KVR West Side of Skaha to OK Falls Blues: Tuesday, March 20th!

It's best to give while your hand is still warm. -Philip Roth, novelist (b. 19 Mar 1933) 

Hi Sir Andrew! Lovely to see you, if only briefly and under such a sad situation. Nevertheless, thank you for the wonderful snaps of Ted. If you have not already done so, I would like to post them to the on-line Guest Book for Ted. I'm sure the family would be very touched to see them. 

Must away as I'm off to ride the KVR along the west side of Skaha to OK Falls with close friend, Ski, (aka Rhoda), visiting from Cape Breton. Yesterday we had a gorgeous ride on the KVR, north, but only as far as Arawana as still a fair bit of snow on trail beyond the picnic area there. We took a ride around the Kettle Ridge development, nearbye, and Ski took a bit of tumble as she veered off into a crust of snow by the side of the road and fell over. Fortunately, not hurt as snow, though but a thin layer, actually cushioned her fall, to a certain extent. I think it was an excuse to have me pour her a couple of snorts of malt when we were back home! Thanks and Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Pics: Dinner on Sunday evening; KVR here we come; Arawana and then view from Kettle Ridge; in front of Terravista's vineyards on yesterday's outing! Hi Il Conductore, Glad to hear you’re still bike riding madly! Great to have good friends to share with as well the malt! By all means share the photos on Ted’s Guest Book. There were some good ones. I trust you read the captions in the second lot?! Helps cast our minds back to happier times. It was also really good to see you and Karin again! Take car. Baldrick


Wanting to do a bit of wine-tasting this afternoon, we left the house at just after 11:00 am. Made for Lakeshore as we were going to take the bike path one has access to over the floodgates behind the SS Sicamous. Lovely ride along the channel and once we crossed over 97, just past the end of the airport's runway, Ski insisted on stopping to take a number of pictures of Skaha. Must admit, that the view was simply breathtaking, even for me who have seen variations of it over the past three years. Not even a whisper of wind so the surface of the lake reflected, without the slightest blemish, the surrounding hills, blue sky and clouds. We both felt like Alice Through The Looking Glass.

I had resigned myself to touching The Dreaded Burning Ground as I knew Ski would want, and rightly so, to stop to take snaps of the glorious vistas but what I had not counted on were all the phone calls she received, from her son, Sam, eldest daughter, Dinao, and husband, Ron, all terribly jealous of her when they heard of her whereabouts! In fact, when we stopped so that she could read the plaque on the door of the shell of the Kaleden Hotel we were there so long that Garmin stopped the ride and I had to invoke a new one to complete the ride to OK Falls and then home! Cheers, I think! Map and Stats for ride, on KVR from Penticton to Kaleden:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2568874363#.WrJ8y194P5U.email

Continuation of ride from Kaleden to OK Falls then back to Penticton on East Side Road: As punishment, for extended stoppage, I took her through OK Falls and onto Oliver Ranch Road to do the Stag's Hollow Loop before we hit Eastside Road for home. Fighting the wind now, Ski added insult to injury by drafting until we reached South Main, rotter that she is! Still a terrific, exhilarating ride and I was more than pleased to have been able to show her a bit of the stunning scenery we are privileged to have right on our doorsteps. While the AVG was more than abysmal I was pleased that the basic distance requirement had been fulfilled. Cheers:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2568874406#.WrJ9HqOl_Fc.email 

Good morning bridge players, I just came down with a bad cold and don't want to spread my germs.
Better to stay home and get better I think. Happy playing.
Jos With no Jos we have 6 for tonight 5 for tomorrow. 6 not a good number, 5 better so let's do tomorrow at our place Spiller. Olly you can maybe do next week. However if Pam can come tonight that is 7 tonight, fine also. Pam can you reply please??? see you guys Gill Hi everyone, Gill I need some bedrest tonight so please go ahead tonight and play Bridge and have some fun. Hugs to all, Olly

I can drop out if needed for bridge tonite. I am playing this afternoon so will have had some bridge on!! Let Me know Judy Xo I can’t play Tuesday night but I could play Weds night. Pamela Webster Gill has left the stage (out for the day)... and left me to finalise bridge arrangements. Having perused the many emails and implied choices therein I have to report we're dealing with the same old same old; cat herding syndrome. If you give people options they take them and keep on doing so until the final outcome resembles Vancouver fog. Not wanting to upset the applecart by actually making a personal decision, I re-read all my university notes on decision making, tossed a coin, and Gill/Phil will host bridge on Tuesday night (tonight!!) at Spiller Rd starting at 6:30. If you host it they will come - but if they don't we'll sit n read! 

My apologies to those folks who miss out and for my rough-shod organising technique. I tried contacting Cambridge Analytica for help in better influencing peoples preferences but they aren't taking calls just now.Phil I just got back home. So after Phil said go for Tues you sent this Patrick?? I phoned you guys and no answer??? We're fine for either night. Patrick please decide and let us and Judy know. Hi Jack Rabbit and Judy Blue, et al! I'm delighted to play tomorrow evening at Spiller Road at 6:30 pm. I can swing by to pick you up Judy Blue, if you will be joining us. Let me know and I'll plan accordingly. Any word from Pam Webster? Olga Polga? Josinta? Michaelo? Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: KVR to OK Falls today with Ski! Wine-tasting at Terravista and Poplar Grove!

The Grand Seduction: "To survive, a dying Newfoundland fishing village must convince a young doctor to take up residence by any means necessary. The small harbor of Tickle Cove is in dire need of a doctor so that the town can land a contract to secure a factory which will save the town from financial ruin. Village resident Murray French leads the search, and when he finds Dr. Paul Lewis he employs - along with the whole town - tactics to seduce the doctor to stay permanently." At Lens on Lent with Jim French! Hi James! Just a quick note to thank you for all your time and effort in putting together Lens on Lent. The films have all been stimulating and entertaining, as well as the discussions afterwards. Not to mention the wonderful pizza! Rhoda was delighted to join us and really enjoyed her time here. Trust you and family have a lovely time in Revelstoke and if you happen to bump into the Battersbys please pass along our fond regards. All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: The Grand Seduction!

Thanks very much for your participation in Club Web. Attached you will find your Spring Wine Club invoice. The deadline for customization has now passed, as per our previousnewsletters that were issued. If you contacted us with your customization, please check the invoice to ensure it is correct. Pickup
is between April 7th and May 21st. If the invoice indicates shipping, please check that the shipping address on the invoice is correct to avoid delays and extra charges for re-direction. Shipping will begin the week of April 16th unless otherwise indicated (per special request). Thanks very much for your support. We hope you will find the wines to be exceptional! Cheers! The Lancaster Family at Black Widow Winery. 

Hi all! I am sending you more details about bicycle rental in Brno. Attached are the photos of the bicycles from the bike rental shop RentBike. Bike rental includes also helmet. For a group we will get a few tool sets and spare tubes. I will ask them to install a bottle holder to each bicycle. For bicycle rental you will pay directly to the bike rental shop. The cost of renting one bicycle is 2917 CZK (around 184 CAD). They will also ask you for a deposit that is refundable. You can leave the deposit in your currency (not to stay with their currency Czech Crown the last day of the trip). Bring your own panniers, please. Two medium size panniers are enough for all you need to pack for two weeks. Our suitcases will stay in Brno hotel´s luggage room until we come back.

https://southmoravia.wixsite.com/turistservis/bike-rental – bike rental website with the prices and other information. I would like to ask you to write me your height. I will reserve the right size of bicycle for you. Katarina 

Hi alL, some of you have asked me for more details regarding bicycle rental and bicycle equipment. Attached are the photos of the bicycles from the bike rental shop Lucky Bike in Cracow (http://lucky-bike.pl/?lang=en). Bike rental includes helmet and bike locker. For a group we will get a few tool sets and spare tubes. I will ask them to install a bottle holder to each bicycle. For renting bicycles you will pay directly to the bike rental shop. They will also ask you for a deposit that is refundable. You can leave the deposit in your currency (not to stay with their currency Polish Zloty the last day of the trip). Bring your own panniers, please. Two medium size panniers are enough for all you need to pack for two weeks. Our suitcases will stay in Cracow hotel´s luggage room until we come back.
http://lucky-bike.pl/?lang=en – bike rental website with the prices and other information. I would like to ask you to write me your height. I will reserve the right size of bicycle for you. Best regards, Katarina

Hello Katarina! Trust you are well. I apologize for not replying sooner to your two messages regarding bicycle rental details for Moravia and Cracow trips. However, since I have my own bike I didn't think the matter was urgent. Before seeing you in Brno. I gather, from your messages, that you will send details of where to meet. With respect to the second trip, I was wondering if I might accompany you on the train from Brno to Crakow. If this is possible please let me know departure details, etc. Thank you.

On Sunday, March 18th, very good friend, Rhoda MacCormick, visited, from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, for a few days and we went for two glorious rides on the Kettle Valley Railroad, [KVR], bike/pedestrian trail. [Have included accounts of our outings, if interested.] Have you seen it when in Penticton? Trust you will enjoy the coming Easter weekend, wherever you are! Fond regards to you, Katarina. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Thanks for the lovely wishes. Love the Irish-- Think of your cozy home often, wish you and Corinne the very best. We're off on our cruise very soon, will be at home by May. Lots to look forward to for us. Love, Nancy Hi Naughty Nancy!Trust you and David are both well. Glad you found card amusing. Fondestos from Lady Dar and Chloë to you and David. Cheers, Patrizzio!