This last Friday, I had the good fortune to meet one of our members OldTom. We live within driving distance one another. He had suggested we meet up at our local B & M. It was without a doubt one of the most pleasant experiences with Pipe smoking I've ever had. He gave me insight on local pipe smoking clubs in the past and local history. The forum here is grand but it was nice to see another flesh and bone piper around. so often, pipe smoking for me is a solitary affair. I love that but it's still nice shoot the breeze about pipes and life. While I was there, I picked up a tin of Sam Gawith Balkan flake. Man talk about a nice tobacco been smoking it everyday since. Tom took time enough to give me great advice smoking since he's a major leaguer and I'm still on the practice squad. I can't get over the nice robust taste and how cool it smokes when you fold them. I have ambulatory issues with my hands and flakes seem tailored to helping me load a bowl. Thanks to the forum I was emboldened enough to finally try flakes and meet another piper. My wallet will soon thin, I feel it starting.