Ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.
-James Baldwin, writer (1924-1987)
Up at 6:30 am to add a few bits of kindling to the coals, all that remained of the fire. Pleased to say that I have started to be able to calibrate the wood so that the air-tight provides heat for most of the night. When I went to the bathroom at 3:30 am I put another log on the embers and that was enough to see us through until I was up again.
Busy round of errands this morning. We will walk to the Shatford Centre, just a few blocks from here, where the Winter Market is held. Then to the Greek Orthodox Church to scope out the baked goods. A bit of grocery shopping afterwards and then I plan to stroll Main Street looking for last minute Christmas presents. No snow last night so day is cool and crisp, 4ºC, although cloudy with the threat of showers around 11:00 am. Streets will be a mess if it does rain, not to mention likelihood of icy conditions.
Went to the my first dental appointment with James Jung, our new dentist here in Penticton at the Enamel Dental Centre, on Front Street, just before the roundabout opposite the Art Gallery, so an easy walk. Felt like I was in a Star Wars movie, literally, as the practice is truly state of the art. In the lobby there is a 3D-printer which is programmed to make crowns and other such fixtures. One of the digital x-ray machines is a bit like the high-tech scanners at airport security, revolving around one as it bombards you with radiation! Complete medical/dental history taken by a very efficient, friendly dental hygienist, Kym, who also takes digital photos of your teeth while you pull your chipmunk cheeks apart with a set of metal retractors.
When James does his examination he shows you, on a flat screen, above the chair, [It almost turns you upside down when in the reclining position!],exactly which tooth or filling or crown needs work, either on the photo or the x-ray image, or both. Bad news is that I probably need about $7,000 worth of work done over the next year or so. He has prioritized the areas he feels need attention and given me various options. Kym has already sent of the list of suggested work to Pacific Blue Cross to see what is covered and what the system will approve. Initial consultation was $250 but I already know that $129 will be deposited in my account, by PBC, so that takes much of the sting out of the visit. Overall, we are both extremely pleased with the superb quality of the dental care even though we won't be able to afford to travel anymore, just stay home and brush our teeth with local wine!
Glad you arrived home safe and sound! By all your accounts it turned out to be a very worthwhile trip and an eyeopener no doubt . I know that Pete thoroughly enjoyed his 3 year posting there and wherever he travelled in India found the people very friendly and generous.
We will be spending Christmas in Southampton with our little grandson which will be a delight. A bonus for us is that Krissy and Mark will be spending Christmas with us as well. Krissy arrived earlier in December and will be returning on January 5th. She came ahead of Mark, who will be here on December 22nd. They are having a few marital difficulties at the moment and she needed to get away from Vancouver to try to clear her head. Hopefully they will be able to work through it but, of course, there are no guarantees of longevity in any marriage. She flew to Scotland on Thursday for a few days to visit Rhona and will be returning to Southampton on the 22nd.
Gudrun and Steve are spending Christmas at her daughters place in Winbourne which is actually only about an hours drive from Southampton so I am sure we will be seeing them during this period. They usually have a German Christmas on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas day so Mark will be joining them for that and then returning to Southampton Christmas morning.
Gudrun recently got back from visiting her brothers and sister in Denver and then went off to London to see a show for Steve's birthday. We will see them on Monday to catch up before driving up to Marnie's.
The weather here has been so unseasonal. We had 17 degrees yesterday and the flora is incredibly confused! Have seen daffodils starting to flower, our snowdrops are way above the ground and have even seen some spring blossoms! We have mild air coming up from the African continent and, by all accounts, it doesn't appear to be changing any time soon. Gayle and I were thinking of a short break to Spain but if this continues I don't think we will bother!
Nice that Chloe will be with you during the holidays. Gayle and I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas. Hope Santa is good to you! Best wishes
Merry Christmas and a Happy and peaceful 2016 wishing you Patrick and your family. Always Gisela
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