Re: [CR]What was under your tree?

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot:PY-10)

From: "Raoul Delmare" <R.Delmare@Charter.net>
To: "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Cc: "Andy M. at YellowJersey" <amuzi@yellowjersey.org>, "Bill L. at Wallbike" <bill@wallbike.com>, "Bruce C." <BruceCumbe@aol.com>, "Craig P." <grappler@bluevalley.net>, "Dena E.F.B." <Debtx333@aol.com>, "Diane S." <dschell@foxboro.com>, "Ginny B." <ginchen23@hotmail.com>, "Glenna L." <foxglove07@attbi.com>, "Jack M." <simreal@msn.com>, "Jeff at Mrazek" <JRBURNARD@aol.com>, "John L." <ENTKWEST@aol.com>, "K. and K. Ray" <woodstock@gjct.net>, "Karen D." <kldick@grapevine.net>, "Kris W." <krissybee@hotmail.com>, "Martin T." <martin_taylor@juno.com>, "Pete K. at KingsvilleBicycle" <petekerez@aol.com>, "Rhonda L." <lashley@ktc.com>
References: <000c01c2ac55$6ce74a50$a63c5cd1@YOUNGC>
Subject: Re: [CR]What was under your tree?
Date: Wed, 25 Dec 2002 17:25:48 -0600

Raoul Delmare here , writing from Marysville , Kansas , U.S.A .

Father Christmas sent me a fine old bicycle from Great Britain !

( and extra parts too ! )

The frame and front fork are quite lovely , quite well made , and clearly marked "Ephgrave" . The paint and decals are not new , but they are newer than the steel of the frame set . The paint scheme is a deep dark maroon , with a striking head-tube which can be described as "pistachio" green . Sounds strange . Looks great . I only wish I knew who made it ! The consensus is that whatever kind of frame set it might be , it's not an Ephgrave !!

Thank you so much , Mr. Peter Paine !

Thank you so much , Mr. Hilary Stone !

Thank you so much , Mr. Dale Brown !

I received a telephone call , approximately 9:00 A.M. , on the morning of 24 December 2002 . It was the morning of Christmas Eve .

It was the local Post Office calling to say that they had two packages for me , requiring a signature . They were simply calling to see how I'd like it all , and to increase the chances that I'd be home to sign for things . I told them to just hold the boxes , along with my other mail , and that I'd be down shortly to pick up everything . I was reminded that they would be closed from 11:00 A.M. , until noon , for lunch . ( our local Post Office is the best ! and they know I have a tendency to show up at the last minute ! )

I showed up at just a few minutes before 11:00 . When I walked in , there was only one person behind the counter ; one of my favorite postal employees - a wonderful young lady with a sunny smile , and usually a question about what sort of bicycle parts I might be getting this time ! There was only one customer at the counter . So , I quietly waited my turn . While I waited , another customer came in behind me , and joined us in line .

When my turn came around , I smiled and said something about how I might have a little mail waiting for me .

She smiled , but as she went off to the rear of the building to find whatever was waiting for me , her reply was something like , " A LITTLE ? It's more like a whole big bunch ! "

I laughed and yelled to where she was back there , that I thought I only had two boxes waiting . She replied , " Yes , but one of them looks like a bicycle ! "

Oh ! Now that changes things !

: - )

It sure did get here quickly !

Just in time for Christmas !

So , she brought the little box first , with U.K. Royal Mail documents plastered across it .

As that nice postal employee disappeared again , the customer behind me , a very tall and very polite looking woman , quietly asked ( with a great deal of surprise in her voice ) " Someone sent you a bicycle through the mail ? "

I turned with a huge smile on my face , and answered , " Yes ! And , not only did someone send me a bicycle by mail , but they sent it from England !! "

Her eyes got very large , and she took a small step back .

So , now I'm a known wacko , an obvious nut . I'm the kind of guy who receives large boxes at the Post Office , containing bicycles mailed from England !

: - )

I didn't even mention that the bicycle ( the frame set anyway ) was probably made in the early 1950's . Hey , it's celebrating its 50th birthday , right about now . I was receiving a bicycle from England that was half a century old .

I didn't mention that interesting fact . I figured I was already in enough trouble !

The wonderful Post Office employee apologized for not having somebody to help me out with my two boxes ( one quite large ) plus my regular mail . I told her it was no problem at all . After all the trouble I'd caused , I certainly couldn't expect someone to load it up for me !

By the way , as I left , the customer who'd been behind me was being cheerfully waited on , and another customer came through the door , all at about one minute past the 11:00 closing time .

Did I mention that our Post Office is the best ?

And , Mr. Peter Paine did an outrageously excellent job of packing .

And , the box had obviously received very kind treatment by all the various Postal Authorities .

I had family things to distract me for quite a few hours . But , late that night I unpacked my red and green Christmas Bicycle !!

Thanks to one and all !!

Now , I'll have to find ( make ) time to do all the various things necessary before it can be fully assembled and ridden .

We have a terrifically good bunch of people on the Classic Rendezvous List , and a wonderfully fine area of interest .

Happy Holidays To All ,

And To All A Good Night ,

Raoul


----- Original Message -----
From: "Charles T. Young"
To: Classic Rendezvous
Sent: Wednesday, December 25, 2002 2:37 PM
Subject: [CR]What was under your tree?


Dear CR folk:

What was under the tree for you people?

I received a pair of (modern) riding gloves and a pair of smartwool socks.

Charlie

Charles T. Young
Honeybrook. PA