Coffee

Belgium Travel Day

With the wife about as cured as one can hope for, the day began at 0400 hours.  Actually, truth be told…the day actually began much, much earlier.  I fell asleep around 9 PM and woke just before midnight.  I’m honestly not sure I ever went back to sleep.  That’s jetlag for you. But I did enjoy my first cup of coffee (actually a double-shot of espresso) around 4:45 AM.  Coffee Count = 1.

Our taxi arrived promptly at 5:30 AM for the one hour drive from Tunbridge Wells to Ashford International.  After a brief wait in the passenger lobby (and enjoying a cup of coffee) we proceeded to the platform to wait the arrival of the Eurostar train.  Coffee Count – 2.

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Once onboard and pulling away from the station, we enjoyed a hot breakfast served in the First Class coach.  This included a full English breakfast and two cups of coffee.  Coffee count = 4

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Apparently the tunnel is 21 miles long and runs approx. 150 feet deep under the English Channel.  It seemed to take just 20 minutes or so to complete the underwater/underground portion of the trip and we soon pulled into the station in Lille, France.  Since I had not yet had the opportunity to ever visit France, I asked one of the crew members if I could very briefly step off the train and onto the platform.  She agreed and actually escorted me in doing so.  She didn’t want to take the risk of the train leaving me on the platform.  How very, very nice of her.

Once back on  board, we pulled away from the station and were soon served an official (so I’m told) French double espresso.  At this point I can pretty much see sound waves.  Coffee count = 5.

Brussels –> Antwerp

Our final destination after all this was Antwerp.  After arriving in Brussels, we changed platforms and manage to get to Antwerp, drop bags off at hotel and get to my father-in-laws house before high noon.  Oh…I had one more coffee this afternoon around 2 PM.  I believe this makes coffee count = 6.  But in all actuality, when you count the double shots, it really increases the count to 8.  But really..who the heck is really counting.

What about the pipe?

Oh yes….I almost forgot (not really, after all what is the main focus of this blog?) my father-in-law absolutely loved the Lane Limited 1-Q.  I brought him two tins and within 5 minutes of walking in the house, he wanted to crack the tin open and smoke a bowl.  Which we did just that.  We then enjoyed a second bowl each after lunch.

Tomorrow we have some family business to sort out and as a result, there may not be much fun information to share with you all.  However, I do have a article I wrote earlier in the week that will publish tomorrow about the Tin Society.

Finally, I do want to thank those of you who have helped share my blog site on Twitter.  Things have begun to take off nicely and that’s certainly encouraging to keep writing.  So please keep it up.  If you enjoy my content, please share with your Twitter followers.  I really appreciate it.

As the clock is about to chime 8 PM here in Antwerp, Belgium…I think I’ll head down to the outdoor bar for a nightcap and the last pipe of the day.  Good night to one and all.

Until next time…

Happy Piping!

Jerry

July 19, 2019 by Pipe Smoking 0

Sunday Roast, A Geocache and a Pipe

Day two of our 15 day British/European vacation starts off like any other day, especially on the second day after traveling over 4,000 miles by plane.  Yes, with a cup of coffee.  Technically, this was cup #2 as I had my first cup before ever leaving the cottage.  But this one came in handy for the short train ride between Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge.

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Day two actually tried to begin at 4 AM.  Both my wife and I woke up, but managed to fall back to sleep and finally rise just before 9 AM.  I think we both needed this late sleep (about 10 hours according to my Fitbit tracker). Day three is scheduled to start at 3:30 AM as we need to be in Ashford to catch the Eurostar.  But I’ll save this for another report.

After arriving in Tonbridge, we had a short 2 mile hike along a public footpath which went through a few parks and a nice wooded area.  The wife had made our reservations (many weeks ago) for 12 noon which also happened to be the time they opened for business.  While clouds were in the sky, we opted for a table outside and that gave me time to pack and smoke a half-bowl of MacBaren Vanilla Cream Flake.

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The Sunday Roast was one of the best I’ve had (and I’ve enjoyed many over the years).  This was (I believe) my 12th trip to England since I made the first trip in 2001.  Doesn’t that just look delicious?

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After lunch I finished smoking the bowl of MacBaren and it just complimented the entire experience.  Below is the exterior of The Plough Pub.  We may actually have to return next Sunday.

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Another hobby I enjoy is Geocaching.  I maintain a separate blog site for my Geocaching adventures which you can see here.  The geocache I found was just down from the pub next to some Oast Houses.  The cache is actually named Kent Oast Houses #14.  For those who may not know, an Oast House is a type of barn/silo building which was used for drying of hops.  Are there other pipe smoking geocachers out there?  Leave me a comment and let me know.

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On the walk back to Tonbridge, we found a curious little sheep.  He wanted to become famous and I told him I’d help make it so and place his picture on my blog site.

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We made it back to the cottage in Tunbridge Wells with just enough time to watch some of the Men’s final action from Wimbledon.  I’m a fan of Roger Federer.  Regardless of the outcome, this has been a great match.

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Well, I better get this closed out and posted online.  The alarm will go off early tomorrow (3:30 AM) and we’re scheduled to depart our cottage by taxi to Ashford at 4:30.  We are headed to Antwerp, Belgium to visit my wife’s father, sister and other family members.  I’m hoping to enjoy at least one pipe with my father-in-law.

Until next time…

Happy Piping

Jerry

July 14, 2019 by Pipe Smoking 0