Skalica and the Cross-Border Blues: Tuesday, May 22nd!

It is an ironic habit of human beings to run faster when we have lost our way. -Rollo May, psychologist (1909-1994)

Refreshing sleep so was awake at 6:30 am to ready myself for the coming day. Looking forward to breakfast as I now believe it is to be served in a wine cellar! Shorter ride planned for the day but should be rather interesting as we will cross the border to visit Skalica, one of the richest towns in Slovakia as far as architectural relics and archaeological findings are concerned.

Hello Wine Lovers! Not sure of date for pick-up for Bartier Brothers yet but I'll let you figure out collection, given possibility that either of both of you may well be in Winnipeg. Love, Dad/Patrizzio!

Hello from Hodonín, not far from the Slovakian border: Trust you are both well, Gilliana and Filipo! Have been following hikes. Seems like many interesting ones. Must say that I'm enjoying a truly wonderful time, aside from atypical rain described below!. One of the couples in group is from Summerland, Judy and Jim Holtjer. Their daughter, Danielle, and her boyfriend, Donald, are along as well. Three other women are friends from Sunshine Coast. Hello and best wishes to rest of hiking group gang. Playing any bridge? Stay well. Must away to ready myself for today's ride. We will ride across the border into Slovakia so looking forward to being in another country! Did the same, into Austria, a few days ago. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Map and Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2718337666#.WwQOrc1Rc1s.email

[Judy B Pratt Thanks for the update. The trip so far sounds Amazing and I am happy you are having fun 😊

Penny Doorbar Got the gist from the first 2 paragraphs (eyes were drooping when looking at the other 19!) and so glad all going well for you. Lisa’s birthday yesterday so we had a low key do at hers. Was lovely xx Peter Lighthall Patrick, I’m just working my way through James Joyce “Ulysses”. Will tackle your tome after that. Trust you are well

Peter Penny Doorbar Ha ha!!]

 

Hello Visitors to Slovakia and Spa People! Trust everyone enjoyed the day as much as I did. Am sending along my account of Sunday's ride and album for your bedtime reading, guaranteed to cure insomnia or you get your money back! Thanks again, to Katarina, for another marvellous outing today. Cheers, Patrizzio! Thanks Patrick! Love this!

Hi Erika! Trust you are well! I have been meaning to send a reply to your last missive even since my train from Bern passed through Salzburg! No excuses but plenty of reasons. At any rate I had a simply marvellous time in Switzerland, visiting Emmental, a region I'd never been to before. Czech Republic has been equally rewarding and on today's ride we went into Slovakia to explore Holíč and Skalica! Crossed the border into Austria, a few days before, but just to say we'd done so. Tomorrow is our last night in Hodonín and then we ride back, part way, to Brno for two nights. Then to Kraków on May 26th for another two weeks worth of riding in Poland. Then Denmark and perhaps Oslo before flying home from Paris on July 10th.

Yes, I guess, I have abandoned Lady Dar and Chloë. However, terrible news from Winnipeg means that Corinne must fly back there on May 29th. She was just home from two weeks there when she learned that her oldest niece, Marlo, 38, two lovely, young children, 5 and 7, had been diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. She is returning to provide as much support as she can to both Clara, her Mom, and rest of family. A waking nightmare, as you can well imagine. Saddened, of course, to hear about the death of Susan Pfeffer's husband. I did know about Ron and Andrea visiting.

Again, I apologize that it has taken me a bit to send along this album and write-up for our last full day in Znojmo, but better late than never! Life on the road had been very busy but extremely enjoyable and interesting. Wine-tasting, described below, was more than a delight. Onward!! Stay well. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Day trip to Emmental! Mountains and hillside before entering Emmental, with Anna Marie, my host; famous meringue-based dessert; Cheesery! Herding and milking cows at farm Anna Marie grew up on; Her brother, Mattias, now runs operation, along with his parents; Anna Marie's parents and Rudi, her husband; Cindy!

Hi Everyone, I'm now not available to host on May 31st. Will be in Manitoba looking after my mom while my brother supports his family through his daughters bone cancer diagnosis. I'm returning late on June 20th. Would someone like to host the May meeting or do you want to change the date? Best Corinne 

So sorry to hear Corinne, I am up for changing the date, me host on the June 27? Take care Senka If we change the date are more people able to make the meeting? Pam I’m okay with June date. Terrible news Corrine, always a struggle😒 Sorry for spelling error Corinne I'm ok with June 27th at Senka's. It sounds like it works for most of us. Corinne Thought I’d send an email to all. I’m having a COMPANY SUMMER, so won’t be able to make any book club get togethers until September. Corinne…………so sorry to hear the disheartening news. Take Care ok. Hope to see some of you over the summer. Let me know what book is decided for September. Cheereo and Lots of Hugs from Hilda 😊 June 27th works for me to. Michelle

Hello Burns Street, People and Kittens! Loved the movie of Duke and Etta, Chloë, so thanks for that. Hope things go well with your minor surgery. I see you are off to Winnipeg on May 29th, Corinne. I'll be thinking of you as I will just be starting the Polish leg of the trip.  Must away as I'm quite sleepy and we have a fairly long ride tomorrow. All my love to you both. Stay well and take care of each other. Love and Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio! Hi again, Goils! In case you didn't! Oh thank you for sharing...i live for Jean's passion stories!! That is actually quite the spectacular garden...love the face in the ground Xoxo Ayn

Dear Friends, How excited you all must have felt experiencing the beauty of our Japanese Stroll Garden a pleasure garden that dates back centuries.  Your senses come alive with the beauty that surrounds you, the ephemeral beauty of the gardens, the exquisite food the mystifying music was intoxicating.  Your emotional instincts were aroused that brought joy to everyone. And I hope all of you took the time to stroll through the ancient trees that brings such magic embarking on a walking meditation your immutable timeless bond with nature and crossing the Japanese Red Bridge, red means life bringing you much happiness.

Thank you so much for coming and sharing in our passion to be able to feel what we feel. Thank you for your many wonderful creative & delightful appetizers and neighbor Jin Wong and wife Ann Churchill bringing their baked sockeye salmon that was still warm when it arrived. The tables were filled with abundance of your gourmet delights. And even Natascha & Stuart Walton bringing a decadent cake that we promise we will share next time you come.

  

Special thank you to Dr. Michel Joffre and son Kal visiting from Malaysia who spent two days in the garden taking photos. You will be delighted with the many pictures of the garden and the many friends that visited.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SEMGdOdxWCDTyzObK2TLSTq0ELuMpvav

  

Thank you to our many talented performers neighbor Norm Smookler on his many beautiful Silver & Wooden Flutes creating mindful meditation music.  Aaron Watson international performer and teacher at the Conservatory of Music on his “Accordion Parisian soulful Musette” a romantic French style of music and his “Shakuhachi Japanese Bamboo Flute” creating mindful, tranquil music offering you ancient images of Samurai and Geisha as you strolled along the pea gravel paths. Classically trained Violinist & teacher at the Conservatory on the Folk Fiddle Brittany Iwanciwski who brought with her musician Charlie Gannon on Guitar recognized as one of the best guitarists in Victoria and also Canada’s own contributor to the World’s Stage in the Celtic music world Quin Bachand.  They are all passionate, talented & gifted musicians that created beautiful music stimulating our senses and the beauty all around us created the ambiance of something magical.

Special thank you to husband John who patiently supported my endless list of tasks to create my most perfect garden. And you all enjoyed his magical rum punch the newest of his creations that was a hit indeed!

And thank you to our team Cynthia Gelico and daughter Codie & Chaz to make sure everything ran smoothly. Thank you all for a wonderful magical day & do have a wonderful summer. Love, Jean & John And the Dalmatians Benson & Tess Hi Jean and John! Trust you are both well. From the sound of it, your Musical Japanese Stroll Garden was a smash hit. Would have loved to attend. However, must say that I am enjoying myself, and immensely so! I do apologize for not being in touch sooner, however. No excuses but plenty of reasons! Stay well. Fondestos to you both! Cheers, Patrizzio!