Saturday, March 31st, Day 20

The novelist and essayist Anatole France once said, "The finest words in the world are only vain sounds if one cannot understand them."

d'Arenberg

Beach near McLaren Vale

 Nadienka Wyss you guys (only the male part) should sit up straight! and Pat, stop looking like a mean host father - smiiiile ;) lots of love from Switzerland :D

Pat,

    Sounds as though you are all having a blast over there. 9 free bottles of wine does nothing to spoil the mood either. I'm sure the lovely Chrissy became even lovelier with this donation.

    Had our guests on Wednesday. Mike and Shirley Leng, old friends from Bermuda, and my long time friend from home, Ken Wilkinson. We had a very nice  NZ sauvignon blanc, Kiwi Walk. On sale and excellent although as you know, I'm no expert on such matters. Mike is 75 now and I hadn't seen him for a few years. In spite of numerous health issues, he looked well and it was a lot of fun to be with him again.

    Blossoms out fully now. If only we could get some sun, we could enjoy them better. Weather still terrible - cool and wet and likely to be for the mext 2 weeks at least. Your timing was good.

    Had an offer of a 2009 Cervelo road bike from a former student. I don't think I'll go for it. A bit expensive as I would have to make adjustments for a comfortable fit. Tempting though.

    Sylvia is reading Keeper of Lost... as I delve into 13 Million Dollar Pop - one form Corinne's list, I think.

    Off to the Carters' tonight for dinner.

Ray

             Lobster is found on highway in KIngston SE Australia. I think it's bigger then Moose at Goobies junction!

Hello Dearest Eveline and Heinz!

How very wonderful to hear from you, particularly to learn that Eveline is now almost compltely recovered, in spite of continued physiotherapy! I pass along best wishes from Flamin', Sarge, Cora Lee and myself to the Swiss Patient!

We left McLaren Vale this morning after two wonderful days and nights there. Currently staying at the Chardonnay Lodge on the Riddock Highway, the central, arterial thoroughfare of the Coonawarra wine region. We arrived just after 1:00pm and after checking in visited five wineries: Kidman, Wynn's, Majella, Bowen and Patrick. Currently sipping a Majella 2010 Riesling, 12%. First visited this winery way back in 2000, our first trip to this region. Will make for the Mornington Peninsula, below Melbourne, along the Great Ocean Road tomorrow. The Down Under Diaries are suffering with all the activity, (cycling, wine tasting, beach time, etc.), so have included latest entry for a flavour of our time in Australia. 

I believe you know that Corinne and I left Vancouver on March 5th for a week in Hong Kong, then on to Sydney for a week. Met Flamin'and Sarge in Melbourne and have been travelling with them ever since, in a rented car. Will make our way to Sydney, Hunter Valley, Brisbane and then fly from there to Cairns, then Darwin and then back to Sydney. F/S return to Vancouver after Ciarns. On May 11th we fly to Japan for three weeks before returning to Vancouver on May 31st. 

Fond regards to all of your wonderful sons and daughter-in-law, Sabine, as well as to the original Cruel Swiss. I could arrange for Dusty to visit to help with your new construction project. I assume Mad Maximoto will be in charge of eco-friendly/efficient energy saving materails, with Nicolevitch mixing cement, by hand! We still expect a visit from Famiglia Rothenbueller at The island Inn in the not too, too distant future. Fondestos and Cheers to our dear, dear friends, from Oz, where the wine-tasting pourings are always on time, unlike the Swiss trains!!! Patrzzio!


PS: The Majella Riesling is finished so we have switched to a Patrick, 2011 Mother of Pearl, Sauvignon Blanc, 11%. Corkage is allowed at the Chardonnay Lodge restaurant, (This way Sarge doesn't have to worry about drinking and driving as we only need a two minute stroll from our room!), so I plan to take a Bowen Estate, 2009 Cabernet Sauvinon, 14.5%. Life on the road is extremely tough, Dear Reader!