Progress Report from the Dam

[DubintheDam]

Well I figured the best way to inform you of all my 'goings on' was just to post a 'Sit-Rep'. A busy time has been had over the past couple of weeks...apart from work that is.

Me and Tzaddi met up two weekends ago, he taking a sort break with a brother-in-law here in the Dam. A few PM's and we managed to meet up on a very sunny Sunday afternoon and 'shoot the sh*t' as they say. It's so great to meet someone who share's a similar passion, a comforting reassurance given that one is not alone in their insanity.

We swapped tins and my probably life long addiction to Luxury Bullseye was set in stone. Isn't it ironic and telling that it is a person you never have met before from 3000 miles away that shows you what tobacco you go crazy for!

We did a couple of beers, a couple of shops and generally just talked about life, the universe and the relevance of pipe smoking in both.

I got to see the forum pipe, read the infamous Pipes and Tobacco Magazine and generally feel great about life in general...but that just might have been the beer!

Anyway a great day was had for the Stogie Forum, Trans-Atlantic relationships and the unshakable ability for men to be men together.

Me an Tzaddi in Hajenius shop



A fine Larsen and Tinsky bathed in glorius Sunday sunshine



PART 2

After ordering my 3lbs of Bulleye's from Cup o' Joes, I thought I better sort out the pipe shelf for 'incoming', picked-up a nice new chest for the baccy celler and a heap of jars...it's getting there....



PART 3

The wife always loves a wee puff on my pipe and she's been talking about getting a few Lady pipes for herself...so...we picked up these today, lovely very small bowled 9mm filter pipes that work the same as the Falcon system and are made by Stanwell but show no Stanwell marking on them...I think there great and might just pick-up one for myself next week. Only paid €20 each for these as they where reduced from €45. The women in the shop is always helpful but really took great pride and patience in selling pipes to a fellow lady...a joy to behold.






Oh and I picked up a tin of Latakia...

[Hank]

Looks like you guy's had a good
time.

[hollywood]

Great story, Dub. Always good to see folks getting together. Looks like a great time.

[JacksonCognac]

Very cool read. I enjoyed the pictures as well.

[Cheeto]

looks like a great time

Thanks for the update!

[tzaddi]

Pearse is a wonder of a guy and knew where the best toilets where on our walks, of course why not have a beer if we are stopping in to use the toilet. We yammered on about the graphic and commercial arts as well. Pearse has some very prestigious clients.

When in Amsterdam check in with the "Dub".

Thanks Pearse.

[havana_lover]

glad you two had a good time, wish I would stay in city for more then a day.. Damn work..

[hyper_dermic]

I love that shot of the pipes basking in the sun with the beer..

Oh man... how i miss the belgium beers... (not that dutch beers aren't good.. i miss those too.. )

-hyp

[Syekick]

Good friends, tobacco, a little beer, and of course, the search for a toilet when overseas. Nothing like a little local knowledge to let the beer rest "easy" A great trip and a wonderful visit I'm sure.

[tzaddi]

Did I mention that they have beer in the Dam?





and expresso





and cool buildings





and lots of bikes



and more…

[jgros001]

Fantastic pictures of a great city....would love to go back someday

[physiognomy]

Awesome pics Richard... Thanks for sharing! Pearse sounds like a great guy. I hope to have the opportunity to meet him & share a yarn & ale or two some day!

[DubintheDam]

"Ah sure, that Pearse guy is bloody brilliant, isn't it practically written in stone for the whole world to see"...High praise indeed..indeed. Truth of the matter is; old Tzaddi isn't such a bad'un either. "Didn't he only go and buy me a year's subscription to Pipes N Tobacco magazine...and said nothn' of it! He's going for sainthood himself...game on son.

Anyway now that I got that off my chest...back to the update. I took a few days break in a vacation park in Flevoland which is about an 1.5 hrs away on the train. I thought I'd post a few pics....today on the the way back we went by boat to a place called Spakenburg...an old fishing village, where people still wear old Dutch costume and still has a large conservative Church going community.

http://www.vvvspakenburg.nl/en-US/De...entType=2&Id=0

The Flevoland itself is all reclamed land so some of what you see in the fotos was just water 30-40 years ago! Anyway I just thought I'd show you a little dutch landscape and culture that is not the Red Light and coffeeshops enjoy...dub

This was just water 40 yrs ago!


My wife loves a good power nap


Spakenburg in the distance


The terrace at the chalet park...again this was water/sea 30-40 years ago


Would you trust this man?


"Morn'n to you"


These are of the old harbour in Spakenburg, these boats are lovingly maintain by diehard fanatics, most of whom where sanding and hammering away.





There was a health incentive set-up in the town square, so the old ladies gave us a little twirl...and very nice it was too.


There you go...now I call that progress....dub