Little Ben's 1970 Virtual Off-line

benread · Post by **benread** » 23:14 Wed 16 Jul 2008

As some of you know I am imminently due to be a father for the first time. I say imminent because Mrs R is currently 4 days late!

It has been suggested that a virtual tasting may be appropriate, mainly because I fully intend to open a bottle of something 1970 (my own birth year) and it seems rude not to share it with like minded friends. Online is likely to be the nearest I get to being allowed out so...

Who is invited?
Anyone available and prepared to share a glass of port (A red drink for those that have not heard from KillerB!) at short notice.

What is the theme?
Anything you care to share! I personally have a Burmester colheita from 1970 in mind. I have never tried any colheita before so felt a "first for my first" was appropriate.

When is this?
That is a very good question! According to the midwife today, somewhere between now and next Friday (25th July)

Further details to follow!

Post by **DRT** » 23:19 Wed 16 Jul 2008

Excellent idea Ben!

Given your own birth year I would suggest that those who can should open a 1970. Others should open whatever they can.

Keep us posted on developments

Derek

Post by **jdaw1** » 00:22 Thu 17 Jul 2008

When contractions start, you have twenty-four hours at least. Wait twelve of them before decanting (“sorry love, back in a moment, something important to do†).

Post by **DRT** » 00:30 Thu 17 Jul 2008

jdaw1 wrote:When contractions start, you have twenty-four hours at least. Wait twelve of them before decanting (“sorry love, back in a moment, something important to do†).

Good advice. But please remember to take the same oportunity to post a message here so that we can all have adequate time to decant. In the longer term Mrs Read will see that you were only doing it for the good of the family.

benread · Post by **benread** » 07:55 Thu 17 Jul 2008

jdaw1 wrote:When contractions start, you have twenty-four hours at least. Wait twelve of them before decanting (“sorry love, back in a moment, something important to do†).

Fine words but I am cautious - one of our friends from ante-natal classes had lunch with Nuala, left our house around 3pm and had the baby same day. Not a single clue she was in labour I am told!

I will however endeavour to do as you and Derek suggest and provide 12 - 24 hours notice. Given I do not expect to be decanting in the delivery suite that should be possible!

benread · Post by **benread** » 04:10 Fri 18 Jul 2008

In a PM....

DRT wrote:Fri to Sunday work for me.

It will be! Friday or Saturday look favourite at present.

Post by **jdaw1** » 04:26 Fri 18 Jul 2008

Please tell the missus to get a move on. Friday a friend is visiting for some porty refreshments, so I’ll be decanting in twelve hours anyway.

benread · Post by **benread** » 16:41 Fri 18 Jul 2008

benread wrote:In a PM....
DRT wrote:Fri to Sunday work for me.
It will be! Friday or Saturday look favourite at present.

Looking more like Saturday it seems!

Axel P · Post by **Axel P** » 21:54 Fri 18 Jul 2008

Would love to come. All the best

Axel

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 23:30 Fri 18 Jul 2008

Friday or Saturday work for me.

I might be able to open a 1970 vintage - but I was keeping those until Julian is back in the country and we can share lots of different 1970 vintages with Ben!

Post by **DRT** » 23:46 Fri 18 Jul 2008

AHB wrote:Friday or Saturday work for me.

I might be able to open a 1970 vintage - but I was keeping those until Julian is back in the country and we can share lots of different 1970 vintages with Ben!

So you will just have to open one that you have more than one bottle of

benread · Post by **benread** » 10:44 Sat 19 Jul 2008

As of 5.48am I am now officially a Dad. Right now I am going to catch up on 2 nights missed sleep, then I am going to decant something around 3pm.

Visiting hours finish at 8pm so I hope to be home about 8.30pm and online if anyone cares to join me then!

Post by **DRT** » 10:48 Sat 19 Jul 2008

benread wrote:As of 5.48am I am now officially a Dad.

Congratulations Ben, Mrs Ben and Little Ben

No go get some sleep - it's the last you will get for 18 months

Post by **jdaw1** » 12:25 Sat 19 Jul 2008

Hurray for Daddy Ben!

Axel P · Post by **Axel P** » 12:27 Sat 19 Jul 2008

hey, Congrats.

Since your sex-life will decrease better drink more!

Axel

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 13:30 Sat 19 Jul 2008

Congratulations Mr Ben, Mrs Ben and Baby Ben. I will be opeining a bottle in your honour tonight. Sleep.

benread · Post by **benread** » 19:59 Sat 19 Jul 2008

I have started a "review" thread here for comments or pedantry as you wish.

Any and all welcome - 1970 optional, but of great interest to me!

And a big thank you for all the best wishes received. Mother and baby both well. Dad has last night of freedom...!

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 20:18 Sat 19 Jul 2008

Congratulations. Glad to hear everyone is doing well.

Dad has last night of freedom...!

think of it this way, when you keep getting woken up by a crying baby you can have a glass of Port to help you get back to sleep

Rubby · Post by **Rubby** » 22:04 Sat 19 Jul 2008

Congratulations to you and your wife, Benread!! A happy day indeed!

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 22:09 Sat 19 Jul 2008

Congratulations Ben!

Do you have a name yet?

Tom

benread · Post by **benread** » 22:14 Sat 19 Jul 2008

uncle tom wrote:Do you have a name yet?

We decided to wait and see what he looked like. We then had to wait for Nuala to work the drugs out of her system and be corpus mentus enough to make any sort of decision!

We have now agreed on Edward Donal Howard Read. Howard is a family tradition - he is 4th generation (that I know of) to have Howard as 3rd name on paternal side.

He is now a fully paid up junior member of Surrey County Cricket Club!

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:16 Sat 19 Jul 2008

benread wrote:Edward Donal Howard Read

A formal notice on

is even more prestigious than one in The Times, and cheaper.

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 21:00 Mon 28 Jul 2008

Many congratulations Ben!
Was he born on the 19th? That night we drank a 2007 Quinta do Passadouro (possibly) vintage port barrel sample. That's as close as you can get to a 2008 at the moment. If it was on the 20th, we placed a toast with a 1976 Fonseca Guimaraens.

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