Monday 11 June 2012

Monday, March 12th, Day 8

Hi, Daniel , arrived in Sydney. Warm here, spent the day enjoying our friend's garden. Resting the foot which is getting better. Again thanks so much for your generosity. Hope to see you in Vancouver soon.
All the best, Corinne

Tuesday 13 March 2012

Sunday, March 11th, Day 7

Errors like straws upon the surface flow: / Who would search for pearls must dive below. -John Dryden, poet and dramatist (1631-1700) 

                                

                                 As I mentioned, forget Kits Beach, try Bondi Beach!!!

Good Morning Daniel!

Where to start to thank you from the bottom our our hearts for your more than generous, generous hospitality and kindness! Without question, your friendship and local knowledge made our stay in Hong Kong so much more exciting and informative than it otherwise would have been. Everything from the truly remarkable meals to the tour of Noah's Ark to the suggestion, (Should I say "insistence"!), to visit the HKCDM to last night's spectacular drive to the Peak, drinking in the city and its lights, magical almost beyond belief! Thanks, of course, for your thoughfulness in presenting us with the cell phone and arranging for Corinne to see Dr. Yu. This is so much appreciated given the worry one has when some fairly serious health problem surfaces.

Will spend most of the morning packing and after we check out at noon we hope to stroll around the neighbourhood. Will depend on how Corinne's foot feels. Unfortunately, her toes are still a bit swollen so walking may well not be a good idea. We can sit in relative comfort in the Lobby and read or use our iPads.

We plan to call you to thank you in person but if we don't connect, for some reason, wanted to make sure you knew just how grateful we are for the tremendous welcome you lavished upon us. We certainly hope you will find time to visit us in Vancouver and "insist" you stay with us when you return! No arguments tolerated!!!

Thank you, as well, for the pictures and related information/web sites to do with the HKCDM. I won't have time to look at anything until we are in Australia but I certainly appreciate having everything and your effort in sending this along.

Will be sending along some of the snaps we took once I've had a chance to download them. Sorry I can't provide 3D!!!

All the best Daniel, to you and your family. Don't work too hard. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!





Dear Patrick & Corinne,
 
Hi! Trust you are arriving Australia and see if notice the water seeps at the opposite direction in the sink from Hong Kong. I forward herewith the photos with the Noah's animals and also a 3-D file and if you can view it in some softwares. Have a great trip in Australia! Daniel


On 3-D glasses, cheers to you both! Ting


good to meet, here is the address for the camera shop;
www.photoscientific.com

Note: We are transitioning from SES to our new global firm, Alexander Hughes Intl. Please note my new email and company name.  All other contact details remain unchanged.

Jim Crowe, Managing Partner, Alexander Hughes



Glad to hear from you. The ticket info is Res number VDQZNX. The flight is DJ850 at 1500 Mar 17 to Melbourne. This should be the info. Wayne A Sutherland  


Hi Patrick and Corinne,

I know from FaceBook that you are now in Hong Kong. Hope all is well?

Wish you were here as we have the most full weeks in March, what with the
Adelaide Fringe, great shows, Adelaide Writers Week, what a wonderful group
of writers assembled here on the lawns by the Torrens Parade Ground and of
course this weekend is Womadelaide, singers and dancers from all around the
world assembled on Botanic Gardens where we watched the outdoor movies.

Last Tuesday Trevor and I had Spanish Tapas in Melbourne Street and then
walked into town to the Torrens and had a quiet drink on the riverbank
listening to the dulcet Jazz tones of the 'River Blues"

Unfortunately it will all end this weekend!!

We will be taking Trevor's mum out to lunch tomorrow as it was her birthday
today, probably to a restaurant on the ocean front.

Then hopefully with a bit of juggling of days we will be taking the caravan
to Nuriootpa with Don and Anne for a few days.

See you soon. Cheers Teens










Saturday, March 10th, Day 6

It is not so much our friends' help that helps us as the confident knowledge that they will help us. -Epicurus, philosopher (c. 341-270 BCE) 


princesse lointaine

Jaufré Rudel dying in the arms of his love, Countess of Tripoli
From a 13th-century Italian manuscript


Hello Goils!

Teribly sorry that we've not been in touch sooner but life has been busy and exciting! I did try to send a message on Thursday when I scammed a free WiFi at a Starbucks in Central, centre of Hong Kong Island, a short ferry ride across Victoria Harbour from where we are staying. We met Daniel for a wonderful lunch at a Japanese restaurant which Ting has been patronizing for almost 30 years! At any rate, system logged me off before message was sent and pace of lif ehas been such that we've never had a moment to send any messages. Would think that most people would be pleased!

However, one worry as far as your Mother is concerned. Her rash returned on Wednesday and was very itchy, etc. She wasn't feeling well enough to go ut for dinenr with Daniel so he and I ate by ourselves at another incredible Chines restaurant not far from the Y. On Thursday morning I finally convinced her to see a dermatologist friend of Daniel's and he very kindly arranged an appointment at 11:00am that morning. He prescribed antibiotics and antihistamines as well as topical ointments. He said that cream Corinne was given in Vancouver was simply not strong enough to treat dermatitis.

So that is the situation. The rash is better on her foot but is still "angry" looking on her lower leg and ankle. Her poor toes are quite puffy so walking is okay aas long as she moves fairly slowly. we'll just have to wait and see how foot responds once we are in Sydney. At least there she can rest at Ania's without having to worry about trying to see all sorts of new sights.

We will check out at noon today and then leave our bags with Concierge. Depending on how Nana feels we might stroll around neighborhood as there are all sorts of things to see, (temples, museums, remarkable, high, high-end Lives of the Rich and Famous hotel lobbies, Rolls Royces outside!), just walking the busy streets. We will take a free shuttle bus to an MTR, (subway system), station in Kowloon where we will catch the Airport Express. We only have to wheel our bags across the street from the Y to the Peninsula Hotel where shuttle stops, every 20 minutes.

If Cora Lee doesn't feel up to walking we can always wait in the lobby of the Y and catch up on email or read.

With respect to money for Pam, I will probably transfer funds to your account. The Royal Patient has just gone down for breakfast as I wanted to stay here and send messages and confirm flight, etc. When she returns I'll go down to the terrifc cafe off Lobby and have the Chinese Breakfast, one I've had every day, except one, since we arrived. This way we can maximize the 4 hours we've paid for access to the Internet. Your Moher is almost packed and I don't have much to do myself as most of the articles I took out of my suitcase are still folded and I only need to put them back.

Before I sign off for now I'd like to ask a couple of small favours. I forgot to bring a small envelope with addresses from envelopes. I wanted to bring them along to put most recent ones in my new book. I think it should be somewhere around my computer. Not a big deal if you can't find it. As well, I have a bit of Australian money which I neglected to take. It is in a Players cigarette box on the shelving on what used to be my side of the bed. There is a red tin box on top of it. There may be some coins as well but don't worry about them if you can't sort them out for rest of other currencies that they might be mixed with. If you could put cash with addresses and give envelope to Sarge, (not Flamin' as it will get lost!), that would be great. Again, not a big deal as it is not a significant amount but I thought that I might as well use it.

Trust you and Maggie The Devil Cat are fine and enjoying life without your parents to bother you! Give our love to Clarisse and Picasso. Have you been able to see Mom? Say hello to Dodenheimer if you bump into her. Did you call Branko? Please ask him to give small package to Larry Kazdan and have him look at remote printing. Let me know if I need to transfer any money for my bike when you hear from Lars at Reckless. When you bring bike home, use the small silver key for the lock which is already on the bike rack attached to the wall.

Much, much warm love. Cheers, Dad!







A group of C Company, Royal Rifles, on board H.M.C.S. Prince Robert. The
winter uniform had been changed into summer uniform as the ship approaches
Hong Kong. These soldiers would become the first Canadian troops to go into
action during the fighting on Hong Kong Island.


Dear Patrick and Corinne,

Just a recap of what Patrick saw today at the
Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence. Have nice day in HK and a blessed trip ahead! Blessings, Ting


To the Last Man: Canadian Troops in the Battle of Hong Kong



Disembarkation of "C" Force from H.M.C.S. Prince Robert at Holt's Wharf,
(the present day Avenue of Stars) Tsim Sha Tsui, 16 November, 1941.


"C" Force marching from Holt's Wharf in Tsim Sha Tsui to Sham Shui Po Camp.


On 16 November 1941, two Canadian troops - the Winnipeg Grenadiers and the
Royal Rifles of Canada boarded huge transport vessels and were deployed to
Hong Kong. Under the leadership of Brigadier General Lawson and comprising
some 2,500 members including the civil officials and rear services units,
these troops took part in the Hong Kong defence forces. The Canadian troops
were platoons of young and inexperienced soldiers. They were not only in
lack of training, but also unfamiliar with the landscape of Hong Kong. Even
worse their weapons were still on the way to Hong Kong, which further
weakened their defensive power. From the Japanese attack to the Hong Kong
Governor's promulgation of surrender on Christmas Day, many Canadians were
killed, including Brigadier General Lawson, who perished in the heavy
fighting at Wong Nai Chung Gap. Upon the fall of Hong Kong, the Canadians
were jailed in the POW camp where many died of diseases and malnutrition.
Some 500 Canadian soldiers passed away during the Battle of Hong Kong and
the Japanese Occupation Period where they made up about one-fifth of the
total Hong Kong defence forces. After the war, most were buried at the
Stanley Military Cemetery and the Sai Wan War Cemetery. Every year, veterans
from Hong Kong and overseas gather to participate in the mourning ceremony
held by the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong. To mark the 70th
anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong in 2011, this pictorial exhibition is
staged to pay a tribute to the Canadian troops in defending Hong Kong in
this battle.



Hello Goils!

Terribly sorry that we've not been in touch sooner but life has been busy and exciting! I did try to send a message on Thursday when I scammed a free WiFi at a Starbucks in Central, centre of Hong Kong Island, a short ferry ride across Victoria Harbour from where we are staying. We met Daniel for a wonderful lunch at a Japanese restaurant which Ting has been patronizing for almost 30 years! At any rate, system logged me off before message was sent and pace of lif ehas been such that we've never had a moment to send any messages. Would think that most people would be pleased!

However, one worry as far as your Mother is concerned. Her rash returned on Wednesday and was very itchy, etc. She wasn't feeling well enough to go ut for dinenr with Daniel so he and I ate by ourselves at another incredible Chines restaurant not far from the Y. On Thursday morning I finally convinced her to see a dermatologist friend of Daniel's and he very kindly arranged an appointment at 11:00am that morning. He prescribed antibiotics and antihistamines as well as topical ointments. He said that cream Corinne was given in Vancouver was simply not strong enough to treat dermatitis.

So that is the situation. The rash is better on her foot but is still "angry" looking on her lower leg and ankle. Her poor toes are quite puffy so walking is okay aas long as she moves fairly slowly. we'll just have to wait and see how foot responds once we are in Sydney. At least there she can rest at Ania's without having to worry about trying to see all sorts of new sights.

We will check out at noon today and then leave our bags with Concierge. Depending on how Nana feels we might stroll around neighborhood as there are all sorts of things to see, (temples, museums, remarkable, high, high-end Lives of the Rich and Famous hotel lobbies, Rolls Royces outside!), just walking the busy streets. We will take a free shuttle bus to an MTR, (subway system), station in Kowloon where we will catch the Airport Express. We only have to wheel our bags across the street from the Y to the Peninsula Hotel where shuttle stops, every 20 minutes.

If Cora Lee doesn't feel up to walking we can always wait in the lobby of the Y and catch up on email or read.

With respect to money for Pam, I will probably transfer funds to your account. The Royal Patient has just gone down for breakfast as I wanted to stay here and send messages and confirm flight, etc. When she returns I'll go down to the terrifc cafe off Lobby and have the Chinese Breakfast, one I've had every day, except one, since we arrived. This way we can maximize the 4 hours we've paid for access to the Internet. Your Moher is almost packed and I don't have much to do myself as most of the articles I took out of my suitcase are still folded and I only need to put them back.

Before I sign off for now I'd like to ask a couple of small favours. I forgot to bring a small envelope with addresses from envelopes. I wanted to bring them along to put most recent ones in my new book. I think it should be somewhere around my computer. Not a big deal if you can't find it. As well, I have a bit of Australian money which I neglected to take. It is in a Players cigarette box on the shelving on what used to be my side of the bed. There is a red tin box on top of it. There may be some coins as well but don't worry about them if you can't sort them out for rest of other currencies that they might be mixed with. If you could put cash with addresses and give envelope to Sarge, (not Flamin' as it will get lost!), that would be great. Again, not a big deal as it is not a significant amount but I thought that I might as well use it.

Trust you and Maggie The Devil Cat are fine and enjoying life without your parents to bother you! Give our love to Clarisse and Picasso. Have you been able to see Mom? Say hello to Dodenheimer if you bump into her. Did you call Branko? Please ask him to give small package to Larry Kazdan and have him look at remote printing. Let me know if I need to transfer any money for my bike when you hear from Lars at Reckless. When you bring bike home, use the small silver key for the lock which is already on the bike rack attached to the wall.

Much, much warm love. Cheers, Dad!

Friday, March 9th, Day 5

Cut these words and they would bleed; they are vascular and alive; they walk and run. -Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer and philosopher (1803-1882) 

Dear Patrick and Corinne,

Enjoy this while you are still in Hong Kong! Blessings, Ting

Aerial Virtual Tour of Hong Kong

<http://www.airpano.ru/files/Honkong/start_e.html>
http://www.airpano.ru/files/Honkong/start_e.html



Ray,

The forecast does look a little dampish for the next week.

I have had no communication from Pat since before his departure and his blog has no entries for a few days. I suspect he may have technical difficulties with connectivity – if not jet lag. I recommend you send a note to his regular e-mail address (above) and I expect he will tune in if he does not respond to this e-mail.

Be well, Hope to get in a ride with you sometime soon. G

Hi Harbour Terrace and Tinsel Town!

Here is the gist of what I sent to Sarge as we needed to obtain details of our flight to Melbourne on Saturday. Originally, he was going to stay overnight with us in Sydney and we were to fly to Melbourne together, next day. When he discovered the Grand prix was on in Melbourne that weekend, he changed his booking from Sydney to Melbourne so is going there shortly after landing. He made booking and we forgot to get details before leaving!

Hi Harbour Terrace!

Thanks for latest Sarge. I was going to send another message asking for name of airline but we figured it out, Virgin Australia, and were able to login at website to confirm booking. I've tried to print out pdf page but printer won't connect. Will have to ask Ania when she is back.

I know that you will have received some of our news from message to Book Club but here is a bit more:

Unfortunately, Corinne has had to deal with a recurrence of the rash on her right foot, some on the lower leg of her left foot as well. This started last Wednesday and I convinced her that she should seek medical attention. She resisted until Thursday morning when not much improvement overnight. Fortunately for us, friend, Daniel "Ting" Chen, we met back in early 80's when he was doing an MA in Architecture at UBC, who has lived here ever since and whom we'd seen the evening before, mentioned that he could probably arrange an appointment with a dermatologist friend, Dr. Francis Yu. He did just that and Cora lee saw him on Thursday morning. he prescribed antibiotics, (He was concerned about infection as well.), antihistamines and ointment. He said prescription for latter, made in Vancouver, was far to weak to be effective. Last few days were still uncomfortable for much walking but we paced ourselves and Corinne soldiered on. We will basically be taking a vacation from our vacation for rest of week until we fly to Melbourne on Saturday to meet you.

Speaking of which, Marysia, Ania's sister, (Danny, her husband, is in Whistler until Wednesday or Thursday!), was over for a wonderful lamb dinner last night. We sipped a Knappstein 2010 Riesling, Clare Valley, 12.5% before meal and graduated to a Kirrihill 2008 Shiraz, again from Clare, 15%, with lamb!!! Both wines were stellare, red only $15, and a gangbuster! At any rate, during ensuing conversation Marysia mentioned that it is quite convenient to take a bus from airport to the Spencer Street Train Station and then get a free shuttle to Marriott or other downtown hotels. This is what she does when she is visiting her daughter there. Let us know if it works, Sarge, as you will be first guinea pig!

Happy to report that Her Majesty is working in Ania's back garden as I scribe. Our hostess is a wonderful individual but she needs a Royal Gardener so Corinne is weeding and raking. (She just reported that she somehow managed to lose her sunglasses in all the pruning and clipping!) Last visit she transplanted a number of potted plants and generally tidied up so Ania was very pleased. She has gone for a walk around Bondi and Bronte but Corinne isn't up to that yet. Glorious day today, right from the start. Yesterday was quite cloudy, with a few drops of rain, until late afternoon and then it was hot enough that I walked in the shade when I could! First real sunshine we'd seen since leaving as weather in HK was very foggy, some drizzle and a few bouts of heavy rain. Fortunately we were either on the Big Bus Tour or in a museum when it was pelting down so weather didn't actually matter. Of course, it would have been more enjoyable if it had been warmer and sunnier but believe conditions were true to historical patterns, according to Daniel.

Had a very brief, but most pleasant, delicious breakfast with Jim, friend of Raymondo's, (He very kindly treated us.), at a most convivial café last Saturday. Enjoyed meeting him and found his company very agreeable indeed. We tried to convince him to visit in the next little while and he mentioned that with the recent takeover of his company, by a French firm, he thinks he might arrange a trip via Vancouver. In the interim, he hopes to motorcycle down the Ho Chi Minh Trail in May! Well, just wanted to connect. I see you are experiencing wet weather. Trust everyone is well. I'm reading A Night of Long Knives, a Hannah Vogel novel, by Rebecca Cantrell, set, for the most part, in Berlin during the rise of the Nazis, and am quite enjoying it. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!


Pics: Cora Lee and Daniel at Sushi One; Noah's Ark, a creationist amusement park! Jim; view from our hotel looking towards HK; just a few of the incredible ceramics on display at the HK Museum of Art; Goils watching Revenge after dinner last evening. You can make out CL's rash if you are able to magnify image! Onion didn't want her picture taken!










Thursday, March 8th, Day 4

The only fence against the world is a thorough knowledge of it. -John Locke, philosopher (1632-1704) 


Hi Patrice,

I hope you had a pleasant an uneventful trip across the Pacific. Sorry I 
didn't get back to you sooner however we were getting ready to go out of 
town ourselves to Disneyland. We had a fantastic time, the weather was great 
and the crowds were not too bad. We had a bit of a stressful flight back 
from LA though, The plane was about half an hour into it's flight from LA to 
Bellingham when there was a horrendous bang that seemed to emanate from 
right under and beside where Gerry was sitting, this was followed by a bad 
vibration and the plane immediately started descending. Nobody said anything 
for a few minutes but there was many questioning and apprehensive looks 
being shot about between passengers!. The lights in the plane were going on 
and off and we were alternately climbing and descending plane. Finally the 
pilot came on to say that we had experienced some kind of malfunction , they 
had shut the right engine down and we were returning to LAX.

Nobody really knew the scope of the malfunction and people were very upset, 
Maureen even got out a notepad and started writing a will!. The pilot 
obviously had his work cut out for him as he was going between full throttle 
and fully backing off to maintain proper altitude on his approach. We 
finally landed (on all wheels fortunately). I didn't know what to expect and 
had assumed the crash position just in case the landing gear hadn't engaged 
properly and we were doing a belly landing!. Once we stopped and it was 
apparent that we had survived there was a tremendous applause and great 
sighs of relief.

Emergency vehicles with lights flashing surrounded the plane on the runway 
but soon retreated when there were no fires or other problems present. We 
wound up waiting for 6 hours for another plane to come from Bellingham to 
pick us up so we didn't arrive at our door until 6:30 am. but again thankful 
to be arriving unscathed.

I'd like to tell you more but I need to get going on some other things . I 
will tell you more and pass along some pictures when I get a chance.

Take care, Al

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/03/07/2426442/allegiant-flight-from-la-to-bellingham.html


hi Patt,

have I missed you? call me.u free fro dinner Saturday night? jim Crowe




Pat,
    Jim wrote today and asked if you were in HK yet. Hoping to ride with George tomorrow weather permitting.
Ray


Wednesday, March 7th, Day 3

Wars damage the civilian society as much as they damage the enemy. Soldiers never get over it. -Paul Fussell, historian, author, and professor (b. 1924) 

Dear Patrick,

This is just a quick update to let you know how my life as a writer is progressing.

First thing, Junkie is now available in both paperback and Kindle formats. For paperback, http://www.amazon.com/Junkie-Rogan-Mystery-Robert-French/dp/0987689622/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331054937&sr=8-2 and for Kindle, http://www.amazon.com/Junkie-Cal-Rogan-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0053IPWQQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1331055111&sr=1-2. I am very heartened by the http://www.amazon.com/Junkie-Cal-Rogan-Mysteries-ebook/product-reviews/B0053IPWQQ/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1 I have received, both on the Amazon site and by various wonderful bloggers. Thank you all who participated. If you have read Junkie, I would be grateful if you would do a quick blurb in the http://www.amazon.com/Junkie-Cal-Rogan-Mysteries-ebook/product-reviews/B0053IPWQQ/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1.

I am working away on Oboe, the sequel to Junkie, and am closing in on the first draft. It has taken on a life of its own and there are twists and turns in the plot that I never planned. It is so cool when that happens.

There is a new book review on my website which you may enjoy:

The book that changed my mind about reviewing
Posted on February 17, 2012 by Robert P. French
A while ago, I decided not to do any more book reviews on this site, for two reasons: There are already some great reviewers out there and I was not sure that I had anything to add to what they ... Then I read Little Men - The E Book by Ronnie Yax and I knew I had to review it ... http://www.robertpfrench.com/2012/02/17/the-book-that-changed-my-mind-about-reviewing/

There are a couple of other books in my list that I will be reviewing. I will let you know about them soon. Very best wishes, Robert.

Tuesday, March 6th, Day 2

It is impossible to live pleasurably without living prudently, honorably, and justly; or to live prudently, honorably, and justly, without living pleasurably. -Epicurus, philosopher (c. 341-270 BCE)


                                                       Sam and Alejandro



Hi guys,

How was your flight? How is Hong Kong? Mom how's the foot?? Just wanted to say hi, and ask mom, what about money for Pam? or something?? Grandma wants to know if she should be sending money on your behalf??
Let me know. Love from me and Mags!!!! xxxxx


By now you're in HK.

Fight the jet lag!

Do not buy electronic toys on Nathan Street! Do not buy a tailored
suit by the Star Ferry!

Have "milk tea" with your meals!

When you tire of dim-sum, have a steak at Just Steak!

Do not pick up money from the ground! It's a scam!

Buy an Octopus Card at the ferry or subway! Randy


                              

                                   The Four Pests Campaign “Everyone come and fight sparrows.”