He who establishes his argument by noise and command, shows that his reason is weak. -Michel De Montaigne, essayist (1533-1592)
Hi parents, I got a notification of some sort of dinner reservation, weird that I got it no????Yeah, that's weird. I don’t know anything about this. Big rain storm all night. Power was off went to our favourite breakfast spot now back at our lodge and power back on. Waves really high! Love Mom Hi Children! Thanks for sending along reservation, Ms Penticton! It is to the Soda we ate dinner at last Thursday. I think staff heard you whining about snow so thought you might like a break!
Decided I’d take a walk into town as I wanted to see the water as the sound the waves were making was something else. Borrowed an umbrella and walked the few blocks to the water’s edge. Sounded like a 747 was landing on top of us! Rain had let up so it was actually quite warm and pleasant. What a difference in the Caribbean from past few days! The water was very angry and quite brown, I assume from all the sand the wind driven waves had churned up, crashing into the shore. Noticed many palm branches lying on the roads, obviously brought down by high winds, at some point.
Walked back towards Coco Loco to see if Bread & Chocolate was open and much to my delight it was, serving full breakfasts and java! They cook with gas although no fresh juice as still no power. Once back at the bungalow I filled Lady Dar in on situation and said I was going back to restaurant to have a cappuccino while she was dressing. Had almost finished my java when she arrived and it had started to pour so she was glad I had left the umbrella for her.
We enjoyed another fabulous breakfast, reading our books and chatting, Lady Dar eavesdropping on tables around us. Lights came on about half way through our meal but had not been on at our place when she left. After breakfast I escorted Lady Dar to the BCR ATM where she withdrew five million Swiss Francs and then we returned to the bungalow, me acting as her bodyguard, ever on the alert for muggers disguised as chickens or bedraggled cats. All back to normal when I took umbrella to receptionist although no TV signal so far. Power has been on and off a couple of times since we’ve been in our room. I did manage to have a shower before it went off the last time and am using Word as back-up since WiFi has been spotty.
Only good thing about all of this is that weather seems to be putting a damper on Lady Dar’s enthusiasm for shopping. I’m fine as my new book, Jo Nesbø’s first Harry Hole novel, The Bat, will allow me to read when power and/or WiFi are down. Lovely sitting on our porch, even when it is pelting down. Sun is starting to shine now so I will probably be abandoned shortly. Don't mind at all. Later on, if weather holds we will probably take a swim on one of the beaches here and then take a stroll to a local craft brewery not far from where we are staying, another of the suggestions from Priscilla, our waitress at Lazy Mon. Not sure about dinner, just yet, perhaps a place that serves shrimp tacos. However, I'm sure Lady Dar will have something in mind once she is back from her Power Shopping! We are not to be collected until 10:30 am tomorrow morning so that will give us plenty of time to have one last breakfast at Bread & Chocolate. Fondestos from Shop 'til You Drop Dar. Love and Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio!
Pics: Café Viejo last night; front lawn swimming pool; beach this morning and palm branches; Hens and roosters! We don't need an alarm clock, that's for sure as rooster might as well be in our room instead of in the vacant lot near our bungalow! Curbside delivery! Our bungalow in better weather!
Hi Jean! Thanks for the congratulations on Alex's achievement. You are right about him becoming a "chef" but that will have to wait until after his probationary year as there are quite a few things that new recruits are not allowed to do. Anyway, must say we are very proud of his achievement so thanks. We spent a terrific four nights/days in San Jose and have attached an album which chronicles our time on the day we visited the so-called Gold Museum. The other museum we really enjoyed was the Museo Nacional. The most wonderful surprise is that upon entering, one walks up a series of ramps through a Butterfly Garden. Quite magical.
Hi Jean! Thanks for the congratulations on Alex's achievement. You are right about him becoming a "chef" but that will have to wait until after his probationary year as there are quite a few things that new recruits are not allowed to do. Anyway, must say we are very proud of his achievement so thanks. We spent a terrific four nights/days in San Jose and have attached an album which chronicles our time on the day we visited the so-called Gold Museum. The other museum we really enjoyed was the Museo Nacional. The most wonderful surprise is that upon entering, one walks up a series of ramps through a Butterfly Garden. Quite magical.
We arrived in Puerto Viejo this past Thursday, on the Caribbean. [Lady Dar had arranged for us to be shuttled around country in small vans so this has worked out very well, so far.] Sleepy little town with plenty of foreign tourists, many of them back-packers, youngsters like were once upon a time! Still, locals are very, very friendly and helpful, as was the case in San Jose, as well.
Our next stop/stay is Volcán Arenal, an active volcano in north-western Costa Rica, around 90 km northwest of San José, a car trip of about five hours from here. Apparently, since 2010, Arenal has been dormant so we pray it continues to be so! Fondestos from Lady Dar. Take care of each other. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Pat, Sorry it's taken me so long to reply to your much enjoyed email and
photos. Ted and I were both having cataract surgery around that time
which was a bit of a nuisance, and gave me ample excuse to be lazy.
Ted will have his other eye done at the end of the month and then I'm hoping
we'll go somewhere for a change of weather.
I don't know if you have heard that Dodie died in November. Ted had
visited her a few weeks before and she was cheerful and friendly. He hadn't
seen her often over the years as the family situation was so awkward.
From your email, it looks as if life is good in Penticton. When did you move there. We love the area and have been going to the Okanagan every summer for years. Last summer we spent a week at Naramata with Hilary and Sebastian at the United Church Centre. It was very quiet and peaceful, we had a lovely time there. I think they will eventually sell off some of their land as they no longer operate as a Church camp in the summer. But, it was a great place to stay and we made our usual treks to our favorite wineries. For many years, we stayed at Arta B&B on the bench but sadly it closed a few years ago.
We have a sunny day here in Vancouver and Ted is urging me to shake my lazy bones and go for a walk. So I shall close for now and send our best wishes to you and your family for a happy and healthy New Year! Cheers, Maureen
Hi Maureen! So lovely to hear from you. Thank you for the New Year's wishes. To back up, a tad, we moved to Penticton at the end of May, 2015, and have been very, very much enjoying life in the Okanagan ever since. However, we are often in Vancouver, for one reason or another. [VWF, per esempio, and Book Club for Lady Dar. Coincidentally, on her last visit, she happened upon Dodie's obituary. Condolences to Ted, of course. We all cared a great deal for her as she was such a marvellous, marvellous person. At any rate, thank you for mentioning her death in case we hadn't known about it] We certainly do not regret the move, for many, many reasons, wine almost being the least of them! We'd be more than delighted if you and Ted would come and stay on your next visit. We have a modest bungalow but plenty of room if you don't mind our two felines, Etta and Duke.
Hi Pat, Sorry it's taken me so long to reply to your much enjoyed email and
photos. Ted and I were both having cataract surgery around that time
which was a bit of a nuisance, and gave me ample excuse to be lazy.
Ted will have his other eye done at the end of the month and then I'm hoping
we'll go somewhere for a change of weather.
I don't know if you have heard that Dodie died in November. Ted had
visited her a few weeks before and she was cheerful and friendly. He hadn't
seen her often over the years as the family situation was so awkward.
From your email, it looks as if life is good in Penticton. When did you move there. We love the area and have been going to the Okanagan every summer for years. Last summer we spent a week at Naramata with Hilary and Sebastian at the United Church Centre. It was very quiet and peaceful, we had a lovely time there. I think they will eventually sell off some of their land as they no longer operate as a Church camp in the summer. But, it was a great place to stay and we made our usual treks to our favorite wineries. For many years, we stayed at Arta B&B on the bench but sadly it closed a few years ago.
We have a sunny day here in Vancouver and Ted is urging me to shake my lazy bones and go for a walk. So I shall close for now and send our best wishes to you and your family for a happy and healthy New Year! Cheers, Maureen
Hi Maureen! So lovely to hear from you. Thank you for the New Year's wishes. To back up, a tad, we moved to Penticton at the end of May, 2015, and have been very, very much enjoying life in the Okanagan ever since. However, we are often in Vancouver, for one reason or another. [VWF, per esempio, and Book Club for Lady Dar. Coincidentally, on her last visit, she happened upon Dodie's obituary. Condolences to Ted, of course. We all cared a great deal for her as she was such a marvellous, marvellous person. At any rate, thank you for mentioning her death in case we hadn't known about it] We certainly do not regret the move, for many, many reasons, wine almost being the least of them! We'd be more than delighted if you and Ted would come and stay on your next visit. We have a modest bungalow but plenty of room if you don't mind our two felines, Etta and Duke.
Speaking of which, Chloë, our youngest daughter moved to Penticton, from Vancouver, at the end of September, and is living with us until her townhouse is finished, sometime in April/May, we assume. She is house-cat sitting until we return at the end of February. We spent Christmas with her and then drove to LA for New Year's with our eldest daughter, Ayn, and our grandsons, Pierre and Alex. We attended Alex's graduation from the LAFD on January 4th and then flew to Costa Rica on January 7th, for about a month, returning to Tinsel Town on February 4th. Will spend a couple of weeks visiting friends in Palm Desert, Sun City and Sedona and then a week or so back in LA before heading north towards the end of February. Lady Dar is quite involved with Oasis United, in Penticton, (This being the case, she is quite familiar with the Naramata Centre and often swims at their beach!), and needs to be home for an important meeting in early March. Take care of each other as soon as you can see each other! Buona Fortuna with full recovery from cataract surgery. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hello Squamish Waldorf! Trust you and The Grumpoid Extraordinaire are both well, the latter ever so kranky, but well! So lovely to hear from you, Ruthless. Thank you for the congratulatory wishes for Alex and for our travels as well. Take care of each other! Buona Fortuna with winter weather. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Patrizzio! Here is an alternative to having to worry about keeping the toilet seat down all the time! If your cats do decide to check out the toilet, at least they have something yummie to drink! Found on Pinterest!Of course, the claim is that it, [Kool-Aid], also keeps your toilet clean. Hmm … wonder what it does to your insides. Branko Hi Ragin'! According to some conspiracy theorists, Jim Jones was only trying to keep the Disciples of Christ's toilets clean in Jonestown, Guyana, so your point about its the harmful effects on one's insides is well taken!
Hello Squamish Waldorf! Trust you and The Grumpoid Extraordinaire are both well, the latter ever so kranky, but well! So lovely to hear from you, Ruthless. Thank you for the congratulatory wishes for Alex and for our travels as well. Take care of each other! Buona Fortuna with winter weather. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hello Marps! Trust you and Colin are both well, the former relishing early retirement! Cheers, Patrizzio! PS: It is raining so hard, at the moment, that we can hardly hear ourselves think! At least the torrential rain seems to be keeping the skeeters at bay!
Hi Pat and Corinne, It's great to hear about your Costa Rican Adventures.
The food sounds delicious and the wine surprising. I hope the weather improves
as you continue your journey. Hopefully, the volcano will not rumble as you approach. I have heard about the Butterfly Garden and would love to see all of the different varieties. I'm sure it was amazing to be surrounded by them. Au revoir for now, Ruth Hello Spirit Ridgers! Trust you are both well! Buona Fortuna with bridge, Sandee! Cheers, Patrizzio! Thanks for taking us with you ! Really enjoyed. Sandee Hi Roma and Leonard! Trust everyone is well! Thank you for the lovely card and New Year's wishes. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Pat and Corinne, It's great to hear about your Costa Rican Adventures.
The food sounds delicious and the wine surprising. I hope the weather improves
as you continue your journey. Hopefully, the volcano will not rumble as you approach. I have heard about the Butterfly Garden and would love to see all of the different varieties. I'm sure it was amazing to be surrounded by them. Au revoir for now, Ruth Hello Spirit Ridgers! Trust you are both well! Buona Fortuna with bridge, Sandee! Cheers, Patrizzio! Thanks for taking us with you ! Really enjoyed. Sandee Hi Roma and Leonard! Trust everyone is well! Thank you for the lovely card and New Year's wishes. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Patrizzio! Here is an alternative to having to worry about keeping the toilet seat down all the time! If your cats do decide to check out the toilet, at least they have something yummie to drink! Found on Pinterest!Of course, the claim is that it, [Kool-Aid], also keeps your toilet clean. Hmm … wonder what it does to your insides. Branko Hi Ragin'! According to some conspiracy theorists, Jim Jones was only trying to keep the Disciples of Christ's toilets clean in Jonestown, Guyana, so your point about its the harmful effects on one's insides is well taken!
Didn't have a chance to go for another swim this afternoon as monsoon-like rains continued all afternoon, evening and through the night. However, braved the downpour to walk to Café Viejo as Lady Dar insisted she had enjoyed her meal there the night before so much that she wanted a repeat performance. Never one to disagree with Her Ladyship, I agreed. Huddled under a borrowed umbrella we splashed our way the four or five blocks to the restaurant which, surprsingly, was quite busy, given the pelting rain. Enjoyed another delicious, well-presented meal. Started with the Insalata Mediteranea, made with Mozzarella rather than Feta and no oniones! Still, very tasty. Lady Dar asked for a repeat of her gluten-free Spaghetti alla Carbonara, [Only gluten-free pasta dish available.], while I decided upon the ham and cheese Calzone. It was wonderful and although I thought I might have had some overlefts, no such luck. Enjoyed a 2015 Root 1 Carmenère, 13.5%, so quite a pleasant meal. Toddled home, dodging more puddles and streaming rivulets to read in bed, rain still beating down on the roof, all night, the sound of the surf drowning out Lady Dar's wind tunnel experiments! Fondestos from Lady Dar to you, Ragin'. Cheers, Il Conduttore!
Patrick, Thank you for all the info re your holiday so far. Sounds a lot like paradise, We have been in Vancouver since noon on Saturday. It was very cold at home with gusty cold winds so we were delighted to leave. Vancouver has altered between sun and thick fog. Remember the fog horns at UBC - I loved the sound of them.
We are off to Hawaii on Tuesday morning. I have a check up with the oncologist tomorrow and Gerry has a medical test and then we are set to go. Hopefully there won’t be any more false alarms re incoming missile attacks while we are there. You may not have heard the news that someone accidentally pushed the wrong button and all the Islands were to prepare for a missile attack. Guess there was a lot of panic and then anger. Poor person who pushed the button.
Stacee, Sean, Jeff and Madisyn are going to come over tomorrow then we will just go up to a Chinese restaurant close by for dinner. I always wish we could have longer visits with them but fortunately they have their own lives so don’t want to spend all their time with us. Keep us posted on your trip and sights. Hugs to you and Corinne. Cheers, Dawn Hi Donna Maria! You might be facing ICBMs but were are growing webbed feet! Fondestos from Lady Dar to you and your Hawaiian Stud! Cheers, Patrizzio!
We are off to Hawaii on Tuesday morning. I have a check up with the oncologist tomorrow and Gerry has a medical test and then we are set to go. Hopefully there won’t be any more false alarms re incoming missile attacks while we are there. You may not have heard the news that someone accidentally pushed the wrong button and all the Islands were to prepare for a missile attack. Guess there was a lot of panic and then anger. Poor person who pushed the button.
Stacee, Sean, Jeff and Madisyn are going to come over tomorrow then we will just go up to a Chinese restaurant close by for dinner. I always wish we could have longer visits with them but fortunately they have their own lives so don’t want to spend all their time with us. Keep us posted on your trip and sights. Hugs to you and Corinne. Cheers, Dawn Hi Donna Maria! You might be facing ICBMs but were are growing webbed feet! Fondestos from Lady Dar to you and your Hawaiian Stud! Cheers, Patrizzio!
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