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Post by stanleyb on Nov 4, 2016 19:00:19 GMT
I just received news that one of my long time friends living in Jersey passed away in September. I was aware that he was seriously ill lately, so it didn't come as an unexpected surprise. He loved rums from the West Indies. So I used to post him a bottle from time to time when I came across a good one to drink. I used to write "West Indian herbal Spirit, not suitable for consumption" on the Customs declaration form. He used to get asked strange questions by the postman about that...
He once gave me an Alphason turntable. I could not ship the bugger from Jersey. Couldn't get a courier willing enough to tackle the weight of it, packing, etc. Eventually I had the arm removed, and the TT was buried in his back garden. I kid you not!
I'll have a drink or two on old man Ray tonight.
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Post by John on Nov 4, 2016 19:08:17 GMT
Sorry to hear this Stan
Wishing you all the best during this dark time
PM me if you wish to catch up and chat
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2016 19:27:45 GMT
So sorry to hear this Stan, it is never nice when a good friend passes away  |
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 4, 2016 19:58:13 GMT
Bad news Stan.
Have an extra drink on behalf of the TAS members will you?
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Post by MartinT on Nov 4, 2016 20:28:30 GMT
I'm sorry to hear that, Stan. I hope you toast him in the best way possible, with some of that 'herbal spirit'.
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Post by stanleyb on Nov 4, 2016 20:55:21 GMT
It's a good enough excuse to have a strong drink or two on the 1st weekend of the month. It's a West Indies tradition.
Ray was 95, and a nice guy to talk to. He had served King, Queen, and Country in the West Indies during the colonial era. When he was called back to London, as the Union Jack was lowered one last time over colonial outposts that had gained independence from Great Britain, he just could not adapt to the rat race. After years of tranquil living in the tropics, the sound and smell of London was more than he could bare. So he cashed in his chips as soon as he could and bought a (then) cheap bungalow in Jersey. Except for us discussing rums of the world, especially after I had sent him a bottle to enjoy with me over the phone in real time, I enjoyed listening to where he had been for his summer holiday. They used to have a travel agent who would look for last minute discount holidays for retired folks in Jersey. They never knew what bargains would show up. He managed to visit some exotic places at a week in Brighton kind of prices. But the internet eventually stopped all that. People can look up those bargains on the web and snap them up before the travel agents know about them.
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Post by Sovereign on Nov 4, 2016 21:05:33 GMT
Sorry to hear the news,
Sounds Like he was a good friend, and you had a real mutual respect and appreciation for each other.
Friends like that are very few and far between.
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Post by stanleyb on Nov 4, 2016 21:06:36 GMT
I'm sorry to hear that, Stan. I hope you toast him in the best way possible, with some of that 'herbal spirit'. Thanks for all the comments guys, and yes, I am helping myself to something nice. Ray and me had a great time discussing the two rums in the picture. One is 80%, the other is 81%. Those are local alcohol classifications however, and should be taken with a pinch of salt. Antiquated measuring equipment I suspect. They are in fact far stronger.  |
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Post by MartinT on Nov 4, 2016 22:28:57 GMT
I'd like to try the dark one. I brought back a bottle of St Lucia rum from there back in 2003 or so and it was divine.
If I can find my Captain Morgan's I'll toast your friend this weekend.
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Post by pinkie on Nov 5, 2016 6:37:05 GMT
Sorry for your loss Stan. Comfort, like the genie is often to be found in the bottle, and they look like good ones. I'm going to need to re-stock. Always seems to be this time of year.
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Post by Chris on Nov 5, 2016 8:09:33 GMT
I'm sorry to hear about your pal Stan. I also love a good rum and was introduced to quite a few by an ex Navy boss of mine. He had a display in the pub that most folk would associate with single malts and it was an interesting time getting to find out about all the crackers that are out there.
Many condolences.
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Post by MikeMusic on Nov 5, 2016 8:26:54 GMT
Sorry to hear that Stan.
A good age but always a sad loss to see a close friend go
Later
i had mug of tea and some toast and sent him my best
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Post by speedysteve on Nov 5, 2016 16:14:38 GMT
Sorry to hear this Stan. However booze won't help it. Fresh air, exercise and good company with laughs and smiles will help much more in my experience  |
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