De-Nesting Diaries: Tuesday, March 26th

Although men flatter themselves with their great actions, they are not so often the result of a great design as of chance. -Francois, duc de La Rochefoucauld, moralist (1613-1680) 

Hahahahah! good one..I’m sure even the pope would give this one his blessing!.

Thanks a lot for the offer of the vacuum and yes it would be much appreciated as we do actually need one. We are going to the cabin this weekend and Jake’s soccer coach and family are coming up as well. I think we will  ski at Manning on Saturday as it is the last day apparently forever which is very sad. It seems it has been in receivership for some time, a victim of government privatization .

I could come by tonight if that works at all ? I would like to see the place and you guys. Otherwise it’s stupid movie hours for a while although we have been cutting out early quite a few nights. Let me know. Cheers, Al  

  

Hi Big Al!

I just spoke to Chloë, (604-341-0291), and she will be meeting Ryan, chap who has been doing some work for her at the loft, at 5:30pm there today. Shortly thereafter she will come back to the Islay Inn for a bite to eat and then we'll head over to the loft, (#208, 2001 Wall Street, Cannery Row, just off Powell/Dundas, about three blocks west of Nanaimo), to meet you, (604-315-6110), around 8:00pm. Give Chloë, or me, (home, 604-734-9200), a shout if things change. We will do the same. Otherwise, as already mentioned, we'll plan on seeing you around 8:00pm this evening. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!

PS: Invite Marilyn and the Young Brothers along is they are available/interested.

March 23 – met Bob (Jo-Anne’s brother) at the hotel, and the the three of us went to St. Paul’s Cathedral for a tour (and an Evensong service).  The building is impressive, and the service was interesting – very elaborate robes for everyone. Afterwards, went to a historic pub – Black Friars – for food and drink.

March 24 – hit the Tower of London first – saw the Crown Jewels (very impressive). Then took a river tour to Westminster, where we saw the Parliament. Also went to the Household Cavalry museum and saw the guards being changed.  Then went to the National Gallery – wow!!!  Leonardo’s, Monet’s, Van Gogh’s, etc.  Found another great pub for food and drink – roast beef with all the trimmings plus a drink for only 7.49.

March 25 – hit the ground running – the Tate Modern, the Globe Theatre, the Golden Hind (a reproduction of Drake’s ship), Westminster Abbey, the Tate, and Buckingham Palace. Went back to an old pub between the Globe and the Golden Hind for fish & chips and a pint. Then back to bed, as tomorrow we are off to France.

Dear Patrick
 
Thanks for your email.  Your cycling exploits have exhausted me -- what happened to a leisurely ride contemplating nature along the way.  When you speak of winds and weather--the winds in London off the North Sea have been biting really get to you and sadly means we scurry from one site to the next in search of warmth rather than looking around. Alas--love this city and will return but I don't think I would choose March again. 

Off to Pezanas today--south of France--it is warmer there. Please say hello to Corinne and Chloe and take care cycling fiend! Warmest wishes Jo-Anne

Hi again, Joan!

Thanks for the newsletter. In fact, I had seen it but, like you, couldn't find time listed fro Thursday's concert. I'm sure it will be posted at some point.

Glad you will be able to join us this weekend. Still trying to elicit a commitment from Sarge about day he is free and hope to know by tonight. Will let you know as soon as I know! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Okee dokee.

Hi Jim!

Thanks for latest website. In fact, when Raymondo and I were first looking at high-end road bikes, we both liked the Specialized models. I think I might have pursued that line if Raymond had not known Sarah at Westpoint and been pleased with friendly, knowledgeable service there. Not that I'm unhappy with my choice but it is interesting that shop close to you sells models I've at least taken a look at. However, find it a bit difficult to do much, other than obtain price comparisons, at a distance. I find that until I actually take a spin on a given bike it is hard for me to know what works. As well, I need to ask questions about handlebars as I can't use racing style. Find that position is too uncomfortable for my back.

Nevertheless, I am enjoying taking a look at what seems to be available and this will help me narrow things down. Any other suggestions regarding road vs hybrid bikes, given surface conditions I'm likely to encounter where you ride, would be helpful, as well.

Not sure if you have heard form Robo Man of late but he has been stricken with a nasty flu bug since last week. I chatted with him yesterday and he said he hadn't felt so poorly in many a year, if ever! This being the case, he won't be riding for a bit and certainly not today. I'm off as soon as I sign off. Out to Steveston with Whirlygig. Gorgeous day so looking forward to it.

Thanks, by the way, for the offer of your bike upon arrival. Fond regards to you and Chris from Cora Lee. Cheers. Patrizzio! 

Hi Dana!

Trust you are well. We missed seeing you in Dallas this past January/February. Had a simply wonderful time with Ruthless and Gander. What a great spot they live in, both the apartmento and the Uptown Scene!

We will be in England on July 10th. Spending some time near York after a few days in London and then making our way towards Somerset to try and track down some of Cora Lee's Durston relatives. Then on to Cornwall, close to Truro, for a house exchange for the month of August. Perhaps we can connect at some point. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Jo-Anne and Colin!

If it's Tuesday it must be France! Whatever happened to a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park, contemplating Speaker's Corner? Just joshing you for needling me about my cycling style! I know, truly know, how exhausting travel can be, especially if you want/need to pack in as much as possible in a limited period of time. Colin, you have done a very good job of describing the whirlwind tour! Sorry weather isn't a tad warmer for you but, as you say, the south of France should be lovely.

I see that Pézenas is not far from either Perpignan and Carcassone. Do you have any plans to visit these cities? I'm toying with renting a farmhouse near Languedoc this coming September. Friends did that last summer and apparently place and countryside were wonderful for cycling through vineyards, etc. This while Cora Lee is sashaying through parts of Italy with her Book Club! We would meet towards the end of September, (August house exchange in Cornwall so we would like to meet before we leave, July 10th, for London, to hear about your suggestions there. We know London reasonably well but it is always great to receive advice from fellow travellers.), and then join friends on a canal barge for two weeks, starting near Agen. Back to Vancouver just in time to volunteer at the VWF.

Aretha!

Won't bore you with the details of today's ride out to Steveston, then back around UBC and towards home to make, via Science World, one loop around Stanley Park via Prospect Point Hill and then home for 101.3 K. And yes, I did contemplate nature along the way! The north shore mountains were simply stunning and many of the cherry trees are in blossom in spite of the coolish weather. Ride up Heather, from Marine Drive to 49th, is gorgeous as there are blocks that are lined with these trees. A canopy, a tunnel of pink.

Chloë just walked in the door, home from work, and she sends her regards to you both. Cora Lee is at a meeting somewhere in North Van but I'm sure she will turn green with envy when I tell her you are drinking French wine and  eating French cheese in the south of France. Some sabbatical! Almost as bad as investigating document delivery in the wine regions of Australia! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Youngest grandson, Alejandro, (middle), with his frat brothers; Samantha, (left, Alex's girlfriend), with a track mate and Alex.

Hi Raymond!

Made up for yesterday's "non-official" jaunt today, with Giorgio. Met him where Cypress intersects with Maple, just after noon. He was stopped as he had a misaligned front brake. Never did sort it out but didn't seem to affect our ride to Steveston. Once we were there we followed Dyke Road to No 3 Road and at Whirlygig's suggestion, we turned right onto Finn Road. Much quieter and more pleasant than No 3 Rd. Finn eventually becomes No 4 Rd and we followed it all the way to Hwy 99 and then onto the Oak Street Bridge. 

Once over the Fraser we followed MD to Heather and caught the light. By great good fortune two other riders were waiting to cross MD and acted as our domestiques there and at 70th!  We all climbed the hill together but as they were female riders I was reluctant to thank them for being "domestiques" in case The Sisterhood misunderstood, as they are wont to do! At any rate, they seemed like pretty serious cyclists, at least from the snippets of conversation we overheard when they were either behind or ahead of us. Bit annoyed that they turned right, at 37th, probably to follow Heather, when we went left. Had hoped they would manage the lights at Oak and Burrard but had to fall back on Whirlygig!

Pleasant ride all the way to Crown and then along MD all the way to the Foreshore Hill as Giorgio didn't want to do any more climbs than necessary. His knee is still a bit sore so he needs to be careful. Anyway, we zipped along Spanish Banks with the wind behind us and were soon on 3rd. I waved adieu on Macdonald and headed for home. Did a quick loop around Kits Point as I wanted to register 71 K by the time I was home as I planned to make for Stanley Park. Needed only one loop of the Prospect Hill route to give me the needed distance. Fairly busy Seawall with Spring Break still on and plenty of small children zig-zagging every which way, not to mention the clutches of shutterbugging tourists on tandems. (Big Al has promised to weld a cow-catcher to the front of my Brodie so that I can simply plough through the crowds!)

Nonetheless, it was a glorious, glorious day. The north shore mountains were simply stunning with their glistening, snow-capped peaks. Furthermore, many of the cherry trees are in blossom in spite of the coolish weather so it was a delight to see the petals and even smell just a hint of their perfume at times. Finished off with 101.3 K over 4:56:01, AVG 20.5 KPH, MAX 54.2 KPH. Aside from everything else was pleased with the AVG over the distance and slightly different terrains. Head wind was strongest on No 4 Rd but otherwise not overly much of a negative factor. Cheers, Patrizzio!

P,

thanks for the ride. Hope your finish was as good and into three figures. 

Looks like the riding is going to be good for the forecastable future. A Thursday ride should work for me. I will pick up the Rankin when it is convenient. Let me know. W