Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome! Part Five

[CurlerRob]

 

🍺🥌

[Will Work for Tiramisu]

When I was but a young sprout, my family would spend a few weeks every other year in New Brunswick, in the summer. (Father was from there.)  I was a Serious Fisherman (having read The Compleat Angler), and had my way with many a small stream full of brook trout.  The mosquitos were unrelenting.  A local person told me the trick was to smoke cheap cigars.  So, I would buy like Swisher Sweets or Havatampa, and smoke 'em whilst wandering up little nameless creeks, catching fish in every successive beaver pond.  I survived.  Too bad I didn't know then about beekeepers hats with the mesh!  I tried bug spray - fuhgeddaboudit!!  

[Host Jazzbeau]

36 minutes ago, Will Work for Tiramisu said:

I tried bug spray - fuhgeddaboudit!!

Luckily bug spray does work in Brooklyn!!!

[drron29]

Christmas Eve and we got the Fine dining restaurant to ourselves for breakfast.

 

Our table.

 

After breakfast I decided it was time to buy our train tickets from Osaka to Kanazawa and then back to Tokyo. I went online where there were no tickets left for the trains we wanted. Had I made another travel mistake? So immediately I went to Osaka station and the ticket office. Another half hour wait in a queue but i got an agent who spoke very good English and instead of a ticket for each train I got a ticket from Osaka to Tokyo and can stopover any where between. Plus reserved tickets for the 2 trains I really wanted. He explained that only a few tickets are sold online and most are sold at ticket offices around Japan. Stress relieved.
I walked out of the ticket office, turned left and there was Daimaru so of course I went in. Seemed a bit more upmarket than the other 2. So once again a food hall. Unusual ideas of Christmas fare.

 

 

Fried chicken is considered a classic Christmas meal thanks to a campaign by KFC. Here is Daimaru's Christmas chicken offerings.

 

 

That night our son went out at about 8.30 to the nearest KFC. He was the last person allowed in that didn't have an order. The kids left this for me.

 

 

The reason? It was awful.

A little more on Daimaru. I have never seen tomatoes boxed as beautifully.

 

Their Champagne display

 

Not many gins.

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

[drron29]

 

 

[turtlemichael]

[drron29]

 

[drron29]

 

 

[Dolcevita Diva]

On 11/15/2023 at 12:22 PM, Dolcevita Diva said:

 

 

 

Thanks all for your kind thoughts. Marino is 15 1/2 and has been doing very very well for his age (active, playful, funny) despite early stage kidney disease (which, as @silkismomnoted, can be managed for years).   

 

Unfortunately, today's examination revealed that the swelling in Marino's jaw is not a dental issue, but cancer.   My poor dear boy. 

 

 

 

On 11/15/2023 at 2:10 PM, Tothesunset said:

Oh, no. How very sad. Those who don't have the privilege of having pets just couldn't understand the special bond we have with them. The only comfort at times like this is knowing that this unique little individual has had the best possible life and receives the very best of care. 

 

On 11/15/2023 at 2:24 PM, Emtbsams said:

So sorry to hear that the news for Marino was not good. Our Jade is 16 years old ( we just adopted her last Christmas) and we are thankful for every day with her. 

 

On 11/15/2023 at 6:59 PM, DavyWavey70 said:

So sorry to hear this DvD. Sending much love to you and Marino. I Hope Marinos condition can be managed so that you can enjoy every moment you can together. 

 

 Sad (heartbroken) to share that my dear sweet, smart, fun, silly boy crossed the rainbow bridge on Thursday. I can only be grateful for all the years we had together and that he is now free of the ravages of this horrible disease.   Please give your own furkids an extra hug today!

[drron29]

After Takashimaya I decided to do a short walk to the Watanabebashi bridge. Some non Japanese names.

 

And many workers resurfacing a minor road.

 

Expressways in the air.

 

Or over the water.

 

 

 

 

 

Now I noticed something in the last photo that caused me to make a detour down a small back street running parallel to the canal.Here I came upon a statue of Abe Hikotaro who died in 1965.

 

 

According to Google translate he was educated in commerce, became an investor then went to England for a few years. he came back and was a senior executive of several companies and supported public works. But all I could find out by googling his name was a post on Trip Advisor with 1 Japanese reviewer of the statue wondering why it was placed here where it is unlikely to be seen by many. It is in a nice little garden with a long row of Camellias.

 

 

But finally I found what I had detoured to see.

 

 

So the big ducky was popular with families that had young children.

 

Most would get photos in front of this car. The fellow who had a photo taken before me had a son who just wouldn't cooperate. fortunately I remembered what I would say on the Gold coast to Japanese tourists - shashin torimasu ie take a photo. Then it was sign language to suggest he carry his son. the son stopped his shenanigans looking at me in surprise so the father was very happy with the photo.
They also had a yellow van from which they were doing a roaring trade selling duck souvenirs.

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

[jpalbny]

19 hours ago, Dolcevita Diva said:

Sad (heartbroken) to share that my dear sweet, smart, fun, silly boy crossed the rainbow bridge on Thursday. I can only be grateful for all the years we had together and that he is now free of the ravages of this horrible disease.   Please give your own furkids an extra hug today!

 

Sorry to hear this. May those good memories bring you comfort.

 

Dora has been very cuddly all weekend so she has had lots of extra attention. Will give her an extra hug for you and Marino.

[QueSeraSera]

@Dolcevita Diva our heartfelt condolences.  He was a beautiful cat, heart breaks at your pictures.  I do believe our loved deceased pets wait for us somewhere, somehow in the next life.  

 

[Tothesunset]

Another true story:

 

Around the turn of the century I was part of a group that examined candidates for postgraduate qualifications from the Royal College of Surgeons of England. 

 

On the final evening the dozen or so of us would go for a group meal and each examainer's individual food allowance would be pooled for one big blow-out. Sadly, alcohol could not be claimed against this allowance but there was no limit (within reason) for food. 

 

So at a Chinese restaurant somewhere in London the chief examiner asked for the bill but said to the waiter:

 

"When you make up the bill, instead of itemising the beer and wine can you put it down as food?" 

 

"Of course, Sir." 

 

When the bill came the final lines were:

 

6 bottles red food - £xxx

6 bottles white food - £xxx

12 pints draught food - £xxx

[Dolcevita Diva]

15 hours ago, QueSeraSera said:

@Dolcevita Diva our heartfelt condolences.  He was a beautiful cat, heart breaks at your pictures.  I do believe our loved deceased pets wait for us somewhere, somehow in the next life.  

 

Thanks so much @QueSeraSera.  We all certainly hope so, don't we?     

[jpalbny]

Here's the halibut dish I cooked up.for tonight. 

 

2 red potatoes, halved and sliced, then sautéed in olive oil with salt and pepper. Add some shallots and chopped garlic. I also added a few sliced mushrooms for good measure. 

 

Put the halibut on top and drizzle with more olive oil. Sprinkle so.e herbs. Then transfer to the oven to bake until the fish is done.

 

It came out nicely, and stood up to a California Grenache. 

 

 

My inspiration for this was a dish that I had for lunch at a winery along the Douro. They served a healthy slab of baked cod over spinach and potatoes with lots of olive oil. Maybe next time I'll add some greenery...

[Host Jazzbeau]

@jpalbny you are so right – halibut is always a nice upgrade to cod, and works in any cod recipe.  [Arctic char would be even better, if you can find it.]  A light Pinot Noir would also work with this recipe.  But so would a full-bodied NZ Sauvignon Blanc*.  Or, pace @QueSeraSera in the other thread, a large Gin...

 

*PS – I just ordered a case of Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, that was such a hit for me in Auckland in January, from wine.com.  Too bad they don't stock it at Empire.

[QueSeraSera]

23 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

OK Jazz, just ordered a half-case Auntsfield SB based on your rec which was endorsed by Dave in a chat at wine.com.  Added a couple Aglianico reds from Italy to meet a coupon, & because I fell in love with Aglianico in Sorrento.

Edited March 20 by QueSeraSera
clarity

[Host Jazzbeau]

1 minute ago, QueSeraSera said:

OK Jazz, just ordered a half-case based on your rec which was endorsed by Dave in a chat at wine.com.  Added a couple Aglianico reds from Italy to meet a coupon, & because I fell in love with Aglianico in Sorrento.

Uh oh, remember that "food [and wine] is subjective."  I loved the stuff.  You may hate it...

[QueSeraSera]

6 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Uh oh

No stress!  Agreed it is subjective, but now our first glass comes with a story behind it - so thanks for that.  Besides I held back and only ordered 6 😌

[Host Jazzbeau]

6 minutes ago, QueSeraSera said:

No stress!  Agreed it is subjective, but now our first glass comes with a story behind it - so thanks for that.  Besides I held back and only ordered 6 😌

So, cutbacks aren't limited to luxury cruise lines, eh?  🤣

[DavyWavey70]

10 minutes ago, QueSeraSera said:

No stress!  Agreed it is subjective, but now our first glass comes with a story behind it - so thanks for that.  Besides I held back and only ordered 6 😌

6 should be enough for a decent night QSS!

[QueSeraSera]

4 minutes ago, DavyWavey70 said:

6 should be enough for a decent night QSS!

We might need a little help to pull that off, even with pretzels and cheese - if you're in the neighborhood, we'd be delighted to have you stop by!

[DavyWavey70]

12 minutes ago, QueSeraSera said:

We might need a little help to pull that off, even with pretzels and cheese - if you're in the neighborhood, we'd be delighted to have you stop by!

I Think the closest I might find myself QSS in the near future is if I manage to pull off my round the world in 30 days trip next January as I pass through NY. I’ll gladly help you dispose of a lovely bottle of Sauvignon. I Must say though, I was vey spoiled in SYD recently with a wonderful bottle of La Violetta 'Ye-Ye' Blanc. It’s no secret that Gewürztraminer has always been number one but that was quite something. The view of the Opera house and harbour bridge added to the flavour too!