Sunshine and Littlejohn Bidding Blues: Wednesday, April 4th!

We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color. -Maya Angelou, poet (4 Apr 1928-2014)

Hello Cruel Swiss! Trust everyone is well. I do apologize for being such a poor correspondent and not being in touch sooner. [Further apologies as I don't seem to have email addresses for everyone.] Anyway, I hope I can redress this problem, in person, as  I will be flying to Paris on Monday, April 16th. [Lady Dar, as a recently minted Marriage Officiant, will stay home to marry people!] 

My first guided bike trip begins in the Czech Republic, in Brno, Moravia, wine-country, on May 16th. En route I would like to visit Berne, Vienna and Prague, last two if time allows. This being the case I am wondering if any of you will be around and wanting a Canadian Freeloader, sometime between the very end of April/first week or so of May! Of course it will be more than a delight to see everyone but I realize that busy schedules/travel plans may not make this possible. At any rate, please let me know what you think and I'll plan accordingly. All the best from Lady Dar and Chloë to one and all. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Anna Maria Tremonte, Rudi Rudenheimer and Nadienka! Trust everyone is well. First, thank you for the Christmas card. It arrived after we left for LA/Costa Rica so we didn't open it until the end of February! But to more important matters! I will be flying to Paris on Monday, April 16th and if if any of you will be around, sometime between the very end of April/first week or so of May it would be more than a delight to see everyone. Please let me know what you think and I'll most certainly plan accordingly. Fondestos from Lady Dar and Chloë. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Nao! I hope this missive finds you well. I do apologize for not being in touch sooner. My first guided bike trip begins in Brno on May 16th. En route I would like to visit Switzerland so am wondering if you will be around sometime between the very end of April/first week or so of May! Please let me know what you think and I'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio! Hi Stefano! Trust you and David are well. Am wondering if you will be around sometime between the very end of April/first week or so of May as I plan to be in Switzerland at this time! Please let me know about your busy life and I'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Patrick!! Thanks for your email. I have been following your life on FB and also Nao has told me lots after she visited, last year I think. Great to hear from you and to find out that you will be, once again, in Europe. It would have been great to catch up, however my (new) wife and I are leaving for vacation on April 28th until May 14th and guess what, we’ll be visiting New York, Washington DC and Miami…I have an international lawyer, tax advisor, accounting – conference in New York and we thought we could combine work and pleasure. 

When you see the picture of my wife and myself you notice that I got really old, lost hair, gained weight but feel new extremely happy. I got married for the second time last August in Las Vegas, legally J, it has been accepted End December in Switzerland and we had our party on March 24th this year. We were so lucky, I think that day was the only sunny day in whole March!!!! We had a great party with around 70 guests, good food and a very good Spanish wine, Figuero 12, everybody just loved it. Maryam, my wife, is a few years older than me (even though she looks much younger), was born in Teheran, Iran and moved with her son to Switzerland when she was 35 years old to do her PHD, Material Scientist in EPFL, Lausanne, so she speaks extremely well French (I don’t). She works in an American company GE in Baden and they speak English at work so we also talk English.

Even though I am divorced from Nao for almost 4 years now, she is still working in my company and we have a good relationship and respect each other. David is now 23 and is working in accounting and he is currently studying accounting as well, who knows maybe he will take over my company and I can retire J. Believe it or not but David and I are living together and Nao has her own place in Dietikon, maybe you can ask her for staying. She will leave for Japan tomorrow for about 10 days and would be back in time. Heard that you moved away from Vancouver, we are planning to come to Canada next year in Fall, contact you then. Are you far away from Vancouver? Hope everybody is fine and hope to see you soon. Was great hearing from you!!!! I have changed my email-address so am not checking old one much anymore….. Best wishes Stefan

Hi Stefano! Thanks for the most speedy reply. Congratulations to you and Maryam on your Las Vega wedding! Did Elvis sing at your ceremony! Lady Dar, (aka Corinne/Madam Coriandre/Ms Pushy!), is now a Marriage Officiant so she can provide a legal Canadian wedding when you visit next year! We'd be delighted to see you and meet Maryam. Penticton is in the heart of Okanagan wine-country and about four to five hours from Vancouver, depending on which route you take. [I have attached two maps. If you drive, I suggest Hope-Princeton as it is much more scenic but we can discuss route closer to visit.] You can also fly to Penticton, depending on your time and other travel plans. Sorry we won't connect this time around. I did send Nao a message but perhaps she was too busy before her trip to Japan to reply. I'll send her another message but if you have any contact, in next little while, please ask her to be in touch. Thanks.

Fondestos to you and Maryam, Stefano, from both Lady Dar and Chloë. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Dinner and then riding with friend Rhoda, visiting a few weeks ago; The Canadian Patient recovering with Duke; still recovering but with Etta; bridge last Wednesday with view of Okanagan Lake; Maps!

​Hi Patrick! Sorry I didn't read your email on travel itineraries more thoroughly, my deepest apologies! Of course, it will be great seeing you in Aarhus! In the week following June 10th, I hope you can plan to be around either Monday June 11 in the evening, or from later in the week, including Friday June 15 the weekend , all this because Hans has evening meeting Tuesday through Thursday that week. Hans is a bureaucrat in a neighbor municipality ( head of office). I hope you'll be able to work out a good schedule. Photos from Andalusia.. A big hug from Margareta 

With showers forecast for around 2:00 pm, even though it bright and sunny all morning, I suited up and headed out at about 11:30 am. Wind was blowing, fairly steadily, at 11 kph out of the East, and this made it fairly cool even though it was between 4º C and 8º C over the course of the outing. Since I didn't wish to be caught, for any length of time, by possible rain, I decided to stick close to home, and became yesterday's hamster, reincarnated as a gerbil, carbon-copying my previous ride. My legs felt rested and I quite enjoyed the merry-go-round around SOEC and its parking lots. There is a small ball park behind the hockey arena and there was a game going on, parents dropping off children and some staying to watch. Not really what one thinks of as baseball weather as Winter refuses to loose its icy fingers on what is supposed to be Spring! Still, I was happy to discover that I had upped my AVG by 1 kph although breaking the basic 20 kph Avg still eluded me. Cheers! Map and stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2601606017#.WsVsB3MtGEM.email

Hi Patrick, Thanks for you Easter greetings. Trust you're enjoying the balmy spring weather (Brrr...) Peter Hi Chilly Jugos Dom Pedro! Apropos of your pertinent comment on the weather, while I was riding around SOEC and its parking lots I noticed a game going on, parents dropping off children and some staying to watch, in the small ball park behind the hockey arena. Not really what one thinks of as baseball weather as Winter refuses to loose its icy fingers on what is supposed to be Spring!

Just enjoyed a fun-filled evening, hosted by Pamela. Originally had enough for two tables but both Judy Blue and Lady Dar came down with a flu bug so the losers after four hands sat out following round. On last hand of our round, [I was partnered with Josinta.], for no good reason, I left myself without transportation to the board, thereby going down two tricks holding an otherwise easy 3 No Trump hand! Not enough malt, obviously! Fondestos to Lynn. Cheers for now, Patrizzio! Pic: Before the game and during.

Hi Patrick Unfortunately I won't be at bridge tonite. The dreaded flu has me housebound. I am very disappointed. Judy Hello Healthy Bidders! Unfortunately, both Judy Blue and Lady Dar have come down with a flu bug so will not be joining us tonight. This being the case there will be six of us. I'm prepared to play with this number, rotating out. However, just in case others are not so inclined I thought everyone needed to know about the changed circumstances. Please advise and we'll plan accordingly. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Patrick, I'll be at your house 6.20.pm. Jos Yes Phil and I are okay to play tonight with 6 and rotate out. Thx Gill I might go climbing this afternoon in which case i might be a little late but will let you and Pam know if I do run late I am still fine to host with 6. Pam  

Hello Rotation Players of Littlejohn Estate Bridgery! First, thanks to Naramata Goil for hosting and providing such delicious appetizers and sweets for The Cookie Monster, not to mention the stupendous view! Also, congratulations to Turtle Bidder Gilliana, now skyrocketed into Bridge Critic Extraordinaire, [albeit, when watching but not actually playing!], almost, but not quite, as obnoxious as Pushy Patrizzio, [Shamed by Filipo for not studying thoroughly enough an otherwise easy 3 No Trump hand, thereby going down two tricks! Deepest apologies Josinta!], and Resident Bidding Guru! Great good fun so thanks everyone.

I believe it was agreed, at the end of the marvellous evening, that Lady Dar and I will host next Wednesday so please let me know who will attend and we'll plan accordingly. Thanks again, Pamela. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: I've already seen this view! Happy now but not for long! Pontificating! Observing! Grizzling! Summerland Babes! Arrivederci! You are most welcome Patrick. Happy that you enjoyed the cookies.  Thanks for hosting next Weds. I will be there👍 Pam 

Hello Patrick Thank you so much for the pictures and Easter updates. So good to hear from you. We are well and enjoyed Easter dinner with Ron Jobe and Jan Verster, a neighbor. On Monday Don Currie came over for left overs. We had ham, scallop potatoes, yam, beans and french onion soup. It was fun and it was nice to be home for Easter this year. Usually we have been away as I always combined vacation with the Easter holidays for maximum effect.
 

We are off to Saltspring Island on Monday April 9 for a couple of days. We have booked a cottage and I haven't been to Saltspring in years so it should be interesting. April 14-21 off to Edmonton to visit my dad. End of April we head to London, then Istanbul and then back to London. Have booked to go and see Merchant of Venice at the Globe Theatre so I am really excited. Tomorrow going to the BC Book Prizes Soiree. I am looking forward to it as the nominated authors will attend. Anyways keep up your riding--as you will soon be off for your Europe adventure.Take care always. Much affection sent to you, Corinne and Chloe. Jo-Anne

 

Hi BCBP Soi·rée Woman! How was the shindig? Your Easter/Post-Easter sounded lovely. Saltspring no less! Nice life indeed! And then London/Istanbul! [Edmonton only counts as it is a family visit!] Which dates will you be in London? I'll be there until towards the very end of April so it might be fun to try to connect if it works. I'll be staying in Mill Hill Broadway but will be in and out of the city, of course, visiting museums, etc. Let me know and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!