PAD N' TAD hits big time in Basel...

[DubintheDam]

...two new pipes, a Night n Day Stanwell Poker, a Rattray's Old Gowrie black sandblast Rhodesian, sweet pipes, real good price too. Baccy; Prince Albert, just to see what all you yanks are talking about, Paul Olson B93, Larsen's No.50 sweet aro, Dunhill EMP and Nightcap just because I can't get them in the Dam. The lady in the shop also threw in a bag off the shops own blend, a real tasty Scottish blend.

The baccy here is HALF the price than in Amsterdam, will pick up a few tins of Three Nuns before vacation ends, because it's so bloody expensive in the Dam. I'm allowed 250 grams per person, export wise, so that's 10 tens in total, cause me wife gets 250g also.

Basel is pipe heaven, I'm only here 1.5 days and I've found 3 top..TOP...pipes shops.

Oh and the internet is free in the YMCA! Well that's all from your roaving reporter, signing-off for now...Dub in the Bas.

And remember folks! Travel is just another opportunity to meet new pipes.

I thinking you're not having a good time.


Sounds like a blast. Thanks for the update.


PS We want pictures later....

[IHT]

sweet, dub. i miss being in europe.
one of these days i'll go on a PAD spree... not that i need to, mind you. i just wish i had "IHT type money" to do those things.

[kheffelf]

Originally Posted by IHT

one of these days i'll go on a PAD spree... not that i need to, mind you. i just wish i had "IHT type money" to do those things.

Speaking of going on a PAD spree I have been thinking about buying pipes like crazy lately. Might pick up another Tinsky, might get a Bjarne Churchwarden-wished I bid a little harder on the Rad churchwarden on ebay. or I might pick up a Jirsa. But I am really thinking about Mark to make me a Hawkbill, I love that pipe style.

[EvanS]

Originally Posted by IHT

sweet, dub. i miss being in europe.
one of these days i'll go on a PAD spree... not that i need to, mind you. i just wish i had "IHT type money" to do those things.

nice attempt at deflection. We'll all act fooled if it will make you feel better

[DubintheDam]

As requested, the photos and update on my Swiss vacation. Pipe smokers are very common on the streets and in the bars, even more so than cigars smokers, so that was a first for me. The last time I visited Switzerland it was to Geneva and Ticino, which are the French and Italian areas, so the fact that this was more the german speaking area may have something to do with the popularity of pipe smokers, Germany having quite a strong tradition of pipe smoking.

As mentioned the baccy was between 30-50% cheaper (than Holland, 70-90% than UK/Ireland!) depending on blend, and pipes were real normal prices, this is quite amazing when you consider how expensive Switzerland generally is with regard to transport, restaurants and even food. Just to give you an example a tin of Three Nuns is €11.60 here in the Dam, and there €7.40!

In addition to good prices, there were really good pipe shops too, I found three in Basel and two in Bern the capital, with great selections and stock. So all in all a really good pipe smokers vacation.

This pipe is the Rattray's Old Gowrie No. 9 (or 6) €92 paid. Already fairly broken in, a great smoker and looks real classy. I was on the lookout for a sandblast Rhodesian. I figured if they make such good baccy, they probably do good pipes, and I was right.

[DubintheDam]

This one is a Stanwell Night & Day Poker No. 207. A really big monster of a poker, thick walls, deep, wide chamber. Great smoker, €95 paid.

[DubintheDam]

Just so you get the 'mood' angles with moody lighting!

[DubintheDam]

And....last but not least..the stash. Two tins of Nuns, Larsen Sweet Aro No.50, Paul Olsen My Own Blend B93, EMP and Nightcap, A tin of Davidoff Danish, and Royalty. Stacked at the back a pouch of Prince Albert, a tasty wee burley, a pack of Dark twist, because it only comes in 100gr tins here and I've been meaning to 'test' it. And. On the right a lovely pouch of the Basel's shops own Scottish Blend, which was free and is Dam (excuse the pun) tasty too.

The Nuns I can get here, but I love the stuff and it was so much cheaper there. Haven't seen EMP and Nightcap here either, ditto No.50 and Paul Olsen...and Prince Albert, which I really enjoy..already. So that's the Full Monty boys! Didn't he do well. Leagl limit is 250gr per person, so that gets me 500gr, and I cheated a little...650gr in all, which is about 1.2 lbs of choice baccy, and in total about €80 paid.

[DubintheDam]

Oh...and the 5 Star Hotel was pretty good to, a room with a view.

[IHT]

beautiful view, and great lookin pipes/tobacco.

[Big T]

Sounds like a great trio. Enjoy the haul!

[smokehouse]

Nice Pics. Thanks for sharing. Glad you had a nice Vacation. I'm envious.

[The Pirate]

I really like the poker!
Ken

[Mister Moo]

Very handsome pipes, Du'dam. Also great pics and, of course, your usual enthusiasm! Glad you enjoyed the Swissies.

Did you have a Rosti while you were there. I miss a good Rosti.