Girls Coffeeshop Talk

[East Bay Rider]

I like them both. The dark dial reminds me of the quartz Citizen watch I bought in Jamaica on my honeymoon. It's a nice watch with the nicest alarm chimes I've ever heard. Maybe I'll take a picture and get a battery for it to start wearing it to work.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Oh...and here's another little something I bought!

I went for a walk (that lasted, and I kid you not, 10 hours almost non stop) with my girlfriend last week (pictures of the trip will follow, I have a special surprise for you guys) and whilst shopping around in the old port I stumbled across this small bracelet made of wooden beads. It has been handmade by Native Americans and apparently the leather in it was worked on with the same methods that were used by the Natives' ancestors (is it a tourist trap? Perhaps but I will believe that what was written on a small tag on the bracelet instead of being told to me by a salesman in a kiosk outside). It doesn't really matter to me anyway as the only reason why I bought it was because I found it nice and thought the colors made it very versatile, it matches pretty much every piece of jewelry I own.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

I like them both. The dark dial reminds me of the quartz Citizen watch I bought in Jamaica on my honeymoon. It's a nice watch with the nicest alarm chimes I've ever heard. Maybe I'll take a picture and get a battery for it to start wearing it to work.

Thank you Bill and yes, you must take a picture of that watch as I'd love to see it!

[FeelingTheBlues]

Our trip in the Old Port and Old Montreal, here are some pictures I took while walking with my girlfriend, we had a whole lot of fun and it was a very beautiful day!

Some statues and nice buildings we saw...















In Chinatown...





This was below the lion, it says that it was given as a gift from China's government.



A small alley with restaurants we walked by during our trip, next to it was the ruelle des artistes, literally the artists' alley, where artists put their paintings and pieces up for sale (there were some paintings, drawings, handbags, clothes and even some pretty nice pieces of jewelry made of wood or sterling silver).



...And the Clocktower! A very old clock near the water that has four big dials to show the time.



Here are some pictures whilst we were climbing up the stairs to the top of the tower...



All the steps (I believe there were 192) had their number on it, the #1 was all at the top...

Our first stop for a break, boy do I need to work out harder...



Such panels were on the walls all the way to the top of the tower, they were giving historical facts about the construction of the tower and the mechanism.





The energy going through the gears of the mechanism comes from this weight.



This pendulum regulates the movement.



And now some pictures of the said movement...



Here's a quick video of the escapement in action!



I have another video showing the whole movement and my "climb" to the very top of the tower but it's too big to be sent by e-mail, I'll have to find myself a mini memory card to put it on but rest assured, I'll share it with you as soon as I can!

That part takes the energy of the main mechanism to transfer it to the four dials of the clock...





And when we reached the very top of the tower (above the clock)...



...Yes, it is pretty bloody high!





My moonphase watch, along with my Native bracelet and another wooden beads one I had, were with us during this trip...



That big sign was on the side of the tower...



Along with a few of these (no rules breaking intended, I'll delete them if anybody doesn't like that picture), I don't think Canada ever used them during the two World Wars but I'm guessing that at that time they'd better be safe than sorry...



And finally, after walking around for quite a long time...some dessert!

A queue de castor (beaver's tail is the word for word translation) is a fried and crusty flat piece of dough on which you can put different types of sweet stuffing.

Mine (the Quebecer, a mix of maple spreading with a line of chocolate)!



My girlfriend's (a classic chocolate and banana one)!



...And the last (but not the least), the teasure I found the next day while we were doing groceries...







...Now that's an awful lot of chocolate if I ever see some!

[dbelle7]

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

It's a new chronograph I bought a week ago or so, I usually don't like to buy the same watch (or almost) two times but this one was different enough from the one I already have to justify buying it. Despite having a rose gold case as well and square pushers the black dial, the 35mm case (smaller than my 38mm other one) and the subdials being at 3 and 9 instead of 6 and 12 made me want to buy it and have two watches with the same complications that would look pretty different from each other.

The watch could need a service but it runs very well, the only problem is that the last watchmaker who touched it didn't put the chronograph's second hand properly so its "0" is at about 1 second. The other different thing is the way to use the chronograph, the top pusher is only there to start the chrono (while my other one's top pusher starts and stops it), the bottom one, instead of only resetting the complication, stops is and will reset it if you press it again while it's stopped.

What say you?

The square pushers are unique! Nice find, Carl! Enjoy it.

Loved seeing all the photos of your adventure! Those sweet treats at the end are making me hungry.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by dbelle7

The square pushers are unique! Nice find, Carl! Enjoy it.

Loved seeing all the photos of your adventure! Those sweet treats at the end are making me hungry.

Thank you Dawna!

As for the queue de castor, you need to try one of those someday, they're absolutely delicious!

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by dbelle7

Wes,
Yes, we should all be eating strawberries and cream. That is a lovely bowl there in that photo. I need someone to prepare me a bowl and bring it to me at work. Directly. (is directly a British term? For some reason that popped into my stream of consciousness)

"Directly" is very a very commen term around here.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by dbelle7

Wes,
Yes, we should all be eating strawberries and cream. That is a lovely bowl there in that photo. I need someone to prepare me a bowl and bring it to me at work. Directly. (is directly a British term? For some reason that popped into my stream of consciousness)

Hmmm, not sure we would say it like that.

Maybe, get me some strawberries and cream, pronto.

[The Joker]

Really like the new watch Carl. I love rose gold, is it 18k? And cool bracelet.

And nice tour of Montreal, would love to visit someday.

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Hmmm, not sure we would say it like that.

Maybe, get me some strawberries and cream, pronto.

Reminds me of Wednesday Addams

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by Lisa

BTW, the green turquoise ring was made by Derrick Gordon. And sorry for the misspelling of "Navajo." I'm not much good on that tiny iphone keyboard. We're home now and I'm back at the regular computer.

Kale chips? I bet Whole Foods has them. And thanks for the info on how to make them, J. Maybe my kids will eat them prepared that way.

Oooh, yes Whole Foods! Will check it out!

[kcmo]

Looks like quite the adventure, Carl! Nice pick-ups too!

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Really like the new watch Carl. I love rose gold, is it 18k? And cool bracelet.

And nice tour of Montreal, would love to visit someday.

Thank you Wes and yes, it is 18kt rose gold! When those chronographs are solid gold that's usually the type they use, however, their cases are very light and therefore pretty fragile. It's not quite like a solid gold Rolex...

Thank you for the comments on my tour, I haven't been able to have a lot of fun while studying so when I got my first day of vacation I didn't think twice and decided to visit a city I've never visited before...mine!

The next tour (if there's some) will hopefully last a few days and will involve a good road trip in the province, we want to visit other towns pretty far from Montreal and see the big forests and the nature in Quebec (it's a shame to live in such a beautiful place without driving around, however long it can be). In the meantime I'll go back to my friend's cottage this weekend and will definitely enjoy, as always, the nature over there...up north!

P.S.: Montreal is a beautiful place, I recommend you to put it on your bucketlist, especially if it involves a little GTG with me!

Originally Posted by kcmo

Looks like quite the adventure, Carl! Nice pick-ups too!

Thank you kindly Karis!

[Lisa]

Here's some pics for you, Bill....









This sign was fun....



And if you wondered what was in that pink box I was carrying...

[Lion]

Lisa, I really like the green turquoise ring you picked up and the silver work around the stone really accentuates the stone. I'm glad you and Dave with the girls were able to take a vacation and have fun together. And as for all the Native American jewelry it would sure be fun to have one of each!!!

Take it easy.....Leo

[Lisa]

Glad you like it, Leo. I wish I knew more about turquoise jewelry, but I thought the ring was quite pretty.

Carl, I've enjoyed your pics! The clock tower workings was cool - not many people get to see something like that. And your new watches are so nice, and in original condition, too!

[dbelle7]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Hmmm, not sure we would say it like that.

Maybe, get me some strawberries and cream, pronto.

You are secretly American, right? hehe

[Lion]

Carl, I really like both of your watches a lot and the new one you picked up reminds me of the Breitling Navitimer I received from my Mom and was my Dad's favorite watch while I was growing up. His was from 1957 and he was also a member of the AOPA, I also need to get it overhauled and a few parts replaced and pick up a watch band or bracelet for it as well!!!

Your trip and explorations of Old Montreal and the Old Port sure sound like you had a great time...it's always fun to check out new places with a girlfriend along. I Know I would of loved to have checked out the "Artist's Alley" and perused at all there was to offer. In Chicago during the Summer there are many organized 'Street Art Festivals' which Pam and I attend each year. And then in the Fall there are a few scattered throughout the Suburbs to check out as well.....

When you make it up to your friend's cottage please snap a few shots of the woods for us to see.....Please!!!

Take care.....Leo

[dbelle7]

Lisa,
The contents of that pink box look delicious! On another note, I don't think your girls could deny being related to each other. ;)

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Glad you like it, Leo. I wish I knew more about turquoise jewelry, but I thought the ring was quite pretty.

Carl, I've enjoyed your pics! The clock tower workings was cool - not many people get to see something like that. And your new watches are so nice, and in original condition, too!

Glad to know you liked them Lisa, it was a great experience to admire that clock's movement. As for the watches, thank you but only the black dial one is new to me, I have had the other one for about a year now.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Glad you like it, Leo. I wish I knew more about turquoise jewelry, but I thought the ring was quite pretty.

Carl, I've enjoyed your pics! The clock tower workings was cool - not many people get to see something like that. And your new watches are so nice, and in original condition, too!

Lisa, those sweets looked awesome and I imagine they tasted as good as they looked???

Do you have other trips planned this summer even if they are long weekend getaways? Does Dave have some more time off to spend with all his favorite ladies???

And how are your Gardens doing anything in bloom currently???

Take it easy...y'all

[dbelle7]

Originally Posted by Art 1

"Directly" is very a very commen term around here.

My grandma from Kentucky used to say it, but pronounced it more like 'dreckly'.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

Glad to know you liked them Lisa, it was a great experience to admire that clock's movement. As for the watches, thank you but only the black dial one is new to me, I have had the other one for about a year now.

I need to read the posts more carefully. I thought you bought both of them, and that the white dial one was similar to what you already had. So who makes these watches? It looks like it says "Swiss Chronograph" on the dial. But is that a brand name or just a description?

[FeelingTheBlues]

Leo, I will take a few pictures of the woods and forests for you! As for the watch, thank you for the kind words! Would you have pictures of the Breitling?

The alley was very nice, the jewelry pie es were in some kind of a small yard with counters and no roof, kind of like a outdoor store, I am sure you would love it!

Lisa, the Chronographe Suisse watches are, if you ask my opinion, probably a fancy way to say a no name chronograph. Even if mine are gold you will find plenty of then with gold plated or SS cases with various sizes, pushers, dials and even movements (the white one has a Venus whilst the black one has a different one, some also hae Landeron's in them). They are not good collectibles because they are too common but if you know where to look you can find some nice models in a good condition at a pretty good price.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Lion

Lisa, those sweets looked awesome and I imagine they tasted as good as they looked???

Do you have other trips planned this summer even if they are long weekend getaways? Does Dave have some more time off to spend with all his favorite ladies???

And how are your Gardens doing anything in bloom currently???

Take it easy...y'all

The sweets were very rich and very good. Violet's 6th birthday was that day, so we let her pick some goodies from a bakery. She was good enough to share.



The garden's doing okay. Have picked three banana peppers and have some big bell peppers getting close to maturing. The tomato plants have finally put out a few tomatoes but it will be a while before they ripen. Not sure when to dig the potatoes but the plants are starting to turn pale and dry, so I guess it won't be long. The roses are blooming a bit, the dianthus are doing well, and the herb garden is thriving. Bronze fennel, basil, rosemary, parsley and sage. Just got to keep things watered because they don't do well with these near 100 temps.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by dbelle7

Lisa,
The contents of that pink box look delicious! On another note, I don't think your girls could deny being related to each other. ;)

The two little ones are like peas in a pod, but only in appearance. Personalities are like night and day. People say Phoebe looks like me, which of course results in eye-rolling. Hers, not mine.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by Lisa

The two little ones are like peas in a pod, but only in appearance. Personalities are like night and day. People say Phoebe looks like me, which of course results in eye-rolling. Hers, not mine.

So you are at the stage where in her mind you are "Embarrassing her".....

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

Leo, I will take a few pictures of the woods and forests for you! As for the watch, thank you for the kind words! Would you have pictures of the Breitling?

The alley was very nice, the jewelry pie es were in some kind of a small yard with counters and no roof, kind of like a outdoor store, I am sure you would love it!

Lisa, the Chronographe Suisse watches are, if you ask my opinion, probably a fancy way to say a no name chronograph. Even if mine are gold you will find plenty of then with gold plated or SS cases with various sizes, pushers, dials and even movements (the white one has a Venus whilst the black one has a different one, some also hae Landeron's in them). They are not good collectibles because they are too common but if you know where to look you can find some nice models in a good condition at a pretty good price.

Weren't a lot of them made by small companies who put their own names on them, though the movements were not in house, but were provided by only a few manufacturers? I may be totally wrong, but thought I remembered reading about this when doing some vintage watch research.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Lion

So you are at the stage where in her mind you are "Embarrassing her".....

Always. Her dad can do no wrong, and Mom can do no right... it is Nature's way, I guess.

[Lion]

Boy everyone.....all this talk and pictures of 'sweets' is making me hungry. Haven't eaten since yesterday and now all I want is 'junk food'. ThinKing now of going to Zarlingo's for a large Gelato.......