Friday 2nd January 09

[Deano]

Romeo y Julietta no. 2

[Robusto]

This afternoon, my guitarist bud came round to man-smoke. We each had a Partagas D4, and then I had one of the hand-made banana cigars which I wrote about some time back.

My mate adored the D4. He's really getting into cigars now.

I then had a go at one of these:



I was fascinated that it tasted pretty good from the start - especially after the dreamworld D4. But it did taste surprisingly good.

It did begin to taste as if some dodgy crap had been put in it after ten minutes or so. The sort of saccharine taste you get from a King Edward.

I have to say 'used to' with King Edwards. I haven't been there for donkeys' years.

My mate found the D4 delicious and commented on a sweet taste that wasn't exactly sweet.

I can't put an exact description on the D4 taste, but I know precisely what he means by that.

What I find brilliant is that cigars between mates open up great conversations. Superb way to kick off a New Year.

[cohibaIV]

Christmas OVER!!!! YEH!!!

Sorry, I'm no HumBug... But just worked all over the Xmas period so just glad its over.....

Had Christmas Day with the kids from 1400 onwards then back to work on Boxing day night at Gretna....THEN went down to Milton Keynes until today!!!!! BLOODY RAILWAY!!

Anyway, all monies go to the wedding fund and now chilling with a VERY large Rum and Cohiba VI......BLISS!!!!

A bit late I know but 'Happy New Year to you all'

Dale

[Robusto]

Dale.

What exactly do you do, mate?

I'm curious.

Don't answer if you think it's not my / our business.

[cohibaIV]

No, thats ok mate..ask away..

I have the great title of being an Overhead line Engineer on our railway system working on large Re-Mod projects renewing said Railway overhead lines. I am currently working for Carillion and as a company we have just {today} won three years worth of work in London renewing there old lines, so guess where i will be working this year????.
So really the only time we get a chance to do major works is during shut downs at god for saken times...IE Christmas and weekends and bank hols.... O well, all pays the bills and in these current times, just greatful to be busy...

[Robusto]

Sounds very interesting work, mate, but I can see how you can only do the maintenance when the tracks are relatively quiet.

Like most of us men, I loved model railways as a kid and wanted to be a train driver. Looks like you stayed in the kid dream realm!

I wish you could influence the trains in Kent. It's only been about two years since the old slam-door carriages were done away with down here. The train from Deal to Charing Cross takes on average two hours and it's only a 60/70 mile journey.

Don't you think we are lumbered with Victorian infrastructure on the railways? Where once we ruled the world in engineering projects, we're stuck with them for a 21st Century transport system.

I can only babble on about stuff like this in a Pub Landlord way, whereas you would have some insight into this.

I should stick to cowboy hat obsessions and toking fat bliss-making stogies. I've learnt more about both of those this last year than ever before.