In the 1930s Soviet scientist Nikolai Vavilov gathered 250,000 types of seeds, roots and fruits to create the worlds largest seed bank.
During World War 2 the Nazis began closing in on St Petersburg. The city had already suffered horribly from starvation and disease - more than 700,000 citizens had perished. The Hermitage Museum (where the seed bank was located) was considered a target of the Nazis so officials took steps to evacuate the important artwork. The seed bank on the other hand, was simply abandoned by the government. A group of scientists working at the museum boxed up the seeds and moved them to the basement, where they took turns guarding them in shifts. Despite suffering severely from hunger they refused to eat what they considered to be their countries future.
By the time the siege ended in the spring of 1944, at least nine of the voluntary guardians had starved to death.
Dear collaborators,
I thought it would be a good idea to start sharing insider experienced (lived ?) information about value wine - this thought came to me last Sunday evening sitting out on our deck in summer-like weather enjoying an excellent glass of wine (see attached). The vehicle for this sharing is entitled the Value Wine Collaboration (VWC) and I am inviting you to become a founding member (collaborator).
To become a member you will need to agree to eventually share some insights and experiences with a value wine or two in the form of a brief description of the wine and its cost. Collboratively, John
Hello John and Fellow Collaborators!
Thank you for inviting me to be part of the "insider experienced information about value wine" and its Collective, the VWC, along with the nifty VCR for ease of rating.
As an initial offering, I put forward the following WOW, Marquis Wine Cellars' Wines of the Weekend:
2011 Touraine Sauvignon Blanc
Don't know what the Parker rating is so cannot compute the VCR. Plan to taste wine itself tomorrow when we have friends, Jane and Kjell, for dinner. (Will pass along my thoughts once I've quaffed.) They have spent this past weekend in the Okanagan so perhaps they will have more gems for the Collaborative Collectif!
Collboratively, (Is this misspelling actually secret code, akin to a Masonic handshake?), Patrizzio!
Hi Jim!
Trust you are well and sleeping more regularly! Anyway, bit of an update on Montague as yesterday I stopped in at Reckless and took the only one of the Montague line, ("The BOSTON 8 offers the versatility of an 8 speed to handle the urban terrain and the clean look of a single speed with the Nexus internal hub.), they had in stock for a spin.
I rode the bike over to Raymond's to show him the model. He thought it was a pretty good bike as well. He sent me off with a bag full of kale so I'm hoping to use it to pay for bike at Evans! (Left another £50 for Sylvia for deposits. Chap at Reckless seemed to think the 19" frame was best suited for me so I'm wondering if you could ask store to bring in a 19'' Navigator adn a 21" FIT, if possible. If not then just the two Navigators in different frame sizes.) Stopped in to show Whirlygig the bike as well adn he liked it as well.
Back home had an email from WPC:
Hi Patrick,
The spoke replacement on your Madone is complete. The total for the
service is $26.24. The mechanics notes are below. Replaced 1 broken
spoke in rear wheel and trued. Only had black aero
spokes in the correct length. Test ridden - rides well. Thanks,Dan
Test ride took place after my court appearance at 1:30pm, at Robson Square Provincial Court, 800 Hornby, where I had my hearing for the ticket I received in December 2011, for having an "obstructed license plate". Officer, in question, was not present but case was not dismissed. (Not sure why but decided not to "push things", given what transpired before I was called.) I was third defendant and since other two had plead guilty as charged and then had their fines reduced to $5, I decided to plead guilty as well and explain my case. I briefly outlined what had happened and then showed the female judge, (a very pleasant and humane individual), the pictures I'd taken of my new, improved license configuration. She was most impressed with the "elegant" solution and I had to pay but $5, a saving of $191! Took longer to pay small fine than to appear! Cora Lee was not happy, of course, as she was hoping I'd have to do hard time in Alcatraz!
Picked up my bike this morning and set off from home at around 1:30pm. Forecast showed the possibility of showers but thought I'd risk a ride as it is supposed to rain quite heavily for next week, beginning in earnest tomorrow! With this in mind I set my sights on another 100 K ride and to do this I knew I'd need eight Prospect Point Loops so took Seawall to SP and started in on the Gerbil Cage. Actaully, since the day was fairly cool and overcast, there were not overly many other bikers or pedestrians around, making it easier to maintain speed when terrain allowed. I plugged away and by adding extra loops around the parking lot at the bottom of PPH, (One for first completed loop, two for second, etc.), I managed to have 92 K on the clock by the end of the 7th full loop.
Had started to mist a bit on sixth loop and there was a slightly heavier drizzle by the seventh so I was pleased that I didn't have to do an eighth to achieve my goal as by time I was "racing" for home my sleeves and the legs of my shorts were reasonably wet. Felt pretty strong, overall, and my legs responded to any extra push, when needed, without complaint. Don't wish to jinx myself but feel like I've turned a corner of sorts. Thursday's ride and today's outing were first jaunts, over last two weeks, in which I didn't feel sore or wince when I hit an unexpected bump.
Arrived home with 103.3 K over 5:04:45, AVG 20.3 KPH, MAX 55.7 KPH, so was pleased to have upped the AVG above 20 KPH. Had a quick java and then hopped on my Brodie to cycle a few blocks to an Early Voting Poll Station. Election Day is this coming Tuesday, May 14th and it is our 37th wedding anniversary as well. This way I was able to avoid any possible line-ups so that I can spend all day searching for the perfect gift for Cora Lee: collapsible pedals for the Montague, perhaps?
Off to the Loft tomorrow to try to sort out garburetor problems in kitchen sink. Sarge has very kindly offered to help out as plumbing isn't something I know much about. Not that I know much about anything! Fondestos to you and Chris from Coriandre. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Exhibits A, B & C in Crown vs Il Conduttore! Bike is my first Brodie.
|
Hello WF Intern! I'm delighted to attend the SPE! Thanks very much. Cheers, Patrizio!
Aloha Patrick,
Thank you for your reservation for May 18th.
This email is
confirmation that we will have room for your vehicle. We look forward to
meeting you and being of service. Thank you for choosing Wiki Wiki Park
n Shuttle.
We are easy to find…
(our physical address is 4770 Pacific Hwy., Bellingham, WA 98226)
From the North:
(Peace Arch or Pacific Hwy.Truck Crossing) take I-5 Southbound to
exit #260. (approx 16 miles from the border)
Turn LEFT at stop sign to cross back over the freeway.
Turn Right onto Pacific Highway (frontage road – south) AM/PM and NorthStar Landscaping on the corner….
Wiki Wiki Park n Shuttle entry is approx. 800 feet on left-hand side.
Arrive anytime around 11:00AM is good for your flight schedule. Complimentary fresh coffee, tea, mocha, hot chocolate will be available!
*If you require additional directions traveling
from the Interior/Okanagan BC area, or the Aldergrove crossing, let us know and we will send you easy and shortest route to take.
*on a side note… IF you find yourself
running late… be sure and call us ASAP (1.888.233.5523)… we can save you time with motor running as soon as you arrive and drop you immediately to the departure gate. Hassle-free
Mahalo,
Velma & Ernie Wiki Wiki Park n Shuttle ~
“Your Hawaiian travel Parking Specialists”
No comments:
Post a Comment