tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20055528966204286952024-03-05T19:32:46.908-08:00Cigar storiesasdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-58760149632140176492018-06-17T05:34:00.001-07:002022-09-16T05:56:44.077-07:00Close...but no Cigars<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I witnessed this first hand myself on the internet and you would not
believe what happened next!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtda6TN5gnidfjK16jZK2mcYWG-yXK2TsrCucsvO9s3ALZHFXZo-tjVIlqm2Wx1qobBWErpYQaVcTEv2MIf3t6GPeg_7-gca8ZK6aFU7D9eqIEHugC77_RJDhfNcfWbUTsBNbhmwN0YJM/s1600/FBTeam.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="964" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtda6TN5gnidfjK16jZK2mcYWG-yXK2TsrCucsvO9s3ALZHFXZo-tjVIlqm2Wx1qobBWErpYQaVcTEv2MIf3t6GPeg_7-gca8ZK6aFU7D9eqIEHugC77_RJDhfNcfWbUTsBNbhmwN0YJM/s320/FBTeam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Artists Impression</span></td></tr>
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So <span style="font-family: "calibri";">these foreign looking fellas came flying out of the mosque
probably, which we never wanted built in the first place, drunk on jihadi rhetoric
no doubt, and unable to blow themselves up quickly enough, they did the next
best thing and blocked a cycle lane in Blanchardstown just as this
vulnerable Irish woman (presumably Irish due to the bouncing mass of elasticated ginger Irish-dancing curls,
with arms and face covered in freckles) cycled innocently and serenely towards them singing the
Irish national anthem in her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCwkZtkzxX8jYJNyUWa3O7TYRUx2DdGq70UwxD082XTttsscjcSvIuE34ws1nJ888bgsXI2MP9o-uReE-m3ICBV_v__R8s46vdsl6-9xYPCs1MsDgWoj5R1r7yGyYmukYkK8Qg6LycrY/s1600/frightnight2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1023" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCwkZtkzxX8jYJNyUWa3O7TYRUx2DdGq70UwxD082XTttsscjcSvIuE34ws1nJ888bgsXI2MP9o-uReE-m3ICBV_v__R8s46vdsl6-9xYPCs1MsDgWoj5R1r7yGyYmukYkK8Qg6LycrY/s320/frightnight2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">♫<span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">♫ </span></span>Sinne Fianna Fáil <span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">♫<span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">♫</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This poor useless wretch of a woman was forced to stop and terrified as she was (sure who wouldn’t be?), asked the terrorists very calmly and nicely using her phone voice to move out of the way, “sorry lads,
but you wouldn’t mind moving out of the way there would ye now thanks very much?"... "Because
you’re actually blocking the cycle lane did you know that?” she womansplained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TLDPh7BLgDo5InjVwfoj56Dc7T4aa9D8vOR2eMDJEN1NHlH2_Vqbbxokn4j_7vdQ9MU21e-MF9eb1YockZaF2VeadNYgqxG3I3k4aUdBS4QBANlglGr0tnDLDweqFbUCzChMvc2vqWQ/s1600/bus.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="800" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TLDPh7BLgDo5InjVwfoj56Dc7T4aa9D8vOR2eMDJEN1NHlH2_Vqbbxokn4j_7vdQ9MU21e-MF9eb1YockZaF2VeadNYgqxG3I3k4aUdBS4QBANlglGr0tnDLDweqFbUCzChMvc2vqWQ/s320/bus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The illusive #39 that's always packed by the time it get's to Cabra</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">T</span>hey obviously didn’t understand Northside English, being foreign and all, as they ignored her pleas and waited a good 20 minutes
for a number 39 bus before collectively pushing her in front of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This is totally unacceptable </span>and I would ask the local
community to report all such incidents to the Gardai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, 20 minutes waiting for a bus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FFS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Anyway, as the story goes, this imaginary woman was prevented from going
to the shops by these non-Irish looking mosque-dwelling women-cyclists haters, and
something needs to be done about it, so I’ve put together a “prove your Irish
or I’ll burst ye!” questionnaire:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Question 1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Who do Irish people hate the most?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">a.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Priests<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">b.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Nuns<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">c.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The English<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Question 2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Who was responsible for the potato famine? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">a.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Priests<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">b.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Nuns<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">c.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The English<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Question tree.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri"; text-indent: -18pt;">How many years of oppression by our English
overlords?</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">a.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">700<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">b.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Over a million<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">c.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">1066<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Question 4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Who's the king of the fairies?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">a.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bono<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">b.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Michael D. Higgins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">c.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Gerry Adams<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Question 5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">What do the Irish love the most?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">a.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Going to mass<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">b.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cups of tea</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">c. The English Football teams</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This
blight on the normally safe streets of some parts of Blanchardstown only
started happening since Brexit, so that’s another thing we can blame on the
English, who as it happens, also qualify as foreigners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No surprise there then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sin
abhaile go dhi amach go lore ar fad, tiocfaidh ar bus<span style="color: #6a6a6a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;"> </span>mah shea du hul eh?</span></div>
asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-26229402348947496272014-03-18T11:05:00.000-07:002014-03-19T12:24:50.100-07:00Master ChefIt's probably the culinary themed blogs I've been posting lately that has people stopping me in the street saying "Hey, you there...are you going on Masterchef or what?".<br />
<br />
Sadly though, the ability to bake a world class Victoria sponge, however perfect, or a cheese cake fit for champions, isn't enough of a repertoire when it comes to appearing on national telly-vision Ireland (RTE in Irish) as a contestant on <a href="http://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/food/masterchef/2014/0318/602921-six-new-contestants-for-the-masterchef-kitchen/" target="_blank">Masterchef</a>.<br />
<br />
Question: what has lunch today with the wife, Masterchef Ireland, modern day business computers and Nigella Lawson got in common? <br />
<br />
No?<br />
<br />
Here's what.<br />
<br />
This evening (Tuesday 18th March 2014) on RTE television, a friend of ours will be appearing on Masterchef Ireland. So be sure to watch that tonight (and tomorrow) instead of Coronation Street or whatever, and tune into some proper telly to cheer Nessa on, or catch up on RTE iplayer.<br />
<br />
So, earlier today, I met the wife for lunch at <a href="http://www.relaisdevenise.com/" target="_blank">Le Relais de Venise</a> on Throgmorton Street in the City of London, which happens to be directly across the road from what once was a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Lyons_and_Co." target="_blank">J. Lyons tea room</a>, and I think this was the last of these magnificent tea room restaurants to close it's doors in London. To give you an idea of how big these tea rooms were, the London Trocadero used to be one.<br />
<br />
It turns out that it was Masterchef Nessa herself who introduced the wife to Le Relais de Venise, and I seriously recommend it if you like meat, fries, red wine and walnut salad, because that's all they do. <br />
<br />
It was while I was sitting there gazing lovingly out the window behind the wifes head, that I spotted an old dusty sign for J. Lyons & Co. I then proceeded to educate the wife with my superior intellect, and explain to her that J. Lyons were once upon a time not only the market leader in tea room entertainment, but were also the first company to use a computer in a commercial sense with the LEO I computer (LEO = Lyons Electronic Office).<br />
<br />
After the tea room business dried up, LEO evolved and eventually became part of ICL (International Computers Limited), who were the British competition to IBM, but were never going to win that one, and ICL have themselves disappeared into the computing giant that is Fujitsu.<br />
<br />
Nigella Lawson? Well apparently she's descended from one of the founders of J. Lyons & Co, so we should give thanks to them for giving us business computers and Nigella.<br />
<br />
So back to the here and now and tonight. Watch Masterchef, and please click through to <a href="http://atthelemontable.blogspot.ie/" target="_blank">Nessa' lovely new blog</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/NessaCollinge" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, where she's very kindly sharing her recipes so the rest of us can cook like master chefs too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIWljGvWfTw1P3sXmhbf88lS9HXlgkNspN28nDt4TH2TKZGgO4KobxqmHxwuqNzcNGsdFUkauzQ3MvodqKMlmAoAvJ4sn71ZHpv-VeWtUj1Ea6QGAt3fkHsCQkaBKpK1A8kpY7puExf4/s1600/IMG_7244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIWljGvWfTw1P3sXmhbf88lS9HXlgkNspN28nDt4TH2TKZGgO4KobxqmHxwuqNzcNGsdFUkauzQ3MvodqKMlmAoAvJ4sn71ZHpv-VeWtUj1Ea6QGAt3fkHsCQkaBKpK1A8kpY7puExf4/s1600/IMG_7244.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BLWsA9SnUBebfhsistTNaSvGkkXR50aSBzjoXrLGGXHrz5o-TUX4sjIzXt-koKLSFojt1JcTUyR20lIbFAfhmgnOf-CWuFCuyn0Gkygxy45dsUuMM-1IUasEa6-ZhazDuqQTdtIc6tA/s1600/IMG_7245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BLWsA9SnUBebfhsistTNaSvGkkXR50aSBzjoXrLGGXHrz5o-TUX4sjIzXt-koKLSFojt1JcTUyR20lIbFAfhmgnOf-CWuFCuyn0Gkygxy45dsUuMM-1IUasEa6-ZhazDuqQTdtIc6tA/s1600/IMG_7245.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-80275389017585667522014-02-14T01:32:00.000-08:002014-03-02T15:20:06.225-08:00Valentines dayValentines day, or VD for short.<br />
<br />
What a load of rubbish.<br />
<br />
I for one think romance should be spontaneous, and as such, I wrote my wife this poem, vis-a-v Roses are red...<br />
<br />
<b>Verse 1</b><br />
<br />
Over the years<br />
As my bodys got hairy<br />
I've come to suspect<br />
You're the underpants fairy<br />
<br />
(Saint VD is buried on Aungier Street Dublin, very close to where myself and the love of my life used to live)<br />
<br />
(That was a long time ago)<br />
<br />
<b>Verse 2</b><br />
<br />
Roses are red<br />
Violets are blue<br />
Here, take this baby<br />
He's just done a poo<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Verse 3</b><br />
<br />
It's that time of year<br />
And I'd like to say<br />
It's Gillians, Donnachas and this blogs<br />
Birthday<br />
<br />
<b>Verse 4</b><br />
<br />
Love is forever<br />
Fame is fleeting<br />
I wish they'd stop asking<br />
Who's Ronan Keating?<br />
<br />
To answer that one, here's where it all started, and he plays the guitar...allegedly<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpVyGaHM6rE" target="_blank">Life is a Rolo Coaster</a><br />
<br />
A great dancer he is too. Anyway, eighteen years and two children later, I marked the passing of all those many romantic years together appropriately, with a Romeo and Julietta Number 1.<br />
<br />
Happy Valentines Day.<br />
<br />
xxasdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-72264396511069608072014-01-22T15:09:00.001-08:002014-02-02T13:46:55.353-08:00Where I liveBelieve it or not, but the part of London I live in is agrueably the most hip happening place known to man, and as such, each day, it attracts thousands of visitors from other not so hip happening places.<br />
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The majority of these transients, known as hipsters, are in their late teens and early twenties and will be on their way to a vintage shop, or to Allen Gardens to smoke spliffs, or more commonly just urinating in the street somewhere. <br />
<br />
The more mature males will be sporting ironic moustachios and beards, lumberjack shirts and skinny jeans with loafers and no socks.<br />
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Apart from the vintage clothes scene in and around Brick lane, the artist of Hoxton, and the market stalls of Spitalfields, we also have the murderous history of Whitechapel and surrounds, plus the silk weavers and the Huguenots.<br />
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With all this going on, it's easy to miss the changes and happenings when you actually live here. We're not here on holiday you know, so we tend not to amble around obliviously with a £500+ camera hanging from our necks, nor do we stand in the middle of the road taking another photograph of another piece of street art by another street artist that nobody really knows or cares about, unless the name is Banksy.<br />
<br />
To be honest, I'm only living here in the vain hope that Banksy will one day discover the virgin red brick side of my house, do a doodle, thereby adding another zero to the value.<br />
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This hasn't happened yet, but recently, somebody did hang a bike-cycle wheel to the trellis on top of my back garden wall. (Sadly not Banksy, more like Bikesy. Aha ha...)<br />
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You're probably remembering at this stage that I was supposed to be doing a cigar and Rioja pairing, but I've had to postpone that for now as I need more time for research purposes.<br />
<br />
Instead, I decided to grab my £500+ camera, hit the urban landscape and photograph some hip happening street art, which I'll exhibit with some cigars I got for Christmas.<br />
<br />
I want this to be my way of saying thank you to those who got me these gifts. You know who you are. Think of this as my gift to you...<br />
<br />
So let's get things moving with the wheel installation hanging from my garden wall.<br />
<br />
It's a bit like art I suppose in that I don't understanding it and I don't know what to do with it.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij87y5VMC2vYYCEJ4t0fmERwDSZIez5C8cTVLDPyWJ_57OqPh-8UkDf-dJlzVJd8fOEWwfTNmhyZoHHKOeerLzD1-wAyues-ixiebN_rxnXsaqAbgq_oRCL1Egv1yve4Oy3zdmqxoayL0/s1600/IMG_6297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij87y5VMC2vYYCEJ4t0fmERwDSZIez5C8cTVLDPyWJ_57OqPh-8UkDf-dJlzVJd8fOEWwfTNmhyZoHHKOeerLzD1-wAyues-ixiebN_rxnXsaqAbgq_oRCL1Egv1yve4Oy3zdmqxoayL0/s1600/IMG_6297.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wheel with no name...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The council won't remove it and I haven't got the wherewithal to do it myself, and our estate management people are money grabbing useless leaches.<br />
<br />
So for now it stays.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to pair a cigar with this as it's not art.<br />
<br />
It's just a wheel some moron locked to my trellis, so you just get to look at it and wonder why.<br />
<br />
Maybe it is art after all...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8M6KACbtIj-pH4DeHimyOH4zsdjeo0Bovl0djesCqwJLnyqYCS35NrhktTa1C9OeyHOUZ4ZAotHNpalcZHOHa6SpbpA6x4mDF7vSjlxVMIAZXx9HCgFCotB66RFbIaWL4py7-2eMYNs/s1600/IMG_6308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
Any who, I took these photographs today in a round trip from my house in less than 30 minutes, which should give you some idea of how much of the area is covered with this crap.<br />
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8M6KACbtIj-pH4DeHimyOH4zsdjeo0Bovl0djesCqwJLnyqYCS35NrhktTa1C9OeyHOUZ4ZAotHNpalcZHOHa6SpbpA6x4mDF7vSjlxVMIAZXx9HCgFCotB66RFbIaWL4py7-2eMYNs/s1600/IMG_6308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8M6KACbtIj-pH4DeHimyOH4zsdjeo0Bovl0djesCqwJLnyqYCS35NrhktTa1C9OeyHOUZ4ZAotHNpalcZHOHa6SpbpA6x4mDF7vSjlxVMIAZXx9HCgFCotB66RFbIaWL4py7-2eMYNs/s1600/IMG_6308.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a><br />
No idea who made it, but it caught my eye, so here it is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3X5Qs3psUGuHr2m4iN3J7l5WVlGNaWtyjtESlsFA5l5t-LimGxPGTocfthj84-siGmqh9hQ6Weu_dn2lCoaxLboS7mmk6ulsrGKBYCl901hNjeieJSuyoCMCwrGbfGieXP3uc8W5ZMw/s1600/IMG_6323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3X5Qs3psUGuHr2m4iN3J7l5WVlGNaWtyjtESlsFA5l5t-LimGxPGTocfthj84-siGmqh9hQ6Weu_dn2lCoaxLboS7mmk6ulsrGKBYCl901hNjeieJSuyoCMCwrGbfGieXP3uc8W5ZMw/s1600/IMG_6323.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a><br />
Here's a Cohiba Behike.<br />
<br />
Absolutely beautiful.<br />
<br />
A masterpiece.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPlABhSFPDqFUKHw1tUIr91gdQeVu1A3iPcMjgu77UwY9VJBLtZs4Xi0m-N_-JDxLMlCjTOx-NCOtkvEqg49eJMAI2chauMGisJhoDyBx4iGq78ZcXAK8fiktEDOUtk7AX4CmKXNz5MU/s1600/IMG_6314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPlABhSFPDqFUKHw1tUIr91gdQeVu1A3iPcMjgu77UwY9VJBLtZs4Xi0m-N_-JDxLMlCjTOx-NCOtkvEqg49eJMAI2chauMGisJhoDyBx4iGq78ZcXAK8fiktEDOUtk7AX4CmKXNz5MU/s1600/IMG_6314.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a><br />
<br />
Next we have this thing.<br />
<br />
Again, I have no clue what's going on but apparently art is trash and I couldn't agree more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGAsXlzZIQa8HrlPISsHvhSrSE4RpX_6gtOsm9MYvsVF05_OY3LtnV3wlwowNpe-4w-P_NWPJOPnnERdM2aQd-nomHu98pm45oPf9rMN8UatVz0IQr3TDun7apOLU9nPPXREcnsJI5mo/s1600/IMG_6324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGAsXlzZIQa8HrlPISsHvhSrSE4RpX_6gtOsm9MYvsVF05_OY3LtnV3wlwowNpe-4w-P_NWPJOPnnERdM2aQd-nomHu98pm45oPf9rMN8UatVz0IQr3TDun7apOLU9nPPXREcnsJI5mo/s1600/IMG_6324.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a><br />
<br />
This is a Cuaba.<br />
<br />
It's very big but makes sense.<br />
<br />
It's not trash.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicV4TU_VLVdtq8E6V-TMZmWa0GV5tFYz3QpS1ML2AqVpzD2Z4FXk_gh9OI8v7hx1Z9pIfTCf2MHr4pOZHju7dR65hyhJcPgTvu7p5KMWnrtTaDuOlo-82kwXinf-vY1S7OpIMnGOqCQD0/s1600/IMG_6311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicV4TU_VLVdtq8E6V-TMZmWa0GV5tFYz3QpS1ML2AqVpzD2Z4FXk_gh9OI8v7hx1Z9pIfTCf2MHr4pOZHju7dR65hyhJcPgTvu7p5KMWnrtTaDuOlo-82kwXinf-vY1S7OpIMnGOqCQD0/s1600/IMG_6311.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a><br />
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<br />
This is my favourite photo, and that's only because it's the cooperage entrance at the back of the old Truman brewery<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56vC252MLiI0xj0w448d7Pu4inchh-xNQwxqSCBttHoS1T4QngT0nhXwxhGl9wqRM8WRmMLeMdRbMvMRwwbS8w-Q5QvB7Y2IcqySZf7rAr7Klj-O-XudlR0VlzJcGMI3ZqoLVbtIKuJg/s1600/IMG_6325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56vC252MLiI0xj0w448d7Pu4inchh-xNQwxqSCBttHoS1T4QngT0nhXwxhGl9wqRM8WRmMLeMdRbMvMRwwbS8w-Q5QvB7Y2IcqySZf7rAr7Klj-O-XudlR0VlzJcGMI3ZqoLVbtIKuJg/s1600/IMG_6325.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a><br />
This is another Cohiba.<br />
<br />
A maduro 5<br />
<br />
I'm planning on smoking this on Saturday.<br />
<br />
While drinking Rioja.<br />
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<br />
Here are some more photos from my 30 minute adventure.<br />
<br />
Those three guys against the wall are artists...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriV79DoKqI_lo82yXqhFocuMGAsYaYUf4uhpGpxNYEzx4UvIhyphenhyphenbKNul-4sLr7nrMn0zUlxc-pqboLLcmBzt7vuLabTPNtKf_9mg9U5sJFZDHkI9ylYXP82ZUSzDjVXOPplj9YPcETY2g/s1600/IMG_6313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriV79DoKqI_lo82yXqhFocuMGAsYaYUf4uhpGpxNYEzx4UvIhyphenhyphenbKNul-4sLr7nrMn0zUlxc-pqboLLcmBzt7vuLabTPNtKf_9mg9U5sJFZDHkI9ylYXP82ZUSzDjVXOPplj9YPcETY2g/s1600/IMG_6313.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfjBX5l6nm9H6fIQ9Xw-pCGtS2frdAfWa7jNZHv7gDBI8TDJhW_lDC6bbvkZDmcO4-GAftQLB6IpiFEcgRJBM9N2cq2yhIkrm-t825npHrnjA2Tq2ZyJaGV4_NinD51_1XH2-aq7GcOw/s1600/IMG_6307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfjBX5l6nm9H6fIQ9Xw-pCGtS2frdAfWa7jNZHv7gDBI8TDJhW_lDC6bbvkZDmcO4-GAftQLB6IpiFEcgRJBM9N2cq2yhIkrm-t825npHrnjA2Tq2ZyJaGV4_NinD51_1XH2-aq7GcOw/s1600/IMG_6307.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Details are just coming through, but initial reports suggest that one of the worlds leading cigar blogging extraordinaires, the man behind the modern day on-line classic "Cigar Stories", may be attempting to post a third blog update in just one week.<br />
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A spokeswoman for the blogger released a statement earlier today saying "it's a bit too early to tell, and people should not be getting their hopes up"..."but you never know, stranger things have happened".<br />
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Analysts believe nothing like this has ever been attempted before, as the internet braces itself for what will no doubt be an upsurge in something or other.<br />
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We'll bring you more on this story as it comes in...asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-58808369173676380922014-01-18T09:36:00.001-08:002014-01-19T08:40:07.495-08:00Cigar life balanceAfter the cheering and applause eventually died down after my last blog instalment, I decided to get busy with the next one, which is this.<br />
<br />
With the festive season now over, I'm sure most of you are planning a bit of weight loss, so I'm going to share some pearls which should help you drop a dress size or two.<br />
<br />
You know, people are always coming up to me in the street saying "Here you! How do you do it? A hectic schedule and all those manly outdoorsy things you do, but you still manage to maintain that perfect physique and winning smile...tell me, what's your secret?".<br />
<br />
Well I'll tell you my secret, and if you follow these simple instructions, you too could have a body like Ronan Keating.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGfs1a39dl8nlDT9DWuiEOtyAsX5LJSGSBWvkdEtn0dN8HCu8lPV5kVFqRYkli7lGgdZEUAKg90tdg4eJgUHqEyYvL-Mmrm7GJlWJ5QTLFBkBrF6d2fopIhWzsY8yyfaelym2jRwbY1Q/s1600/ronan-keating-shirtless-underwear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGfs1a39dl8nlDT9DWuiEOtyAsX5LJSGSBWvkdEtn0dN8HCu8lPV5kVFqRYkli7lGgdZEUAKg90tdg4eJgUHqEyYvL-Mmrm7GJlWJ5QTLFBkBrF6d2fopIhWzsY8yyfaelym2jRwbY1Q/s1600/ronan-keating-shirtless-underwear.jpg" height="200" width="121" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actual Size</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, the secret of being thin is...<br />
<br />
Stop eating food.<br />
<br />
That's it, that's all there is to it. A bit of exercise helps, but as they say on the south side of the Liffey, "you need to cut down on your porklife".<br />
<br />
The main thing is to stop eating white bread, potatoes and cut out all things sugary, especially sugar.<br />
<br />
And Beer too. Beer is bad.<br />
<br />
Apart from being force fed Guinness when I was home in Dublin recently, I haven't had a beer since September, only wine.<br />
<br />
Who am I to be talking to you about all this healthy stuff? Well this is me being quoted on a health food website... <a href="http://honestlyhealthyfood.com/cooking-classes/" target="_blank">Honestly Healthy</a> ... where I recently attended a health food cookery course solely to bring balance to the outdoorsy manly stuff.<br />
<br />
So now you know that I know what I'm talking about, even if I don't.<br />
<br />
One of the things us beautiful people are down with at the moment is the juice diet, which leads me nicely on to the topic for today, a cigar and juice pairing.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEl-_FiwKHI4RmvXd8XRiKc9SMtkRYSZupuywW7tuiwJPxUuGVv8kHEiZ67AclaojAZHzmIjWDAlqeJEqXRpzwAlJ4-lQSEntyy1cIhjxeOqpKwJw3GKDjU09-gRXvhy0ophjSxtn-DzU/s1600/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEl-_FiwKHI4RmvXd8XRiKc9SMtkRYSZupuywW7tuiwJPxUuGVv8kHEiZ67AclaojAZHzmIjWDAlqeJEqXRpzwAlJ4-lQSEntyy1cIhjxeOqpKwJw3GKDjU09-gRXvhy0ophjSxtn-DzU/s1600/01.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>The cigar is a tubed Romeo and Julietta No.1, which is one of about 30 cigars Gearoid recently (and very kindly) brought back from Cuba.<br />
<br />
This was my first R&J No. 1, and as all the R&J's I've had thus far have been good smokes, this one turned out to be much the same. Nothing brilliant but a decent smoke, with a good draw, nice TTS (that's time to smoke...I just made that up) of about one hour, good construction and a good sized stick to boot. I'd give it 7/10.<br />
<br />
The juice to go with this should not be enjoyed at the same time and should be polished off fairly quickly in order to gain the most health benefit, so neck the juice and enjoy the cigar with some fermented grape juice instead, just like I did.<br />
<br />
When I say juice, notice that I'm not saying fruit juice, so leave out the apples and oranges. Only use grapefruit, lemons and limes, and any or all of the following...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehlaB82MmDmmgTaUiFVCO3v60r_mDaAtAnry2G3KmrYEYG6KfeCW2wJpPxS9iVMCflnUWyUJWTCyUYwwUmhSKambYp0drsq0kLMxEenX6gEql3KcWLGv-y2pnHLoRHBEMo9sMOzyidK0/s1600/03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehlaB82MmDmmgTaUiFVCO3v60r_mDaAtAnry2G3KmrYEYG6KfeCW2wJpPxS9iVMCflnUWyUJWTCyUYwwUmhSKambYp0drsq0kLMxEenX6gEql3KcWLGv-y2pnHLoRHBEMo9sMOzyidK0/s1600/03.JPG" height="133" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9C2U4JyWzTWiUeT526OOZOxBhnHvSrWOYeoRsjv5oeCl-A1Ikn0b5o8vb8fpgEi9rai5lcaCIfENk5X9OlAUwR55gEXAsvfzjn39J3X3tRJhco4kCjqjARXXQGAV6uPeAUgHCaClIqxc/s1600/02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9C2U4JyWzTWiUeT526OOZOxBhnHvSrWOYeoRsjv5oeCl-A1Ikn0b5o8vb8fpgEi9rai5lcaCIfENk5X9OlAUwR55gEXAsvfzjn39J3X3tRJhco4kCjqjARXXQGAV6uPeAUgHCaClIqxc/s1600/02.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a>Kale, Carrot<br />
Cucumber, Celery<br />
Root ginger, Fennel<br />
Spinach, Beetroot<br />
<br />
A splash of Aloe Vera juice too will do wonders too.<br />
<br />
<br />
Right, that's enough of that.<br />
<br />
Next time I'll be blathering on about a proper beverage, as I've been enjoying Rioja lately and been gifted with lots of cigars over Xmas, so I'll be doing a cigar and Rioja pairing instead of this cake and juice malarkey.<br />
<br />
Until then. Muah.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-84152271351378997562014-01-16T10:30:00.000-08:002014-01-18T04:09:50.512-08:00Cigar and CakeHello again,<br />
<br />
A quick recap on life. <br />
<br />
Since early August 2013, I haven't worked a day. Not for money that is, as in paid work, like in a job.<br />
<br />
What have I been doing? (apart from not blogging)<br />
<br />
Well, those of you fortunate enough to know me, probably know this already, but for those of you that don't see or hear from me as much as you'd obviously like to, will no doubt be happy to hear that I've given two fingers to the man, and struck a blow for mankind by resigning from my job of 11 years in order to look after my two children full time.<br />
<br />
This means that the wife is the sole bread winner, but so far, she hasn't won any bread. Not so much as a sliced pan or a batch loaf. To be fair to her though, I'm not aware of that many competitions where bread is top prize.<br />
<br />
So instead of bread, she's been bringing home the bacon.<br />
<br />
At this stage, I'd like to take the opportunity to say thanks to the wife, well done, and keep up the good work. You're doing a great job.<br />
<br />
Obviously looking after kids and running house isn't easy, and while the wife is out enjoying herself all day, I'm stuck watching homes under the hammer and bargain hunt, so you know, it's not easy with that choice of telly.<br />
<br />
However, I do think it's only fair that I have my dinner ready on the table for when she gets home. I feel it's my duty now that I'm a kept man and all.<br />
<br />
Apart from the obligatory dinner, I have tried to surprise her from time to time with my culinary delightenings. On Tuesday for example, she had freshly baked blueberry muffins waiting for her, because I didn't have enough time to eat them all.<br />
<br />
So for this blog, I'm going to do a cake and cigar pairing. Not that I smoke cigars while eating cake, nor would I recommend it, although they do say you should try everything once, so why not, but this is really just to give something to those of you out there that like cake and/or cigars, and who doesn't like cake and/or cigars.<br />
<br />
First up is a cigar that I smoked at the start of August, and one that had been resting in the humidor for over two years. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLx9D1Lo2Dvqg54X2ynP7QHdbvpvRLgdsVdTo9xKEyictznWgpaDlrpYHdYdgZ0MffPMeeT-I2mXJOOLsW1U06HM76x4YUn8a-0kfYo9CiddYckhVLIetGaaXgr5i17fEFUqZrZ0Kq-Q/s1600/WP_20130813_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLx9D1Lo2Dvqg54X2ynP7QHdbvpvRLgdsVdTo9xKEyictznWgpaDlrpYHdYdgZ0MffPMeeT-I2mXJOOLsW1U06HM76x4YUn8a-0kfYo9CiddYckhVLIetGaaXgr5i17fEFUqZrZ0Kq-Q/s1600/WP_20130813_002.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>While I'm no cigar snob, it's my opinion is that overall, Cuban cigars are better than those produced outside of Cuba, or at least that's what I thought until I smoked the Arturo Fuente Anejo.<br />
<br />
A good sized torpedo shaped cigar with a slight box press, and a red ribbon on the foot, which was so pretty that it seemed almost a shame to smoke it. Deep, dark and delicious. (just like me)<br />
<br />
This particular cigar is supposed to be a rare find, apparently only released twice a year, at Christmas and Fathers day, and from the online blurb, you find that it's five year old Connecticut maduro wrapper is aged in a cognac barrel, and only the very best tobacco to be found in the Dominic Republic is used in it's construction.<br />
<br />
All that I know is that this one of the finest cigar I have ever smoked, Cuban or otherwise.<br />
<br />
I strongly recommend it and I'm looking forward very much to the next one, hint hint.<br />
<br />
The cake to go with this fine cigar, according to the wife, is the best cheesecake she every tasted, and it's easy to make. I've only every gotten it wrong once, when I used olive oil based butter instead of unsalted butter. I know, duh!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMIafb6n66nO83NKiH0C1byCw1p0uDF6d07tuAwXMznU2ozA38V1z8UmJ-MYwWGEdtqGcsV8Ef_wD2qdWrCGBSy5iR7SNNcR6iEWz3u4EAXr6B35739jHtZ3QNzaTzcLWZw2g69YhE2c/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMIafb6n66nO83NKiH0C1byCw1p0uDF6d07tuAwXMznU2ozA38V1z8UmJ-MYwWGEdtqGcsV8Ef_wD2qdWrCGBSy5iR7SNNcR6iEWz3u4EAXr6B35739jHtZ3QNzaTzcLWZw2g69YhE2c/s1600/1.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a>Here we go...get 100g of good quality dark chocolate, break it up and melt with 50g of UNSALTED butter in a bowl over water. If you want to grate some chocolate over the finished cake, keep a small bit for later. <br />
<br />
While that's melting, crush about 200g of digestive and ginger biscuits in freezer bag with a rolling pin, and when the choc has melted, add together and mix well. This is your base.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzIEqWAi0K2eEaI9VHWO70BURXErZzBcuZK1qfI6zpRRWZbGPOrnZnQMFXhSAOvtsiZVzPJrr6DUbx5jxmNh0TnSK3e7ha-40BkWC1xkuz627ZMq-i9vqpmXOq7PUYp_NRpFcieTuGpA/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzIEqWAi0K2eEaI9VHWO70BURXErZzBcuZK1qfI6zpRRWZbGPOrnZnQMFXhSAOvtsiZVzPJrr6DUbx5jxmNh0TnSK3e7ha-40BkWC1xkuz627ZMq-i9vqpmXOq7PUYp_NRpFcieTuGpA/s1600/2.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
The topping is simply 400 to 500g of mascarpone mixed with three to four tablespoons of icing sugar, and the zest and juice of one lemon. Mix that around well and plop on top of your biscuit base, which by now you'll have cooled a bit and smoothed firmly into your cake tin. Carefully smooth the topping and finish by grating the reserved chocolate over the top.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpI06SYvGllEqTqhwprJHyLWcRzie9XzUH029fNGHsjBZn2eUOq6TX7Loumey-dceHYkjiP-d2XW2QXlBo3D16XuEQOL_kCNAuHJ6PkbN-EEikLiWnUu48zZJBt8jTPk7N0Hso5RhkLZA/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpI06SYvGllEqTqhwprJHyLWcRzie9XzUH029fNGHsjBZn2eUOq6TX7Loumey-dceHYkjiP-d2XW2QXlBo3D16XuEQOL_kCNAuHJ6PkbN-EEikLiWnUu48zZJBt8jTPk7N0Hso5RhkLZA/s1600/3.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cover it in cling film and bung it in the fridge for at least four hours. Eat within a couple of days, if it lasts that long.<br />
<br />
Jaime Oliver who?<br />
<br />
Remember, don't use olive oil based butter, which oozed out of the bottom of the cake, but as luck would have it though, I gave that one away to the Larkins.<br />
<br />
That cake may not be the healthiest of options, so here's a great healthy alternative that I made last year...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://nutritionstripped.com/chocolate-coconut-flour-cake-with-chocolate-mousse-frosting/#.UtfoxvRdUvw" target="_blank">Coconut flour chocolate mousse cake</a>asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-35495911453067464242013-10-30T17:03:00.000-07:002013-10-30T17:03:15.496-07:00Spot the DifferencePreviously on Cigar Stories...<br />
<br />
Mel Gibson shoots at helicopters with his eyes closed, and I get done for a second time with fake cigars.<br />
<br />
Now as much as I dislike every minute of all the Lethal Weapon movies, even the ones I haven't seen, it isn't the only TV slash movie production that I have a problem with when it comes to helicopters, as Magnum P.I. caught my attention earlier today.<br />
<br />
I have fond memories of Magnum P.I., which was one of my favourite TV shows back in the 80's. That and Manimal. <br />
<br />
Tom Selleck is great, but to be honest, I don't remember much past Magnum and Higgins living together, Magnum driving a Ferrari that wasn't his, and his two mates - T.C who flew helicopters, and little Rick.<br />
<br />
In this episode, Tom and T.C fly off to catch the bad guys, who just happen to be acting out the scene on top of some cliffs, and of course everybody knows that cliffs make it easy for helicopters to sneak up on people, and so up pops the helicopter right behind the bad guys, taking them completely by surprise. <br />
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They weren't half as surprised as I was though when I noticed T.C had been replaced with a bank robber.<br />
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And these are the photographs of what I'm talking about...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX94TlyKVUoCNpb6vk4vB705XJXHcsSy1ou_cTQ__YUMIejpJTwre7lRKwqmXZtFELJJI4bLoxyD8O7iTtNQrn2hEbHEDsG5G6FcSDE1RT-HY5d0mA00Gc4irhbodktc-xaw02H1zg5SE/s1600/WP_20131030_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX94TlyKVUoCNpb6vk4vB705XJXHcsSy1ou_cTQ__YUMIejpJTwre7lRKwqmXZtFELJJI4bLoxyD8O7iTtNQrn2hEbHEDsG5G6FcSDE1RT-HY5d0mA00Gc4irhbodktc-xaw02H1zg5SE/s320/WP_20131030_002.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSUjVuE0q4j1XNdtrQqLSjiaSXKvqKNBvTcohYtKGbkcvUE_-zOlEgxsatk7d_AfsK9D-cHwSG9rhm_B7c2CeTTO_lrEHv6-pvdw3IxpwZCClWExUcdBqqMA-RUn6cor5fhc8dNVfwgk/s1600/WP_20131030_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSUjVuE0q4j1XNdtrQqLSjiaSXKvqKNBvTcohYtKGbkcvUE_-zOlEgxsatk7d_AfsK9D-cHwSG9rhm_B7c2CeTTO_lrEHv6-pvdw3IxpwZCClWExUcdBqqMA-RUn6cor5fhc8dNVfwgk/s320/WP_20131030_001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here we have the real Magnum P.I. and his mate T.C (and no, it doesn't stand for Top Cat). <br />
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In this picture, you can clearly see that T.C. is not dressed as a bank robber, although who knows what he might be thinking.<br />
<br />
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<br />
In the next photograph, Magnum P.I. looks normal enough, he's the same colour at least, while T.C. has turned into a white guy in a balaclava.<br />
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Skipping quickly past all the obvious jokes and stereotypes, I can't believe they thought that slapping a black balaclava on a white guy would do, whatever the reason.<br />
<br />
Anyway...<br />
<br />
Moving onto cigars. See if you can spot which one is fake.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EsB9xRw4ASm8B4a_dEAg2zYoKS4PjtUG5PDcynpmz4vE1tyfqoolpZmyx6N2XOdEccgPZCDkI4btpCUn7ggCDyd8EWFNFnAL3vHEkBiz-sykzwU6IPvKTem0Z2zjyskunzEIWvEpJwA/s1600/WP_20131023_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EsB9xRw4ASm8B4a_dEAg2zYoKS4PjtUG5PDcynpmz4vE1tyfqoolpZmyx6N2XOdEccgPZCDkI4btpCUn7ggCDyd8EWFNFnAL3vHEkBiz-sykzwU6IPvKTem0Z2zjyskunzEIWvEpJwA/s320/WP_20131023_005.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I'll give you a clue. It's the bottom one.<br />
<br />
Did you know that Manimal only ran for one series of eight episodes? I know, mad isn't it.<br />
<br />
asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-19705344689560315582013-10-26T16:01:00.000-07:002013-10-26T16:01:46.819-07:00Those are fake cigars!Said I.<br />
<br />
Oh really...<br />
<br />
Yes. Really.<br />
<br />
Right...and what makes you say that?<br />
<br />
Well I'm no expert mind, but if you look at the cigars, which are all from different Cuban houses, they all look almost identical. That and the crappy bands on the Cohiba.<br />
<br />
So you know a lot about cigars do you?<br />
<br />
Well, I'm no expert ha ha ha, I think you need to check with your supplier, or maybe not your supplier, but somebody else who is an expert and not your supplier because I don't think your supplier can be trusted.<br />
<br />
Leave it with me she said, and that was the last I heard about that.<br />
<br />
Now, the first time I came across counterfeit cigars we were in Jordan, and low and behold, that thrilling exact word for word account you've just enjoyed also happened in Jordan, only just last week.<br />
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Not surprising then, but what is surprising was that this was my hotel, which claims five stars.<br />
<br />
Nothing was done over the next few days, so I bought one of the cigars on offer, and in the name of science, I smoked it. <br />
<br />
It was fake, and now I feel a bit of a rant coming on.<br />
<br />
After my recent self appointed senior position with the grammar police I've decided to see how much I can say in one sentence without using any punctuation marks whatsoever like as if I was talking in real life and making a point about something or other without pausing for breath while my face goes all red as the air runs out but I'm still trying to speak although its now nearly impossible but if I would just used a comma everything would just be a whole lot easier!!<br />
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What brought this rant on you ask?<br />
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Well. Recently it's come to my annoyance that people are commenting on certain social media sites on whatever rubbish they think they have an opinion on, and they badly type up their ramblings with misspellings aplenty, and not a single punctuation mark to be seen. <br />
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And another thing, as far as I know, an ellipsis has three dots. Not two dots or five dots, but three dots. That's why people say dot dot dot.<br />
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And I'm starting my sentence with a conjunction. I make my own rules.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYG2N_rh4MXZxzG7QNaMBcQNj2voWJk_hPtQ5q3D7xe671FdUtyr1PjMVhw9bK5voQ_tEL8FIo38bQW9MSg8W807WUgyHbIgGT7oH3Xdyvd0JDh1Tr8kX6ucQUqJKh8P28DIuydje8-Ww/s1600/fakecigars.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuban Cigars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-40949349233406175502013-04-16T16:04:00.000-07:002013-04-17T09:42:47.779-07:00I'm backHi everybody.<br />
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Remember me? Well, I'm back. By popular demand no doubt.<br />
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In case you wondered, I didn't go anywhere, I've been here the whole time.<br />
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Well not here. Not right here. I've obviously been places. Not many places mind. But a few. Nice places mostly.<br />
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Anyway, I'm going to kick off this come back special, with a with a new cigar that arrived in the post today from C.Gars Ltd, called the Inka secret blend - Azul blue Bombaso Maduro. <br />
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A beautiful looking budget cigar, dark and squishy, that I paired with a pressed apple and beetroot juice.<br />
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Apple and what? I hear you scream. Pressed?? What's happening here? Is this a new me? Healthy-not-from-concentrate fruit juice instead of unhealthy-not-from-concentrate beer juice? Might be.<br />
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I must admit, after a recent trip to Ireland (to celebrate Gillian Doyles birthday), I felt hung-over for at least two weeks, and suffered like never before, and with the belly taking a lot more effort to keep in check these days, it was time I curbed my enthusiasm.<br />
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At least on a Tuesday evening in the garden.<br />
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The Inka was nice smoke. A bit too strong for what I wanted at the time, and it also lasted longer than I planned, but I enjoyed it, and it only needed the odd relight and touch up along the way. <br />
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Next time I've got a shorter stumpier cigar to report on. So until then, and I promise I won't leave it as long next time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDe7A_0FNoeTctEYFOJxMGWxsm5YbgW2neFjaZEyf7Esm6KWqDpQTJudIL8Jv8yoduNFUeLiR5YZNLvBDZv8Z1gRX6l4iP9jj2D5_51kFWjdLAo5lcI19OgCTz3dsumpOggmVutZJ9g8Y/s1600/WP_20130416_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDe7A_0FNoeTctEYFOJxMGWxsm5YbgW2neFjaZEyf7Esm6KWqDpQTJudIL8Jv8yoduNFUeLiR5YZNLvBDZv8Z1gRX6l4iP9jj2D5_51kFWjdLAo5lcI19OgCTz3dsumpOggmVutZJ9g8Y/s320/WP_20130416_001.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Inka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvdp_wF2jtYZmGZzodA-AcYW8nqX5BTZ404m1J-tHbeWmqs0NDzeh4hbR0slRwvrVTV051StH5XviMljULF9CiJbUTtjOxgfMavPobuQA6cpRa7yoEahBe_DMv-tr9vHEPfN6uD_TO7E/s1600/WP_20130416_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvdp_wF2jtYZmGZzodA-AcYW8nqX5BTZ404m1J-tHbeWmqs0NDzeh4hbR0slRwvrVTV051StH5XviMljULF9CiJbUTtjOxgfMavPobuQA6cpRa7yoEahBe_DMv-tr9vHEPfN6uD_TO7E/s320/WP_20130416_010.jpg" width="240" /></a>The Stinka</div>
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<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-58187634756486652092012-11-22T13:00:00.000-08:002012-11-22T13:00:31.235-08:00New EditionNo, not new edition, the nineteen eighties progenitors of the boy band revolution, but a new edition to the family. A baby boy to be exact. Born recently at the Royal London, Whitechapel. A little under a week early in making his appearance, but no harm done, and so everything, including his mother, is fine.<br />
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Before I carry on, I have to say that it wouldn't be fair of me to blame my blogging tardiness on this young chaps arrival, and I do have a lengthy update that's been almost ready for over a month, but I just couldn't bring myself to finish it. <br />
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The reason for my reticence was the negativity that dominated the post, which was down to a bad experience at Casa del Habano in Berlin. So I'll park the negativity for now, as it goes against my natural sunny positivity, and concentrate on happier, more important things, like the new edition celebration cigars that I've been enjoying for the past two weeks.<br />
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So, without going into too much detail, the baby made a surprise appearance, and with the wife in hospital, I found myself in need of a short notice emergency babysitter for our first born, so I could be were I was supposed to be.<br />
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Joe saved the day, before handing over to my mother, who flew over from Ireland the following morning. The day after that, and we were all home from hospital, and I could get down to the serious business of enjoying my celebration cigars.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpo6Zg_0w-Bojeg_2dQaZ6HuTwP3W0Q_XdnSJh8ug34tBK43htXCcv11qZ_IBGatdxFzHFgo6FwT3xe6Yz_1cfcRy8YaGC-btBBa0tqqlcDIcHJRn6N_IziteJXxEfaaofgnW3IOqmns/s1600/WP_003481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpo6Zg_0w-Bojeg_2dQaZ6HuTwP3W0Q_XdnSJh8ug34tBK43htXCcv11qZ_IBGatdxFzHFgo6FwT3xe6Yz_1cfcRy8YaGC-btBBa0tqqlcDIcHJRn6N_IziteJXxEfaaofgnW3IOqmns/s320/WP_003481.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebration Cigars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Seeing as I now had two sons, I decided two cigars were in order. First up was a Cohiba Siglo VI, which was a present from Gearoid last Christmas. He must really love me because it's a cracking cigar.<br />
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I'd been keeping it for a special occasion, and as a new child is as special as they come, it was the cigar of choice.<br />
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The Siglo VI is one of my favourite cigars. A nice big cigar, with a perfect burn and perfect construction, and a great cigar to kick off the celebrations.<br />
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Next up was a Montecristo Open Master Eagle, which is the same size as the Siglo VI, and a fine cigar too, but not quite up to the same standard as the Cohiba, in my opinion anyway. Still a great cigar and worthy of it's status as celebration cigar number two.<br />
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With the first days celebration out of the way, and two weeks paternity leave staring me in the face, I lined up more celebration cigars, a few of which I'll cover off now...<br />
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I apologise for the lack of picture quality in these photos, but I'm happy to say that all future photographs will most likely be taken on my spanking new Canon 650D DLSR camera, which was purchased to specific reason of sprucing up the blog. <br />
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I obviously told the wife it was for taking baby pictures, and so far, that's all it has done, but I'm sure it will be doing it's first cigar very soon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwXXt9D-kwLi9ifOaIJwamgV6Tb_uPK4cr9b2KQpj2s3qdC83DgwaG-TBXWCAtSk8wJJkz08Oyw_x2Yn612qfHn4kLnS5H-a2GpVFPnIttoKApEpfyjcMJTrFY0pZ-y4gGDy47TwxKJo/s1600/WP_003498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwXXt9D-kwLi9ifOaIJwamgV6Tb_uPK4cr9b2KQpj2s3qdC83DgwaG-TBXWCAtSk8wJJkz08Oyw_x2Yn612qfHn4kLnS5H-a2GpVFPnIttoKApEpfyjcMJTrFY0pZ-y4gGDy47TwxKJo/s320/WP_003498.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">R&J Short Churhill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anyway, on to the cigars.<br />
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This one, which for some reason, I've photographed with a pot of uncooked potatoes in the background, is a Romeo y Julietta short Churchill. <br />
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A fine cigar. Another one of my favourite cigars, and one that I highly recommend. <br />
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This was the last one of it's kind in the humidor, so I'll be looking to stock up next chance I get.<br />
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The potatoes weren't bad either.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6Yh6tjPcNgA4qxGDYgr6v21k3dwKbhO2lZS_kskWwFPupkNU1RYpmE76eqzZJf6OaC_kkpCaJpaWULqIw-qiCrAvkedGSECRA0Ge5SL59mbw_UxMZIQVH7E7G37KMImpbRzP7Y_5mzM/s1600/WP_003509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6Yh6tjPcNgA4qxGDYgr6v21k3dwKbhO2lZS_kskWwFPupkNU1RYpmE76eqzZJf6OaC_kkpCaJpaWULqIw-qiCrAvkedGSECRA0Ge5SL59mbw_UxMZIQVH7E7G37KMImpbRzP7Y_5mzM/s320/WP_003509.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegas Robaina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This fine cigar, paired with a fine French wine, was a Vegas Robaina Unicos, and another excellent smoke.<br />
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Described as a medium to full cigar, I found it rather mild, but absolutely fantastic, and totally enjoyable.<br />
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I've been told that Robaina are known to produce the best tobacco in Cuba, and Alejandro Robaina is the only tobacco farmer to have his name on a brand, so you can't argue with that.<br />
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I do have a soft spot for these cigars, especially since that nice man in Jordan handed me one, and it was he who told me all this, including the fact that they supply Cohiba with tobacco, so it must be good.<br />
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Truth is that Vegas Robaina cigars have never disappointed, never let me down, and always remind me how good cigars can be. The wine was a little bit lacking though.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSbtrzJHEXBg-QlbdWmqP24YGK9wcyC1F4h88Hj29l7zMTxhg7NYPPOuKzLWS7Y_8wY5HA5EFks0Ohvn87g2t909Iby97P4PBd5wt_tqzLyVTzXRFzUImTPZWfMlubzaAs8h3Mif5Gbk/s1600/WP_003513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSbtrzJHEXBg-QlbdWmqP24YGK9wcyC1F4h88Hj29l7zMTxhg7NYPPOuKzLWS7Y_8wY5HA5EFks0Ohvn87g2t909Iby97P4PBd5wt_tqzLyVTzXRFzUImTPZWfMlubzaAs8h3Mif5Gbk/s320/WP_003513.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I picked up this cigar in Ibiza. No idea what it is, only that it's not a Cuban.<br />
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I liked the look of it, and for want of a new experience, I picked up this one, and another similar cigar but with a much lighter shade wrapper.<br />
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The other cigar was pretty good, and so was this one.<br />
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Nothing magical, but a pleasant smoke which I enjoyed to it's nub. No heat or harshness, and good value for money.<br />
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I have coffee in the background this time. It's decaff. Not what I usually go for. I'm more of a ristretto man. (That's a in-joke between myself and George Clooney btw)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYQOdEAzTgCkeUgCzDLapkZYCfWhWbUpXiPpcar3sw1_Opa81V4tLAFmL944Z-rjQZ1t41bKPFaOPd0ldaObS8itZBTvNsET61shqNYqww6JkXN__d_fnmtKpgkpk1K5CPD-1iGa3ENs/s1600/WP_003514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYQOdEAzTgCkeUgCzDLapkZYCfWhWbUpXiPpcar3sw1_Opa81V4tLAFmL944Z-rjQZ1t41bKPFaOPd0ldaObS8itZBTvNsET61shqNYqww6JkXN__d_fnmtKpgkpk1K5CPD-1iGa3ENs/s320/WP_003514.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This is one of the better photos taken on the phone camera, which shows a few fridge magnets, and a Ramon Allones specially selected.<br />
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The RASS is my favourite all rounder cigar. This one had a deep old cigar smell, which I enjoyed pre-light.<br />
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I love it when I get a cigar with that particular smell, as it isn't every cigar that I can honestly say I get a smell from, whatever that smell might be, good or bad.<br />
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This RASS is from a batch the wife bought me back in February, which were described as five year olds, so there was never any doubt this cigar was going to be excellent.<br />
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I've only got two of these left and I'll be sorry when they're all gone, so I might have to get a few more of these in too. I'll be in touch with my man in Luxembourg regarding a shipment very soon.<br />
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Last but not least, is a photo (taken on the new camera) of the bundle of joy, myself and the wife were blessed with recently.<br />
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I'm still on paternity leave, so I'll be having at least one more celebratory cigars before the week is out. Or more probably before the night is out.<br />
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asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-9189135729298037172012-09-12T14:49:00.000-07:002012-09-12T15:28:21.604-07:00The Magnificent Seven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over a year ago now, myself and Jim began our epic journey together, to conquer London' magnificent seven cemeteries. A mammoth task, even for the likes of us.<br />
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Each visit would require careful research and detailed planning, such as who to say hello to, and which local pub sold the best best bitter, and had the best beer garden (cigarden henceforth). <br />
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Before I go any further, a quick historical recap if I may... <br />
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The magnificent seven cemeteries came about when Londons dead began overflowing church grounds into water supplies, and down the new sewer system. So with the ground literally bursting at the seams, the solution was to surround Victorian London with magnificent graveyards, while putting an end to the use of church grounds for new burials.<br />
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This was done over a ten year period starting in 1832, but it wasn't for another 150 years, until after the movie was made, that the cemeteries got their name, the Magnificent seven. <br />
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Abney park was the first site we visited, and you can read all about it<a href="http://cigarstories.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/prawn-to-be-wild-ii.html" target="_blank"> here...</a><br />
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This time we headed for the <a href="http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/cemetery-and-crematorium/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">City of London Cemetery and Crematorium</a>. <br />
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While not a member of the magnificent seven club, it certainly has as much history, character, beauty and interest as the others, probably more in fact, and as it was easy to get to, or so we thought, we selected it as our next destination.<br />
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For the record, at the time of choosing, I had no idea that it wasn't one of the M7. <br />
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Anyway, a long story short, myself and Jim met up at Liverpool street station, on a warm and sunny morning.<br />
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We had four stops on the train ahead of us, followed by a short walk.<br />
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Eight stops later, we felt something wasn't right, and wondered if we missed our stop.<br />
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Jim checked his iphone, then announcing that we should have gotten off about twenty minutes ago.<br />
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We doubled back.<br />
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Some time later, we reached the fabulous gated front of the cemetery, and were greeted by a gentleman kitted out in the city of London uniform.<br />
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Interesting factoid this. Even though the city of London is miles away, the grounds, which is one of the largest municipal cemeteries in Europe by the way, is still part of the city of London. That said, you don't need to live in the city to be buried here. It takes everybody.<br />
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We arrived, but we didn't know where to go, what with 200 acres of landscaped cemetery standing in front of us.<br />
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The gentleman enquired if he could offfer some assistance.<br />
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Gentleman: Hullo<br />
Jim & me: Hi there, howaya. <br />
Gentleman: So then, who have you come here to see.<br />
Jim: (with hand on heart) Bobby Moore<br />
Gentleman: Ah yes, every proud Englishmans favourite footballing hero.<br />
Gentleman: And you Sir?<br />
Me: Michael Barrett.<br />
Gentleman: Who?<br />
Me: Michael Barrett.<br />
Gentleman: I'm afraid I don't know him. Who was he?<br />
Me: A Fenian.<br />
Gentleman (scratching his head): Well, we do have some Armenians somewhere, but I'm not sure exactly where...<br />
Me: No, I said Fee...he was the last man to be publicly hanged in England.<br />
Gentleman: Oh yes, I think we have him, try over there...<br />
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So off we skipped, with nothing but a vague idea and a map the gentleman had given us, in search of our heroes.<br />
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We found Sir Bobbys memorial, and a stunning little plot it was too. The great man was cremated somewhere else, but his ashes are resting here.<br />
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We found plaques belonging to two of Jack the rippers victims, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Ann Nicols, and lots of memorials to old churches and graveyards whose inhabitants were re-interred here.<br />
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These re-interments are fascinating and a story to themselves, mostly down to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_of_Benefices_Act_1860" target="_blank">union of benefices</a>, but the real crowd pleaser was finding the plaque to the aforementioned Fenian,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Barrett_%28Fenian%29" target="_blank"> Michael Barrett.</a><br />
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This poor unfortunate was publicly hanged for killing a load of people when trying to blow a hole in the wall of Clerkenwell prison. An accident then, but it didn't go down well with the locals at the time, and that was pretty much that for him, and for Londoners sympathy towards the Irish cause, which did exist at the time. <br />
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There was some doubt as to his guilt too, seeing as he was in Scotland at the time of the blast, but in 1868 outside Newgate prison, they hung him anyway.<br />
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Newgate prison made way for <span class="st">The Central Criminal Court, which we all know as the Old Bailey, and as such, the communal lime grave was relocated to the city of London cemetery.</span><br />
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<span class="st">Fifty souls were removed and placed in a hole in the ground. End of.</span><br />
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<span class="st">After the cemetery, we retired to the pub, ordered food, and took our beers to the cigarden. </span> <br />
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I blazed up my Partagas Serie D No. 4, and the resulting conversation with the bloke at the table beside us went like this...<br />
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Bloke: Wow, I thought that was a barbecue starting off..<br />
Me: ha ha ha<br />
Jim: ha ha ha<br />
Bloke: Oh it's a cigar.<br />
Bloke: But it's not a good cigar<br />
Bloke: I know the smell of a good cigar, and that's not a good cigar.<br />
<br />
As Jim lights up his Partagas Petit Corona Especial.<br />
<br />
Me: Eh yeah, it's just a Partagas<br />
Jim: yeah, they're just cheap Cubans<br />
<br />
So, at this stage I'm feeling suitably insulted, but I mostly hate this bloke. <br />
<br />
Bloke (after a minute of intense silence): Well, maybe they're not the worst.<br />
Bloke: Yeah, their starting to smell OK after all.<br />
<br />
With that, they all got up and left.<br />
<br />
Bloke: Cheerio<br />
Me: Yeah, see ya.<br />
Jim: Bye now.<br />
<br />
Me: What a dick<br />
Jim: Idiot.<br />
<br />
So, as I calmed down, we began to wonder where our food was.<br />
<br />
Twenty minutes later, the food arrives.<br />
<br />
It was shite.<br />
<br />
So, as we supped our beers, and smoked our cigars, an old lady shows up and asked for a light.<br />
<br />
We have a selection of lighters, two of which are jet lighters, so I suggest she uses the normal lighter, or risk losing her eyebrows.<br />
<br />
Old Lady: Is that an accent I hear?<br />
Me: Yes it is.<br />
Old Lady: Where from? <br />
Me: Dublin<br />
Old Lady (looking disappointed): Oh...<br />
<br />
She turns away.<br />
<br />
Old Lady (looking back): I thought it was North of England...<br />
<br />
After being insulted for the second time, I reply with something nonsensical, then ask Jim if she means Manchester, or Newcastle?<br />
<br />
That was enough of that. We finished our pints and made our way back to Liverpool street, back to civilisation, and decided to call it a day.<br />
<br />
Myself and Jim hope to finish the magnificent seven cemetery tour by 2017.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSbI3IzdMdf4QqDny6hmkXuZ6u9_cxICFxzNrW5DEPTvIwdgn7ryuFY9MsEdDRSBJcJ9nPi7Rx90xEM588Z5mLj4l8tKuBipGjmWgqtHtlXJmfJ1V0vyiGnEmbLc6GHO7eXrDcuOCCMU/s1600/WP_003247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSbI3IzdMdf4QqDny6hmkXuZ6u9_cxICFxzNrW5DEPTvIwdgn7ryuFY9MsEdDRSBJcJ9nPi7Rx90xEM588Z5mLj4l8tKuBipGjmWgqtHtlXJmfJ1V0vyiGnEmbLc6GHO7eXrDcuOCCMU/s320/WP_003247.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bobbys Memorial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcAAICTnhpe7FisqPNr12KQ4qIOzykubA6CvipQfxAEJrA_evkuOCOZH_kifehbXwMoYldS8gwGsiQALeXua9kJrliYPfQ97p-fawsN-9epZ7dNJg8nCsMhgDar72VRB897UqcbLgek0/s1600/WP_003251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcAAICTnhpe7FisqPNr12KQ4qIOzykubA6CvipQfxAEJrA_evkuOCOZH_kifehbXwMoYldS8gwGsiQALeXua9kJrliYPfQ97p-fawsN-9epZ7dNJg8nCsMhgDar72VRB897UqcbLgek0/s320/WP_003251.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Ann Nichols</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUqFil-owRyOZbaevlTg22ZrFRobmuJoecY8X8xLy3zFsd1aCJS5ACx5gujhM3Qcpw0bWg63o8JfuOmy36gSJgpKysWSmiQ1FMWSvoAy9OFlmsFppMrLvYjlxulIYteOALcERO7KY4OQ/s1600/WP_003253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUqFil-owRyOZbaevlTg22ZrFRobmuJoecY8X8xLy3zFsd1aCJS5ACx5gujhM3Qcpw0bWg63o8JfuOmy36gSJgpKysWSmiQ1FMWSvoAy9OFlmsFppMrLvYjlxulIYteOALcERO7KY4OQ/s320/WP_003253.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine Eddowes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguJUTnSFhQ8yon1nkM7aJIg66-nD3QlhSSyRyNLGlwRy7ntTbejH5bERKNGOvtF5SEEWD0SDFoOsZoVieCZm86h0QGQhRmYDqvBbqBha1ES-l2SjUGy-hDIizoYSOFAn8U-9qLK3ukfk/s1600/WP_003256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguJUTnSFhQ8yon1nkM7aJIg66-nD3QlhSSyRyNLGlwRy7ntTbejH5bERKNGOvtF5SEEWD0SDFoOsZoVieCZm86h0QGQhRmYDqvBbqBha1ES-l2SjUGy-hDIizoYSOFAn8U-9qLK3ukfk/s320/WP_003256.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Barrett and 49 others</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-q1rQFfRFsaujQ2gDHacTEC-fLutuFiWyKQW-8o2KTPsVBHJl5vg_CUlzfyOhtt1awUOG8TBWUtFUTB8e2bGIoO_3XCPiW3PFgfc5JAEy8oxlhXY4UMXrT3-FYg2NsbWKwYJu5gNBlU/s1600/WP_003260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-q1rQFfRFsaujQ2gDHacTEC-fLutuFiWyKQW-8o2KTPsVBHJl5vg_CUlzfyOhtt1awUOG8TBWUtFUTB8e2bGIoO_3XCPiW3PFgfc5JAEy8oxlhXY4UMXrT3-FYg2NsbWKwYJu5gNBlU/s320/WP_003260.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A re-interment memorial (nice read)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsZu8YJJwWfUvL2G0NBHAAshxzbzV0EwO7d-lYk0uJfKDAdE3LTwSyiIx0xZwaIsARlNlv-ugCW7ehVPgoxiLvjVF4TBQH4w39klWpcI06w1hyRsV6t5HsgDn6wtqZpOEfLlrUHc7WAQ/s1600/WP_003265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsZu8YJJwWfUvL2G0NBHAAshxzbzV0EwO7d-lYk0uJfKDAdE3LTwSyiIx0xZwaIsARlNlv-ugCW7ehVPgoxiLvjVF4TBQH4w39klWpcI06w1hyRsV6t5HsgDn6wtqZpOEfLlrUHc7WAQ/s320/WP_003265.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-70681052480262081952012-09-11T14:54:00.000-07:002012-09-11T14:54:38.601-07:00The London Olympics 2012I know, I know, it's been ages since my last blog, but truth be told, a lot has been happening in and around the streets of London recently, and I myself have been busy with all sorts of things and stuff. <br />
<br />
Now that the Olympic and Paralympic games have finally ended, I decided it was time to get back on the blog.<br />
<br />
It's been a while and I'm a bit rusty, but seeing as I'm a contender in the Irish blog awards, no doubt thanks to <a href="http://cigarnewbie1.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Cigar Loving Doorman</a>, I though I'd increase my chances ten fold, and post something brilliant for a change.<br />
<br />
That said, this entry might have peaked already, as I rack my brains and struggle to remember what great things I was surely up to over the past month or so. I guess though, like most people, my main focus was of course, the Olympics games.<br />
<br />
I didn't bother with training or anything like that. I thought I'd just rock up and ask whats the story, any chance of competing or wha'?, seeing as I didn't get any tickets an' all! Maybe one of the athletes has pulled out or forgotten or met with an accident perhaps? No?<br />
<br />
Surprisingly enough, that plan didn't work, so I guess I'll just have to wait another four years until Rio. Probably a better chance of getting tickets for that one anyway.<br />
<br />
As mentioned, in case you didn't pick up on it, was the fact that I, like millions of Londoners, got not a single ticket I applied for. <br />
<br />
So as I prepared myself for a few weeks of sitting on the couch and watching the games on the telly, I wasn't feeling at all bitter when Joe phoned to say he had tickets to the Victoria Park opening ceremony party, and tickets to the boxing, if we wanted them that is. <br />
<br />
We wanted them alright (thanks very much Joe), and first off we enjoyed the brilliant atmosphere of opening ceremony, a mile or so from the Olympic park, which had a Red Arrows fly-past, and all sorts of wonderful things going on, followed a week later by a trip to the Excel where we watched Katie Taylor box her way into an Olympic final, which she thankfully went on to win.<br />
<br />
Comon' Ireland!! <br />
<br />
We also got to see the legend that is Damien Duff, who seemed to be walking around a lot, more than was strictly necessary I'd say. At the time, I thought he was just playing the crowd. But alas, as it turned out, the poor man just couldn't find his seat. <br />
<br />
Across a row he went, across another row, then another. <br />
Down to the front he went, he stopped, he asked for help.<br />
He talked, he turned, he smiled. <br />
He walked back up to where he came from. <br />
He was right in the first place. <br />
Eh hello, I think you're in my seat there Mrs...<br />
<br />
<br />
The Excel arena was full of Irish supporters, and while there, I spotted one of my teachers from school. I hadn't seen the man since 1989, so I wasn't too sure as I wandered over to say hello.<br />
<br />
Turned out it was him, so hello again Eamonn Doyle, and Eddie O'Hara. Very nice talking to you both. <br />
<br />
I nearly introduced Eamonn to the wife as Mr. Doyle, but as I struggled, he saved me by cutting in with Eamonn. <br />
<br />
Thanks Sir.<br />
<br />
I did enjoy a few cigars on both occasions of course. At Vicky park, I had a Ramon Allones Extra and a Partagas Petite Corona Especialle. Both excellent, and the RA Extra proved itself an excellent outdoor smoke.<br />
<br />
<br />
Although I also enjoyed quite a few cigars over the course of the Olympics, I've only got one worth mentioning. <br />
<br />
This one had been sitting in the humidor for well over about 18 months, after my Dad brought it over from Dublin, after a friend of his brought it over to Dublin from Las Vegas.<br />
<br />
When I got my hands on it, it was terribly dry, and I didn't think it would last. So after leaving it alone in the humidor for those 18 months, I thought I'd give it a go, and I must say, it was excellent.<br />
<br />
Maybe it absorbed some oils or whatever from nearby Cubans, or maybe it was just excellent to begin with, either way, it was very enjoyable, and burned slowly and perfectly all the way to the nub.<br />
<br />
The cigar came from <a href="http://www.vatocigars.com/" target="_blank">Vato Cigars</a>, so please click on the link and check them out if you're ever in Vegas.<br />
<br />
There's pictures below of the cigars, the Red Arrows and the results of some baking I've been doing lately.<br />
<br />
That's another thing that kept me quiet lately, baking. Yes baking. Great fun baking coconut flour chocolate mouse cakes. And gardening. Gardening has also been keeping me busy. <br />
<br />
Life in the fast lane. <br />
<br />
Next time, I've got another eagerly awaited graveyard adventure with Jim to tell you about, a visit to Casa del Habano in Berlin, and top stories from Ibiza and Formentera. <br />
<br />
I know I'm excited.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOx9fVZfvKvOFJ-X_cOQ3OUaEHqUiFVjIXa6wjp9HSNPI7BDrWNknMkHZ9GtF-Zkdpva7T4sPh6tS4ErH4wKiObyyLJsWmcOHJvvJcx-mrJIX0gwJTrVCnH9sc4UiTe67pZjIv5XzELo/s1600/WP_003072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOx9fVZfvKvOFJ-X_cOQ3OUaEHqUiFVjIXa6wjp9HSNPI7BDrWNknMkHZ9GtF-Zkdpva7T4sPh6tS4ErH4wKiObyyLJsWmcOHJvvJcx-mrJIX0gwJTrVCnH9sc4UiTe67pZjIv5XzELo/s320/WP_003072.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegas Cigar</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeJk-8EZ8yAyGdyx_28pM1QVkyRI4_z7N1MgyoqM4UDvRDln2vWcD3p8-Kms6_1tabzhg7tgUB52_vSS7wsJt95Bs4Oc00BpN4MwoaszdnnEFa2Vqq5VrKtXJO9iDYlpn72f7AA0XGE0/s1600/WP_003084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeJk-8EZ8yAyGdyx_28pM1QVkyRI4_z7N1MgyoqM4UDvRDln2vWcD3p8-Kms6_1tabzhg7tgUB52_vSS7wsJt95Bs4Oc00BpN4MwoaszdnnEFa2Vqq5VrKtXJO9iDYlpn72f7AA0XGE0/s320/WP_003084.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I baked that cake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXL52Y6QAOM-0VsGOzykx7h88Xo5IgWaEpL4A_OM7Na92oA90O7G9Zqa3KwmhfhpgCBdIWazevsR7reWag0d8vM0AXKz43aXzkz0ArW7n1Ftm6T-Bbjb4pMKvbhUa89V_QQFnRI2swfnw/s1600/WP_003149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXL52Y6QAOM-0VsGOzykx7h88Xo5IgWaEpL4A_OM7Na92oA90O7G9Zqa3KwmhfhpgCBdIWazevsR7reWag0d8vM0AXKz43aXzkz0ArW7n1Ftm6T-Bbjb4pMKvbhUa89V_QQFnRI2swfnw/s320/WP_003149.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RA Extra in Vicky Park</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh4Uhk7KUKkOrlMnwXb8PBlYGDc_8zyiXbTXZ1qsU_DAh39T0B_AHNRSQkIokgb6LawdV2EydsEIbrlKrGMjgtO8YMkdGApaUQ-CmxrtXlTG8rijh8MW8THmyqxrV5slZpEfLm_oT7rE/s1600/084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh4Uhk7KUKkOrlMnwXb8PBlYGDc_8zyiXbTXZ1qsU_DAh39T0B_AHNRSQkIokgb6LawdV2EydsEIbrlKrGMjgtO8YMkdGApaUQ-CmxrtXlTG8rijh8MW8THmyqxrV5slZpEfLm_oT7rE/s320/084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlgL9_2RDxVLIKkjLuMVjyAcjyLSuw6PSN2dwcOd3A8OltErRQyUSJrk5ZM3mZMV-inbrMLbnffejCefw_gHXxO6LqTR3_bQgvWqc_eaY3jngxaH6Ah9ytIaB7t9qrJK8uwwbS2I0qe8/s1600/086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlgL9_2RDxVLIKkjLuMVjyAcjyLSuw6PSN2dwcOd3A8OltErRQyUSJrk5ZM3mZMV-inbrMLbnffejCefw_gHXxO6LqTR3_bQgvWqc_eaY3jngxaH6Ah9ytIaB7t9qrJK8uwwbS2I0qe8/s320/086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2V72KC85uKCAU1n8yCaSO8qjqBOs9ickOoHfIRIbihEdzvD5914l-bZH2nkMrHkLb9BMK5nrmBOmIR3vo8v5aU3CMpnG6eZ7zzVQLoyo1X4t-fLcZNDth-2gDx5v8m3r_laCG4hqlT4/s1600/088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2V72KC85uKCAU1n8yCaSO8qjqBOs9ickOoHfIRIbihEdzvD5914l-bZH2nkMrHkLb9BMK5nrmBOmIR3vo8v5aU3CMpnG6eZ7zzVQLoyo1X4t-fLcZNDth-2gDx5v8m3r_laCG4hqlT4/s320/088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAGXGAp8HMp444CLa6MeiOFY19Gnepm-Dvgk8ZfoDkcKe25OWccFLs2rOztacNJYmg8r9lquIVXPD_YjcLLrw9aA3fsaqYudQnJTwO1aAnIlFnpy8VdyOGVAn9VZ7aYmNWSg0U2IYsgE/s1600/058+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAGXGAp8HMp444CLa6MeiOFY19Gnepm-Dvgk8ZfoDkcKe25OWccFLs2rOztacNJYmg8r9lquIVXPD_YjcLLrw9aA3fsaqYudQnJTwO1aAnIlFnpy8VdyOGVAn9VZ7aYmNWSg0U2IYsgE/s320/058+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duffer, not one of his best</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMX6aZfHObg1gL1mYjaMeVeEp_6cCX2-vh9thskEIVhvHx5RA4eDbVqiwbPrDs5P7GAutMxSAKzX9o2WYLrFAPOT5iHecP7lEV41E-Q0kgzLgkVaG7A_fnIfR7uI0aV7zh-JIR-SAzF0/s1600/067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMX6aZfHObg1gL1mYjaMeVeEp_6cCX2-vh9thskEIVhvHx5RA4eDbVqiwbPrDs5P7GAutMxSAKzX9o2WYLrFAPOT5iHecP7lEV41E-Q0kgzLgkVaG7A_fnIfR7uI0aV7zh-JIR-SAzF0/s320/067.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thats a better angle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1LoIGzwonhbp4UybfFIOBm438pean3P2-rRUKj5K_ZHIcYeuzerz-Tre4jYw0CrPVSndk67Dj0VwzelqK90weH33xEdjYt7FQFkZhnabm253zIrgfCr3PhqEflVorYhiYkJBm7yYblI/s1600/074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1LoIGzwonhbp4UybfFIOBm438pean3P2-rRUKj5K_ZHIcYeuzerz-Tre4jYw0CrPVSndk67Dj0VwzelqK90weH33xEdjYt7FQFkZhnabm253zIrgfCr3PhqEflVorYhiYkJBm7yYblI/s320/074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comon' Ireland!</td></tr>
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<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-35331519444942207282012-07-16T14:49:00.002-07:002018-06-17T14:51:55.062-07:00In the Night GardenThose of you who haven't had the pleasure of dealing with young children in recent years, might not know know what I mean when I say "In the night garden", or "Iggle Piggle", so if that's you, here's a little YouTube video to get yourself acquainted. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12MEYp7IzAU" target="_blank">CLICK HERE!!</a><br />
<br />
<br />
The stars of the show are Iggle Piggle, who you just met, Makka Pakka and UpsyDaisy.<br />
<br />
These leading lights of childrens telly-vision, plus a supporting cast of other strange looking monsters, dance and sing and get about the place by way of a possessed train known as the Ninky Nonky, and a terrible flying machine called the Pinky Ponky, that's forever crashing into trees at incredibly slow speeds.<br />
<br />
What's an Og Pog? Why it's Makka Pakkas little three wheeler zimmerframe-a-majig of course.<br />
<br />
Iggle Piggle and his gang of crazies landed at the O2 recently and the wife, myself and our two year old, plus the Larkins, who have two kids, went to see the show.<br />
<br />
After the show, we booked a meet and greet with the great Iggle Piggle himself, followed by his lover, Upsy Daisy.<br />
<br />
The kids loved the show, but our little fella got a bit carried away when the Ninky Nonk made an appearance, and rushed the stage.<br />
<br />
If not for my legendary lightning reflexes, it would have been curtains, literally, as I sprinted after the boy and grabbed him in the "Nink" of time.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I could see all the other parents were mightily impressed by all this, as I strolled back with my screaming toddler tucked securely under my arm. "He almost caught the Ninky Nonk" I laughed to a surprisingly luke warm reception. Obviously not real fans these.<br />
<br />
An hour later, the show was over, and it was time to meet the big blue man himself.<br />
<br />
This is a great way of extracting more money from us poor parents, but the kids love it, so I suppose it's worth it really. Probably not though.<br />
<br />
The meeting with Iggle Piggle passed off peacefully enough, which is more than can be said for Upsy Daisy.<br />
<br />
As we left Iggle Piggle, the boy tried to take him home with us. He took Iggle Piggle by the hand and led him to the door, saying "Come, Come", and for a minute, it looked like the Big Blue fella was actually going with us, until I pointed out that we didn't have his favorite food at home. Fluffy bunnies and cats I said.<br />
<br />
We left Iggle Piggle and moved on.<br />
<br />
In the next room was Upsy Daisy. Upsy Daisy with her dread-locks and her pull string inflatable skirt, kneeling on the floor with her arms open, ready and waiting to embrace the loving kids for the obligatory photograph, payable on the way out.<br />
<br />
Not this time sweet cheeks. Not with these kids anyway.<br />
<br />
The Larkin's boy got a grip of a dread and decided the only thing to do was pull, and over she went. The situation got worse quicker than you could say Makka Pakka, with Upsy's assistant trying in vain to save her, the boys got stuck in. <br />
<br />
Larkin's boy was water-boarding her, while ours had her around the neck. All the rest of us could do was fall about laughing and take photos of the mayhem. Sorry Upsy, but we paid a lot of money for this and we wanted our moneys worth.<br />
<br />
After that good kicking, we left the O2, and drove back to ours for a few beers and some food. The kids wrecked the place, but I managed to get a cigar in before the day was out.<br />
<br />
As I enjoyed the cigar, I thought about the lives of Iggle Piggle and Upsy Daisy, and realized that while in those suits, nobody can hear you scream.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSx0S73lTyDkgD9B3fmqLKFFchB5qhLR-sJR-ybewYudDllSJeQnWrEaxMFFu16a4u8UkakGv2MbpWFmJD3iOQJ7imCNUCJ6CAHj0U6X4b8EWANPK4Dc51lJqHge2srPadqSeciie8AoE/s1600/WP_002899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSx0S73lTyDkgD9B3fmqLKFFchB5qhLR-sJR-ybewYudDllSJeQnWrEaxMFFu16a4u8UkakGv2MbpWFmJD3iOQJ7imCNUCJ6CAHj0U6X4b8EWANPK4Dc51lJqHge2srPadqSeciie8AoE/s320/WP_002899.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A terrified Upsy Daisy</td></tr>
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<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-46579817162288764822012-07-13T15:17:00.000-07:002012-07-14T04:42:25.536-07:00Confessions of a Cigar Smoker<div class="MsoNormal">
Bless me Father, for I have smoked.</div>
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It's been six weeks since my last blog,</div>
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and these are my cigars…</div>
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Yes, it's been a while, but obviously the weather is
entirely to blame.</div>
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Record rainfall levels in June, and July looks like another record breaker, so you'll appreciate that the opportunities to
generate cigar blogging material have been few and far between.</div>
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That is not to say cigars have not been smoked. Au contraire. But I decided it was time for a post, and one that's full of cigars, because the next post will have almost nothing to do with them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7SiI7nlXDEGdEOWKN5erVH2STnsUMWBOnVnPh7C8I6DOGjwZIwot93LG2pak0xnPpDT0Kx_5FUZZXIMraieEavisYB-B-etDBvsEns19sNfeUETwTmL9rTPxdMhPV2uX5OQdFq845w0/s1600/WP_002864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7SiI7nlXDEGdEOWKN5erVH2STnsUMWBOnVnPh7C8I6DOGjwZIwot93LG2pak0xnPpDT0Kx_5FUZZXIMraieEavisYB-B-etDBvsEns19sNfeUETwTmL9rTPxdMhPV2uX5OQdFq845w0/s320/WP_002864.jpg" width="240" /></a>First up is a very special cigar, that was picked up a few
months back in Madrid. A Sancho Panzo
Corona gigantes.<br />
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I love these cigars, and I've had a few of these beauties
previously, and never been disappointed.<br />
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Although I mostly smoke robusto sized cigars, I much prefer
the churchill size. The problem is they
take a long time to smoke, and in this weather, time and opportunity is a rare
thing.<br />
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The cigar is pictured in all it's glory with some
tomato plants that I transplanted earlier in the day.<br />
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I think I spent a good four hours pottering
about the garden, and as the sun was shining, I decided I had time, and more importantly, deserved a nice long
cigar as a reward.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEh6SuiDvxi7N6bbzezp7PBOWAIxDoBcSw1Ce-gYy_RZBCxlvT2DcMKIzUGPeTblsiHtibOCiIfxGkkPb1pn8hD3F3XLVfC95GRTyZZmfCzfLA5kFiPd_Vuv06JYOyT-o7Toc6l8fvic/s1600/WP_002865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEh6SuiDvxi7N6bbzezp7PBOWAIxDoBcSw1Ce-gYy_RZBCxlvT2DcMKIzUGPeTblsiHtibOCiIfxGkkPb1pn8hD3F3XLVfC95GRTyZZmfCzfLA5kFiPd_Vuv06JYOyT-o7Toc6l8fvic/s320/WP_002865.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The cigar smoked perfectly from the start, never
harsh and burned consistently throughout. <br />
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The picture opposite shows how even and
handsome the cigar looks at the final third.<br />
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A dignified cigar, and one of the best churchills in my opinion, which lasted almost two hours.</div>
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I'd recommend this cigar for a sunny Saturday afternoon
after a bit of gardening, when you need to cool down with a beer or four.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX_21AFWPL0r-PD4iB92KXEf0hgQ4m5RlFxY6kxb5UIDyvrNR4y-EznKxILhNHmA4Cj5jDMk4eIcyeO1NVf2axCmeIQsiU55vzYtRvn1BvWRzo6gqbcmfgWDH73FhgSeLLD-dTZmwKEA/s1600/WP_002909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX_21AFWPL0r-PD4iB92KXEf0hgQ4m5RlFxY6kxb5UIDyvrNR4y-EznKxILhNHmA4Cj5jDMk4eIcyeO1NVf2axCmeIQsiU55vzYtRvn1BvWRzo6gqbcmfgWDH73FhgSeLLD-dTZmwKEA/s320/WP_002909.jpg" width="240" /></a>Next up is a "la flor de Isabela" corona which
comes all the way from the Philippines.<br />
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One of the brothers-in-law, Ronan, bought me a box of five
last year, and I must admit, at the time, I wasn't sure about these.<br />
<br />
In fact, I'd never heard of Filipino cigars, but I now know
them to be as old and distinguished as the best of them.<br />
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So it was pure ignorance on my part and the cigars proved to
be as good, if not better, than a lot of non-Cuban cigars that I've smoked.<br />
<br />
The band is a pretty yellow thing that was way too big for
the cigar, and promptly fell off as soon as I picked it up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yZUtG-o2UTfHDsYwJBXsFq7Nwy0-z8QoTEPuUDAhO7-4ry5syv_jCHjFzQ3wA2yo0bU3enK3ir5RcsY5FVgp-NHVe2mtZAgSrXk5o_KJc61kBeiCwRV1gs5dvR3jz47sFpNQN8BT-aw/s1600/WP_002910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yZUtG-o2UTfHDsYwJBXsFq7Nwy0-z8QoTEPuUDAhO7-4ry5syv_jCHjFzQ3wA2yo0bU3enK3ir5RcsY5FVgp-NHVe2mtZAgSrXk5o_KJc61kBeiCwRV1gs5dvR3jz47sFpNQN8BT-aw/s320/WP_002910.jpg" width="240" /></a>I took the picture at an angle so it would stay on, and in
the background, you can see England getting a lesson in football from Italy.<br />
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The second picture shows a lovely whitish ash and a smooth
wrapper.<br />
<br />
The cigar is pretty much as
good as it looks, and although I wasn't expecting much, it was very enjoyable
and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these Cuban seed cigars.<br />
<br />
This <a href="http://www.philippinesbestcigars.com/lafldelais.html" target="_blank">link </a>gives a bit of history and tells a nice story of
the how cigar making came to be in the Philippines.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxgOpbfe_Q0S6qQmcRkx7aIhttX2OCpWD3VBlTK_W9-X9lvg61iLJovQInzL0gBFHPmLacmsOdW_Fay_ICNF0D4nJZnv_QZqpQzhmlKt9adtPgwD3zozSpcAnwbz_ICI6T5Ism4eApbc/s1600/WP_002930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxgOpbfe_Q0S6qQmcRkx7aIhttX2OCpWD3VBlTK_W9-X9lvg61iLJovQInzL0gBFHPmLacmsOdW_Fay_ICNF0D4nJZnv_QZqpQzhmlKt9adtPgwD3zozSpcAnwbz_ICI6T5Ism4eApbc/s320/WP_002930.jpg" width="240" /></a> Next up is a Grafton robusto.<br />
<br />
I had this robusto sitting in the humidor for well over a
year, and after reading a recent blog entry by <a href="http://www.cigarcraig.com/blog/" target="_blank">Cigar Craig</a>, who's son had one
on a boat, during <a href="http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/" target="_blank">C.Gars Ltd</a> hosted herf around Manhattan (jealous moi? Non), I
decided to smoke it.<br />
<br />
I must admit to having a mixed feelings of the Grafton. I've had maybe half a dozen of these
previously, and they nearly always got harsh during the second half, and ended
up binned by the last third.<br />
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This one had been sitting in the humidor for a decent stretch so I was
hoping it might be different, and I suppose it was to a certain extent.<br />
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The wrapper felt a little brittle and not exactly the best
wrapper I've ever seen, but looks aren't everything.<br />
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The smoke was decent, and it should be, coming from the<a href="http://www.decent-cigar.com/" target="_blank"> Decent Cigar Emporium</a>, on Grafton street, so no prized for guessing where it
gets its name from.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarDkIi7z03Bc91TD87JpHWSR2Z_TkDdpIlvXbLN69ZqvVEz3E3t6t3TU8jDO_tdzuje-XpVvWYti3sPKn8GXtG7J8oa-Z5zOxGGqLgtCJBvVE3rA71RYdvSp89uhwPlZjXu7m_615h48/s1600/WP_002932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarDkIi7z03Bc91TD87JpHWSR2Z_TkDdpIlvXbLN69ZqvVEz3E3t6t3TU8jDO_tdzuje-XpVvWYti3sPKn8GXtG7J8oa-Z5zOxGGqLgtCJBvVE3rA71RYdvSp89uhwPlZjXu7m_615h48/s320/WP_002932.jpg" width="320" /></a>The problem, as you can no doubt see in the picture
opposite, came when I tried to remove the band, which was glued onto the cigar.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusUtdHolnzUSW6anEWYHefFLV1gHDbEBZbQWbBcwPn6KkKIHHsHmPs4DdnnxFm08nAEahMW57WPbsAxr1k3yryeh1lP-OCl-3p911wK1SpNvFlrHrtCJnRyK6A45Q9Cqi1RfutDblcRQ/s1600/WP_003013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusUtdHolnzUSW6anEWYHefFLV1gHDbEBZbQWbBcwPn6KkKIHHsHmPs4DdnnxFm08nAEahMW57WPbsAxr1k3yryeh1lP-OCl-3p911wK1SpNvFlrHrtCJnRyK6A45Q9Cqi1RfutDblcRQ/s1600/WP_003013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
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If you look carefully, or not, you can see the word
"adhesive", which I'd expect should have been stuck to the other end
of the band, rather than the wrapper of the cigar.<br />
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It's the first time I've seen this and I'd have to say I
thought it was a bit sloppy by whoever did the job. But worst things happen at sea you know.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusUtdHolnzUSW6anEWYHefFLV1gHDbEBZbQWbBcwPn6KkKIHHsHmPs4DdnnxFm08nAEahMW57WPbsAxr1k3yryeh1lP-OCl-3p911wK1SpNvFlrHrtCJnRyK6A45Q9Cqi1RfutDblcRQ/s1600/WP_003013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusUtdHolnzUSW6anEWYHefFLV1gHDbEBZbQWbBcwPn6KkKIHHsHmPs4DdnnxFm08nAEahMW57WPbsAxr1k3yryeh1lP-OCl-3p911wK1SpNvFlrHrtCJnRyK6A45Q9Cqi1RfutDblcRQ/s320/WP_003013.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<br />
The Grafton is a budget cigar, but just because a cigar might not be moins cher, it doesn't mean it won't have problems of its own.<br />
<br />
I had a Cohiba robusto recently that split about mid way
through, but the Cohiba R is such an excellent cigar, I forgave it and smoked
it down to the nub anyway.</div>
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<br />
I'm about midway through this blog entry, so if you want, now's a
good time to take a break and make yourself a cup of tea, or have a cigar or something.<br />
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A night time cigar next, in the form of a Macanudo 1968
Robusto.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhWaOxf2k53At2Cxvtq9To2UJ49PpnhfM9mhd_72MHQ9rgaDT1Mz2h4NqG5gb-xr8vviT-EPeZLksXEcVWYlieWEW0TZWAUbBKeh4IDQ3C4krfStr3EXBVzZlPM_n09SA6s18PfUmkvM/s1600/WP_002956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhWaOxf2k53At2Cxvtq9To2UJ49PpnhfM9mhd_72MHQ9rgaDT1Mz2h4NqG5gb-xr8vviT-EPeZLksXEcVWYlieWEW0TZWAUbBKeh4IDQ3C4krfStr3EXBVzZlPM_n09SA6s18PfUmkvM/s320/WP_002956.jpg" width="240" /></a>Kaz and Rolo kindly gifted me some of these for my 21st
birthday last December, which means this one had been resting for a good six
months.<br />
<br />
I've enjoyed a few 1968's in the past, but some have been
disappointments. Irregular or a hot
burn, harshness and tunnelling, you name it, these cigars suffered it.<br />
<br />
That said, the six months appears to have settled this one
down, and it turned out lovely.<br />
<br />
It's a great looking cigar with a rich dark oily wrapper and
I thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the garden late into the night with this one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7du5Eol-sl5Mn1FbxM0P_IVS3S9WeEVClOswUssksQpiEv6vCgqDLS_GqETU59dGeTHH_EDwABcQY18r2cCjyM2evOxx4hdjQjzudUXIAvv4oO87vKh3zIiQA5pSyQpvpa9HbHLRFZDk/s1600/WP_003044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7du5Eol-sl5Mn1FbxM0P_IVS3S9WeEVClOswUssksQpiEv6vCgqDLS_GqETU59dGeTHH_EDwABcQY18r2cCjyM2evOxx4hdjQjzudUXIAvv4oO87vKh3zIiQA5pSyQpvpa9HbHLRFZDk/s320/WP_003044.jpg" width="240" /></a>The last time we visited John and Gill in Luxembourg, the
nice man at the La Casa Del Habano, Jean-Claude I believe, recommended a box of
Ramon Allones Superiores.<br />
<br />
These have to be the best cigars I've ever had, although
I've no doubt said that about other cigars, but for me, these cigars are perfect.<br />
<br />
Taking size, strength, flavour, length of time to smoke and everything else into account, these cigars have it all.<br />
<br />
This was the last cigar from that box of ten, and I'm thinking I might not find another box before they're all gone.<br />
<br />
They don't seem to be available in the UK, so
if you're lucky enough to find a box, get a box. They worked out at €8 each, and in my
opinion, that's a bargain.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Almost there now.
Only a few more to go.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
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The first time I had a Partagas culebra was with John and
Rolo in Luxembourg, and what a wonderful cigar it was too.<br />
<br />
I've had them many times since and enjoyed every one of
them.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZ3IB_KXAVCnrcuqok8vijekHQmf8bz8IxXD_Sf3Md3N5VIqQF9RKaQRNeD3EvMWF832mLOL9sB104LKvmPavJrGN4TAxXEqDnF37VsmF4KkPqShf2njKV-3muxUzdQQc1ZZa_BVRfDI/s1600/WP_002984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZ3IB_KXAVCnrcuqok8vijekHQmf8bz8IxXD_Sf3Md3N5VIqQF9RKaQRNeD3EvMWF832mLOL9sB104LKvmPavJrGN4TAxXEqDnF37VsmF4KkPqShf2njKV-3muxUzdQQc1ZZa_BVRfDI/s320/WP_002984.jpg" width="240" /></a>The latest culebra came from a box picked up in Madrid,
which was the last box in that particular shop. Now out of production, and worth picking up when you
come across them.<br />
<br />
Don't be put off by
the bendy weird look, or by the size.
These cigars are medium strength, burn brilliantly, produce lots of smoke and are just a fun cigar to smoke.<br />
<br />
I think they look fantastic and here's a picture to
prove it.</div>
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<br />
<br />
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I'm going to finish up with a new cigar with an old friend.<br />
<br />
We spent last weekend in Paris with John and Gill, and on
Saturday evening, we got to enjoy a Partagas petit corona especiale.<br />
<br />
I'd been told to look for a smaller cigar, one that would take
less than thirty minutes, and as a result, I ordered some of these from C.Gars
Ltd.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeuwiXK6hBkcCd2E5EC5z-hpAjalcfqAuuChMqmvMdVHE1yHX49GHDEArQy7vWDtVrSTaZX2HxaPiFsAqpfn1P7THLyUsh0w7hbe6qE4SWcdot0BBodrmwADa0q4k-2Myc2X7ZcIyz0s/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeuwiXK6hBkcCd2E5EC5z-hpAjalcfqAuuChMqmvMdVHE1yHX49GHDEArQy7vWDtVrSTaZX2HxaPiFsAqpfn1P7THLyUsh0w7hbe6qE4SWcdot0BBodrmwADa0q4k-2Myc2X7ZcIyz0s/s320/038.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeuwiXK6hBkcCd2E5EC5z-hpAjalcfqAuuChMqmvMdVHE1yHX49GHDEArQy7vWDtVrSTaZX2HxaPiFsAqpfn1P7THLyUsh0w7hbe6qE4SWcdot0BBodrmwADa0q4k-2Myc2X7ZcIyz0s/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeuwiXK6hBkcCd2E5EC5z-hpAjalcfqAuuChMqmvMdVHE1yHX49GHDEArQy7vWDtVrSTaZX2HxaPiFsAqpfn1P7THLyUsh0w7hbe6qE4SWcdot0BBodrmwADa0q4k-2Myc2X7ZcIyz0s/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a>A nice cigar this, but not as small as I thought, lasting
roughly forty minutes, and seen here being enjoyed by myself and John in Paris.<br />
<br />
Paris proved a little disappointing for cigars. There's no problem finding a well stocked
shop, although we missed the two cigar shops I wanted to visit on Saturday by
about ten minutes.</div>
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<br />
Both shops shut at
7pm, but as the rain had been lashing down earlier, we found ourselves stranded
in a restaurant with only a plentiful supply of wine to keep us going.<br />
<br />
I found a shop the following day, and when I say Paris for
cigars was disappointing, it wasn't the selection, or the quality that I had a
problem with, it was the price. Prices in France are fixed, so they're the same price everywhere.<br />
<br />
Although cheaper than in England, they weren't as cheap as I
hoped, and with a trip to Berlin coming up in August, I decided to
save my money until then. </div>
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That's it for now, and after that marathon of a blogging
session, I think I deserve a beer and a cigar, but alas, it's raining again.</div>asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-12112617823337852502012-06-20T14:25:00.000-07:002012-06-20T23:18:36.675-07:00I-OR-LandWith the car back in action, we crossed our fingers, and the Irish sea, for our first trip back to Ireland since Christmas. Against the odds, and despite what the naysayers naysaid, the car made it to Ireland in one piece, with the air conditioning system being the only casualty of the first few days.<br />
<br />
Apart from the air-con, there was a sloshing noise when I turned a bend, a parking light that stopped working but then worked again the next day, plus an oil pressure warning on the dash, but that was my fault for trying to overtake a tractor.<br />
<br />
The windows, which were working perfectly well by the way, were electronically wound down, as we had arrived in time to enjoy the beginnings of Irish Summer 2012. Temperatures soared to highs of 22 or 23 degrees, which is a heat wave by Irish standards, and for a few days at least, we basked.<br />
<br />
We got the good times rolling with a trip to Finglas for a barbeque and Eurovision party with Kaz and Rolo. A great night, despite the frustrating Eurovision voting system which meant that Ireland didn't win again. There's always next year Jedward, and the one after that, and the next one, and the next one... <br />
<br />
The most important thing was that we beat the English, again, and carrying on the great tradition, we awarded them less points than they gave us. Roll on next year.<br />
<br />
After the songs had finished, myself and Rolo had a cigar in the garden, with Rolo impressing me with his hidden talents of beer brewing and soap making. Lovely larger beer it was too, and I certainly like the beer brewing idea Rolo, but swap the soap making for cigars making and I'll be your biggest fan for life.<br />
<br />
We only had a few days in Dublin and before we knew it, we were on our way to Galway. The plan was to head back to Dublin but we didn't want to push it too much with the car, so we stayed up in Galway. Lovely when the sun shines, but Summer 2012 had come to a sudden end, and torrential rain took it's rightful place, leaving us with nothing much to do but watch telly.<br />
<br />
People are always asking me what is it like coming back to Ireland? Has it changed much? And my normal reply is "Ah sure, I hardly recognise the place anymore". But after watching Friday night television, with Gay Byrne and Pat Kenny still on the late late show, and I realised it hadn't changed that much after all.<br />
<br />
At some stage or another, something much worse that Pat Kenny came on the telly. Something called "Tallafornia".<br />
<br />
I managed to watch about 20 seconds of Tallafornia, which is exactly how long it took for me to take a severe disliking to everyone on the program, the program makers, the broadcasters, and the 30,000 people who apparently watch it.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, summer 2012 returned once again, saving us from the evil telly-fish-Erin, and I even managed to get a few rounds of golf in.<br />
<br />
Anyway, just before the trip home to Ireland, I smoked a couple of the Ramon Allones Extra Limited Edition 2011, that were picked up at the duty free in Jordan.<br />
<br />
I remember my first every RA Extra last year, and I loved it, but the three or four I smoked since then, have been nowhere near as good. I knew I was doing something wrong, so I packed four for the trip.<br />
<br />
Determined to figure it out why there was such a difference, I got the first one going, and as expected, it wasn't great. The second was different, and exactly what I was looking for. What I did differently this time was the cut, which was larger and as close to the cap line as possible. I did the same with the next cigar and the same thing, beautiful, full and open and not a bit tight.<br />
<br />
I didn't cut the last one as well and it suffered like the others, so I'm pretty sure it was down to the cut.<br />
<br />
With the mystery solved, we had one last day in Dublin before heading back across the sea, just in time to miss the Queens diamond jubilee.<br />
<br />
The night before we set sail, I smoked what might be called a custom rolled Cuban cigar, bought at the Decent Cigar Emporium on Grafton street. I picked up a similar looking fat cigar from them a while back which was excellent, so I was expecting more of the same.<br />
<br />
I got two cigars this time, one robusto and another larger sized stick. I had planned on aging both, but changed my mind and blazed up the robusto. <br />
<br />
Not sure if it was a mistake or not, but I found the robusto to be bland and flavourless. I'm hoping the bigger cigar will be better, and rolled with different tobacco, but the look very similar so maybe not. <br />
<br />
The DCE is an excellent shop and I love popping in there for a look, and a complementary Cuban coffee.<br />
<br />
Once more, I'll leave you with some pictures to enjoy.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPptKaO7ZKLkf9Kcnqqlx51z1w7J1jKkRQXLqV-KRFJI8BoNhsT1igK_90Igewz0kOFnp45kkBWOAcr1rQLnYzwZnfUBm86tPPAMp5GkopfNw69m203fLCX_p3FCByB_MLeIJWy8FftQ/s1600/082+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPptKaO7ZKLkf9Kcnqqlx51z1w7J1jKkRQXLqV-KRFJI8BoNhsT1igK_90Igewz0kOFnp45kkBWOAcr1rQLnYzwZnfUBm86tPPAMp5GkopfNw69m203fLCX_p3FCByB_MLeIJWy8FftQ/s320/082+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donnacha does a runner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-fGJlwpaKGjsuyqMMs1Y9ozgfIA3NxRh0kQY9Co5lOpYxVHwSeI6Awt6y5E45gJmIYr3ROWaxxqCC6DM7WOk5Ql8IbvGKNnLskuoIMjUNtHMKYtOlxERQUOkRyjFITiXvYU3y5LSxhQ/s1600/WP_002842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-fGJlwpaKGjsuyqMMs1Y9ozgfIA3NxRh0kQY9Co5lOpYxVHwSeI6Awt6y5E45gJmIYr3ROWaxxqCC6DM7WOk5Ql8IbvGKNnLskuoIMjUNtHMKYtOlxERQUOkRyjFITiXvYU3y5LSxhQ/s320/WP_002842.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">R.A. Extra 2011</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzc0Acg7hROCbyHg1w20kNcr-b4kGz6pVieX7P6yDRWA9rbuEv3qYayp2RM9Fon1dB-3-t6XNmODk6cLF8gvHUNpkC5eUImi8nmV6WnN5XJW1EtIAKdZXdjM8jpV1SIzBIDDUgJJK0nY/s1600/241+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzc0Acg7hROCbyHg1w20kNcr-b4kGz6pVieX7P6yDRWA9rbuEv3qYayp2RM9Fon1dB-3-t6XNmODk6cLF8gvHUNpkC5eUImi8nmV6WnN5XJW1EtIAKdZXdjM8jpV1SIzBIDDUgJJK0nY/s320/241+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thats me on John Waynes' the Quiet Man Bridge - Galway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJqPZl4p2K8Pkjx1KDKHHB7EQvn8ds0LaP8edTEXid40_DRDBAX_xmbcdrexx6C6ZJ_-BPc_Eh2tFV7dlM5DwllHI5PQqEDLRo1_p7CFRRKAB_Fnt2sT6Hm4-Bcmc1gPePxJ-wXfcqWg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJqPZl4p2K8Pkjx1KDKHHB7EQvn8ds0LaP8edTEXid40_DRDBAX_xmbcdrexx6C6ZJ_-BPc_Eh2tFV7dlM5DwllHI5PQqEDLRo1_p7CFRRKAB_Fnt2sT6Hm4-Bcmc1gPePxJ-wXfcqWg/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decent Cigar Emporium cigar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-54951696362698654582012-06-12T13:39:00.000-07:002012-06-12T13:39:35.382-07:00Qu'est-ce que la Raclette?Before our trip to Jordan, I was busy trying to get the blog up to date, and I still am, so once again I'm going back in time, to a time just after St. Patricks day, when we were on our way to the Larkins for a sleep over, and the car decided it could do with a new gearbox, and for the third time in our two year relationship, left a long trail of transmission fluid behind itself. So much for an afternoon of fun times, beer and cigars.<br />
<br />
On the plus side, it was a lovely sunny day and were lucky we broke down where we did. A few minutes earlier would have left us in the middle of major roadworks at a major junction at the bottom of a huge hill, in heavy traffic.<br />
<br />
We were just over half way to the Larkins, so Carine drove over to rescue the wife and child, leaving me to be rescued by the AA.<br />
<br />
A few hours later and I was on my way back to the Larkins by train. Ryan picked me up at the station, and after a couple of very welcome beers, we sat down to enjoy the food Ryan and Carine had planned for the evening, which was a Raclette grill.<br />
<br />
I'd never heard of a Raclette grill before, and for those as philistinic as I am, I shall explain. Raclette involves cheese (Raclette), a variety of meats and a grill that sits in the middle of the table, with little trays that are used to melt the cheese with the meat and potatoes.<br />
<br />
It's simple, delicious, and Swiss, not French. Sorry Carine.<br />
<br />
The Raclette grill was great fun so thanks to the Larkins for a lovely night and a tasty meal.<br />
<br />
The cigar that night was a Bolivar and the picture below shows a lovely dark cigar, but I don't remember much about it. I think it was a bit on the tight side, and never really opened up, but one cigar that didn't have a problem opening up, was the Partagas Serie D No. 4 Especial Limited Edition 2010 that Barney gave me in Luxembourg last year. I'd been saving this for a special occasion, and a sunny Saturday afternoon the following week seemed special enough, and I needed cheering up.<br />
<br />
Earlier in the week, the car was patched up, given a full service, and managed to get half a mile up the road before making a rapid return to the garage, after the mechanic noticed a big pool of oil that should have been inside the car, rather than on the ground outside.<br />
<br />
The Especial Serie D is bigger than the normal Serie D, with a beautiful dark wrapper, and this particular cigar that was never in doubt. Definitely one of the best I've ever smoked and with the garden in bloom, it was a lovely 75 minutes spent thinking of what my next car might be.<br />
<br />
More time travel now as I skip forward seven weeks. We've arrived home from Jordan, but the car is still in the garage. A new gearbox, radiator, ECU and other bits and bobs later, we get the car back in time for the drive home to Ireland.<br />
<br />
Next time I'll be in the present, more or less, where I'll cover off the trip home, so once again, I'll leave you with some photos to enjoy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUf4982fM62rj-je73ZdYHqpJ1gL33-l1PakxBc6i2h8lJio68Vt70dzIT3fTLMbfp43rG4aGyigtSykNdpzyF0_AVcdeIGHj_E98FFqbHUce5RCiyH-NJS-E5RnsVswvpEe6xX6xMIo/s1600/WP_002615+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUf4982fM62rj-je73ZdYHqpJ1gL33-l1PakxBc6i2h8lJio68Vt70dzIT3fTLMbfp43rG4aGyigtSykNdpzyF0_AVcdeIGHj_E98FFqbHUce5RCiyH-NJS-E5RnsVswvpEe6xX6xMIo/s320/WP_002615+%282%29.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raclette (Swiss, not French)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy54RAfd6nHcqepdzH0la3PdXDh61WACZJdxP3tZRrScpUrFVWElh9EiBnuPk2PKl4DIazQAlPq-JSbnxqeKTuBkUvGWRB9lYif8jdPZnj8wGXBAHYw2P-nR6cRDaASIYK65xtuC1et-s/s1600/WP_002618+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy54RAfd6nHcqepdzH0la3PdXDh61WACZJdxP3tZRrScpUrFVWElh9EiBnuPk2PKl4DIazQAlPq-JSbnxqeKTuBkUvGWRB9lYif8jdPZnj8wGXBAHYw2P-nR6cRDaASIYK65xtuC1et-s/s320/WP_002618+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carine (French, not Swiss)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEeFIc1g2u6H7TAhCdQNgx3QD5eVBhKDDrcLxn1QIYc6gMTABBWIy-6d_4kXSJXgS24mihyD3qWcddXIJMVXlFcSjlM8V0d5ZHVMboJWMEGJmhahkxcH7AxRzsLsqtSo-Gyi7IlQ3tZ8/s1600/WP_002620+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEeFIc1g2u6H7TAhCdQNgx3QD5eVBhKDDrcLxn1QIYc6gMTABBWIy-6d_4kXSJXgS24mihyD3qWcddXIJMVXlFcSjlM8V0d5ZHVMboJWMEGJmhahkxcH7AxRzsLsqtSo-Gyi7IlQ3tZ8/s320/WP_002620+%282%29.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raclette Night Cigar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNMS76G8sC2lDEqJvL7EKe9w0U9pWUJChu2uERogESDBRt4Hr-wmTwol43wX0ukmUgWNMsBEVl2KtQX3RlcGQAXfQPxpXMUG58TevJls2vG7aQskCeJUepOlT0s8vOKxCG9vby6WRIcQ/s1600/WP_002626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNMS76G8sC2lDEqJvL7EKe9w0U9pWUJChu2uERogESDBRt4Hr-wmTwol43wX0ukmUgWNMsBEVl2KtQX3RlcGQAXfQPxpXMUG58TevJls2vG7aQskCeJUepOlT0s8vOKxCG9vby6WRIcQ/s320/WP_002626.jpg" width="240" /><span id="goog_1175100022"></span><span id="goog_1175100023"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Serie D No. 4 Ever</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy baby</td></tr>
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<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-32521224066688299102012-05-18T15:18:00.000-07:002012-05-21T15:11:21.344-07:00Those are Fake CigarsJordan is a great place that everybody should visit at least once in their lives. It has Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead and Red Seas, the place Jesus was baptised, the pillar of salt that became of Lots wife, and it's also the home of Ali Baba and the forty thieves.<br />
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The one thing it's doesn't have though, is a Casa del Habano or equivalent, which is a bit disappointing seeing as Aqaba is a tax free zone, with electric goods, cigarettes and alcohol in plentiful supply. Cigars however are not.<br />
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I tend to walk around with my eyes closed and as such it's possible I might have missed something, but the wife sees and knows all, and so it's unlikely she would have missed it too.<br />
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The one and only shop we did find sold me Ricki cigars (Ricki Lake - Fake), so this post is on that subject, and the products purchased from Ali Babas. I have to take some of the blame I suppose, because my greedy eyes were focused purely on the bargain price, and not on the tell tale signs. So while I thought I was getting a bargain, I ended up with egg on my Ricky (Ricky Gervais - Face).<br />
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First off, my advice when travelling the world is to bring your own cigars, so if you haven't already got one, get yourself a travel humidor. Mine holds ten cigars, but the humidifying sponge bit can soak into the cigars it covers, so I put tubed or small cigars in the middle, or nothing at all.<br />
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Secondly, bring more than you think you need. If you don't smoke em', you can always take them home again, but if you run out, and can't find a shop, you have nobody to blame but yourself.<br />
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Travel tip number three is to keep old cigar tubes so you can pack more cigars in your Brendan (Brendan Grace - case), should your travel humidor become full. I never check-in my travel humidor, but if you're bringing Cuban cigars into places Cuban cigars are not allowed, make sure those cigars are in your checked in luggage. Cutters, matches and lighters should also be checked in and not shoved down your Adam and the Ants.<br />
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So, on to the evidence. <br />
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Before I paid for them, I examined the cigars for damage and firmness, and although the Behike had a pigtail, I remember thinking it was a bit on the small side. This visual clue should have had the alarm bells going but it didn't. I also remember thinking the cigar had a darker wrapper leaf than I remember, a lot darker, but once again, I was blinded by the price.<br />
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The other fake Cohiba bands have obvious flaws too, some more obvious than others, but in all cases, you don't need a degree in Cuban cigar bands identify them as fake. They all have something askew, misaligned or smudged in different places. Another giveaway was that cigars that were supposed to be the same, were different lengths.<br />
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Anyway, I was robbed, so I'll leave you with the photographic evidence of the impostor cigar bands.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ta7RqDY22MF-YVK_MtiklJQd_8QMhVCzQ3YF9Q01U0nORK96oBbYlGVmKpcwkk28Z4Fk1G1WnlVo3NLdMX9uBMIOII6yioTqYIIIYafKw0tMj_e9KA6CqNEDFqV1o8XW7cEaQsXRbWE/s1600/WP_002850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ta7RqDY22MF-YVK_MtiklJQd_8QMhVCzQ3YF9Q01U0nORK96oBbYlGVmKpcwkk28Z4Fk1G1WnlVo3NLdMX9uBMIOII6yioTqYIIIYafKw0tMj_e9KA6CqNEDFqV1o8XW7cEaQsXRbWE/s320/WP_002850.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The first one has flaws with the embossing where you can see the gold print is not flush with the embossed letters. This fault was consistent across all the bands.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6HRX57EjdnO6FcfXAmpPpPNUbTmyEkv3ZSQsFAB8PQsntE1SNJEGtEFYLzKPrmvA-VcM57FYjhS6sh_h8MHA37SjhyphenhyphenDCJghD6EqyLMcBZk-PVEVspBQA5mQovHFkDq5us4vcxkBhyphenhyphenoY/s1600/WP_002852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6HRX57EjdnO6FcfXAmpPpPNUbTmyEkv3ZSQsFAB8PQsntE1SNJEGtEFYLzKPrmvA-VcM57FYjhS6sh_h8MHA37SjhyphenhyphenDCJghD6EqyLMcBZk-PVEVspBQA5mQovHFkDq5us4vcxkBhyphenhyphenoY/s320/WP_002852.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH0rJKbmshK_kYwZ-FEHfDxbcK4GDnyqqcQXigNj8FCnfMXi8LCKS8zEFiVlaht14yv9wTHTsTONJTrPm4moln0Bnowkup4BUKFbrRe_9rS3hZ2LxhniUgE9wuvCRpCT81p9O4fT2AvE/s1600/WP_002851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH0rJKbmshK_kYwZ-FEHfDxbcK4GDnyqqcQXigNj8FCnfMXi8LCKS8zEFiVlaht14yv9wTHTsTONJTrPm4moln0Bnowkup4BUKFbrRe_9rS3hZ2LxhniUgE9wuvCRpCT81p9O4fT2AvE/s320/WP_002851.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtRgDd0Zn6vWmANy2qbt_9TcPIjvTWB8d0uAHx7Fny-ch5fTy7PtlTH0MDXIzk2FbbplaayK-ushpOLC6MyScsde1p8Os1tPWBRkYonWv4eEwpy16um9zQb71UjLvN3Nbnsou6JnpX60/s1600/WP_002855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtRgDd0Zn6vWmANy2qbt_9TcPIjvTWB8d0uAHx7Fny-ch5fTy7PtlTH0MDXIzk2FbbplaayK-ushpOLC6MyScsde1p8Os1tPWBRkYonWv4eEwpy16um9zQb71UjLvN3Nbnsou6JnpX60/s320/WP_002855.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The Behike band is all over the place where the golden head is in the center. This looks dirty but the other big tell is the gold rectangle box which doesn't quite surround "Habana Cuba".<br />
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The last picture shows hows the the gold box around "COHIBA" is not exactly square with the white square dots. Real Cohiba bands would not be flawed in any way.<br />
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<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-74694509586649572152012-05-16T14:52:00.003-07:002012-05-17T14:49:44.926-07:00Two weeks in JordanI'm guessing those of you in the U.S of A won't be thinking of the same person everybody in the UK & Ireland will be thinking of, when I say the name Jordan. I'd say about 99% of all Americans will immediately think of the greatest basketball player that ever lived, and not a former glamour model who's now a best selling ghost written author.<br />
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Please God nobody on either side is thinking of the irritating little pointy beard Leprechaun who used to own a Formula One racing team. <br />
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I'm not actually talking about a person called Jordan though, I'm talking about Jordan the country, which is where myself and the wife just spent two lovely weeks holidaying, and for those of you who don't know where Jordan is, here's a little map I drew in mspaint.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2FfAB_NlatyEfixqvIGCQ2jz3VAXgrfLfnisib1XActyxLiF9uM-XT1-n3jW3xfGW9nSYZitcgBFItWgK-5PfCcUqOmm0I28wSNRmAs0Z3hUuPlR61Wte5HwTxazSZS1T8KdPsLiNvw/s1600/map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2FfAB_NlatyEfixqvIGCQ2jz3VAXgrfLfnisib1XActyxLiF9uM-XT1-n3jW3xfGW9nSYZitcgBFItWgK-5PfCcUqOmm0I28wSNRmAs0Z3hUuPlR61Wte5HwTxazSZS1T8KdPsLiNvw/s640/map.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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A five hour flight, with Air Jordan. Only joking, it was with Royal Jordanian, followed by a 45 minute drive from the airport, and we arrived in the Dead sea, where we'd be spending the first week of our holiday adventure.<br />
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A quick run through of Jordan, the country.<br />
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It's hot.<br />
It has lots of sand.<br />
Also lots of rocks.<br />
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It's has a population of exactly 6.5 million people. <br />
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It borders Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Syria, so they're smack bang in the middle of the action. See the excellent map above for more details.<br />
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In case you're wondering about the map, the yellow is sand, the blue is sea, as is the red, but the Red sea is not red in real life, I was just trying to be clever there. Iraq is also full of sand, but I forgot to colour it in.<br />
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The average temperature was 35 degrees, with highs of over 40.<br />
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Needless to say, I'm now bronzed and have sexy tan lines in places you'd expect.<br />
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The Dead Sea area has 4 hotels and nothing else. Thankfully, the Movenpick hotel complex is excellent, and they kept us well fed and entertained throughout the week.<br />
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They have one of the best spa' in the world (apparently they won a competition once) and to be fair to them, they've done an outstanding job on the place. <br />
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A week at the Dead sea was a million times better than I thought it was going to be, and it's my holiday destination tip of the year. Stay at the Movenpick or Kempinski only, although they wouldn't let us into the Kempinski.<br />
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The Dead sea was followed by a week in Aqaba (see map), which was made famous by Lawrence of Arabia and the Arab revolt.<br />
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The hotel this time was the Kempinski, and once again, we found ourselves in a fantastic hotel and had a great time.<br />
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Cigar shopping in Jordan is rubbish. I asked the hotel if they stocked cigars and they said no, so I asked where I could get some, and they kindly produced a map (obviously not as good as the one above) and marked some shops, but when we got there we found nothing.<br />
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No to worry, as I used the power of Google, and found a cigar shop in the not-to-distant port of Talabay. <br />
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Talabay is a fancy boat marina with a few hotels and apartments. A taxi would have been £20 each way, but the Movenpick hotel in Aqaba do a shuttle bus service to the Movenpick in Talabay, so we took full advantage, and got there on the cheap. <br />
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The cigar shop was called "Cigars & More" but that should really have been "No More Cigars" as it was shut and empty, with only a few scattered display humidors on the floor.<br />
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Things were not looking good.<br />
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However, all was not lost. The Movenpick had about twenty Cuban cigars on display. The prices were a little bit on the high side, but as I had only one cigar left, the wife convinced me to get a couple to see me through to the end of the week. As I scanned the price list, I noticed a 7" Cohiba on sale for £22, which was the same price as a Cohiba robusto. This couldn't be right so I bought the last two and made good my escape before they copped on. I compared the price later and it was a typo that saved us £40.<br />
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Things were looking up.<br />
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Earlier that day at the hotel beach, I noticed a guy sat behind me smoking a large cigar, so I politely asked if he knew of anywhere in town selling them. He said, yes, but couldn't tell me exactly where, so I thanked him and left him to enjoy his cigar.<br />
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A few seconds after that, I saw him head back to the hotel, and as I was telling the wife what he said, he appears at my side, holding a bit fat Vegas Robaina, telling me he had one spare and please would I accept it, which I obviously did. <br />
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Now I know all cigar smokers out there love to share the experience and would happily share a cigar with a stranger, but apart from being a true cigar lover and a most generous man, he was a Jordanian, and the collective charm, friendliness and smiles of the Jordanians were what made the holiday special.<br />
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The next night and we set off to find Ali Baba' cigar shop, which the hotel reception had since told me about. There we found boxes of cigars and some single Cohiba' for sale.<br />
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Long story short, the cigars were fake. I picked up two Behike and four other Cohiba, but as soon as I lit one of the Behikes up, I immediately knew something wasn't right. I checked out the bands on the other cigars and realised they were all fake.<br />
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The cigars were actually not that bad. Good burn, smooth, decent smoke and well rolled but they were certainly not Cohiba. Probably not even Cuban.<br />
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Anyway, lesson learnt. <br />
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The next day and I was standing at the hotel bar waiting for a drink, when I noticed a big wooden display case at the far side of the bar. I walked over thinking that this surely couldn't be a humidor, and low and behold, there sitting in it were four different types of Cohiba, some Hoyos and a few other Cubans. So if you're every staying at the Kempinski hotel in Aqaba, the hotel does stock cigars, even if they tell you they don't.<br />
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When we left Jordan, I was happy to find a pretty good walk-in humidor at the airport, and picked up some Ramon Allones Extra 2011 and a few Cohiba Robustos, which thankfully were not fake. <br />
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I had some great cigars during the two weeks, the two Cohiba Esplendidos from the Movenpick in Talabay were excellent. The gifted Vegas Robaina was great but my favourite of the trip was Sancho Panza from Madrid. This was a beautiful creamy smoke and by far the best and most satisfying cigar. I've never been disappointed with the Sancho Panza Coronas Gigantes, and they're definitely now one of my favour cigars.<br />
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I'll leave you with some photos of the sun, sea and cigars.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4kdWWKK0CdCZc4uD1c_nowM7EBcdmw9vMpkmN_0kCPZii33ibZJy9zqPR9OZmrBWnso4uHVqkuORqsWLFMq-oLpZHctBS5-RhxTE3wNxQQv016L8SKcY8Y5ntCk82z-HD03GZTWcjzM/s1600/WP_002777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4kdWWKK0CdCZc4uD1c_nowM7EBcdmw9vMpkmN_0kCPZii33ibZJy9zqPR9OZmrBWnso4uHVqkuORqsWLFMq-oLpZHctBS5-RhxTE3wNxQQv016L8SKcY8Y5ntCk82z-HD03GZTWcjzM/s320/WP_002777.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Movenpick Dead Sea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPeuOYLhI1lhsm_Ix1u-mwJfTqLP9Xd52qHVHE-E3xJqxuXNdXWb76vk0pCv4t-IWDZtNupMRBCasMr53NlzXkY0eX-pyT6ebGY9ByABz91Ds2dyT_iyU4MFJ8yDB897ryxpUHsU4ix8/s1600/WP_002790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPeuOYLhI1lhsm_Ix1u-mwJfTqLP9Xd52qHVHE-E3xJqxuXNdXWb76vk0pCv4t-IWDZtNupMRBCasMr53NlzXkY0eX-pyT6ebGY9ByABz91Ds2dyT_iyU4MFJ8yDB897ryxpUHsU4ix8/s320/WP_002790.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Cigar of the trip</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKKKF-hHQMsxhOZjGyjcNSmSjmXfRxuFuV-MiDzJAWA_Deef5R9G0hyIimQIV2Im9wCb01UXD4kStnyckWKI1kDDjpFYiBnOymcIojIOeaxJJW-li7w2s75zTWqfC7dbt5FybWhd-2eU/s1600/WP_002827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKKKF-hHQMsxhOZjGyjcNSmSjmXfRxuFuV-MiDzJAWA_Deef5R9G0hyIimQIV2Im9wCb01UXD4kStnyckWKI1kDDjpFYiBnOymcIojIOeaxJJW-li7w2s75zTWqfC7dbt5FybWhd-2eU/s320/WP_002827.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fake Cigar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrHwC_i86iifhRI1twnI1YPaIv3qeLycIVcBslM1JZjqDAOCL6xL-ZQkOC1taqxuJ3Xo0NcaNxDd8jzCJItCFfcX0b-00gGIH3b3Ncz1r8NQc8TTUry1lpaDhoTxi0Vc5ThivWnVlzv8/s1600/WP_002830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrHwC_i86iifhRI1twnI1YPaIv3qeLycIVcBslM1JZjqDAOCL6xL-ZQkOC1taqxuJ3Xo0NcaNxDd8jzCJItCFfcX0b-00gGIH3b3Ncz1r8NQc8TTUry1lpaDhoTxi0Vc5ThivWnVlzv8/s320/WP_002830.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real Cigar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZvN60_ydOHG5FClR4tbzDU_SKcoRq4m75BIEAMAKXKBhNisjkprJaWd_Qx98SSAc92NRMKCKiLfSQGyu_gzK8tjCA8AU5PqdfORXiGZigVeZFAmxCNnoeyCpNZMWagzoojQEUq6-QZY/s1600/WP_002834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZvN60_ydOHG5FClR4tbzDU_SKcoRq4m75BIEAMAKXKBhNisjkprJaWd_Qx98SSAc92NRMKCKiLfSQGyu_gzK8tjCA8AU5PqdfORXiGZigVeZFAmxCNnoeyCpNZMWagzoojQEUq6-QZY/s320/WP_002834.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Fake</td></tr>
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<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-80568176980282154092012-04-24T14:54:00.001-07:002012-04-25T12:02:55.177-07:00CatchupI'm way behind on my blog so I've decided that the only thing to do was to cover the last few weeks in one go. So this will be an extra special action packed edition, even more so than normal. Hold on to your boots.<br />
<br />
Straight after the Spanish beer and meat festival, we had the normally tranquil affair that is St. Patricks day. This time around, it was pretty much that and we made do with celebrating with food rather than beer.<br />
<br />
I was going through a bit of a baking phase back then, so what better pie to bake on Paddys day than Guinness pie. It goes without saying that my pie was a glorious success, even if it did appear a bit shallow due to the massive crust towering over it.<br />
<br />
The wife and Donnacha baked some Leprechaun (fairy) cakes and I chilled some Guinness in the fridge, and we were soon celebrating Paddys day in style.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvZzZR9r6NQHNfwIFwumtPMwSMmqUfXMKzP4h7WQxgkugBriLVwBYO4-FxgmmPRJ0iCtyOj3qBXZqMuT_4gYNJvY3lOlKxwb2H-GSYT8N_O1JBdX2AuUV8iuHkRua6fyr7C5v-ajO0tI/s1600/WP_002590+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvZzZR9r6NQHNfwIFwumtPMwSMmqUfXMKzP4h7WQxgkugBriLVwBYO4-FxgmmPRJ0iCtyOj3qBXZqMuT_4gYNJvY3lOlKxwb2H-GSYT8N_O1JBdX2AuUV8iuHkRua6fyr7C5v-ajO0tI/s320/WP_002590+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All I can see is the crust</td></tr>
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The cigar for the day was a Vega Robaina Maestro from Madrid.<br />
<br />
A Cuban cigar which I think is a Spanish regional selection, and a quality cigar that I couldn't fault.<br />
<br />
It's a 50 ring gauge and longer than a normal robusto, lasting just over an hour. The burn, smoke and flavours were all good and it held everything together throughout.<br />
<br />
Here it is pictured with my superior pie, some Leprechaun cakes and a pint of plain. Top marks all round.<br />
<br />
Next up was a La Aurora Rothschild, which is a small non-Cuban cigar that comes in a cellophane wrapper, and another of the Madrid cigars. This being my first ever La Aurora and after following a lot of their reps on Twitter for the past year, I was eager to enjoy this one.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWT9X02atDGyYAG7im960Fp5oDGJ-rCpUeyqo27lYlS05FL0tGj6bwlp6RvP1eYhDsCqlJnC52FBy1atOPfwb4L-8d4mSpERHYvNzXtNNuqvZy96k4LSAeDwPogDXizriS-89FmTkz_c/s1600/WP_002597+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWT9X02atDGyYAG7im960Fp5oDGJ-rCpUeyqo27lYlS05FL0tGj6bwlp6RvP1eYhDsCqlJnC52FBy1atOPfwb4L-8d4mSpERHYvNzXtNNuqvZy96k4LSAeDwPogDXizriS-89FmTkz_c/s320/WP_002597+%282%29.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Stinka (That sounds familiar)</td></tr>
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Once again though, my expectations were much higher than what I got, and I was disappointed by a smoke that left me feeling a little bit sick. The tobacco was pretty overpowering and not smooth or enjoyable in any way. <br />
<br />
This is a four inch cigar, which I let go just over half way through, as it was pretty much unsmokeable, so thankfully the whole experience didn't last very long.<br />
<br />
I picked up two of these smokes in Madrid, and for €2.80, I can't fault the price. I'll leave the other one alone for a year and hopefully it'll improve with age. It certainly can't get any worse. Marks out of ten? Two. One for appearance and one for price.<br />
<br />
I wouldn't write La Aurora off based on that cigar alone, but I came back in from the garden telling my wife I was sticking to Cuban cigars only from now on. <br />
<br />
I've been at this cigar smoking lark for the last year and a half, and I've always thought of people who only smoke Cubans as cigar snobs. When I started out, the plan was to try as many different cigars as possible, but that opinion is changing as I now notice big differences between Cuban and non-Cuban cigars. Maybe that comes with experience, or maybe it's just taking me and my palate a while to realise that. <br />
<br />
Anyway, moving on.<br />
<br />
I've always thought of myself as a bit of an artist. It's not something I like to talk about and I wouldn't normally show any of my work in public, but I'll make an exception on this one time.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4iihpLvFEOWqPU3R53XSdAr4cAw2dD7voiCWqTOpPsfAUaIbrUI453OMIzLr4YW6kdYaI23QcwxqLi_4yawLXymfCla78o2yYfN-VjFZ-5twIR1pTOX1DbqthUwsfE5Q7SbATYAg88c/s1600/WP_002609+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4iihpLvFEOWqPU3R53XSdAr4cAw2dD7voiCWqTOpPsfAUaIbrUI453OMIzLr4YW6kdYaI23QcwxqLi_4yawLXymfCla78o2yYfN-VjFZ-5twIR1pTOX1DbqthUwsfE5Q7SbATYAg88c/s320/WP_002609+%282%29.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
But before that, back to cigars.<br />
<br />
So far, I was only two cigars into the Spanish selection and with one hit and one miss, I was struggling to pick out another non-Cuban to smoke, until I remembered how much I enjoyed the tubed Vegafina Summun Rolo brought to Luxembourg one time.<br />
<br />
Instead of a Summun, I went for a different Vegafina, but this one didn't disappoint like the La Aurora did. A nice long cigar, with good construction and an easy draw. <br />
<br />
I have to say that so far, all the Vegafina cigars I've smoked, of which there have been about five, have all been excellent.<br />
<br />
<br />
This turned out to be a finger burner, which is something I hope for in every cigar, but not something you always get.<br />
<br />
Another winner this time though.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxEzATJAigwqvXJRowpZaslnTMSsXskyi2R_jgvz7NWb_jQd1_grY3vjTI27XMpts7H0hVF_xy3dDzTORMNyXN5C9m15cOo_277r8e6m82mxELq7nj_uw5wTLrSj6a4VEv8kIejd3v0I/s1600/WP_002638+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxEzATJAigwqvXJRowpZaslnTMSsXskyi2R_jgvz7NWb_jQd1_grY3vjTI27XMpts7H0hVF_xy3dDzTORMNyXN5C9m15cOo_277r8e6m82mxELq7nj_uw5wTLrSj6a4VEv8kIejd3v0I/s320/WP_002638+%282%29.jpg" width="240" /></a>The second Vegafina from Madrid was a short Belicoso.<br />
<br />
Again, after the La Aurora, I wasn't expecting much from this one, especially as it was a similarly small sized, but I was wrong, which in itself is unusual.<br />
<br />
Another top quality cigar from Vegafina, and my faith in non-Cuban cigars was restored.<br />
<br />
The picture opposite shows the lovely dark colours of the wrapper, and the cigar pretty much smokes as good as it looks. Once again, no complaints.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah, I nearly forgot. The bit of art you've been waiting for, is a still life I did of one of the guys in work. I don't want to embarrass the poor man by naming him here, so lets just call him Stephen.<br />
<br />
It comes from one of my more reflective Tuesday morning post-coffee moods.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4fOLIfNqdiRVRf7J-GGyyZR21t9L1If4Wp4N-Jhr-P9X6jyXK6-QuNmDSOIeMi_lqHrtS8NPo1ejT3zO0HmBWRrb1-m_XgN-Rv2M775rLx51FOC2s6KoXXoBiTZaNYvc07C8AokOVB4/s1600/WP_002599+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4fOLIfNqdiRVRf7J-GGyyZR21t9L1If4Wp4N-Jhr-P9X6jyXK6-QuNmDSOIeMi_lqHrtS8NPo1ejT3zO0HmBWRrb1-m_XgN-Rv2M775rLx51FOC2s6KoXXoBiTZaNYvc07C8AokOVB4/s320/WP_002599+%282%29.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephen (not his real name)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I can't concentrate while looking at that face, so I'll leave it there for now. Until next time.<br />
<br />
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<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-74959936008221311792012-04-22T14:18:00.000-07:002012-04-22T14:18:53.384-07:00Madrid - Aún no ha terminadoI'm still not finished with Madrid by the way. It's only Sunday morning and we still had a couple of days to go. <br />
<br />
After two days on the sauce, and not eating much more than black pudding and chips, I felt in need of something a bit more nutritious than meat, beer and tapas. I'm not ashamed to say it, but I was seriously craving fruit and veg.<br />
<br />
We had a few hours with the Doyles on Sunday before they made their way to the airport and we were left to fend for ourselves. The weather was great all weekend, and as we wandered the streets enjoying the sun, I was dreaming about sprouts, peas and broccoli.<br />
<br />
I was also thinking the Madridonians don't do vegetables, or fruit, as I hadn't seen any since I got here. Dinner that night was going to be a healthy low fat option, with steamed vegetables and very little meat. <br />
<br />
So much for that plan. What I ended up with was meat. Lots of meat and sod all vegetables.<br />
<br />
I, for some reason, thought suckling pig would be a few slices of pork with some crispy crackling. That's what I would have got in London, but this was Madrid, where suckling pig means suckling pig. OK, so it wasn't exactly the whole pig, it was only a quarter. The back left quarter, including the trotter.<br />
<br />
As they wheeled it out, I realised having a starter was a bad idea.<br />
<br />
I broke into a sweat.<br />
<br />
I have to say that this was the tastiest suckling or otherwise pig I've ever had, but it was also the biggest amount of meat I've every been presented with, and my weak hungover shaky body couldn't take it, as I begged the wife to help me out. <br />
<br />
There was no cigar after this meal. I was a wreck, and needed to get back to the hotel as quickly as possible and pass out. <br />
<br />
The next morning and I was feeling almost normal. The best eggs on toast in Madrid was once again served up by Benja, and with that inside me, we were off in search of a proper cigar shop. <br />
<br />
I had googled this beforehand so I knew what I was looking for. The shop is called <a href="http://www.cigarinspector.com/other/buying-cigars-in-madrid" target="_blank">Cava Cardenal Cisneros</a>, and the link will bring you to the cigar inspector site that contains the address on google maps.<br />
<br />
We rang the bell and the guy in the shop opened the door with a smile and a hello, not an olá, but a hello. Ten years in England and I suppose I must look a little English by now. At least to the Spanish.<br />
<br />
The walk-in humidor is pretty big with a good selection of Cuban and non-Cuban cigars. There were a number of seriously damaged sticks on display, which at the time I thought might be due to the humidity, but could also be from somebody dropping them, so benefit of the doubt was given.<br />
<br />
I really enjoyed picking out the cigars, some Spanish market selection, some old favourites and some new ones, which I'll cover off next time.<br />
<br />
I also managed to pick up the last box of Partagas Culebra in the shop, and for all I know, the last in all of Spain.<br />
<br />
It's certainly the last box that shop are going to sell, as Partagas have ended production, so once the allocated boxes have sold, that's it, no more.<br />
<br />
The guy in the shop was very friendly and had great English, and as he threw in a large humidor travelbag, Cava Cardenal gets the thumbs up from me.<br />
<br />
The bag was a nice touch, but it also proved very handy, as the box of culebra won't fit in my humidor, so they've been living in the humi-bag ever since.<br />
<br />
So goodbye to Madrid. We had a great time, with the highlight being meeting Raymond Blanc, and the lowlight being the queueing system at Spanish gigs.<br />
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Buenos noches.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgusqCO4JFrcQCd80yjwgV2O6wHeEJQGLjhJnKtI-N8oACu7OYSLjzznEcdn13taQWZUw57f62teLR1lbqvhD2i6i42yg9nCN6jY_DeudiU5LuswB5Urz6RoZ7o4a05x7hUMVIM14USo/s1600/WP_002528+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgusqCO4JFrcQCd80yjwgV2O6wHeEJQGLjhJnKtI-N8oACu7OYSLjzznEcdn13taQWZUw57f62teLR1lbqvhD2i6i42yg9nCN6jY_DeudiU5LuswB5Urz6RoZ7o4a05x7hUMVIM14USo/s320/WP_002528+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They paid him to leave</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Qw-6HbCJWxGrlronkEgk3TDM-v0a87iRWQuNJA383Tw0OSAmYTzZ1WFtnFHCstyFbvA5Ti0XHiq_iYJPrMYK8oIXw8IumtW_xb1Nk2Ju1t-V63Pch65SQCuHCI11Fvdr-tHzm0K6kFg/s1600/WP_002529+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Qw-6HbCJWxGrlronkEgk3TDM-v0a87iRWQuNJA383Tw0OSAmYTzZ1WFtnFHCstyFbvA5Ti0XHiq_iYJPrMYK8oIXw8IumtW_xb1Nk2Ju1t-V63Pch65SQCuHCI11Fvdr-tHzm0K6kFg/s320/WP_002529+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holy Sh..Stuff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5ogPbnHR9I03YHRcNxhIzSeTkb4MQh4eYU2S12cINdSZZi6UY9trBFjxocq38JO1Lpvt4mrthDaOdDaRh5yx7LkLZX7MHyx1cOWp_zUe0rr9CVXUxI7081OucA86eQmZTRQfYh0-Pug/s1600/WP_002530+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5ogPbnHR9I03YHRcNxhIzSeTkb4MQh4eYU2S12cINdSZZi6UY9trBFjxocq38JO1Lpvt4mrthDaOdDaRh5yx7LkLZX7MHyx1cOWp_zUe0rr9CVXUxI7081OucA86eQmZTRQfYh0-Pug/s320/WP_002530+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicioso</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtJ1YcKKqoR5_IXOSz8lQoEh33zeD-yVyhm7ZdY6lptqD41LioW5w9I-CSQrzaRAAAU3LH6mPHN8aQFGq6NWRK401y8jML3yoAitWROsxhiAfex7tDUDHYZV5iFhcimHBsAGqeDzQtt0/s1600/WP_002730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtJ1YcKKqoR5_IXOSz8lQoEh33zeD-yVyhm7ZdY6lptqD41LioW5w9I-CSQrzaRAAAU3LH6mPHN8aQFGq6NWRK401y8jML3yoAitWROsxhiAfex7tDUDHYZV5iFhcimHBsAGqeDzQtt0/s320/WP_002730.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sir Blinksalot in The Patriot</td></tr>
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<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-30157572909908232662012-04-12T15:59:00.000-07:002014-05-09T12:21:19.896-07:00Lethal Blinking WeaponNow, I'm no expert on guns, not by a long shot, but I have sent a few down the range in my time, and because of this, I feel that firing a gun while your eyes are closed is not the way to do it.<br />
<br />
So there I was watching Lethal Weapon, I don't know which one, when I noticed Mel Gibson blinking every time he loosed off a round. Now, when I say blinking, these were more like eye clenches than blinks. <br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm no expert on acting, but I'd say Mel didn't bother much with the research before shooting began, and I realise I'm talking Mel Gibson here, not DeNiro or Cage, but for what it's worth, an episode of Cagney and Lacey would have done. <br />
<br />
Apart from spending most of the movie trying to shoot everybody, he also has a go at helicopters. Mr Blinky Bullets actually tries to shoot down a helicopter with his handgun, while it's about a mile off and flying away from him. Difficult enough at the best of times I should think, but from a windy cliff top with your eyes closed is asking a bit much. Better luck next time Mel.<br />
<br />
Not long after that memorable scene, I realised why Mel had been practicing his shooting on the range with his eyes closed, as he stuck his arm, hand and gun around a corner to shoot the bad guy, while the rest of his body hid safely behind the corner. Unsurprisingly enough, he missed. Try looking next time Mel.<br />
<br />
I couldn't take any more of Mel and his angry hair, so I grabbed a Ramon Allones Specially Selected and headed to the garden. <br />
<br />
The Ramon Allones Specially Selected is a fine cigar, and a much better way to spend your time than watching tired old movies.<br />
<br />
I'll leave you with the photo evidence of Mel and his overacting eyes, not forgetting his colossal barnet.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa7uuzpsuuHJWmWqjTCn3yvUZ3wfgRCXVR10uF_0GnCjfTKmYnku6GHP4BhYABiejv8NzqWn9lgeuh80x9d82rljHFmPU89ydDAS4m57a-9et2NbFMa-UEOzx9HM7MfhP4YtPVjKUIMw/s1600/WP_002487+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa7uuzpsuuHJWmWqjTCn3yvUZ3wfgRCXVR10uF_0GnCjfTKmYnku6GHP4BhYABiejv8NzqWn9lgeuh80x9d82rljHFmPU89ydDAS4m57a-9et2NbFMa-UEOzx9HM7MfhP4YtPVjKUIMw/s320/WP_002487+%25282%2529.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blink and you will miss it</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6-PQ05R8_A0-FDm0awXc0M3PdCL_J-m2HyW22K3hzZn1ffNxKtZVf26W9Tw6MwCxZW8yClBrEpSeXVcCVkh_KrqySISJquOxjMSMP3_EA_9f-opyAOFTFjQbXjVhgBN3wdGbye3xZeU/s1600/WP_002489+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6-PQ05R8_A0-FDm0awXc0M3PdCL_J-m2HyW22K3hzZn1ffNxKtZVf26W9Tw6MwCxZW8yClBrEpSeXVcCVkh_KrqySISJquOxjMSMP3_EA_9f-opyAOFTFjQbXjVhgBN3wdGbye3xZeU/s320/WP_002489+%25282%2529.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blink harder!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivI8wIi3rOGpC12csdubd1xUoLprD_GLoI2HJKV8Ea_eCi2QyoTGAczFnUdJUnp2ZTNA6o7TcfXuro46oWVbCl5L6Qz2RQ-tcwwjeZsMYDjkQZdf-Dst4ZzZQaeaS6H7S-Iacr8eCN5ZQ/s1600/WP_002488+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivI8wIi3rOGpC12csdubd1xUoLprD_GLoI2HJKV8Ea_eCi2QyoTGAczFnUdJUnp2ZTNA6o7TcfXuro46oWVbCl5L6Qz2RQ-tcwwjeZsMYDjkQZdf-Dst4ZzZQaeaS6H7S-Iacr8eCN5ZQ/s320/WP_002488+%25282%2529.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These goggles and my eyelids will protect me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTfDzKVfLx93vb1mWANCEu8IvmE8usCX7_9EWtH5R7tAwPW70hqsxdhgbEafTkUpq7p26uIogdIg-ijvFBUv0qPWrxMh_UBA7Q8W3lU6TudQNNy-agzeSom_ygdLFvB6KTsY8CkyBGDA/s1600/WP_002491+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTfDzKVfLx93vb1mWANCEu8IvmE8usCX7_9EWtH5R7tAwPW70hqsxdhgbEafTkUpq7p26uIogdIg-ijvFBUv0qPWrxMh_UBA7Q8W3lU6TudQNNy-agzeSom_ygdLFvB6KTsY8CkyBGDA/s320/WP_002491+%25282%2529.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the whites of my... teeth</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYJDjg_-y7fMmOxdqyIxhCbAJnZoQD5hAl0NIaIwIQxQO1YuZSkv9e2piY7eNF6jMRvQLA3HWYYpDlvcl7z0LuuvuOh1fygpDJYX2AnDF9D1hbBFoSzGccE5tFf9iwEmr_5CchuwdSeo/s1600/WP_002492+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYJDjg_-y7fMmOxdqyIxhCbAJnZoQD5hAl0NIaIwIQxQO1YuZSkv9e2piY7eNF6jMRvQLA3HWYYpDlvcl7z0LuuvuOh1fygpDJYX2AnDF9D1hbBFoSzGccE5tFf9iwEmr_5CchuwdSeo/s320/WP_002492+%25282%2529.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh no you don't helicopter!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25Li_2wmnVi8ej5DNydfQ0WAIE6L-SeSHzKdnO7-AHeJqtqKs5DL7_F7eYI3EtZAAlvcbJZBjIhQS5FOaOESwJTwadiihZTlfVSd-DDifoYaA_k83vhzgCMKf4oDOKoOyC01sk0CIFZo/s1600/WP_002493+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25Li_2wmnVi8ej5DNydfQ0WAIE6L-SeSHzKdnO7-AHeJqtqKs5DL7_F7eYI3EtZAAlvcbJZBjIhQS5FOaOESwJTwadiihZTlfVSd-DDifoYaA_k83vhzgCMKf4oDOKoOyC01sk0CIFZo/s320/WP_002493+%25282%2529.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No chance Mel. I worked out the trajectory</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistHpDmHl1VemaiPScOUR2M5-nGF8sFlGwKmuSgXHY_UNIvvaVN2Jwe5iZ3uISRidWo1O4w6OfwdnIIpfbQZOejmNHTK6S9R07QbWrTcCMqxGShDnhLAF-V30-klzCbQfiMyCJeoupEqA/s1600/WP_002494+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistHpDmHl1VemaiPScOUR2M5-nGF8sFlGwKmuSgXHY_UNIvvaVN2Jwe5iZ3uISRidWo1O4w6OfwdnIIpfbQZOejmNHTK6S9R07QbWrTcCMqxGShDnhLAF-V30-klzCbQfiMyCJeoupEqA/s320/WP_002494+%25282%2529.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grr...I'll get you next time Copter</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdllIGV_ew7HCXprwGyoBiq6buvGWURGeLFvgBCS0TpPWmC5XmeSpYeJoB-3Kt7c2rZoELse0Zv84JNV1Q0pzhFf9JGqFhTUFzvawQWhsf0ARNvmJzGb5_AoXZpImLZeIpWTOY_xM_q-I/s1600/WP_002662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdllIGV_ew7HCXprwGyoBiq6buvGWURGeLFvgBCS0TpPWmC5XmeSpYeJoB-3Kt7c2rZoELse0Zv84JNV1Q0pzhFf9JGqFhTUFzvawQWhsf0ARNvmJzGb5_AoXZpImLZeIpWTOY_xM_q-I/s320/WP_002662.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RASS saves the day</td></tr>
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<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-67324996931922812532012-04-12T13:22:00.004-07:002012-04-13T00:43:52.150-07:00Madrid Part DoseAppologies, my adoring fans, for taking so long to with part two of this Spanish adventure, but I've been a bit busy lately. I won't go into the whys or wherefores, but lets just say it involved a car, a recovery truck and bags full of money. Three weeks later and the car is nowhere near finished. But enough about that, as I think it's about time I finished off Madrid.<br />
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We woke early enough on Saturday despite the hangovers, and headed out with the Doyles for breakfast at "la Taberna de Benjas", which was, and probably still is, directly across the road from our hotel on Santa Domingo.<br />
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I thought Benjas was a great little place, and the guy serving us, who I presume is the man himself, served up a lifesaver of a breakfast.<br />
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John ordered two lovely fried eggs on big fancy toast with a sprinkling of chunky sea salt. I said Dose and the girls had toast.<br />
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To drink, we had six excellent coffees, and four freshly squeezed orange juices on ice. All for €14.<br />
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So, if you every find yourself in Madrid and happen to be staying at the TRYP, don't bother with the hotel breakfast, which is €20 extra. Head across the road to Benjas and tell them I sent you.<br />
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After that, we met up with Rolo, Kaz and Rolos parents at a nice terrace, where we settled the heads from the night before. On the way, the drunkest man in Spain decided he wanted to hug and kiss me, but I dodged that bullet. Doce carvesa later and we were heading to watch Ireland take on Scotland in the rugby.<br />
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Only after we got to the Irish bar, did we realise we were two hours early for the match, so Rolo brought myself and John out to buy some cigars at El Corte Ingles on Calle de Preciados, where there's a decent sized walk in humidor, with a selection of Cuban and non-Cuban cigars. I picked up a few and we headed back to the pub.<br />
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Myself and John decided at half time that a cigar was in order, but were told we couldn't take our drinks outside, so we took ourselves up to Plaza Mayor and had a cigar in the sun. <br />
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I had a Monte Open Master and John had a Bolivar Royal Corona, both tubed. I'm pretty sure this was Johns first Royal Corona, and I must admit to trying to pawn off a smaller cigar on him earlier, but his eyes lit up when he saw the Boli, so that's what he had, and I'm sure he loved it.<br />
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The RC is a quality cigar and one of my favourites, and the Monte Open range are excellent cigars too, so either one is a winner.<br />
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The next few hours were a bit of a blur as we got ready to see M83 in concert. I'll be brief about this. The Doyles had to queue for almost an hour to get in, and M83 were poor at best.<br />
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They started off well enough but I lost interest after a while, and they looked like the might be miming. Listening to their CDs is better.<br />
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We left there, had lots more alcohol and the rest of the night is even more blurrier.<br />
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So I'll leave this instalment with some pictures of my cigar monkeys, with the one on the left proving more entertaining than M83. The one on the right wasn't bad either.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWorAh9wlaLwVTOPHWlGUzDSEx_0sVdhG-0i0U55zQaLWATT5eFQYRmvlnyaO5G_-HP8xqLn8m0mkwAN3syVBY5He5NvY5laD1zZc5uL3FgO6m0SoEif5jWH2E1uHR5GhPb_TTWZ2nUp0/s1600/WP_002544+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWorAh9wlaLwVTOPHWlGUzDSEx_0sVdhG-0i0U55zQaLWATT5eFQYRmvlnyaO5G_-HP8xqLn8m0mkwAN3syVBY5He5NvY5laD1zZc5uL3FgO6m0SoEif5jWH2E1uHR5GhPb_TTWZ2nUp0/s320/WP_002544+%282%29.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cigar Monkey</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0__WVxHTlzQfF1LNr2YED9MCIVg5UmtpBK4_LJd4p1XtMcZdZZSRVKganL2XowXt1nKnursHUYtdbmuHf4MidCd5Ym70efVei1fVCXtRkZEL38Oo8Q-Rw7ieY6F9eapEbZKvHdY_-yC8/s1600/WP_002532+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0__WVxHTlzQfF1LNr2YED9MCIVg5UmtpBK4_LJd4p1XtMcZdZZSRVKganL2XowXt1nKnursHUYtdbmuHf4MidCd5Ym70efVei1fVCXtRkZEL38Oo8Q-Rw7ieY6F9eapEbZKvHdY_-yC8/s320/WP_002532+%282%29.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cigar Monkey</td></tr>
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<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-74778879730890788452012-03-22T13:02:00.000-07:002012-03-22T13:02:26.372-07:00Madrid. It's just plain Mad.It's been a while since my last blog update, and I'd like to say that's because I've been busy, but to be honest, I was just being lazy.<br /><br />If I'm really honest though, it's because it took me a week to recover from Madrid, but before all that, you'll never guess who we met at the airport on the way home. Only Raymond Blanc himself! Strange as it may seem, I mention the man in my blog, and next thing you know, we're standing there having a conversation. It was beautiful, he looked at me, I looked at him, he waited for it, and I delivered...<br /><br />Star-struck idiot: "I really love your TV show Musure LaBlonc, it's brilliant" <br />Raymond: "Thank you" *shakes my hand*<br />Tongue-tied idiot:"Yeah, it's the best thing since sliced bread, ha ha ha...food joke there Raymond, did you like that?"<br />Raymond: "Noh"<br />Star-struck: "Can I call you Raymond?"<br />Raymond: "Noh"<br />
<br />So there we were chatting away, him telling me he was in talks about a new series of The Hungry Frenchman, and that he didn't really like the whole celebrity chef thing. I took that as a hint and decided the obligatory celebrity photograph could wait until next time.<br /><br />He was actually lovely, very friendly and chatty and I was happy for the rest of the day. But that was the end of the weekend. The beginning began a few days earlier, with myself and the wife flying out, checking into the hotel and then heading out for food.<br /><br />On leaving the hotel, we had no real idea where to go, but luckily, my superior manly sense of direction took control of the situation, and decided downhill was best.<br /><br />Turns out I was right once again and we soon ended up sat outside a nice little tapas bar, hungry and in need of feeding. The waiter didn't have a word of English, but he got the ball rolling by making some strange movements as he pulled up his apron. After careful consideration, I told him I was Irish, not Scottish, and no, I don't wear a kilt. <br /><br />He didn't bother taking our order, he just pointed to something on the menu and we agreed. Why he let us spend ten minutes trying to figure out the menu is another thing, but it's probably an in-joke.<br />
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Anyway, we ended up with some lovely sliced beef tomatoes dressed in olive oil, followed by a mouth watering selection of chorizo and other meats and cheese.<br />
<br />We left the tapas bar in search of some sun, and two minutes later, we parked ourselves in Plaza Mayor, sitting in direct sunshine, drinking cold beer, smoking my first Ramon Allones of the day. <br />
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A few hours later when we met up with the Doyles, I was having a great time, five beers and two cigars to the good. But there was no time to waste as we emptied the minibar of all alcohol while waiting for room service to deliver the wine. <br /><br />We finished the wine, left the hotel and entered a bar for some more tapas and wine and/or beer.<br /><br />I was actually in reasonable shape by the time we met up with Kaz and Rolo out in Rolos old neighbourhood. We met Rolos friends and I ate deep fried pig fat, which was nice. The friends, not the pig fat, which I can still taste.<br /><br />That was pretty much it for the first night. I'll cover off Saturday and the rest of the weekend next time, but for now, here are some photographs for your viewing pleasure.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWI4TOcptN7Ku-wppBZnDbDgzcBGj5IybOoeCqj74OH8RYSim_JkVyQ6PyffstiBv2HIX3D8Aeg4V02vrvyFhgKK9kuLqHJy-hJtyxyEe8OwquafP8GMXBagqQfxFSWTNFFi7f9cd2Dc/s1600/WP_002526+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWI4TOcptN7Ku-wppBZnDbDgzcBGj5IybOoeCqj74OH8RYSim_JkVyQ6PyffstiBv2HIX3D8Aeg4V02vrvyFhgKK9kuLqHJy-hJtyxyEe8OwquafP8GMXBagqQfxFSWTNFFi7f9cd2Dc/s320/WP_002526+%282%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seleccion</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7IBc3iErcflAlbcuvyqLAtICBD4xFrYmmrDXQgD15zz3KrB8pf2xFK7F13zZSedAaUb9GYQfmoRlyi3I3QhO5IwvO-_CMUMpbnzJ-ViqupvKmcAEXDI2KRDo8cOpAlkVNWtFIZPAQv4/s1600/WP_002531+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7IBc3iErcflAlbcuvyqLAtICBD4xFrYmmrDXQgD15zz3KrB8pf2xFK7F13zZSedAaUb9GYQfmoRlyi3I3QhO5IwvO-_CMUMpbnzJ-ViqupvKmcAEXDI2KRDo8cOpAlkVNWtFIZPAQv4/s320/WP_002531+%282%29.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza Mayor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kJjY3pYsZdZ5JGO1Hbby4lr6gRzELLHwg1lF0FbwzAmUCyVI38TZ2j-62nxvWB5ndmqebDVkKV8Hb1pw6nOTL32p8-7berrv7a3l3VyiPDYplg9MWH7wfA3jHqh9Mhab-nEjTlr3aC8/s1600/WP_002537+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kJjY3pYsZdZ5JGO1Hbby4lr6gRzELLHwg1lF0FbwzAmUCyVI38TZ2j-62nxvWB5ndmqebDVkKV8Hb1pw6nOTL32p8-7berrv7a3l3VyiPDYplg9MWH7wfA3jHqh9Mhab-nEjTlr3aC8/s320/WP_002537+%282%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johns head in a glass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cyf7H51YPhIbxGxa_6Ey0MohxLE-vDXx4mfi40U6gVMj25fDR4f4nMkN0YLvK5Eq1SKCX5EcA-ofvVTu4bRVyjnu3_3UpzxrzrPFzPYSsa9MdQcA8A9c0biTM3ZyT72WH-1bPHqPxGI/s1600/009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cyf7H51YPhIbxGxa_6Ey0MohxLE-vDXx4mfi40U6gVMj25fDR4f4nMkN0YLvK5Eq1SKCX5EcA-ofvVTu4bRVyjnu3_3UpzxrzrPFzPYSsa9MdQcA8A9c0biTM3ZyT72WH-1bPHqPxGI/s320/009.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John pointing out a much gayer jumper</td></tr>
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<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005552896620428695.post-82106263593596063332012-03-02T14:12:00.001-08:002012-03-03T16:45:37.784-08:00Master ChefI'm not exactly claiming to be the next Raymond Blanc or anything, but every now and then, I surprise myself, and on this occasion, I'd like to think I surprised the wife too, as I rustled up something unexpected, something I'd never tried before, and something I had absolutely nobody to thank for, nobody except <a href="http://www.rickstein.com/" target="_blank">Rick Stein</a> that is.<br />
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Rick on Saturday kitchen might have been the inspiration, but Rick assumed I'd made a pastry base before, which of course I hadn't, so that was job number one on my Saturday morning kitchen cooking adventure. Google pastry base.<br />
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The wife was at work, so I had the kitchen, google and the baby to myself. I was thinking of hitting the shops before she got home, but she finished early, so we picked her up, drove up to Waitrose, then sent her in with the list, while myself and the boy slept in the car.<br />
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The shopping list included a good sausage of chorizo, clotted cream and eggs. She had no idea of the culinary delights I had in store..<br />
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Here's another thing Rick told me about, blind baking. Another quick google and I was good to go.<br />
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With the pastry blind baked, it was time for the filling. Chopped chorizo, three eggs mixed with the clotted cream (plus a touch of milk), tarragon , tyme, a pinch of salt and parmesan shavings. Thirty minutes at gas mark 5, and my chorizo quiche was ready for serving.<br />
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To celebrate this delicious luncheon, I relaxed in the garden with a Bolivar gold medal. The Boli was another cigar from Casa Del Habano in Luxembourg, and although there was slight damage to the foot, it didn't make any difference to what was a great cigar.<br />
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I only picked up two gold medals in Luxembourg which was a shame really, as that was the last one. A great cigar and although I originally thought the gold wrapper was a bit pretentious, I actually quite like it now and will miss them now they're gone.<br />
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The second cigar of the day was also a Bolivar, this time a Coronas Gigantes. A long box pressed cigar that was very enjoyable with good smoke and a good burn. I can't remember much more about it but I'm pretty sure I liked it. I'll pay better attention next time.<br />
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The wife was so impressed with my chorizo quiche that the insisted I bake another. This time, instead of chorizo, I went for leek, and instead of clotted cream, I went for a health conscious tub of double cream. Another gold medal for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TmbDunF8aNNeAol4laGMLptVqLLlaH-YgEzghLPz4CRFkQjbdUbumsS1e_UqptU7pFgeGBc3XIchWc-qxN6NZ8nYhHcLzWVLqW_cmNLKRPAAyo2S8kMgIyUta_Ronccp6OB2tN9rzV8/s1600/WP_002563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TmbDunF8aNNeAol4laGMLptVqLLlaH-YgEzghLPz4CRFkQjbdUbumsS1e_UqptU7pFgeGBc3XIchWc-qxN6NZ8nYhHcLzWVLqW_cmNLKRPAAyo2S8kMgIyUta_Ronccp6OB2tN9rzV8/s320/WP_002563.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From this...</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcwUktxJ4EAF9nQlrP_v6MslU4sSZgX12QNWCiQBs1MPEXRfyu8o2a-HLZkqXts0PMknwLECRKHPuaiipcNv_-zjfW89c4lRZvWJpwJYHf6Wg7ni9cttVQmOPVVsSxPkb8q43vmXJzwc/s1600/WP_002568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcwUktxJ4EAF9nQlrP_v6MslU4sSZgX12QNWCiQBs1MPEXRfyu8o2a-HLZkqXts0PMknwLECRKHPuaiipcNv_-zjfW89c4lRZvWJpwJYHf6Wg7ni9cttVQmOPVVsSxPkb8q43vmXJzwc/s320/WP_002568.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...to this</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvszdl_SxzVEFWtOuAItAoy6fMEcsSgdhyphenhyphen2vHP0Ax4De4qUaq9VTj7Qn46rMcANLv1UYGXNCNXhyphenhyphenI2fLQ8LUXuxdj5MUMpBnjmCembzEBPuDDpaf_v6xBEnMs6tI24YGlcSyIUwPo2N8/s1600/WP_002570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvszdl_SxzVEFWtOuAItAoy6fMEcsSgdhyphenhyphen2vHP0Ax4De4qUaq9VTj7Qn46rMcANLv1UYGXNCNXhyphenhyphenI2fLQ8LUXuxdj5MUMpBnjmCembzEBPuDDpaf_v6xBEnMs6tI24YGlcSyIUwPo2N8/s320/WP_002570.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold medal for me</td></tr>
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0vYkNwNm51Kq-VqQf6yqB_hkGyhByb088tLKS2727F6f8mEJwlFeuvP9Toj1XtR9a9vLEIfMCuiHu8EWu0pypzclfvdhEfivrKz-bEq8wJW3SbwogrRz_UPE3UyUmh0EIyw7GC3sYjI/s1600/WP_002579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0vYkNwNm51Kq-VqQf6yqB_hkGyhByb088tLKS2727F6f8mEJwlFeuvP9Toj1XtR9a9vLEIfMCuiHu8EWu0pypzclfvdhEfivrKz-bEq8wJW3SbwogrRz_UPE3UyUmh0EIyw7GC3sYjI/s320/WP_002579.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Boli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QHvXC-ay6G3NT3WKCq1TRwic9W40wCV6zdPtitbaJX6M9yMO9mf0euVp4Q1Agw7URskvjvGw433x_FrXDYyc4udcV8zvbOlINj8O133o6jcErjeOi8OMWuZv-dfjIjdXr3cyx_T0byI/s1600/WP_002606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QHvXC-ay6G3NT3WKCq1TRwic9W40wCV6zdPtitbaJX6M9yMO9mf0euVp4Q1Agw7URskvjvGw433x_FrXDYyc4udcV8zvbOlINj8O133o6jcErjeOi8OMWuZv-dfjIjdXr3cyx_T0byI/s320/WP_002606.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The one with leek</td></tr>
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<br />asdfasdfasdfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380788800746624857noreply@blogger.com0