So, I've just returned from Norfolk after having spent a wonderful Easter weekend with my Uncle and Aunty. It was superb to catch up after two years apart and we had some great fun; walks on the coast, a morning of fly fishing (freezer now nicely stocked) and of course lots of good yarns whilst settling in for the evening sipping our favourite drinks and smoking our favourite pipes, which in Glenn's case was a 'meer with a bent amber stem. It was on such an evening that Uncle Glenn shared the following with me...
After watching the film The Good, The Bad and The Ugly many years ago he discovered the pipe of his dreams; a meerschaum with a bent amber stem being smoked by Lee Van Cleef. A two year oddessy then began visiting many BMs but to no avail. Having pretty much given up he wandered into a BM on the north Norfolk coast and was met by a young chap behind the counter who was keen to help. After pouring over many catalogues it seemed that he was going to draw a blank again. That was until Glenn spotted in a cabinet the perfect bowl with a black stem, and the perfect amber stem on a briar. Not to be thwarted the young chap stroked his chin and came up with a solution; he swapped the stems round and there in a magical moment, was THE pipe of Uncle Glenn's dreams. By some odd twist of fate, the stem fitted perfectly. He was bowled over. Next came the issue of price. Bearing in mind the pipe of choice was now made up of the most desirable parts of the two donor pipes, Glenn began to brace himself. Imagine his surprise when the chap said 'That'll be £17 please'. 'Are you sure?', asked Glenn. The attendant confirmed the price. Now, Glenn was a little unprepared for this outcome and didn't have any cash so he pulled out his plastic. 'Sorry Sir, we don't take cards', said the attendant, who was clearly as disappointed as Glenn. Being so close to success Glenn tentatively asked if the attendant would be prepared to hold the pipe until the following weekend. There was a pause as the attendant weighed up the situation. 'Why don't you take the pipe now and send me the money in the post?' he suggested. Glenn was stunned and little off balance. 'But I could walk away from here and you could never see me again'. Again, another pause, 'I don't believe you'll do that Sir'. So, Glenn walked out of the shop with the pipe of his dreams. As soon as he got home Glenn prepared the payment, adding a few pounds for a beer, and wrote of note of thanks for the attendant.
Two years later Glenn was in the same village and decided to go out of his way to pay the attendant a visit and personally thank him. Upon entering the shop Glenn was met by an older chap. 'Are you looking for anything in particular Sir?'. 'Actually, I'm looking for the younger chap who was working here a few years ago'. 'I'm sorry Sir, he's no longer with us. He died of cancer 6 months ago'. Ironically, he had never smoked in his life.
Twenty five years later, Glenn's favourite pipe is the very same meerschaum. And each time he lights up, he spares a thought for the chap who made his pipe dream come true.
After watching the film The Good, The Bad and The Ugly many years ago he discovered the pipe of his dreams; a meerschaum with a bent amber stem being smoked by Lee Van Cleef. A two year oddessy then began visiting many BMs but to no avail. Having pretty much given up he wandered into a BM on the north Norfolk coast and was met by a young chap behind the counter who was keen to help. After pouring over many catalogues it seemed that he was going to draw a blank again. That was until Glenn spotted in a cabinet the perfect bowl with a black stem, and the perfect amber stem on a briar. Not to be thwarted the young chap stroked his chin and came up with a solution; he swapped the stems round and there in a magical moment, was THE pipe of Uncle Glenn's dreams. By some odd twist of fate, the stem fitted perfectly. He was bowled over. Next came the issue of price. Bearing in mind the pipe of choice was now made up of the most desirable parts of the two donor pipes, Glenn began to brace himself. Imagine his surprise when the chap said 'That'll be £17 please'. 'Are you sure?', asked Glenn. The attendant confirmed the price. Now, Glenn was a little unprepared for this outcome and didn't have any cash so he pulled out his plastic. 'Sorry Sir, we don't take cards', said the attendant, who was clearly as disappointed as Glenn. Being so close to success Glenn tentatively asked if the attendant would be prepared to hold the pipe until the following weekend. There was a pause as the attendant weighed up the situation. 'Why don't you take the pipe now and send me the money in the post?' he suggested. Glenn was stunned and little off balance. 'But I could walk away from here and you could never see me again'. Again, another pause, 'I don't believe you'll do that Sir'. So, Glenn walked out of the shop with the pipe of his dreams. As soon as he got home Glenn prepared the payment, adding a few pounds for a beer, and wrote of note of thanks for the attendant.
Two years later Glenn was in the same village and decided to go out of his way to pay the attendant a visit and personally thank him. Upon entering the shop Glenn was met by an older chap. 'Are you looking for anything in particular Sir?'. 'Actually, I'm looking for the younger chap who was working here a few years ago'. 'I'm sorry Sir, he's no longer with us. He died of cancer 6 months ago'. Ironically, he had never smoked in his life.
Twenty five years later, Glenn's favourite pipe is the very same meerschaum. And each time he lights up, he spares a thought for the chap who made his pipe dream come true.
