London UK Smoking Ban.

[Infinity]

Good morning all. I'm writing this from my hotel room in central London.

We got in at 2:30 PM yesterday (Tuesday 12th) direct from LAX on a 10 hour non stop flight. We crashed at 8:00 PM, It is now 2:30 AM Wednesday 13th, the time change is fugging with my body.

The change in London...like day and night! ??? For those of you that have frequented the UK, you will know that the people here love their pubs and many are smokers. We came through here
exactly one year ago and I smoked a few leisurely cigars at pubs and coffee shops. NO MORE! The smoking ban has hit this place with a vengeance.

I spoke to a few locals, they tell me that pub business has been affected, especially in the winter months. I just cannot believe what I'm seeing. We have been coming to London for 30 years and there is
no smoking in ANY public place and that includes B&M's, it's weird! Hell, this is worse than California...LOL.

We are staying at the London Hilton (no, Paris is not here :laugh: ), across the way is Hyde Park. Jane and I took a stroll over to the Park where I enjoyed a WOAM in 50 degree weather. Colder than
I am used to but I must say, it was very pleasant relaxing in the park watching all the crazy people, roller blading, running and just being weird.

Brian

 

[Ginseng]

Hey Brian,

Glad to hear you made it safely over the pond. Enjoy and let's see some photos if you're so inclined. So, where to first? J. J. Fox, Dunhill, Harrod's, or the venerable Sautters of Mayfair?

Wilkey

 

[sonuvabum]

Very cool Brian!

Hope you guys have a wonderful stay. It's been years since I've been to London.

Be sure to look to your RIGHT when you step off the curb.

Have fun, and be safe.

Gary

 

[Infinity]

Hey Brian,

Glad to hear you made it safely over the pond. Enjoy and let's see some photos if you're so inclined. So, where to first? J. J. Fox, Dunhill, Harrod's, or the venerable Sautters of Mayfair?

Wilkey

None of the above Wilkey. As I just mentioned to John in a PM, I have a 50 count caddy that's holding 55 sticks, that will not last 7 weeks anyhow, I'll have to buy some Cooobannns in Cap Town.
The prices here are insane anyhow, I have no motivation to be ripped off.

Thanks Gary, we almost took a hit already. In our tired stupor we were not concentrating.

Brian

 

[Jonesy]

Glad to hear you and your better half made it there safely #1.We wish you a safe and fun trip the rest of the way!

#2

 

[sack]

Have a great time Brian, London is a must for cigar smokers, i'd love to go again.

 

[Rodrigo de Jerez]

London used to be a must for cigar smokers. They have the classic venues but you can no longer smoke in them. The thing that really stuck me last fall is how many people accepted this reality without any fight whatsoever. Just too passive for me.

-Mark

 

[Strayvector]

Glad to hear you and your better half made it there safely #1.We wish you a safe and fun trip the rest of the way!

#2

You know every time you say #1 to Infiity, all I can think of is Cpt. Picard saying, "Make it so no.1." Only thing to complete this is for Brian to find the Peter Pan sculpture in Hyde Park and you can tell him, "Second star to the right and straight on till morning."

Enjoy your time in London, Brian. Make sure you stop by Harrod's and pick up that Ferrari you wanted.

 

[Infinity]

London used to be a must for cigar smokers. They have the classic venues but you can no longer smoke in them. The thing that really stuck me last fall is how many people accepted this reality without any fight whatsoever. Just too passive for me.

-Mark

Mark, there is no difference here to the States. WE, the PEOPLE are too passive. Why? Because it's to much hassle to bother. :angry: ...time to take back our power. :thumbs:

Glad to hear you and your better half made it there safely #1.We wish you a safe and fun trip the rest of the way!

#2

You know every time you say #1 to Infiity, all I can think of is Cpt. Picard saying, "Make it so no.1." Only thing to complete this is for Brian to find the Peter Pan sculpture in Hyde Park and you can tell him, "Second star to the right and straight on till morning."

Enjoy your time in London, Brian. Make sure you stop by Harrod's and pick up that Ferrari you wanted.

LOL Sam. Me thinks the statue you are referring to is Eros which is not in Hyde Park. We did walk by the Gladiator (I think that's what you call him), huge dude with just a leaf on his dick and his body armor next to him. I smoked 50 feet from him, felt very protected. :love:

My kids are too old for toy cars but we are going to have some Irish Oysters at Harrod's, some of the best in the world at around $3.50 each.

Brian

 

[stogieman]

Brian, it's great to hear that you and the bride have made it there safe and sound. Is London the only place you two are visiting or are you doin' a mini U.K. / Europe trip. Make sure you take plenty of pics and post em' when you can....... :thumbs:

 

[Wurm]

Damn, wish you had time to stop in Germany Brian, love to share a cigar with you.

Enjoy your trip and stay safe!

 

[jfields]

Hey Brian,

Glad to hear you made it safely over the pond. Enjoy and let's see some photos if you're so inclined. So, where to first? J. J. Fox, Dunhill, Harrod's, or the venerable Sautters of Mayfair?

Wilkey

None of the above Wilkey. As I just mentioned to John in a PM, I have a 50 count caddy that's holding 55 sticks, that will not last 7 weeks anyhow, I'll have to buy some Cooobannns in Cap Town.
The prices here are insane anyhow, I have no motivation to be ripped off.

Thanks Gary, we almost took a hit already. In our tired stupor we were not concentrating.

Brian

:laugh: :laugh: I tried to talk him into going to see Desi Wilkey. :whistling:

 

[NiteSeer]

Too bad, but if I want to drink some wine, I can bring my own and smoke a stick at the local B&M!

 

[tone-ny]

Brian sorry to hear that the UK has followed suit with other countries. Enjoy yourself in your travels and let us know if you see any interesting items :thumbs:

 

[Infinity]

Brian, it's great to hear that you and the bride have made it there safe and sound. Is London the only place you two are visiting or are you doin' a mini U.K. / Europe trip. Make sure you take plenty of pics and post em' when you can....... :thumbs:

On route to Cape Town, fly out tomorrow night.

Brian sorry to hear that the UK has followed suit with other countries. Enjoy yourself in your travels and let us know if you see any interesting items :thumbs:

I discovered that you can smoke outside all the coffee/retaurant shops that have tables for their patrons. So we sat across from Leicester Square, ordered cappuccino and I smoked for an hour...nice weather, good stuff.

Brian

 

[Strayvector]

I discovered that you can smoke outside all the coffee/retaurant shops that have tables for their patrons. So we sat across from Leicester Square, ordered cappuccino and I smoked for an hour...nice weather, good stuff.

Brian

Sounds like heaven. One of my favorite activities when in Europe. Outdoor cafe, a cafe latte, a good book, and a PSD4.

Nice weather? In London? In February? Wow! Here's to wishing you that the good weather follows you to the southern hemisphere. Have a great time, Brian...and remember, we're living vicariously through you, so don't stop with the trip reports.

 

[sonuvabum]

...and remember, we're living vicariously through you, so don't stop with the trip reports.

X 2 !!

:thumbs:

Keep 'em coming...

 

[Infinity]

LOL Sam, "vicariously"...hell, why didn't you say something, I would have taken you along as my smoking buddy, at least Jane could go shopping and not be forced to keep me company. Besides, you would get to see some of the most beautiful women in the world in Cape Town.

The weather is crap here today, the usual gloomy London and more than 10 degrees colder than yesterday. I still had an Anejo 50 outside a coffee shop across the road from Harrods but with coat turned up and a little cold. Interesting, I took 3 smokes in a pouch so I wouldn't have to open my caddy until Cape Town. The Anejo was the third smoke so it has been out of a humidor for 3 days. It was absolutely amazing, one of the best I have smoked for some time. Maybe it's a message to dry box these babies for 3 days before smoking ???

Right now I'm sitting in the Virgin Upper Class lounge at Heathrow using their wifi. A year ago I had to pay for wifi, now it's free and damn right too, stingy Brits We board in less than 3 hours on a 13 hour flight to Cape Town.

If you live through me vicariously in Cape Town there may be some, wish "I was there" tears. Cape Town is rated one of the top 3 cities in the world with Vancouver and Sydney. Although, IMO, it's the most picturesque city in the world. Mediterranean climate. Crystal clear turquoise sea with white sandy beaches. You have to wear sunglasses on the beaches, the sand is white and the glare is like snow. The best part is the food. This may sound strange to you guys so I'll explain. In most places in the US the fresh produce is imported and/or transported in refrigerated trucks. As we all know, fresh produce does not last long. In Cape Town the farms are close and I guess that's why the food tastes better.

Brian

 

[tone-ny]

Man, why didn't you say you needed a smoking bud? I would have been there with you through thick and thin! Next time.

 

[Mike33]

You have no idea how jealous I am right now Brian.......Winter in the fly-over states sucks!!

Looking forward to more reports "from the road!"