In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. -Albert Schweitzer, philosopher, physician, musician, Nobel laureate (1875-1965)
Some pics on our bike and walking tour if Brisbane. Wonderful city!
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Thanks for the response.
Meeting Kjell next week for a portrait sitting. I am just putting it out there, but i would like to do portraits of everybody who will sit for me, so maybe i can ask you too.
The same applies to Corinne (your Corinne that is). No rush though as this is an ongoing project. I am contemplating a 12 x 12 format. For some i will go for 12 x 24 horizontally that is. Either they will be couples or there will be background, surroundings etc. Also feeling the heat, now in retirement, due to an upcoming group show in New West. Yesterday i sat inn the kitchen, at an easel, for 5 hours. Was working solely from photos this time. Trying to get a gaggle of 12 x 12 inch landscapes together (with diptychs in some cases). Am thrilled with the format as it matches my portrait format too, already planned before i got
the show specs for this upcoming landscape series. Corinne just left, will get dressed, and head into the kitchen for some more painting, a little artistic turmoil, CBC music (hopefully Vinyl Cafe) in the background and maybe even a second coffee.
"Stalker," which i actually own, is a weird film. Don't know how Kjell actually felt about it but i enjoyed seeing it again. It is heavy fare though in the Russian cinematic tradition, with achingly long
pans and zoom shots, a somewhat melancholy atmosphere but rich in imagery and with the usual universal and spiritual questions that Tarkowski raises up but that tend to go unanswered.
Also registered for an SFU course, commencing in May, for our demographic. It is called "Listening to Music" and no textbooks required, just a hearing aid....:) (OK, that is not that funny).
I hope you do visit my blog as i you will get a chuckle out of "Don't Blame Vietnam Rail." It is a departure from the intrepid traveller style postings to self-effacing humour. Made a total ass of myself that day.
I am a tad behind on it as there are no new postings since March 19th.
Best Wishes, Bob
Hi Big Al!
Well, I guess we will probably not connect as we leave today for Cairns. Have to return our rental car so will head out to airport around 11:00am to give us some wriggle room for 1:00pm flight. Have included a few of mosr recent entries, particularly one for yesterday as we went for one of the most enjoyable rides of the trip, to date.
Trust everyone is well and that you are not working too, too hard. For my part I cannot complain although I am really missing riding regularly back home and the incessant whinging of the barely committed. Nevertheless, had a tremendous outing yesterday morning, (See below), so I thought I'd share it with like-minded folk, in spite of the propensity for certain members to lollygag, dipsy doodling without good purpose, (latte or sticky bun stops), or insist on stopping to enjoy the view. I do apologize for not being in touch sooner but have had so much to do, NetWebwise, and such limited access/composing time, what with hectic pace of life on the road, I can barely keep up with email and drink wine at the same time! (Last evening when I was putting some final touches to the entries Sarge handed me a full glass of Audrey Wilkinson, Hunter Valley, 2011 Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc, (with fruit from Marlborough, NZ,), 12.0%)
Truly wish you or Whirlygig or Robo Ray, (only non-latte stalwarts of the Peleton!), were along yesterday as we had more than a terrific ride. On Friday, after a terrific walking tour of the downtown core, arranged by our thoughtful hosts, as the Lads, abandoned by The Sisterhood, gone Power Shopping, were having a bit of a river cruise on public transport, Greg pointed out various spots we would be riding along next day. As it turned out, I was sitting next to a chap from Whiterock! He must have heard something I said to Sarge as he asked me if we were from Vaancouver. He is the bass player for the four piece rock band on the cruise ship currently in dock near last stop on CC run. He has been doing the gig for ten years so obviously likes the life. At any rate after he got off to return to the ship, it was to sail for Sydney at 6:00pm or 7:00pm that evening, CC crossed over to the south bank, to Apollo Road stop, and as we moved past the huge ship I noticed the gigantic LED TV screen, on one of the upper decks, the type which you have installed, here, before. presumably. Perhaps it was even one of your masterpieces. Have you ever worked for the Princess Line. Ship was one of their vessels but am not sure of its name.
As of your last email, as I mentioned in my reply, I wasn't when you would be coming to Brisbane or if at all. At any rate, seeing screen prompted me to ask Greg if I could pass along his phone number to you if you have time and your various schedules allow, I knew you would enjoy meeting Claire and Greg, (delightful personalities, generous ways, self-deprecating humour, quick wits), although Greg is much more of a full-on extrovert live-wire, (hot-wired, is, perhaps, a more apt description, a real pistol), than Marcus Aurelius, per esempio, without taking anything away from sunny Mark's sunny personality, mind you!
Greg can be reached at:
Do hope you can manage to get together if you do make it to Brisbane. Fondestos to you four from The Gang of Four. (I do hope to send along some photos once I manage to organize downloads, etc., but Life is already very complicated!) Cheers, Patrizzio!
PS: You may prefer to read Saturday's entry, (if you read any of the Infernal Diaries!), as it describes our latest bike ride. Skip to the chase, is, I believe, the vulgar term, Dear Reader!
Hi Patrice,
Don't have time for wordy response but I will be in Bris. From the 18th to May sth. If that works into your schedule let me know. Cheers, Al
Hi again, Big Al:
Off for breakfast at a cafe just down the stret before we beak camp. As you will read when you have time, in other message, is Greg's cell #.
Talk soon. Cheers, Il Condutore!
Hi Christine/Jim and Sylvia/Raymond!
Trust everyone is well and enjoying cool temperatures and gloomy, cloudy skies. For my part I cannot complain although I am really missing riding regularly and the incessant whinging of the barely committed. Nevertheless, had a tremendous outing this morning, (See below), so I thought I'd share it with like-minded folk, in spite of the propensity for certain members to lollygag, dipsy doodling without good purpose, (latte or sticky bun stops), or insist on stopping to enjoy the view. I do apologize for not being in touch sooner but have had so much to do, NetWebwise, and such limited access/composing time, what with hectic pace of life on the road, I can barely keep up with email and drink wine at the same time! (Sarge just handed me a full glass of Audrey Wilkinson, Hunter Valley, (with fruit from Marlborough, NZ, as well, Sylvia!), 2011 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, 12.0%), pre-dinner sippage.
Truly wish Whirlygig and Robo Ray, (only non-latte stalwarts of the Peleton!), were along today as we had more than a terrific ride. Yesterday, after a terrific walking tour of the downtown core, arranged by our thoughtful hosts, as the Lads, abandoned by The Sisterhood, gone Power Shopping, were having a bit of a river cruise on public transport, Greg pointed out various spots we would be riding along. As it turned out, I was sitting next to a chap from Whiterock! He must have heard something I said to Sarge as he asked me if we were from Vaancouver. He is the bass player for the four piece rock band on the cruise ship currently in dock near last stop on CC run. He has been doing the gig for ten years so obviously likes the life. At any rate after he got off to return to the ship, it was to sail for Sydney at 6:00pm or 7:00pm that evening, CC crossed over to the south bank, to Apollo Road stop, and as we moved past the huge ship I noticed the gigantic LED TV screen, on one of the upper decks, the type which Big Molly has installed, here, before. As of last email, he wasn't sure if he would be coming to Brisbane. He was scheduled to fly in on April 14th but due to red tape, trip was on hold so we will probably not overlap as we leave tomorrow, for Cairns, around 1:00pm. At any rate, seeing screen prompted me to ask Greg if I could pass along his phone number to Al as if he has time and their various schedules allow, (even before we took the ride I describe below), I knew he would enjoy meeting Claire and Greg, akin to you, Christine and Jim, making your acqauintance as we did, set alone and adrift by your callous house exchange counterparts, last summer, in terms of your delightful personalities, great good looks, generous ways, self-deprecating humour, quick wits and Swiss bank accounts, although Greg is much more of a full-on extrovert live-wire, (hot-wired, is, perhaps, a more apt description, a real pistol), without taking anything away from sunny Jim's sunny personality, mind you!
Fondestos to you four from The Gang of Four. (I do hope to send along some photos once I manage to organize downloads, etc., but Life is already very complicated!) Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pat,
Thanks for the recent travel
accounts. No real changes in routine here.
Sylvia and I were just as
complimentary about our stay in Noosa Heads in 1988 as yours in
Newcastle.
The canal location sounds like
the one we had a dinner party at with Gold Coast teachers in 2001. Also had a
cruise up the Nerang toward Brisbane which was very enjoyable.
Light, well-maintained bikes
sure make a difference. I have this on-going debate with myself whether to
purchase something that gives you a bit extra. Only 29.33 km. Haven't done much
better recently. George and I have had a couple of rides out to Iona and
Steveston (no no. 6 Road and no Cambie) but our schedules haven't allowed as
much riding as we both would want and I find I prefer company. Jim and
Christine had accommodation at the Sunshine Coast for a lengthy period a couple
of years ago. By the way, he and I went to the same school. We had to write the
11+ exam to gain entry. We certainly weren't the Public School
type.
Spoke with Monica, from a few
blocks away. She is a fitness instructor for older people with osteo arthritis
and she also does the spinning classes at Kits Community Centre. Invited her to
join us sometime. She said she was capable of riding 75 miles - think she meant
km. $208 to climb the Sydney Bridge! No discounts for seniors, especially those
with hip replacements?
Are you planning on taking the
boat to the reef? I found it a very worthwhile trip although it was quite rough
and many on board were sea-sick. Able to get into the water at the back of the
boat and swim among the turtles and numerous other creatures.
I think your e-mails have caused
some extra travel impetus around here. Sylvia is off to England and France soon
and is talking about a trip to Italy and France later in the year and another to
New Zealand next year. We'll see.
Sylvia is laughing in the
background - she says she has finally got into your e-mail. Ray
Hi Pat and David!
Trust everyone is well and that you are not working too, too hard. Life continues to go well except for the fact that the toes on Cora Lee's right foot remain slightly swollen and extended walking is tiring. Nevertheless, has not really hampered things all that much. For my part I cannot complain although I am really missing riding regularly back home and the incessant whinging of the barely committed there. This, however, is more than compensated for, replaced by the never ending whining of my female traveling companions!
In to shower and have a bite to eat,(I made myself a toasted tomatoe and cheese sandwich), and we sat outside to chat and read, some thier books, others the morning papers. We had planned a picnic at a nearbye beach where G/C and F/S were going to kayak, (C/G have four kayaks), but on and off downpours, monsoon-like for short periods of deluge, put the kibosh on more outdoor activity. We ended up sitting around and visiting, doing a bit of packing and reading/answering email before a delicious lunch of cold meat and overlefts from last two evening's meals. Having had such an exhilarating ride I was just as happy to try and catch up on my Infernal Diary entries.
The Sisterhood had made an appointment for manicures/pedicures at 2:00pm so they left The Brotherhood to their own devices at around 1:30pm. Sarge and Greg are mucking about with Sarge's iPad on the deck while I beaver away inside, their conversation drifting to me through the open window. The rain has stopped and it seems to be clearing to the east, the sun is now shining and it is about 24 C, although the sky, to the west is filled with dark clouds. In fact spent the rest of the day around the house, digitating and lounging, for my part, engaged in the former, for the others, laggards and layabouts that they are, squandering time, luxuriating in the latter.
Wonderful pre-dinner, sippage, (as alluded to above), of Audrey Wilkinson, Hunter, 2011 Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc, former from HV, latter sourced from Marlborough, NZ, 12.0%, followed by a Marlborough Vineyard, 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, 13.0%, with a more than delicious grilled assortment of sausages, beef and lamb, smothered in sautéed red peppers and onions, and a green salad, liberally sprinkled with red onion. We depleted our red wine stock, polishing off a Charles Melton, Barossa, 2010 The Father in Law, Shiraz, 14.5%, fabuloso, and, from the same winery, The Kirche, 2009 Shiraz, 14.5%, tasty but could use another couple of years in the cellar to bring out its full potential.
For dessert we cracked one of the few dessert wines we'd acquired over the course of our peregrinations, a Knappstein, Clare, 2010 Fortified Shiraz, Yertabulti Vineyards, 19.0%, a divine drop if ever there was one. This nectar complimented the Cadburys choc Clare bought from the local corner store when we realized we had no other sweets in the house. After we cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher, The Babes repaired to their separate, cold beds while I digitated, alone, on the patio, accompanied by a comforting beaker of Pastis, a present from me to Greg, purchased, on the sly, the day before, at more than great expense , Dear Reader, in recollection of our time, when first we met, sipping same at an outdoor bistro in Auxerre, while the Bogans, Sarge and Greggage, continued to pound beer, Grolsch by this time, rather than Crown Lager, upstairs in the entertainment suite, watching Aussie Rules Footy, Brisbane vs Freemantle, actually an incredible 2nd story addition, with a large deck, overlooking the city scape, and from which, during the antediluvian opening of the heavens late this afternoon, we watched the overhead waterfall torrents, backlit by the sun so that the visual effect was breathtaking in the extreme.
Must say goodnight, Dear Reader, as it is going on 11:00pm and we are scheduled to ride, once again, on the morrow, at 6:00am, so that we can log at least 40K before returning to launder our gear, shower, eat breakfast and pack what remains to be squeezed into our groaning suitcases, to say goodbye to our wonderfully hospitable Landlady and Landlord and make for Brisbane Airport. Cairns awaits!
To be continued...
Hi Richard!
Not sure about why Andrew is not answering. I may not have had his latest number as I know he was bouncing between having and not having a landline/Blackberry! Think he'll probably respond to a letter as he seems to like writing cards, etc.
Trust you are well and that Esther is not working too, too hard.
Hi Pat and David!
Trust everyone is well and that you are not working too, too hard. Life continues to go well except for the fact that the toes on Cora Lee's right foot remain slightly swollen and extended walking is tiring. Nevertheless, has not really hampered things all that much. For my part I cannot complain although I am really missing riding regularly back home and the incessant whinging of the barely committed there. This, however, is more than compensated for, replaced by the never ending whining of my female traveling companions!
In to shower and have a bite to eat,(I made myself a toasted tomatoe and cheese sandwich), and we sat outside to chat and read, some thier books, others the morning papers. We had planned a picnic at a nearbye beach where G/C and F/S were going to kayak, (C/G have four kayaks), but on and off downpours, monsoon-like for short periods of deluge, put the kibosh on more outdoor activity. We ended up sitting around and visiting, doing a bit of packing and reading/answering email before a delicious lunch of cold meat and overlefts from last two evening's meals. Having had such an exhilarating ride I was just as happy to try and catch up on my Infernal Diary entries.
The Sisterhood had made an appointment for manicures/pedicures at 2:00pm so they left The Brotherhood to their own devices at around 1:30pm. Sarge and Greg are mucking about with Sarge's iPad on the deck while I beaver away inside, their conversation drifting to me through the open window. The rain has stopped and it seems to be clearing to the east, the sun is now shining and it is about 24 C, although the sky, to the west is filled with dark clouds. In fact spent the rest of the day around the house, digitating and lounging, for my part, engaged in the former, for the others, laggards and layabouts that they are, squandering time, luxuriating in the latter.
Wonderful pre-dinner, sippage, (as alluded to above), of Audrey Wilkinson, Hunter, 2011 Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc, former from HV, latter sourced from Marlborough, NZ, 12.0%, followed by a Marlborough Vineyard, 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, 13.0%, with a more than delicious grilled assortment of sausages, beef and lamb, smothered in sautéed red peppers and onions, and a green salad, liberally sprinkled with red onion. We depleted our red wine stock, polishing off a Charles Melton, Barossa, 2010 The Father in Law, Shiraz, 14.5%, fabuloso, and, from the same winery, The Kirche, 2009 Shiraz, 14.5%, tasty but could use another couple of years in the cellar to bring out its full potential.
For dessert we cracked one of the few dessert wines we'd acquired over the course of our peregrinations, a Knappstein, Clare, 2010 Fortified Shiraz, Yertabulti Vineyards, 19.0%, a divine drop if ever there was one. This nectar complimented the Cadburys choc Clare bought from the local corner store when we realized we had no other sweets in the house. After we cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher, The Babes repaired to their separate, cold beds while I digitated, alone, on the patio, accompanied by a comforting beaker of Pastis, a present from me to Greg, purchased, on the sly, the day before, at more than great expense , Dear Reader, in recollection of our time, when first we met, sipping same at an outdoor bistro in Auxerre, while the Bogans, Sarge and Greggage, continued to pound beer, Grolsch by this time, rather than Crown Lager, upstairs in the entertainment suite, watching Aussie Rules Footy, Brisbane vs Freemantle, actually an incredible 2nd story addition, with a large deck, overlooking the city scape, and from which, during the antediluvian opening of the heavens late this afternoon, we watched the overhead waterfall torrents, backlit by the sun so that the visual effect was breathtaking in the extreme.
Must say goodnight, Dear Reader, as it is going on 11:00pm and we are scheduled to ride, once again, on the morrow, at 6:00am, so that we can log at least 40K before returning to launder our gear, shower, eat breakfast and pack what remains to be squeezed into our groaning suitcases, to say goodbye to our wonderfully hospitable Landlady and Landlord and make for Brisbane Airport. Cairns awaits!
To be continued...
Hi Richard!
Not sure about why Andrew is not answering. I may not have had his latest number as I know he was bouncing between having and not having a landline/Blackberry! Think he'll probably respond to a letter as he seems to like writing cards, etc.
Trust you are well and that Esther is not working too, too hard.
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