Hi June!
Pleased that trip to Canada is still on. Unfortunately, we probably won't cross paths as we don't return from Japan until May 31st. As you can see, I have copied Chloe on this message so send her a message regarding key, phone number, etc. I assume she may well be working when you arrive but it isn't a big deal to leave a key somewhere. I'll let her tell you what she thinks best in this regard. Perhaps you could ask Chloe to ask our friends the Sutherlands about a car rental as they are "experts" in this regard. Both Wayne and Michele, and Chloe, of course, can suggest all sorts of things to see and do, in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island and elsewhere in the province. It really depends on your time and interests. Let me know if you will still be in Vancouver in early June. Would be great to see you and Myrtle. Hello to Penny when you are talking to her.
Hi Patrick, Thank you for your email. It is very kind of you to let us stay. I hope you will have a lovely holiday. Penny has asked me to bring the single malt for you so I will leave it at your place. We leave on the Rocky Mountaineer on 29th May to Jasper & then will be in Alberta till we fly back from Calgary on 9th June. Many thanks, June
Hi Chloe, We will be arriving on 20th May at 11.15 am. & will come by taxi to your parent's house. Would it be possible for you to leave the key for us? Could you please let me have your phone number? I hope to be able to meet you. Looking forward to visiting BC again. Kind regards, June
Hi Bev and Kev!
Glad to learn that we are finally going to see you in Vancouver! We are simply delighted that you will be staying with us BUT Bev will have to promise to make her rice pudding every day! When you have a moment, send along your flight details and we'll collect you from the airport. Plenty of time for that, however. As well, please let me know who you might like to see from VRC days as we'd like to arrange a bbq or some such gathering sometime during your stay so that you can invite anyone you'd like to see. Of course we realize that you may well want to visit some or all of these people on your own but it might be fun to have a bit of a VRC reunion of sorts. Anyway, let me know if you'd like to do something like that. Please feel free to use our place as your own. We know what it is like to want to see friends when traveling so don't worry about coming and going, whenever you want, as your visit and plans dictate.
Spent a great day at Litchfield National Park, about 150K from Darwin, yesterday. Rented a car and visited a number of the waterfalls and points of interest in the park. Cathedral termite mounds were quite something. Overall, not as rugged as Kakadu but terrific walks that Cora Lee, with her still troublesome right foot could manage. At the end of the afternoon the rock pools at Buley Rockholes were delightful, crystal clear water, more than refreshing with 30C+ temperatures! Bluetongue Lager, (NSW mate!),went down well when we were back at our hotel, after spending an hour or so at Mindil Beach Sunday Market, once back in city. Gorgeous setting and scads of food kiosks, vendors, etc. We picked up Thai, (shrimp balls on skeweres, chicken in rice paper wraps), Sri Lankan, (spicy squid, yellow curry chicken), and Hong Kong Chinese, (black bean beef, spicy pork), takeaway for dinner.
Cora Lee was pounding an Angove's Long Row 2009 Verdelho, 13.5%, $8, (Liquorland specials, all), while I showered. Watched telly, (BBC's Waking the Dead, Final Episode), while enjoying the truly delicious food, sipping a Crowded Hour, McLaren Vale, 2010 Shiraz, 14.5%, $10. Long, full day so in bed around 10:00pm to read my third Peter Temple, (Truth and White Dog earlier), of the trip, An Iron Rose. First discovered him way back in 2000, our second trip here. Cannot praise the writing enough. Find his characterization simply remarkable:
The barman was a thin, sallow man with greased-back curly hair and a big nose broken at least twice. a small letter J was crudely tatooed in the hollow of his throat. As an educated guess, I would have said four or five priors, at least involving serious assault, and a degree or two from the stone college. He hadn't studied beer pulling either.
Hard boiled poetry!!!
Took the car back to Advance this morning, just before 8:00am and have spent most of the day, so far, getting ready to leave tomorrow: laundry, souvenir shopping, packing. Had hoped to return to the Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory to revisit the two Aboriginal art galleries there. Didn't spend as much time, a week ago last Saturday, when we first visited, to take in the paintings and sculpture as I would have liked but have run out of time. (Am currently in the the Library of Parliament House, NT, taking advantage of free Wifi! Great spot, helpful librarians, unlike those at either UBC or VPL!) Just after breakfast, (yougurt for Cora Lee, with English Breakfast tea, grilled tomatoes with Colby, done in microwave, for me, plus a cup of Espresso Instanto), we booked our return flight from Sydney to Melbourne, May 2nd-May 10th. Fly to Japan on May 11th. Did it at the Flight Centre in our hotel complex. Same price and easier to obtain a print-out than doing it ourselves on-line.
Back to hotel to write a few postcards while Coriandre sent a message to Kathleen, our chauffeur/host in Melbin, giving her flight details, etc. We'll spend the next week or so at Old Oak, Harcourt North, halfway between Bendigo and Castlemaine, shivering in front of their air-tight wood burning fireplace. From weather reports Melbin was 6C this morning while Vancouver was around 19C! We really missed the boat by not pre-planning far enough ahead. Should have spent a week in Bali instead of one in Victoriarctica! Well, just have to survive on hot buttered Bundi,( Bundaberg rum made from Queensland sugar cane. Each bottles contain a small cane toad, like the worm in mescal! Aussie's environmentally friendly way of mananging this introduced noxious species!), toddies, mate!
Tonight we plan to have dinner at the Deckchair Cinema, (Great local spot, Hanuman, caters there and we had a fabulous meal at the restaurant itself, last Tuesday night before going to Kakadu.), before watching The Women on the 6th Floor, France, 2011, about an international Sisterhood terrorist cell, in a high rise near Plaza of Nations, north side of False Creek, not far from The Island Inn, plotting against The Brotherhood, me and my mates, mate, who make up the Seawall Peleton. Subtitles. Parental Guidance advised as film contains Nudity, Sex, Coarse Language and Extreme Violence towards the Lycra Mob. No popcorn but free latte, (infused with Bundaberg Rum, 55%), provided during scenes when bicyles are being dismembered with steel-toed, stiletto high heels!
Cheers from Crocodile Patrizzio, wearing his green Crocs in the heart of Crocodile Country, Northern Territory!
Hi Lads!
Trust everyone is well! Tonight we plan to have dinner at Deckchair Cinema before watching The Women on the 6th Floor, France, 2011, about an international Sisterhood terrorist cell, in a high rise near Plaza of Nations, plotting against the False Creek Peleton. Subtitles. Parental Guidance advised as film contains Nudity, Coarse Language and Extreme Violence towards Indigenous Stanchions. No popcorn but free latte, (infused with Bundaberg Rum, 55%), provided during scenes when bicyles are being dismembered with steel-toed, stiletto high heels! Cheers, Il Conduttore!
Hi Wayne,
My friend & I are coming to Vancouver on 20th May, are staying at Patrick's for a few days & are hoping to hire a car as we want to visit Vancouver Island. I also want to go to White Rock, Penticton, & Cloverdale where I lived with my family as a young child. Should we arrange car hire this end? If so which would be a good company & where should we collect it from? Any advice would be much appreciated. Looking forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, June
I think that you should make
arrangements to rent it from the airport and return it to there. A cab
ride in and out would be approx $70 to $80 total which you would save if
you rented a car. You should go online and see which place offers you
the best deal.
Wayne
Add me to your mailing list!
Hi Corinne and Pat,
Bruno forwarded me your message. Can you please add me to it, too.
Sounds like you are having fun in the land of Oz. How long are you there for?
Funny thing happened yesterday. Friday night, I thought to myself,
"Gee, it has been a long time since I've talked to Sylvie Roy". I
looked her up on facebook and friended her and she instantly accepted.
Then we went to one of the malls in Quebec City on Sunday and low and
behold we ran into her. She had recently broken her wrist so she is off
work right now. We caught up a bit and she asked about you guys. We
also met her sister from Matane. Her mom died last September.
We have been really busy. Julien's German exchange student has
been here for the past 3 months. He goes home this coming Saturday. We
showed him a really good time. Bruno took Julien, Thierry and Samuel
snowboarding on Spring Break and we also went to New York at Easter.
The day after he leaves Bruno and I are heading to Puerto Rico for 6
days. Bruno will be working, but I will be resting after a crazy school
year.
In June, Julien graduates from High School and will be moving into
an apartment in Quebec City this summer. I am going to England right
after his graduation for a week of summer school at Nottingham
University where I am presently working on my Masters.
I think I told you our house is for sale. It could take a while to sell but we are eventually planning a move to Quebec City.
Looking forward to more of your news. Corinne, tell me what is up with the kids and grandkids.
You guys are always welcome for another visit. Maybe by the time you come we will be living in Quebec!
Bye, Love, Carol xoxo
Glad to know you are well, sorry to learn Corinne's foot is still a
problem at times. I guess you have been enjoying Darwin because it is
autumn and not so hot as it is in the summer. I've never been to see
my cousins in Brisbane during their summer, preferring the austral
springtime to avoid high temperatures. Hope the rest of your travels
are enjoyable and safe! Deborah
problem at times. I guess you have been enjoying Darwin because it is
autumn and not so hot as it is in the summer. I've never been to see
my cousins in Brisbane during their summer, preferring the austral
springtime to avoid high temperatures. Hope the rest of your travels
are enjoyable and safe! Deborah
P,
Good to hear from you. We were a little concerned that you really had met
the croc.
Just heard a piece on CBC radio on the increase of road rage in Australia.
I wonder if you have pushed the stats up with a colourful Lexus
confrontation.
Ray has a nagging back issue at the moment and the rest of the peloton is
AWOL.
The rain is pounding here like November. Hope it lets up before you get
home.
Fond regards and to C (Chester), W
Pat,
Darwin sounds like a very
different and interesting place.
Sylvia is in England now - at
the Brownlees at the moment having been picked up at Leeds train station by Jim
and Christine earlier today. I've been hosting Ken and Joanne on their return
from Mexico. They live in Kimberley and left this morning to return via Whistler
where their son works. Ken is a close friend from my teenage years in West
Hartlepool. He moved to Bermuda after me , then we travelled across Canada
settling in Vancouver. Recently had a cancerous tumor removed from his chest.
Nobody would have known yesterday as we cycled up the steep hill by the side of
PW school and on to a steeper hill at 31st and Macdonald. I had trouble staying
with him. He carried on while I did some tutoring on 31st. Not much riding of
late due to weather and availability but George is in good form. Hopefully will
get to ride with him when the weather cooperates. Better get the shake and bake
chicken organized for tonight's dinner.
Ray
Hi Tiptoe!
Trust you are well and living on one drink in Thailand! We are flying to Sydney tomorrow but don't get in until around 6:30pm so probably won't be at Oaks Goldsborough in Darling Harbour until close to 8:00pm. Leave for Melbin at around 1:00pm following day, back on the May 10th, mid-afternoon. That evening is probably best and only time we might have to connect so let me know if you are interested and/or able to have a drink or a meal. Regards to Kevin. Let me know about the eveing of May 10th. Cheers, Patrice!
Trust you are well and living on one drink in Thailand! We are flying to Sydney tomorrow but don't get in until around 6:30pm so probably won't be at Oaks Goldsborough in Darling Harbour until close to 8:00pm. Leave for Melbin at around 1:00pm following day, back on the May 10th, mid-afternoon. That evening is probably best and only time we might have to connect so let me know if you are interested and/or able to have a drink or a meal. Regards to Kevin. Let me know about the eveing of May 10th. Cheers, Patrice!
Greetings Patrice.
It would be nice to catch up, but I am aware of your time constraints.
Kevin and I are making our move together on Thursday, so packing is the order of the day. We found a place in Wollstonecraft (Kevin is still trying to get his mouth around the name ) which is ironically only about 5 minutes from where David and I used to live. You will hopefully have time upon your return to have a look.
Enjoy your flight across the desert today and if available a left hand window seat would be good to catch the afternoon rays of sunshine to check out the colours.
Chat soon and love to the gang.
Tim Kelly
Business Development Manager
Vodafone Hutchison Australia
It would be nice to catch up, but I am aware of your time constraints.
Kevin and I are making our move together on Thursday, so packing is the order of the day. We found a place in Wollstonecraft (Kevin is still trying to get his mouth around the name ) which is ironically only about 5 minutes from where David and I used to live. You will hopefully have time upon your return to have a look.
Enjoy your flight across the desert today and if available a left hand window seat would be good to catch the afternoon rays of sunshine to check out the colours.
Chat soon and love to the gang.
Tim Kelly
Business Development Manager
Vodafone Hutchison Australia
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