near The Edge. That will give folks time to purchase day pass, rent skis, have the first coffee of the day, and possibly get in an early run or two. - From there, we will ski as we wish, solo or in groups, as much or as little as we wish. The idea is to keep the day as simple as possible. So that we have some idea of numbers, please let me know if you are intending to join us.
 

There may be some who are not interested in a day of skiing, and would prefer to have a day on snowshoes as usual. If any among you wishes to co-ordinate a snowshoe outing, please let me know and I will get the mailing list to you. Cheers, Jim

Patrick, Did you get a bottle of the Lohin McKinnon single malt from Central City? Also, highly recommend a bottle (or two, or three) of the Wiser's Union 52. -Colin Hi Colin! I wasn't aware of Lohin McKinnon before you brought distillery to my attention. Thanks. Looks like a reasonable drop and price seems pretty well positioned. Haven't had time to buy any Wiser's Union 52 but it is available here in town, (15 bottles according to BC Liquor website), so I will do so this weekend. Quite enjoyed the taste you poured on our New Year's Eve visit. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you and Jo-Anne, in absentia, as she's at yoga as I scribe. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hold On Canadians: https://youtu.be/KfW7y_Qk0VY

Just so you know, "Walk Off the Earth", is a musical group from Burlington, Ontario. You and Corinne must be thriving there in Penticton, B.C., now that you've settled into your new community. I have a sister living in Victoria, and of course we both have so many friends and family scattered throughout our great Canadian nation. Sadly, and by the way, Sarah Blackwood, the only female member of the group "Walk Off the Earth", was recently, (2015), booted off her United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Vancouver, B.C. because her 2 year old child was crying too much just before take off. Ms. Blackwood was 7 months pregnant at the time she was booted off. Unbelievable, but true.
 

Anyway, Kaitlyn is due to deliver her all Canadian baby boy on February 7.
We know she is carrying the baby's weight well on her slender body frame. Scott and Kaitlyn have disclosed the 2 middle names for the child, "Andrew", with respect to Scott's side of the family, and "Edwin", with respect to our side. Sally and I are both very expectant about this event.

Sally is now off delivering fruit salad to Kaitlyn, and chewy treats for Kaitlyn's beloved rescue dog Koda. I expect her home soon, and I'm on duty here to order in Chinese food so gotta' go now, and leave off from the middle of Canada.

Did you ever wonder how Boeing produces more than forty 737 airplanes a mont? The train arrives with the fuselage in the morning, and then......

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ SE71NJl-naY?autoplay=1

Christina Tassell Celebrating Australia Day, Balgowan style.

 Hello Dearest Wildwood Park People! How absolutely wonderful to hear the news of impending birth of a grandson! Please pass along our delighted congratulations to both Kaitlyn and Scott, and to you and Sally, of course. Now you can be a Grumpy Grandfather instead of just being and ordinary grumpy old man, Filmer!!!l You both must be Walking Off the Earth!  

Enjoyed their video muchly but Sarah, by comparison, is lucky she isn't from Syria and headed into the US! Still, United should be ashamed. Ridiculous in the extreme, aside from any inconvenience and more which Ms Blackwood experienced. Quite a Boeing video as well. Wow! Have we ever mentioned that Melvin, Ayn's former husband, works for Boeing, and is a team leader on some part of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Well, there you have it, Grandparents-to-Be! A bit of a window into the life of Pentictonites. Please pass along our best wishes and fond regards to one and all. Do think carefully about visiting as we'd simply love to see you and show you around. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you and Sally. All the very best. Cheers, Patrizzio! Travis visited Skara Brae last October after hiking the West Highland Trail. Too cute, and talented too.

Hello Possible St Patrick's Day Bridge Players! As you will see, from attachment, Grandmothers For Africa is hosting another afternoon of bridge as a fund raiser. Josinta and I played last year and enjoyed ourselves immensely. I plan to go so am wondering if any others would be interested. One needs to register before March 15th so there is a bit of time. All levels of play so that need not be a worry. Just fun for a very good cause. We can chat about this at bridge, next week, and over the coming month or so. We will host next week, unless I hear otherwise. Cheers, Patrizzio! Hi Patrick; I didn't get the attachment.... Pam Hello Patrick,Sounds like fun, but I miss the attachment. Jos Hi again, Bridgeoids! Sorry, but I was so dazzled by my fab bridge prizes that I forgot to attach GFA poster! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Teens! Enjoyed all the snaps of Balgowan! Looked like a fabulous place for a beach getaway! While the weather at Sun Peaks certainly wasn't what you experienced, it wasn't overly cold either. I gather much cooler on the slopes than in the village, of course. Well, there you have it Teens. A bit of window into the life of lucky Pentictonites. Please pass along our best wishes and fond regards to all your dear relatives, especially your Mom. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Much Love and Cheers, Patrizzio!
 
SALE DC FUSION - DAVE'S CUVÉE We have a lot of Estate Fruit coming on in the next few years, so starting right now we are offering these two wines at some of the lowest prices ever! Dave wants to be known as a Winery Owner who wants to sell great wine at a reasonable cost. These prices will remain in effect only through February 28th, or until the wines are sold out. Order online now to secure your place in line and to lock in these prices on either the 2016 Dave's Cuvée futures or the newest version of DC Fusion, just bottled this month.

Jacques Brel This guy was so amazing. 

Goodbye, Emile, I loved you well/Goodbye, Emile, I loved you well, you know/We sang of the same wines/We sang of the same women/We sang of the same sorrows/Goodbye, Emile, I’m going to die/It’s hard to die in the Spring, you know/But I leave for the flowers with peace in my soul/Because you are good as fresh bread/I know you will take care of my wife

(Chorus)

I want all to laugh/I want all to dance/I want all to party like mad/I want all to laugh/I want all to dance/When it is the time to put me in the ground

Goodbye, Father, I loved you well/Goodbye, Father, I loved you well, you know/We weren’t on the same side/We weren’t on the same path/But we were searching for the same port/Goodbye, Father, I’m going to die/It’s hard to die in the Spring, you know/But I go to the flowers with peace in my soul/Because you were her Confessor/I know you will take care of my wife   

(Chorus)
 
Goodbye, Antoine, I didn’t like you at all/Goodbye, Antoine, I didn’t like you at all, you know/It is killing me to die today/While you are living so well
And even stronger in your tedium/Goodbye, Antoine, I’m going to die
It’s hard to die in the Spring, you know/But I go to the flowers with peace in my soul/Because you were her Lover/I know you will take care of my wife   (Chorus)    Goodbye, my wife, I loved you/Goodbye, my wife, I loved you well, you know/But I’m catching the train to the Good Lord/I’m taking that train before you/But we all take that train when we have to/Goodbye, my wife, I’m going to die/It’s hard to die in the Spring, you know/But I go to the flowers eyes closed, my wife/As I often closed them before/I know you will take care of my soul  (Chorus) -- Bruno  

Hi Brunello! I couldn't agree more but my favourite is Marieke! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Ay Marieke, Marieke je t'aimais tant/Entre les tours de Bruges et Gand/Ay Marieke, Marieke il why a longtemps/Entre les tours de Bruges et Gand 

Zonder liefde warme liefde/Waait de wind de stomme wind/Zonder liefde warme liefde/Weent de zee de grijze zee

Zonder liefde warme liefde/Lijdt het licht het donk're licht/En schuurt het zand over mijn land/Mijn platte land mijn Vlaanderland

Ay Marieke, Marieke le ciel flamand/Couleur des tours de Bruges et Gand/Ay Marieke, Marieke le ciel flamand/Pleure avec moi de Bruges à Gand
 

Zonder liefde warme liefde/Waait de wind see'est fini/Zonder liefde warme liefde
Weent de zee déjà fini

Zonder liefde warme liefde/Lijdt het licht tout est fini/En schuurt het zand over mijn land/Mijn platte land mijn Vlaanderland

Ay Marieke, Marieke le ciel flamand/Pesait-il trop de Bruges à Gand/Ay Marieke, Marieke sur tes vingt ans/Que j'aimais tant de Bruges à Gand

Zonder liefde warme liefde/Lacht de duivel de zwarte duivel/Zonder liefde warme liefde/Brandt mijn hart mijn oude hart
 

Drive home!

Zonder liefde warme liefde/Sterft de zomer de droeve zomer/En schuurt het zand over mijn land/Mijn platte land mijn Vlaanderland

Ay Marieke, Marieke revienne le temps/Revienne le temps de Bruges et Gand/Ay Marieke, Marieke revienne le temps/Où tu m'aimais de Bruges à Gand

Ay Marieke, Marieke le soir souvent/Entre les tours de Bruges et Gand/Ay Marieke, Marieke tous les étangs/M'ouvrent leurs bras de Bruges à Gand/De Bruges à Gand de Bruges à Gand Ah Marieke! Bien sûr!

Connector Kamloops Sun Peaks Blues: Friday, January 27th!

It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment. -Ansel Adams, photographer (1902-1984)

Hello Soon-to-Be Sayulita Bound Folk! I heard from Marilyn that you leave on Domingo! Have a wonderful time. Lady Dar has decided that she is going back to Guyabitos, shortly before Christmas, next year, for a couple of months. She plans to rent a place that is large enough to invite Ayn/Los Horridos and Chloë down for Xmas. Still remember, most fondly, the great time we had there with you.
 

Great that you are busy with "bill paying" work and that progress on cabin continues to go well. Once you decide to sell, you should come up here and we'll take over the real estate scene here in Penticton! Marilyn can run her exercise program out of the barn which Lady Dar will have for her wedding ceremonies and we can ride all day! 

Everyone has paid for their malt shares and money has been deposited. Can't believe how well the scam worked! Hootch won't be ready for 3 years and by that time I'll be long gone! Maybe I'll hole up in La Peñita and have a market stall, selling masks! In fact, I'd like to drive to Gallagher Lake, to the distillery there, on Sunday, to complete paper work/payment, so I've asked Kjell, (If  he'd like to join me.), to be here before 2:00 pm.

Fondestos from Lady Dar, to you both, (She's green with envy!), just out the door to her volunteer shift at PGH. I'm charged with getting everything ready so that we can leave shortly after she's back home, shortly after 12:15 pm. Not all that much to do but I also want to do about a 70 minute stint on stationary bike so have to figure that into my schedule. Again, travel safely. Watch out for the strong undercurrents when enjoying The Grandes! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Bridge cats, with Lady Dar, & bridge players, Spumoni. Olga Polga and Naramata Pamela!

Greetings Book Club, (and potential), Folk! Absolutely delighted that you are keen on the book club. This is an initial message now that there are enough committed readers, (6), to form a critical mass, (Luigi, Dame Judi, Lady Dar, von Bingen, Jake and Il Conduttore, aka Patrizzio), as well as a number, (5), of potential, occasional members, (Spumoni, Maid Marian, Dorothea, Guillermo and Albariña), asking for suggestions on meeting times and book titles. For my part, Thursday evenings seem like a time to start but will let the group decide.

I will also suggest Lisa Moore's February, 2009, the story of one woman's grief after her husband is lost when the oil rig, Ocean Ranger, sank, off the  coast of Newfoundland, in 1982. I met Lisa at the Vancouver Writers Festival, in 2009 or 2010, I believe, and have a signed copy of the book. I think the work should be available in paperback and PPL has a copy, although it is checked out at the moment. Another suggestion is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, available from Amazon for anywhere between $0.78 to $1.96 and higher, for perfectly reasonable used copies! Let me know your thoughts and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Patrick I've read The Book Thief and enjoyed it. I have not read February so for that reason would prefer that selection. I'm sure you could also share some insight having spoken to the author. Let me know more as things evolve. Luigi
 

I assume Albarina stands for Senka, who would be delighted to join the group, on whatever time basis the core group sees suitable At the moment busy learning about the Aztecs and tasting mezcal but should be back mid February just in time for the book of the same title. Read it while on another journey 2-3 years ago. Good choice Hasta Lugo amigos Senka Thursday evening would work for me but We'd would better. In Feb I have two board meetings the 9th and 23rd. The 2 and 16 are free. Judi

Greetings from Sun Peaks! Hello Albariña and Dame Judith! Thank you both for replying so quickly. Delighted that you are going to be part of club, Senka. Until I hear from more people, I don't think we'll settle on day of the week, just yet, but do appreciate knowing your schedule, Dame Judith! Will feed everything into the grist mill and see what members think suits. Lady Dar and I left Penticton just before 1:00 pm today to take the Connector. Highway was completely bare so driving was terrific. Ran into thick fog/cloud as we approached the first summit so had to be very careful as a number of heavy semis were going quite slowly and one only discerned them as their lights winked out of the shroud as we came upon them rather abruptly. After that section is was smooth sailing and we arrived at Sun Peaks just before 4:00 pm. Found our friend's place without much difficulty. A lady, walking on the road, pointed out the turn we needed to make and Trevor came to help us unload, shortly thereafter.

Lovely to see him again. Was around last year, at this time, that we drove up to see both him and Tina, his wife, not along this year as her Mom is in failing health. Spent a wonderful evening catching up on everyone's lives and managing to polish off four bottles of wine over the course of the evening! Lady Dar had prepared coq au vin, (back in Penticton), for dinner and along with a mixed salad and baked potatoes, we feasted! [Hi Gianna and Her Devoted Chauffeur!Yes, sorry we won't connect but understand completely, given your tight schedule. Cuba sounds fabulous, indeed! Kjell, have you had any thoughts about when you plan to arrive on Sunday? Fondestos from Lady Dar, to you both, (She's green with envy about Cuba), just out the door to her volunteer shift at PGH. I'm charged with getting everything ready so that we can leave shortly after she's back home, shortly after 12:15 pm. Not all that much to do but I also want to do about a 70 minute stint on stationary bike so have to figure that into my schedule. Again, travel safely, ski safely! Cheers, Patrizzio! I'll try to be there well before two, if I can find my way, /k]

 

Will be in touch as I hear from rest of gang. Continue your studies on the Aztecs, Alabariña, as well as your ongoing research on Mezcal! Hello to Roberto. Buona Fortuna with board meetings, Dame Judith. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio! Beautiful shots. Thanks for sharing. Dame Judith 

Hello Dame Judith! Trust you are well. With respect to setting an evening for book club, are you involved with board meetings most every month, on Thursdays? I was going to suggest March 2nd as first gathering since this would allow people to obtain and read book selected. Please let me know and I'll send out a notice once I hear from you. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Look who is playing at Aunt Leah's Thrift Shoptomorrow night!! I'll be going!! xx

Sinead singing Patsy Send her my love please Chloe!

Hola hola Thanks for your grand send off! You will definitely be in our thoughts as we frolic in the waves in Sayulita. That sounds like a great plan to go down for Xmas next next year...that is something I have always wantedto try and organize with my family ( Geraldo and Sue ) We will have to confer with you maybe this will the the year. I am very excited to tell you that I have applied to go to field school as an International Student this upcoming May. I am handing in the application package today.

Add caption

I have had to garner 2 academic references, one personal reference, write a letter of intention, update my resume, provide my unofficial transcript as well as fill in reems of

paperwork. I hope to know soon if I am accepted into the program and if all goes well I will be spending about a month in Belize studying geography, sociology, and archeology at the University of Galen located in St.Ignacio. Completing this field school will also mean that I will have finished my Sport Science Diploma and will be technically done school by the end of June.

I have never really been off by myself like that before and decided that it would be a great way to reward myself for all of my hard work at Douglas as well as get the opportunity to immerse myself in the culture of Belize. I will certainly keep you posted about whether or not I'm accepted. I am teaching 2 classes this morning so I must scurry off and get ready to go to work. I anticipate having some more free time in the next week or so down south...I think that our condo has a free phone to Canada and if this is the case we will try and give you a call from Sayulita. Our minds have been on Dusty and hope that he is doing well...please send my love to Corinne and to your adorable little babies as well. Love you lots! Marilyn xoxoxoxo