Tweet
Ready to read now, if you have the time! As this is quite a subject I thought I start a separate thread for this one.
My birthday was on Fri 6th Dec & I was up at 06:00, as you do; to drive 30kms to my fishing venue for the morning. I had been putting a few perfectly edible dead fish in this water for a couple of weeks (always annoys the wife) & was hoping to get the pike moving into my swim getting used to the idea of eating deads again.
It was a pretty fresh start but with plenty of suitable layers on I ended up managing without my coat. I found the wind was blowing towards me so didn't bother with the bait boat. Yes I know it's not thought that sporting but they are useful for taking baits out further than can be cast but as the wind would have just blown them straight back to me & just float ledgers two baits & cast one on a float & allowed it to drift back but with less disturbance than the boat would have caused.
Once the baits were out & the traps set, I reached for the stove & cooked up an All Day Breakfast. Pike.2013.12.06.SAM_3934.jpgNot only did this warm me up but lined the stomach for the first smoke of the day.Pike.2013.12.06.SAM_3935.jpg I had chosen a Cohiba Siglo No1, as I could manage that with a large coffee & a calibration splash of whisky to give some further warming flavor.Pike.2013.12.06.SAM_3937.jpg
The morning looked good & I had a nice chat with a mate who dropped by but no runs. I had plenty of things to prepare for the evening so left around midday.
The main plan was to have my best British mate, best Belgian mate & best Greek mate (OK I only know one Greek!) over for the w/end, for game stews, full bodied reds, some bubbly, port & whisky, to accompany some fine Havana?s for the depths of the Cave. Unfortunately the Van the Greek had to drop out. He is living in Utrecht, so wouldn't have far to come on Fri after work but turns out his boss had sent him to Aberdeen for the week, where he promptly did his back in & he was laid up in bed popping Brufen ect. Hope you?re feeling better mate!
The Belgian mate Paul, had to work late on the Friday so it was just Brit Alan & his lady for dinner. Well late supper really the time they arrived via Eurostar. I served a roebuck pate with a pile of hot toast (don't you hate it in restaurants when they give a massive lump of pate & only a small piece of toast?) followed by wild boar casserole with Fennel & accompanied with a St Emillion 2006. After the Rasberry flan I was looking forward to popping down to the garage for a smoke, when Alan dropped the bombshell that he was just getting over a cold & wouldn't be smoking all w/end!So I stayed with my guests & put my hopes on Saturday.
On Saturday I decided to split the party & whilst I took Alan to the Church Christmas bazaar for lunch, a curious Belgian take on what they think a turkey dinner would look like, my wife Trish & Alan's lady Trish, went to the mall instead. This gave me the chance to drop by Mr Frank's House of fine Cigars & picked up a box of Hoyo Grand Epicure LE 2013 for E150 (?200 in UK). Arriving back at home, I put the Hoyos into the Cave & pulled out the box of R&J Regalias de Londres that I had won in the recent auction. They had actually came from Hamburg (hence the 'not available in the UK' label on the auction sheet) & from '07 ready to smoke.R&J.Reg.Lon.2013.12.07.SAM_3944.jpg It's always a special moment taking out the first cigar from a box & it's nice to be able to savor the initial smoke in suitable surroundings. So Alan & I walked across the park to the local cafe & as it was still very fresh, I was hoping to go into the glass house in the warm but as Alan was avoiding smoke & there was already another couple in there I suggested we play a game of chess outside under cover.
I met Alan in '71, when we attend the the same Secondary (later Comprehensive) school & we played chess infrequently ever since. He became my best man & Godfather to Grace so he really is one of the family. I started as black & after setting my pieces up I punched & lit my RdL. As Tippex has opined on his post today, it's not a lot to get excited about. I had brought these to smoke at Kings Cross waiting for my Aberdeen train so they'll do fine enough. R&J.Reg.Lon.2013.12.07.SAM_3946.jpgThe R&J basic flav is these if lacking in any depth. I'll try one alongside the Sport Largo, which is actually slightly cheaper & will be interested to see the difference & as I did quite enjoy the Sport.R&J.Reg.Lon.2013.12.07.SAM_3948.jpg
I won the first game, always a bonus when black but Alan had the second achieving a diplomatic draw. But then it the temp was dropping even more & we headed inside for half an hour to warm up with coffees before the journey back home.
Come 1900 everyone was dressed & raring to go. Paul turned up - on time for once, with a very generous present of an Oban single malt. Alan gave me an equally generous gift but as Fonseca Vintage port, 2013.12.07.SAM_3954.jpghis will have to lie in the cellar for a few yrs before opening. I had been hoping to open a bottle of Warres '77, the port we drank on my Stag - so good I brought another to celebrate my 25th Wedding anniversary but if everyone had turned up on the Fri I would have opened it early. We did manage to finish a bottle of Charles Laffite champagne whilst waiting for the taxi.
So we were off to the restaurant for 20:00. 2013.12.07.SAM_3961.jpgThis was the first Michelin starred restaurant I had been in when we came 6/12 ago & we thought it a good place to bring our best friends, with one star it was affordable & not pretentious. Paul started with the Escargot, which was served in side shin bones?!2013.12.07.SAM_3958.jpg I went for the 'Pheasants buttock' as the English translation menu put it. Well it was a thigh really but there isn't much meat on one. Half a bird would have been more generous & Churchill would have expected a brace! 2013.12.07.SAM_3962.jpg
After the fancy dessert we walked into the centre of the old town & admired the Christmas market that stayed open until early in the morning. 2013.12.07.SAM_3966.jpgThe old city hall was decked out in lights & the fountain of Brabo was dry, to stop folks slipping on the ice. We reached the piano bar before the cold had seeped though our coats & having removed our coats, entered into the womb of the smoking glass house. Now to start with the bar was busy (unusually for so early in the evening) but we were the only occupants. Once a few others moved in the ladies retired to enjoy the live music & singer & Alan was sent out with strict instructions to keep them amused & their glasses filled; to ensure we wouldn't be disturbed. I had thought long & hard what to bring to smoke. Not an easy choice when those 'special event smokes' that you collect over the years, fill a humi on their own! It couldn't take too long to smoke or the ladies would be whining & yet it had to be significant for the event. I took a choice of two pairs. I had Cohiba Robustos for a shorter smoke & Bolivar Robusto Extras Belgian RE 2009 for the longer stick. Well things seemed to be going well & thinking the Boli's more than justified I drew them out & placed them on the double ashtray to admire.
Boli.RobustoX.2013.12.07.SAM_3968.jpg
Once the tax label was taken off I punched them & lit mine. The super cool Boli flav our came straight away, giving that rush that I guess I'd been craving all day.Boli.RobustoX.2013.12.07.SAM_3969.jpg The draw was perfect, the smoke just right, the extraction ensured the air didn't become thick. We were joined by four German lads who brought Cohiba Robustos from the bar (re-enforcing my choice of something different ) & we had a great chat with them. 2013.12.07.SAM_3971.jpgThey had popped down for the weekend & were staying in an apartment. One was form Hamburg & had been on a cigar cruise there, as I had during my last visit. After they left for the night clubs, we were joined by a young local businessman & his Russian blonde girlfriend. Both very interesting & I discussed with the local where to smoke in Antwerp. We both agreed this was the best night spot & Mr Franks is the best cigar shop. He didn't know of my cafe in Merksem & he gave me a couple of tips too.
The Boli's lasted for a generous dble & & half of Jamiesons & 2013.12.07.SAM_3970.jpgI could see the ladies were beginning to ask questions when we finally laid them soldiers down. What a splendid affair. After a night cap or three at the bar we got a taxi home by 02:00.
Next morning I cooked gammon back rashers & eggs for breakfast & then Alan & his Trish came with me to Church. Afterwards I took them around the old City in daylight & we toured the markets.2013.12.08.SAM_3973.jpg That evening we had a large selection for French & Dutch cheeses with French bread & more good wines. Again I could have managed a smoke afterwards but we talked the evening through & hit the hay early for an 06:00 rise as I was driving them all back to England via the Dunkirk to Dover Ferry.
So not everything went perfectly, no pike, no Van the Greek, fewer smokes than planned but memories; aye memories to last. As they say, your only 54yo once!
My birthday was on Fri 6th Dec & I was up at 06:00, as you do; to drive 30kms to my fishing venue for the morning. I had been putting a few perfectly edible dead fish in this water for a couple of weeks (always annoys the wife) & was hoping to get the pike moving into my swim getting used to the idea of eating deads again.
It was a pretty fresh start but with plenty of suitable layers on I ended up managing without my coat. I found the wind was blowing towards me so didn't bother with the bait boat. Yes I know it's not thought that sporting but they are useful for taking baits out further than can be cast but as the wind would have just blown them straight back to me & just float ledgers two baits & cast one on a float & allowed it to drift back but with less disturbance than the boat would have caused.
Once the baits were out & the traps set, I reached for the stove & cooked up an All Day Breakfast. Pike.2013.12.06.SAM_3934.jpgNot only did this warm me up but lined the stomach for the first smoke of the day.Pike.2013.12.06.SAM_3935.jpg I had chosen a Cohiba Siglo No1, as I could manage that with a large coffee & a calibration splash of whisky to give some further warming flavor.Pike.2013.12.06.SAM_3937.jpg
The morning looked good & I had a nice chat with a mate who dropped by but no runs. I had plenty of things to prepare for the evening so left around midday.
The main plan was to have my best British mate, best Belgian mate & best Greek mate (OK I only know one Greek!) over for the w/end, for game stews, full bodied reds, some bubbly, port & whisky, to accompany some fine Havana?s for the depths of the Cave. Unfortunately the Van the Greek had to drop out. He is living in Utrecht, so wouldn't have far to come on Fri after work but turns out his boss had sent him to Aberdeen for the week, where he promptly did his back in & he was laid up in bed popping Brufen ect. Hope you?re feeling better mate!
The Belgian mate Paul, had to work late on the Friday so it was just Brit Alan & his lady for dinner. Well late supper really the time they arrived via Eurostar. I served a roebuck pate with a pile of hot toast (don't you hate it in restaurants when they give a massive lump of pate & only a small piece of toast?) followed by wild boar casserole with Fennel & accompanied with a St Emillion 2006. After the Rasberry flan I was looking forward to popping down to the garage for a smoke, when Alan dropped the bombshell that he was just getting over a cold & wouldn't be smoking all w/end!
On Saturday I decided to split the party & whilst I took Alan to the Church Christmas bazaar for lunch, a curious Belgian take on what they think a turkey dinner would look like, my wife Trish & Alan's lady Trish, went to the mall instead. This gave me the chance to drop by Mr Frank's House of fine Cigars & picked up a box of Hoyo Grand Epicure LE 2013 for E150 (?200 in UK). Arriving back at home, I put the Hoyos into the Cave & pulled out the box of R&J Regalias de Londres that I had won in the recent auction. They had actually came from Hamburg (hence the 'not available in the UK' label on the auction sheet) & from '07 ready to smoke.R&J.Reg.Lon.2013.12.07.SAM_3944.jpg It's always a special moment taking out the first cigar from a box & it's nice to be able to savor the initial smoke in suitable surroundings. So Alan & I walked across the park to the local cafe & as it was still very fresh, I was hoping to go into the glass house in the warm but as Alan was avoiding smoke & there was already another couple in there I suggested we play a game of chess outside under cover.
I met Alan in '71, when we attend the the same Secondary (later Comprehensive) school & we played chess infrequently ever since. He became my best man & Godfather to Grace so he really is one of the family. I started as black & after setting my pieces up I punched & lit my RdL. As Tippex has opined on his post today, it's not a lot to get excited about. I had brought these to smoke at Kings Cross waiting for my Aberdeen train so they'll do fine enough. R&J.Reg.Lon.2013.12.07.SAM_3946.jpgThe R&J basic flav is these if lacking in any depth. I'll try one alongside the Sport Largo, which is actually slightly cheaper & will be interested to see the difference & as I did quite enjoy the Sport.R&J.Reg.Lon.2013.12.07.SAM_3948.jpg
I won the first game, always a bonus when black but Alan had the second achieving a diplomatic draw. But then it the temp was dropping even more & we headed inside for half an hour to warm up with coffees before the journey back home.
Come 1900 everyone was dressed & raring to go. Paul turned up - on time for once, with a very generous present of an Oban single malt. Alan gave me an equally generous gift but as Fonseca Vintage port, 2013.12.07.SAM_3954.jpghis will have to lie in the cellar for a few yrs before opening. I had been hoping to open a bottle of Warres '77, the port we drank on my Stag - so good I brought another to celebrate my 25th Wedding anniversary but if everyone had turned up on the Fri I would have opened it early. We did manage to finish a bottle of Charles Laffite champagne whilst waiting for the taxi.
So we were off to the restaurant for 20:00. 2013.12.07.SAM_3961.jpgThis was the first Michelin starred restaurant I had been in when we came 6/12 ago & we thought it a good place to bring our best friends, with one star it was affordable & not pretentious. Paul started with the Escargot, which was served in side shin bones?!2013.12.07.SAM_3958.jpg I went for the 'Pheasants buttock' as the English translation menu put it. Well it was a thigh really but there isn't much meat on one. Half a bird would have been more generous & Churchill would have expected a brace! 2013.12.07.SAM_3962.jpg
After the fancy dessert we walked into the centre of the old town & admired the Christmas market that stayed open until early in the morning. 2013.12.07.SAM_3966.jpgThe old city hall was decked out in lights & the fountain of Brabo was dry, to stop folks slipping on the ice. We reached the piano bar before the cold had seeped though our coats & having removed our coats, entered into the womb of the smoking glass house. Now to start with the bar was busy (unusually for so early in the evening) but we were the only occupants. Once a few others moved in the ladies retired to enjoy the live music & singer & Alan was sent out with strict instructions to keep them amused & their glasses filled; to ensure we wouldn't be disturbed. I had thought long & hard what to bring to smoke. Not an easy choice when those 'special event smokes' that you collect over the years, fill a humi on their own! It couldn't take too long to smoke or the ladies would be whining & yet it had to be significant for the event. I took a choice of two pairs. I had Cohiba Robustos for a shorter smoke & Bolivar Robusto Extras Belgian RE 2009 for the longer stick. Well things seemed to be going well & thinking the Boli's more than justified I drew them out & placed them on the double ashtray to admire.
Boli.RobustoX.2013.12.07.SAM_3968.jpg
Once the tax label was taken off I punched them & lit mine. The super cool Boli flav our came straight away, giving that rush that I guess I'd been craving all day.Boli.RobustoX.2013.12.07.SAM_3969.jpg The draw was perfect, the smoke just right, the extraction ensured the air didn't become thick. We were joined by four German lads who brought Cohiba Robustos from the bar (re-enforcing my choice of something different
The Boli's lasted for a generous dble & & half of Jamiesons & 2013.12.07.SAM_3970.jpgI could see the ladies were beginning to ask questions when we finally laid them soldiers down. What a splendid affair. After a night cap or three at the bar we got a taxi home by 02:00.
Next morning I cooked gammon back rashers & eggs for breakfast & then Alan & his Trish came with me to Church. Afterwards I took them around the old City in daylight & we toured the markets.2013.12.08.SAM_3973.jpg That evening we had a large selection for French & Dutch cheeses with French bread & more good wines. Again I could have managed a smoke afterwards but we talked the evening through & hit the hay early for an 06:00 rise as I was driving them all back to England via the Dunkirk to Dover Ferry.
So not everything went perfectly, no pike, no Van the Greek, fewer smokes than planned but memories; aye memories to last. As they say, your only 54yo once!
I feel like I came on that adventure with you, and I feel like I know you for real.... You know without the bounds of the internet. 
Darn do I miss her, but not at this time of year!
Comment