SOTD: Saturday 29th September - Friday 5th October 2018.

dave79 said:

Nice, drama free yet slightly emotional last ever shave in house before moving to new family home:

Yaqi Tuxedo Synth
Executive Shaving bowl
iKon B1 Deluxe OC
Polsilver SI
T&H Ultimate Comfort Cream
Barts Balm Lime Oil ASB

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Blademonkey said:

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~SOTD~ October 2nd

Prep ~ Shower, Lavender Glycerin Soap
Razor ~ Blackland Blackbird
Blade ~ Personna Super Platinium Chrome
Brush ~ Zennith 28mm Manchurian
Soap ~ London Oatcake Soap ~ Lavender Melt
Post ~ Thayers
Scent ~ L'Occitane Edt

A fantastic shave with my favourite DE razor to date and the latest soap from London Oatcake Shaving Soap, Lavender Melt.
Shaves can't get much better!

P.

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TomG said:

Great to have you back, Paul - you've been missed, my friend!

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Digimonkey said:

Sotd - Saturday 29th of September -

Razor - Mergress (1.5)
blade - Aussie Spoiler (5)
brush - Maseto 30mm Silvertip
soap - Vreto Mandarin and Orange
post - witch hazel
a/s - OSP Orange and Patchouli
balm - Aloe Vera gel
scent - Hermes Eau d'Orange Verte.

Result - fantastic - really - fantastic.

Six days growth coming off. I'm a bit shit at shaving - not in the sense - he says modestly - of not getting a good result with each shave - but I really should do it more often. This was an exceptional shave - the scents of the software I used - dovetail wonderfully - outstanding - considering - they were made by three different companies. Vreto soap has as good a vegetarian base as any - once you get used to the amount of moisture you need to add to it in the lathering - thirsty - ne plus ultra. Superb face feel after - for me - onto the OSP tonic - orange top and bedded on a proper patchouli - serious longevity for an aftershave - where that finishes - the Hermes takes over - they match very well - just lovely. The Aussie Spoiler is well into its stride - like it wasn't there - as always - the Mergress - was the bollocks - I have learned not to turn it up too much in assertiveness - no matter how heavy my growth - like any of my adjustable razors - the Aristocrat or indeed the Rockwell for instance. Unless it is really serious - that's Cobra time. A great shave - enjoy yours one and all - yours - I.

Oh -

The scene - a late Victorian drawing room - a floor up - from the cobbles - one of the most recognisable - if not fashionable - addresses in London. An unusually tall and gaunt man is sitting in an arm chair - looking almost like he is collapsing into its fabric - the atmosphere is one of deep torpor - it is dark - his features lit only by the fire in the grate. An aquiline nose above a prominent jaw - which rests heavily on his chest. He becomes aware of motion on the stairs leading up from the street door - instantly familiar with the creaking of the floorboards - the rhythm - steps three, nine and eleven complaining under load. There is a pause - the visitor is straightening his garb before knocking - he doesn't have the chance to - ‘Come in Watson.'

Dr John H. Watson - late of the Indian Army - surveys his long-time companion - and the room - with dismay - it is rank with the smell of chemical experiment and black pipe tobacco - untouched breakfast trays on the dining table, papers and musical scores littered everywhere - an uncased violin.

‘What brings you - friend Watson?'

‘I came to congratulate you on your most recent - brilliant - success. I think that Sir Thomas has great cause to thank you?'

‘He doesn't have to thank me - just pay my expenses. Like any other client.'

Sir Thomas Claremont - the mining magnate - late of Perth, Western Australia - had made an unfortunate love match - involving one of the oldest crowned families in Europe - a scandal only averted after he sought the help of the great detective.

‘Holmes - you are too modest - Lastrade took the credit again I see?'

‘You know me well enough Watson - I don't undertake these things for adulation - it is the chase - the game - the pleasure is solely in the solving of the problem. In this case - quite trifling really. The official force needs all the help it can get - especially that buffoon Lastrade. Come sit with me by the fire. Tell me your business - how is Mrs Watson - good - I hope. Light a lamp - why don't you?'

Holmes falls back into glassy-eyed silence. Watson joins him by the fire - immediately noticing the Morocco pouch on the armchair - has he resorted to the seven percent solution so soon after his most recent inquiry has ended? Watson has long experience of this part of Holmes' character - out of concern as a friend and as physician - he tries to engage his prodigious intellect - the only antidote he knows.

‘Holmes - I was wondering if you could help me with an adventure we shared recently - I am writing it up for the Strand magazine - and couldn't follow the finer points of your reasoning.'

‘You are transparent Watson - but I will indulge your concern for me. Shall we have a brandy and soda? What is it that interests you?'

‘The nasty business up in Epping Forest - you remember? The Malay Lascars?'

‘Ah yes - the Black Civet gang of Hornbeam Lane? Nasty as you say - such villainy - our dear queen and empire have seldom been in such peril - as I recall - your trusty service revolver - and you - saved my life - not for the first time - or the last I'll wager. Let me recover the salient facts.'

To be continued…….

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TomG said:

Cracking read, Iain.
The plot is thickening nicely. I look forward to hearing more on the fortunes of your adroitly drawn characters.
I know one thing - I'd not be trusting any Jokers that hang around the Epping Forest and are domiciled in Hornbeam Lane.

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