Fred's 2006 Trip to Portugal Pictures

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 10:17 pm

If you are interested to view the pictures I've taken during my last trip to Portugal, here is the link.

http://www.frederickblais.com/pics/index.php?cat=7

Mainly visiting vineyards and places in Porto/Gaia but also some pictures of very nice places to visit as a tourist in the country.

As soon as I have some time I should put some tasting notes.

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:21 pm

Fred,

Thanks for creating your own thread here.

Stewart and I spent Sunday night discussing the upgrade to the FTLOP website which will take place in two stages, one of which will happen before the end of 2006 and a smaller update by the end of the first quarter of 2007. The photo upload area will be fun and explained in one of the next newsletters, as well as on the Forum, of course.

We consumed a sibling bottle to the one I left for you in Portugal, the 1970 Taylor the other night. I am sure yours will show every bit as amazingly as the one we drank the other night. You will be pleased.

If you would like, as did Alex and Derek in the last newsletter ... you may submit an article about your trip, with photos and tasting notes, I'd be happy to consider including it in one of the next newsletters. Let me know your thoughts on this topic. Thanks!

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:41 am

Roy, it is funny because I was thinking just the same when I was going to bed last night. I should do something in English this year since I didn't do anything last year. In 2004 Derek did look at my article afterwards. Though I think I can communicate easily in English, writing something is something different, but I'll definitively try and if you find it worthy I'll be glad to share it with your readers! I'm giving myself a month or so to do it.

Derek T. · Post by **Derek T.** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:48 am

Fred,

I would be happy to do the proof reading for you again if you wish.

Derek

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 11:04 am

Fred,

Although Derek makes a very kind gesture, we really would appreciate this article in English, so please have someone else work on this with you.

:hello:

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 11:11 am

Roy Hersh wrote:Fred,

Although Derek makes a very kind gesture, we really would appreciate this article in English, so please have someone else work on this with you.

:hello:

I agree....

(Derek, just kidding of course)

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 11:35 am

Every bit of help is welcome! Of course I'll include you in the loop Roy 8)

Derek T. · Post by **Derek T.** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 2:30 am

Roy, I was planning to slip in a few Scottish phrases in an attempt to attract more posts from north of the border

Andy, it's a bit difficult to take criticism from a man who doesn't even know what to do with his cutlery at a civilised dinner table

Derek

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 6:24 am

Derek Turnbull wrote: Andy, it's a bit difficult to take criticism from a man who doesn't even know what to do with his cutlery at a civilised dinner table

Derek

True, but there was soo much, I could'nt count that high

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 10:04 am

Andy,

Are you talking about the number of bottles on the table or the quantity of silverware in your place setting?

This may be the epitome of not being able to see the forest through the trees, metaphorically speaking of course.

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:06 pm

Roy Hersh wrote:Andy,

Are you talking about the number of bottles on the table or the quantity of silverware in your place setting?

BOTH

Derek T. · Post by **Derek T.** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 pm

I didn't witness Andy ever having trouble working out what to do with a port bottle, regardless of how many were sat in front of him

Derek

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:24 pm

Yeah, I brought them all home...well, a couple of them anyway 8)

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:41 pm

There was nothing so funny as watching Andy explain to the US Customs Agent:

ANDY: "Officer, I swear to you, this box contains empty bottles."

USCA: "I have heard 'em all buddy, do you want to come clean and tell me the truth?"

ANDY: "But officer, I am a policeman and I would never lie to you about something like this."

USCA: "This is the last time I am going to ask you: What is in the box?"

ANDY: "There are six empty wine bottles for rememberance, and six that still contain wine."

USCA: "Sir, please step over to that line, for a cavity inspection."

ANDY: "Really officer, that is not necessary. I just saw my dentist before I went to Portugal and I brushed 2x a day while I was away."

USCA to his associate: "Jim, I think you are going to need the cuffs and a straight jacket too!"

Derek T. · Post by **Derek T.** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:50 pm

This is the first post on FTLOP that has actually made me laugh out loud - good one Roy - I can see the innocent look on Andy's face as he tries to explain to a 6'6" customs officer why it is "normal" to carry 6 empty bottles half way around the world

It's lucky that Andy didn't take the same approach with Customs as he did with the drunk huy in VNG otherwise he would still be locked up in Newark

Derek

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 5:49 pm

LOL!!!!

Serioulsy, Roy is not far from the truth.

Boy, did I get some strange looks from the TSA when they x-rayed my carry on bags and saw all those bottles. One had some sediment and a touch of Port still in it, so before leaving the hotel, I put a t-stoper cork so it would not spill. (The last bottle we drank on Friday night, in case your wondering) The TSA guy pulled it out, looked through the glass, and got wide-eyed. I started doing some quick explaining and told him to pull the cork out and smell...wrong thing to say as he gave me a bigger evil-eye look. He did eventaually smell it, and said "This smells good." Ahh, I can see I'm getting somewhere with him. So, after a brief explanation of how sediment is formed in bottle and about our crazy drinking adventures he started laughing and allowed me to carry them on to my return flight to L.A.

They are now proudly on display at my home.

Derek,
I don't have the slightest idea what your talking about

Derek T. · Post by **Derek T.** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 1:50 am

So, Andy, did you decant that "touch of port" off the sediment when you got home and give it another try?

Derek

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 6:21 am

Well.... seems we have made a full cricle. I removed my picture from your trip diary, but your trip gossips keep coming back to my post!

Derek T. · Post by **Derek T.** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 8:25 am

I blame Roy for not sticking to his own rules

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:50 pm

Fred,

You are right...sorry.