Long Post. Dull.

[Smudge]

Great wine doesn't have to be expensive, have you tried Chateau Musar from Lebanon, haven't drunk in years but had a strong following and is produced in the French Bordeaux style

[Libertine]

We'd been thinking the same about you!

So relieved you've not spotted me outside your window.

Bad news about my pooch Jake.

Bloody hell Lib, how the devil are you?

What are you up to these days?

I am swell thank you sir. I am working (or half-working, being an apprenticeship) in the offices at Glenfield Hospital. Enjoying it. Still waiting for us to sort this whole living together arrangement out though... ? I WON'T EVER LET IT DROP.

[AoWW]

So relieved you've not spotted me outside your window.

Bad news about my pooch Jake.

Awww, no. PM me if you want. {{hugs}}

[Jon the Hat]

Old threads do remind one that others have moved on with their lives and don't post so much.

[The People's Hero]

I've just re-discovered this 'place' really and I do find it a little bit sad that some of the old characters aren't here, which is a selfish reaction I know.

I also know I'm an opinionated idiot, but after a bottle of red and one (perfect) gin and tonic I feel comfortable admitting that I'm all heart really and don't mean anybody any harm.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

TPH - have you ever had a crack at making your own gin?

I'm semi-tempted but reckon whatever I come out with will end up tasting like unpleasant medicine and shame.

[The People's Hero]

TPH - have you ever had a crack at making your own gin?

I'm semi-tempted but reckon whatever I come out with will end up tasting like unpleasant medicine and shame.

No. And I could do without the temptation. But I have been given some sloe gin that somebody I know made, a year or two ago. Might be longer now actually. Anyway, it was lovely.

Everyone of those sentences started incorrectly I think.

I'm not sure how you would go about making your own gin. Do I have to make it in the bath? Why am I thinking you'd need potatoes? There are no potatoes in gin?

Anyone tried sipsmiths?

[AoWW]

No. And I could do without the temptation. But I have been given some sloe gin that somebody I know made, a year or two ago. Might be longer now actually. Anyway, it was lovely.

Everyone of those sentences started incorrectly I think.

I'm not sure how you would go about making your own gin. Do I have to make it in the bath? Why am I thinking you'd need potatoes? There are no potatoes in gin?

Anyone tried sipsmiths?

I think it's safer if you do it while fully-clothed.

[Alexikokopops]

I've just re-discovered this 'place' really and I do find it a little bit sad that some of the old characters aren't here, which is a selfish reaction I know.

Some of us still lurk. I was here before you lot and I'll still be here come the end of the world no doubt.

TPH - have you ever had a crack at making your own gin?

I'm semi-tempted but reckon whatever I come out with will end up tasting like unpleasant medicine and shame.

I think it would taste like Michael Le Vell's crotch sweat.

[Monk]

I've just re-discovered this 'place' really and I do find it a little bit sad that some of the old characters aren't here, which is a selfish reaction I know.

I'm still about too....although don't post as much as I used to. You should get into scotch, it's bloody brilliant.

[AyewJoking]

Well, the OP wasnt dull but that doesnt mean you get a rep point.

[The People's Hero]

These rep points didn't exist in my day.

I shan't look any further in to it, I'm probably heavily in to minus territory, if that is possible.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I think it would taste like Michael Le Vell's crotch sweat.

You're bloody right it would.

[Alexikokopops]

You're bloody right it would.

That picture, right there, is everything that is right with the world

[flowwolf]

You're bloody right it would.

I bet Big John's had torrid sex with him .

[Parafox]

Great wine doesn't have to be expensive, have you tried Chateau Musar from Lebanon, haven't drunk in years but had a strong following and is produced in the French Bordeaux style

Didn't that used to be water until about 2000 years ago?

TPH, have any of your dreams been realised in the last 6 years?

[The People's Hero]

TPH, have any of your dreams been realised in the last 6 years?

As a lot of people do when young(er) I dreamt the way you should dream - of experiences and achievements which might eventually prove beyond you.

I have revised my dreams a little now, mainly because I don't think I'll achieve the old ones (cop out) but partly because I've changed.

I read that original post and it still is unmistakeably me, but a young and unafraid version of me, when dreams were made and used and wasted, there was no ransom to be paid, no song was unsung and no wine un-tasted (thanks les mis).

I do play golf and I have written some of a novel and I do know a fair amount about wine. My dream at one time would have been to have been good at golf (and recognised to be so), achieve a wine qualification (master of wine) and get a novel published. My feeling now though is that those achievements don't really matter. I've come to appreciate (or perhaps to re-set my expectations) the process of doing these things. Hitting a few balls at the range, writing a few thousand words of a novel or simply enjoying a bottle of wine (or reading about that wine) - is its own reward, there is no need for there to be a certificate or an end-goal to all of it.

I do have a family now though, a mortgage, bills and very very little disposable income and disposable time. As a result I tend to be happiest now in the company of family or friends locally, entertaining at home, cooking, reading or enjoying a glass of wine. I do also get a lot of satisfaction from my work with various industry institutes (I sit on committees), the local cricket club and the charity I run, but as my time is further squeezed (more on this soon), some or all of these might have to take a brief (or longer) hiatus.