Wednesday, April 4th, Day 24

Ambition is like hunger; it obeys no law but its appetite. -Josh Billings, columnist and humorist (1818-1885) 

HI D,

Sounds lovely, I'm sitting in the island inn breakfast area with a cat beside pawing at me for a second breakfast, waiting for Hydro to cut the power then to take G and G to airport and show Cody around Vancouver for the rest of the day.
It is a very nice day today, sun is shining, Robins singing, so we are lucky as it rained all yesterday!!!

Love to Tim and the rest of your gang xx 



                              Walking/Slurping around Sydney harbour

Flamin' and Sarge have gone walkabout! Cora Lee has gone to scope restaurants for lunch and shopping possibilities while I enjoy a cappuccino and take advantage of the free WiFi! I will probably look for another cheap, large bag, while rest explore/shop. Any suggestions for where to look for luggage? Again, not a big deal, but if we can't leave our possessions with you, do you think Kevin might have room? Anyway, we can chat.



Give mr a call or flick me an email with your dinner plans when you get this 

Hello all,

 I have not been able to keep up with e-mail because there has been
to much to do.
As well, we had no internet for a while (the hotel had a problem, it
was the weekend,
so nothing could be done until Monday.)

 Anyways, after leaving Chartres, we went to Ecole Polytechnique at
Palaiseau and
saw Eric.  Looked around the campus a bit, saw his room, and then went on to the
Chateau of Fountainebleu.  It was very impressive.  The rooms were all
furnished as
the Chateau had been used by Napoleon, and so not looted like Versailles.
Then it was on to Orly to return the car and take the RER into Paris.
Our hotel at
Place d`Italie was very convieniently located.  After cheking in, we
all went our
seperate ways.  Jo-Anne and I went to the Musee d`Orsay, which has a fantastic
collection of19th century art - all the Impressionists.  We also saw
the Eiffel tower,
Notre Dame, the cafe where John used to work, and the apartment where John
lived.
 On Wednesday morning we all met for a last breakfast.  Ruyn was taking a night
train to Venice to meet up with her son Cameron.  Don was going to London to
see friends.  And we were staying in Paris for another day.  We spent
the rest of
the morning at the Place d`Italie outdoor market.  Then we headed to Notre Dame
for a picnic lunch.  Behind the cathedral is a nice little park, so we
pulled out our bread
and cheese and wine, and had lunch back of Notre Dame.  The rest of
the afternoon
was spent at the Pompideau, in the Marais, at the Champs de Mars, etc.
 Thursday morning Eric met us ath the hotel, and the three of us
headed out to CDG
to catch a flight to Prague.  Prague is great!!!!!  Love the feel of
the place.  The old
city centre is full of well preserved historic buildings - not just
official sites, but homes
and businesses.  Could have spent a week here, but only had two nights, and then
it was on to Vienna by train.

To be continued.............................

Hi Tippers!
 
F/S just returned from their Walkabout. We are going to go out shortly for dinner, at a restaurant which catches our fancy, not far from here, as Cora Lee's foot is still a limiting factor. If you have already eaten, give us a call at 0420719122 on our cell, either to join us or else to come back to our comfy pad for a drink or 11! We just finished a Bowen Estate, Coonawarra, 2011 Chardonnay, 12.5%, subtle with a lingering finish. Now attempting to drain a Warrabilla, Rutherglen, 2009 Cleanskin, Durif/Shiraz, 80%/20%, $10 btl, 15.5%. Glad that we don't have to walk very far! Cheers, Patrice! 

Might try tomorrow evening for that glass or 11

Al,

Ray and I are hoping to get out on the bikes tomorrow, weather permitting, in case that works for you -- likely a late morning start time. G

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the invite but unfortunately I’m under the gun at work. It’s fun getting back with some of the old gang at work  but also business as usual crazy decision making, unrealistic timelines but fortunately lot’s of money to be spent! and I’m doing my best on that front. I really need to go back into semi retirement as the work thing really cramps my style with the biking included.

Keep me posted as it will work out one of these days.

Thanks, Al

Hi Patrick, Wayne, Corine and Michelle.

Nice to finally hear from you from the land of funny place names.  It sounds like you’re keeping up a hot pace in wine tasting.  We hope that everybody is well, especially recently hobbled Corine.

All is well here in the Okanagan.  We’re still waiting for the weather to warm up.  We’ve hardly had a high temperature over 10 degrees C.  In spite of it, I’ve been playing quite a bit of golf to get my game in shape for the summer.  Have also got the vineyard all pruned, cleaned up and 200 of the needier plants mulched.  Attention is now on the veggie garden which has had its spring manure dug in and some of the early crops planted.  Lynnie had her birthday on Monday, celebrated with a nice dinner party with some of the Naramata elite who appreciated the offerings of head chef Jugos Don Pedro.  I featured Beef Bracciole, a beautiful tenderloin barbecue recipe from the book you gave us.  I found a wonderful Argentine wine, a blend of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon called Privada from Bodega Norton.  Fantastic with the beef and great raves from everybody.  I’ve been playing a bit of bridge at the Penticton Duplicate Club – Birgitta said to say hello and I also saw Graham at the golf club this morning.

Lynnie and I had a great two weeks in San Miguel de Allende.  Our favourite restaurant there was a lunch spot called Muro, just west of the Jardin.  We also had a side trip to Guanajuato in advance of the Pope’s visit.

Next up for me is a one week trip to Peru on April 23, then we’re off to eastern Europe on May 22 for 3 weeks.  What’s your schedule?

Happy travels in Aus, Peter

PS Only 4 years and 8 months until release of the Shelter Point whisky!

Hi Chloe and Cody and The Devil Cat!

Please say hello to Cody for us. Hope he enjoys his time in Vancouver. As well, give my love to Clarisse and Dusty. Wish them a safe flight and we'll be in touch about the visit, most likely in August sometime. Have to go now. Sarge and I are off to scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge tomorrow! Meeting The Sisterhood for lunch afterwards, if we survive! Much warm Love and Cheers, Dad!!!!

Hi can't wait to hear all about the bridge walk!!!!
love you, be safe!!!! xxx C