Front Porch Etta Scopes The Sidewalk Passerby Blues: Tuesday, March 13th!

Don't ask me who's influenced me. A lion is made up of the lambs he's digested, and I've been reading all my life. -Giorgos Seferis, writer, diplomat, Nobel laureate (13 Mar 1900-1971)

Ayn P Poppa, your next vehicle! Patrick James Dunn For Hippy Nana as Ragin' and I are headed for assist bikes which run on Cask Strength Malt!


Lovely to wake up to glorious sunshine, streaming into the house even earlier with Daylight Saving Time back on the clock! Fondest from Lady Dar, working in front yard, cleaning up with Duke supervising! Lady Dar and Duke!

Hello Patrick, Are we still planning to play bridge at my house tomorrow night?
Jos Hello Josinta et al! Just had a message from Madame Summerlandia asking whether we are playing at Il Palazzo di Dronkers tomorrow? Lady Dar and I are on and we can take three others should people like to carpool. Let me know who will join gang so that Josinta can have the right number of stupendous bridge prizes! Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Last week at Robson's Aer·ie. Nala was top scorer!!! I am not able to play tonight. I am working a hockey tournament. Wishing you all good cards. And hopefully see u next week Xox Judy

By the time I had helped Lady Dar with some of the yard clean-up, both back and front, it was close to 1:00 pm and Scott, the contractor she had contacted, arrived to discuss the plans we have for an extension to the front of the house as well as a few modifications to the kitchen. He came up with a number of ideas, for the extension, that we both quite liked so once he has run a number of initial drawings past the building permit people he will be in touch regarding what we can do, with respect to site coverage, and then we will discuss final design and projected cost before making a decision on proceeding. If all goes smoothly, he suggested construction would actually start in June with two months worth of work before interior finishing is complete and space is habitable. 

After he left I made a quick run to recycling depot and was back in time to hand over the car as she had an appointment. Suited up and left the house at 2:45 pm. First ride since I started this spring that the wind wasn't an ice knife. Actually felt "warm" at 8.9º C and although sun was in and out of the clouds it was most pleasant. Had decided it was time to start going further afield so after the basic PTC/Lakeshore/Riverside Loop I dipsy-doodled my way back up to the start of the KVR and made for Middle Bench Road. Wind was only out of the North at 11 kph so when I was riding in that direction it was not much to battle. 

From past experience I knew that I was looking at about six full circuits of the Middle Bench/Upper Bench Loop, with a number of 'up and downs" of Middle Bench after each circuit to complete the distance I wanted for day's outing. Shoulders of both roads were relatively free of sand and grit so I was pleased about this. [Not so with Government as bike lane is still almost completely covered, and thickly so, with sanding material, so will probably wait for a bit before heading towards OK Falls.] Little traffic as I didn't arrive on The Bench until after school was out so didn't have to worry about parents coming to collect their children. 

On my last circuit I came across two deer, not far from Uplands Elementary, and they bounded across the road in front of me. One of them had an unbelievably thick winter coat, [A direct result of the deep snow and extended, frigid temperatures, I'm sure.]., the like of which I have never seen before. Animal looked more like a Billy Goat Gruff so tufted was the hair. Anyway, I continued on and completed the last circuit and then swooped down Johnson and Haven Hill to pull up outside the garage door close to 5:30 pm. With Daylight Saving now in effect, my riding "window" is now much later so happy about that, of course! Now I need to work on bringing my AVG up to a decent speed, although I wasn't overly disappointed with today's number given the climbs, modest though they were, I had to contend with. Cheers! Map and Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2554286034#.WqiKuamMqAY.email 

Yes Patrick, Phil and I are good for tomorrow and would come in your car if okay. What time should we be at your house? see you Gill Hi everyone, I’m flying home tomorrow afternoon and am hoping to come for Bridge. Thanks for hosting Jos! Hugs to all, Olly 

Hi Thanks for the information -you are good! You know me , I wouldn’t have thought about it until Sunday-lol. I will take Hope Princeton-I’m really excited to see you and talk about reno’s-I love listening to other people talk about spending their money. Pics are good! Ron went for a swim today under a waterfall! Hi Ski! Do you have any idea of time you will arrive on Sunday? Not a big deal but let us know when you plan to leave Vancouver. About five hours, +/-, depending on traffic etc. If you have a Costco card I suggest fueling up at store in Abbotsford. It is but a few blocks from highway, on same exit as one to US border, Sumas crossing. If no card, Shell station in Bridal Falls is next best price. As well, how long will you be staying? You are welcome as long as you want but not sure of your schedule. Knowing will help with planning for rides, hikes and wine-tasting. Finally, where was the Great Ronaldo swimming under a waterfall? Anyway, let us know your plans and we'll take things from there. Cheers, Patrizzio!