Hi all
As my first post I thought I would share an introductory story which says something of the way I feel about my fellow pipesters.
Quite a few years ago, 1992 or 1993, I was at a conference in Bridlington on the Yorkshire coast in England. One afternoon was quiet so I went off to explore the town. I wound up in a shop selling second-hand books – the kind of place you could browse for hours. The proprietor was a bushy bearded Scot and, judging by some posters he had up, he was prominent in the local pipe club. His desk and the shelves behind him were cluttered with pipes and other smoking bits and pieces.
Sadly I had left my pipe in the hotel but he said, ‘Never mind: have this’, and he gifted me with a lovely little freeform. He even gave me some tobacco from his pouch although, if I’m honest, it was way too strong for me (Warhorse or some similar plug).
So we spent a happy hour talking pipes until it was time for me to go. I never made it back to Bridlington and I imagine the proprietor is no longer with us: he was pretty ancient even then. Even so I always remember him as an example of how gracious and generous pipesters can be.
I attach a picture of the pipe itself (hopefully!). My collection is not a large one, but this is the only pipe I have that I would never ever sell or pass on. Look at the grain! There is nothing on it to indicate who made it or even what country it came from. It’s very special.
Cheers
Mike
As my first post I thought I would share an introductory story which says something of the way I feel about my fellow pipesters.
Quite a few years ago, 1992 or 1993, I was at a conference in Bridlington on the Yorkshire coast in England. One afternoon was quiet so I went off to explore the town. I wound up in a shop selling second-hand books – the kind of place you could browse for hours. The proprietor was a bushy bearded Scot and, judging by some posters he had up, he was prominent in the local pipe club. His desk and the shelves behind him were cluttered with pipes and other smoking bits and pieces.
Sadly I had left my pipe in the hotel but he said, ‘Never mind: have this’, and he gifted me with a lovely little freeform. He even gave me some tobacco from his pouch although, if I’m honest, it was way too strong for me (Warhorse or some similar plug).
So we spent a happy hour talking pipes until it was time for me to go. I never made it back to Bridlington and I imagine the proprietor is no longer with us: he was pretty ancient even then. Even so I always remember him as an example of how gracious and generous pipesters can be.
I attach a picture of the pipe itself (hopefully!). My collection is not a large one, but this is the only pipe I have that I would never ever sell or pass on. Look at the grain! There is nothing on it to indicate who made it or even what country it came from. It’s very special.
Cheers
Mike
: