England

The Long Way Home

The route map on the Boeing 747-400 tells me we’re cruising at 36,000 with a ground speed of just over 550 mph and we have just 979 miles or 2 hours to go until we land in Denver.  My body thinks its about 10:30 PM (London Time) and the laptop clock (which I never changed) is showing 3:30 PM.  It’s been a smooth flight which is pretty much unlike anything about this two week vacation.  I managed to sleep about an hour or so, but having the ability to lay completely flat is such an advantage and one I truly appreciate.  My wife and I began flying business class several years ago.  Trust me, once you fly business…there’s no going back.  Anyway…

My mind is bouncing between the memories of the past two weeks (not all bad) and a package awaiting my arrival home of some new tobacco I ordered a few days ago.  More about the tobacco in a few minutes.  Once on the ground in Denver, we’ll need to make our way through security/customs (which I’m sure will be discussed later in this article) then out to the car where I’ll need to try to remember how to drive again.  It’s been two weeks.  Yikes!  Then finally make the drive home which is about 25 miles.  In Denver, everything is far from the airport.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

There are many things about this trip which I can break down into the three categories of one of my favorite Clint Eastwood films.  Just something about those Spaghetti Westerns of the 1960’s.  But I digress…

If you’ve been reading my blog entries from the past two weeks then you have a pretty good idea of just how everything unfolded or unraveled as my wife might say.  It started off all peaches and cream, then quickly developed into something really bad which turned really ugly.  As I mentioned in previous blog updates, I’ll save you from all the gory details..but my wife either developed food poisoning or caught some other bug which caused her to be nauseated and experience diarrhea which lasted a few days.  This then turned into cold/flu symptoms complete with sore throat, nasal issues and then a nasty, deep cough which she is still suffering from.  I’m sure once we’re back home and have all our modern conveniences, this too shall pass.

Greenland isn’t Green

By the way, I believe this marks my 12th transatlantic crossing by airplane and the first time I’ve been able to see Greenland.  Either our flight path was further south or the clouds were too think.  The image below is from 36,000 feet and shows the country of Greenland to be pretty snow covered with just a portion of the shoreline not covered in snow.

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TSA/USA Customs

Please don’t get me wrong, if you cut me…I bleed Red, White and Blue!  I’m about as patriotic as they come.  I’m extremely proud to be American, but we don’t always do the right things and we don’t always have the best processes.  Case in point is our re-entry process.  Two weeks ago I was able to breeze through Customs at Heathrow Airport.  I walked up to a scanning machine, scan my passport and was allowed entry without having to speak to anyone.  In other words, no one asked me where I was going, how long I was planning on staying and no one asked me the nature of my visit.  By the way, I also didn’t need to fill out a landing card.

Before arriving into Denver on a British Airways Boeing 747, I was handed a landing card and of course told by the flight attendant that the US requires all passengers to fill out this card.  It always baffles me why an American born citizen, with an American issued passport needs to fill out a landing card.  My passport should be the only thing I need to show.  Of course, being the law abiding citizen that I am…I fill out the card anyway.  Upon landing, we’re directed through Customs where I’m practically interviewed interrogated by a US Border agent regarding the what, where, when, why of my visit to Europe.  Again, I’m not suggesting I’m in any way above the law.  But I would think a simple scan of my US Passport would be adequate enough to determine if there was any valid reason to question me further.  Oh well….

New Tobacco, New Coffee…Ahh the joys of Sunday!

As I mentioned at the top of this article, I had wanted to try Ole Shenandoah Summer Berry Brandy for some time now.  However, it’s been out of stock at my favorite online tobacconist for several weeks.  I received an email last week that it was once again back in stock, so I ordered a tin and it arrived on Saturday via my friendly mailman.

Funnily enough, when I was in the grocery story very early this morning (I’m writing this portion of the blog article on Sunday, 28 July) I took a peek at the various cold brewed coffee selections available.  This was something I really hadn’t tried before vacation, but enjoyed a few cans in both Belgium and England.  Anyway…at my local grocery store here in Denver they have a wide selection of various cold brewed coffee products.  But this one (Boss Coffee) was the one that got selected.  Evidentially, Boss Coffee started out in Japan and eventually made its way to the US.  Anyway…I love the pipe smoking logo which happens to be none other than American writer and Nobel Prize laureate William Faulkner.

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By the way, I very much enjoyed BOTH the Ole Shenandoah Summer Berry Brandy and the Boss Coffee.  The theme for the rest of the day is to try to stay awake as long as possible so I will sleep tonight as tomorrow (Monday) is back to work for me and my wife.

That’s about all I can think of for now.  It’s late afternoon and I think I’ll go smoke another bowl of Ole Shenandoah.

Until next time…

Happy Piping!

Jerry

July 29, 2019 by Pipe Smoking 0

Belgium–The Final Day

The day has arrived for us to travel back to England from Belgium.  We’re headed back the same way we came, via the Eurostar.  Earlier today I enjoyed my last cup of Belgian coffee, or what I thought was my last.  We left the hotel to go and have one last visit with my father-in-law before we left for Brussels.  Of course we had breakfast at the hotel which has served as our Belgian base since Wednesday.  They had an all-you-can-eat breakfast bar each morning and it was very nice. Here’s a picture of their fresh honey.  If it were any fresher we might have swarms of bees after us.

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Upon arriving at my father-in-laws house, it was time to smoke our pipes one last time for this visit.  You just never know when the last time on this earth will actually occur for any of us. He and I both savored the moment.  It was a good pipe.

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Once we arrived in Brussels and made our way to the Eurostar Lounge, it was time for another cup of coffee and one that would certainly be the last.  We should arrive in Ashford just before 5 PM and then we have an hour taxi ride back to Tunbridge Wells.  Leaving Belgium is always bittersweet, but England and especially Tunbridge Wells is truly our home away from home.  It will be good to be back home.  For now!

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We have less than one week remaining of our England/Belgium vacation.  We’ll depart London Heathrow for Denver on Saturday.  Then even more unfortunately, the wife and I will return back to work on Monday. But let’s not think about that for now…lots more time to enjoy my pipe and coffee in the English Countryside of Kent.

Until next time…

Happy Piping!

Jerry

July 21, 2019 by Pipe Smoking 0

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

This too shall pass…

Change of plans.  Late Sunday evening my darling wife began feeling ill.  I’ll save you the gory bits, but she either developed food poisoning or contracted something like the Norovirus.   At this time we’re really unsure, but needless to say…we had to make some last minute changes to our trip schedule.  There’s just no way she can travel in this condition.  We’ve changed our Eurostar and Antwerp hotel reservations and will travel on Wednesday and back to England on Sunday.

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I think the worst is over and I’ve done all I can do to make her comfortable.  She’s sleeping and I’m enjoying the nice, sunny British weather with my Savinelli Roma, some Lane Limited 1-Q and some word search puzzles.  Yes, even at almost 53, I need the BIG print versions of these types of puzzles.

As I’m sure most will agree, the effects of smoking a pipe offers relaxation…and to me, I often combine this with either reading or these types of puzzles.  The fact I can do this in England is just even better.  My only regret is my wife is in the cottage sleeping.  But rest can only do her good.

I’m hopeful and prayerful that my wife recovers by Wednesday and hopefully sooner.  But it is, what it is and yes….This Too Shall Pass!

Until Next time…

Happy Piping!

Jerry

July 15, 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

The first pipe in England

Our flight from Denver to London was uneventful.  With exception to departing 90 minutes late and also arriving later than expected, we made our way out to the English Countryside in Kent.  We managed about 2 hours of sleep in the last 36, but doing remarkably well.  It’s time for dinner.

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I carried my pipe pouch which was custom made by the Northwest Gentlemen and available in his Etsy shop.  The pipe is my Savinelli Roma 673 and the lighter is the Kiribi Mikazuki.  The blend I carried with me for dinner was Lane Limited 1-Q.  This was a very enjoyable pipe and a great end to our first day in England.

Tomorrow we’re having a Sunday roast at a nearby famous pub and most likely I’ll enjoy a pipe after lunch.  But for now, it’s time for lights out as my wife and I are both exhausted from the trip.

Until next time…

Happy Piping!

Jerry

July 13, 2019 by Pipe Smoking 0