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So after 9wks off this summer (with a two day break on my new Oil Platform Shell's Brent Charlie, a fortnight ago); I finally had to return to work. When I was told there would be 9wks between jobs, I was sure I would be asked to cover elsewhere due to sickness or compassionate but unbelievably I had the summer - off with pay, nice work if you can get it! I'll just say I have done many extra weeks for the Company at short notice over the years & covered more than my fair share of Christmas's so I didn't feel bad about it at all.
The only regret is that I didn't really achieve more in my time off. I was hoping to take the boat to Holland & fish - a lot but circumstances & the weather were against me. We did have a couple of weeks touring the UK & I have smoked some pretty fine cigars over this period. As I haven't been able to compress my phots at home I'll start another thread with phots from my summer, which I hope you will enjoy.
I left home at 06:00 to catch the tram to Antwerp Station. I avoided the bus, which stops at the end of my street, as due to complete chaos in the City due to multiple road works, it's currently taking twice as long. Instead I caught the tram, which stops directly underneath the railway station. I arrived with 45mins to spare, as planned & had time to grab a coffee & Baguette from the bakery, as their coffee is better than Starb*ks but took the liberty of sitting at the Starb*cks tables to enjoy a 1960's Sumavana Whiff. These are UK Clear Havana's that I usually reserve for fishing but as I didn't know exactly how much time I would have, I picked this rather than end up rushing a slightly larger smoke like the ERDM DT. These Whiffs are very pleasant & I'll be sorry when my cab of 50 finally ends.
Caught the Train & noted the thick fog as we chundered rather than raced to Schipol Airport. Luckily still in time for my flight, which was of course delayed due to the weather. I could have taken a break in the Irish bar which has a smoking room but it's usually full of cigarette smokers & not the place to enjoying a fine smoke, unlike the Exec lounge that used to have a smoking lounge & I have spent a few hours of Havana heaven there in the dim & distant past.
We left late & arrived later as the delays kicked on & slots were missed. Only a problem if you had a connecting flight I suppose but is one reason I caught the early flight so if any delays, I should still make my check-in. It did mean I get to my hotel just after midday & could therefore check-in & dump my bags, chose some cigars from my travel humi & catch the bus into Aberdeen.
After doing my banks & had a pizza for lunch & then headed to the Old School House to enjoy a 1970's H.Upmann Especiales, with Stella. More flav & depth to this cigar obviously, this box has proved to be a good example of well stored cigars.
After a trip to the jeweller's to purchase a new watch with an alarm for work (to avoid being late for meetings) & after dinner, I returned to the Old School house & a pint & a half of Stella to enjoy the finest cigar of the day 2005 EL Monte. This was from Ade UK's collection, which Martyn & I bought some yrs back, when Ade gave up smoking. I had a prev example of this vitola 14th August 2007, also in Aberdeen, down on the Green, on a warm evening. I had been quiet complement about it & thought it was beginning to age well. So how would it be another decade on? Well it was well constructed, burned & held ash well, flav was fine. The only thing that detracted for me was the still strong Maduro wrapper flav, which got stronger through out this smoke & ended with me having draw on the Monte band, to avoid the unpleasant taste on my lips. Shame but I have found this happening for me over the last few yrs but normally when there are 10rs+ old.
Will attach phots shortly.
The only regret is that I didn't really achieve more in my time off. I was hoping to take the boat to Holland & fish - a lot but circumstances & the weather were against me. We did have a couple of weeks touring the UK & I have smoked some pretty fine cigars over this period. As I haven't been able to compress my phots at home I'll start another thread with phots from my summer, which I hope you will enjoy.
I left home at 06:00 to catch the tram to Antwerp Station. I avoided the bus, which stops at the end of my street, as due to complete chaos in the City due to multiple road works, it's currently taking twice as long. Instead I caught the tram, which stops directly underneath the railway station. I arrived with 45mins to spare, as planned & had time to grab a coffee & Baguette from the bakery, as their coffee is better than Starb*ks but took the liberty of sitting at the Starb*cks tables to enjoy a 1960's Sumavana Whiff. These are UK Clear Havana's that I usually reserve for fishing but as I didn't know exactly how much time I would have, I picked this rather than end up rushing a slightly larger smoke like the ERDM DT. These Whiffs are very pleasant & I'll be sorry when my cab of 50 finally ends.
Caught the Train & noted the thick fog as we chundered rather than raced to Schipol Airport. Luckily still in time for my flight, which was of course delayed due to the weather. I could have taken a break in the Irish bar which has a smoking room but it's usually full of cigarette smokers & not the place to enjoying a fine smoke, unlike the Exec lounge that used to have a smoking lounge & I have spent a few hours of Havana heaven there in the dim & distant past.
We left late & arrived later as the delays kicked on & slots were missed. Only a problem if you had a connecting flight I suppose but is one reason I caught the early flight so if any delays, I should still make my check-in. It did mean I get to my hotel just after midday & could therefore check-in & dump my bags, chose some cigars from my travel humi & catch the bus into Aberdeen.
After doing my banks & had a pizza for lunch & then headed to the Old School House to enjoy a 1970's H.Upmann Especiales, with Stella. More flav & depth to this cigar obviously, this box has proved to be a good example of well stored cigars.
After a trip to the jeweller's to purchase a new watch with an alarm for work (to avoid being late for meetings) & after dinner, I returned to the Old School house & a pint & a half of Stella to enjoy the finest cigar of the day 2005 EL Monte. This was from Ade UK's collection, which Martyn & I bought some yrs back, when Ade gave up smoking. I had a prev example of this vitola 14th August 2007, also in Aberdeen, down on the Green, on a warm evening. I had been quiet complement about it & thought it was beginning to age well. So how would it be another decade on? Well it was well constructed, burned & held ash well, flav was fine. The only thing that detracted for me was the still strong Maduro wrapper flav, which got stronger through out this smoke & ended with me having draw on the Monte band, to avoid the unpleasant taste on my lips. Shame but I have found this happening for me over the last few yrs but normally when there are 10rs+ old.
Will attach phots shortly.
