Wine with the ladies – 14 August

California is wine country. Need I say more :) Jules and Shannon took my mom and me on a tour for the day. I had the privilege of driving Jules’ Lexus IS250. So nice :)

The wine was good and as per usual I became better company as the day wore on. We started off at Pleasanton’s country club, made our way to an old house where one room is used for the tastings. This is where we spotted “Big Dick’s BBQ Sauce” with matching sayings on the labels (check out the photo). But the highlight was the last wine farm (unfortunately can’t remember its name). The owner’s boyfriend does all the tours (guy with the red shirt in the last photo) and I haven’t experience such an enthusiastic guide. Very friendly and sharp as Minora blades. While waiting there, I might have made a Freudian slip while talking about the Zin-fondle wine :) Shannon pointed this out and being me, I proceeded to rename the wine :)

Golf course at the Pleasanton country club – The old house with wine inside – The ladies queuing for more wine! – Big Dick’s

Tasting wine in the cellar (this is not the tasting room) – Our super tour guide and the ladies.

Smores on the beach…continued – 16 July

…I didn’t want to just pay my $200 fine. This was a principle case for me, and I was concerned that if I tried to leave Canada with an outstanding ticket that I might get into trouble. So I hopped on April’s bike (about an hour cycle) and went to the ticketing office to deal with this.

I tried to “choose” the friendlier looking of the two ladies sitting behind the counter. I didn’t succeed and was thinking this might not go well. Stating my dilemma, leaving the country in 2 weeks and wanting to contest the ticket, I asked what the contesting procedure is. Thinking that I could get a quick court date and talk to the judge, which honestly is a bit scary, but I thought I would have a good foot to stand on. The lady or rather official informed me that I would only get a court date next year some time. What could I do except laugh :) I have to say that she also found the reason for me getting a ticket strange (great, so it isn’t just me). So she asks me to wait and disappears for a while. Now I’m thinking “yes, something good might just happen.” She came back and found a technicality on the ticket which allowed her to cancel it. Whoop, whoop. Ruan is a free man again :)

Smores on the beach…well that was the idea – 9 July

Every country seems to have their own “around the fire” treat. The typical one is marshmallows, but ever heard of Smores?

You could guess that Smores get their name from “some more,” so I’m thinking they must be delicious. The way to make them is to roast a marshmallow, then sandwich it between two cookies with chocolate. You then leave it close to the fire as to heat up and melt the chocolate. Your mouth watering yet? April invited some friends over for lunch and we would head to the beach to make Smores after sunset. April also wanted me to try Fireball. It is a cinnamon flavoured drink that literally tastes like the Fireball sweets you used to get a children. Tonight was a night for for trying new things.

As the sun was setting we got some coffee, headed to the beach, collected some firewood and sat around the fire. Note that we hadn’t started drinking yet. So some homeless guy and his dog came to say hello and kind of invited himself to our fire. I didn’t think it a problem as he was friendly. Even before we could get to the Smores or Fireball, two “officials” pitched not identifying themselves. Since I was in a 1st world country, to which I am a foreigner, I though to be friendly and follow the local’s lead. We all got ordered to sit down and provide identification. I only had a copy of my passport. We also got asked about alcohol, which was still sealed, but they had April throw it out into the fire as alcohol is not allowed. If you read the name, don’t you think that a bad idea? Just to prove a point, April only threw a splash onto the fire which obviously turned to flame. The officer didn’t seem to think that far and just gave a childish, sheepish giggle.
So about halfway though, by this time we knew we were getting a fine, but weren’t told for what (or that they were writing out tickets for that matter). I politely asked and was told that “we were lucky and were only getting a fine for being on the beach.” Not the fire or the alcohol, but for being on the beach???? (Apparently a by-law of the city of Surrey) I was a bit confused and asked if I as a foreigner, should know all the by-laws of each town I visit. An adamant “yes” was his reply. I was perplexed by this.

I broke the law (well, by-law) and would just have to take it. So I thought “ok, maybe a $50 fine.” When walking away, I discovered that the fine was for $200!!! How is that lucky? And for being on the beach??? We were all very unhappy about this as each of us got a $200 fine. That’s $1200 for the City of Surry right there! Thinking that Canada must be similar to the USA in some regards, I checked the notice board (everything carries a warning in the USA). Not allowed to cycle, take pets onto the beach or make fires. Nothing about alcohol or being on the beach after dark. By this time I though there is some hope. I would go and contest my fine!

To be continued…

We did go back to April’s house and enjoy the Smores. Unfortunately they didn’t have that smoky taste to them, but they were still great! I still hadn’t tasted Fireball though :( Next time…but in a bar where drinking is legal :)

Sunset with our fire setting the mood. Before the “officials” showed up.

Tim Burton’s

As Starbucks is to the USA, Tim Hortons is to Canada. In stead of Bagels, you get Donuts. All kinds. A type that was unknown to me was “Tim-bits.” These are little flavoured donut balls, about the size of a golf ball. Might sound weird, but delicious!

So Tim Hortons has gotten a couple of nick names. The most popular being “Timmy Ho’s.” Jip, sounds like Timmy is a prostitute :) In my slightly sick state, I got the name wrong and thought of Tim Burton the actor. And so, “Tim Burton’s” was born :) This name stuck! At least as an inside joke.

 
Taking in the culture at Timmy Ho’s