Mr. Pea's Story Behind the LP Grand Ciècle

MrPea

Member
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3,012
Some of you have seen this post of mine from Wednesday night in the "What are you drinking now" thread.

Well, it's not just a random opening of extra special champagne.

QUOTE="MrPea, post: 938876, member: 5188"]
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Because it's Wednesday night.
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Back in 2014 I was flying home from visiting family in Sri Lanka and I'd used BA points to upgrade to business. The chap sat next to me was on holiday, but was a BA steward, and it turned out that he was due to be head steward on my flight home from San Francisco 10 days later.
Those 10 days later this chap, Tim, found me in the lounge and apologised that the flight was completely full and so he couldn't upgrade me. I had an exit row seat, so couldn't have a water bottle during take off, but had a terrible throat and was in absolute agony needing a drink. Because I was unwell, I thought I would stay dry that flight. Anyway, I prayed for the drinks cart and next I knew was a stewardess handing me a cup on a tray, winking and saying "Mr. Pereira, happy birthday!" It was a glass of champaign from Tim. I feel incredibly blessed - I'd prayed for water and was given champagne!
Fast forward through the flight and Tim woke me up to apologise for the busy flight and to hand me a bottle wrapped in a duty free bag. I asked him to put it in the locker for me, but I could see the shape and knew exactly what it was, and that he'd taken it from First class stock for me.

I promised myself to keep that bottle for a specific occasion, hoping, but not certain, that it would happen for me one day.

Now to the glasses. I visited Venice with three of my Sri Lankan cousins in ~2013 as they were going round the world to celebrate their 40th birthdays. It was on this trip, after I wangling a free prosecco breakfast on the roof terrace of the Danieli Hotel that we visited a glass blower on Merano, and that's where I bought these.
Until Wednesday, they had only been once, to celebrate my sister's engagement.

So why did these glasses finally have another outing on Wednesday night, and why could that bottle now be opened?

Well, on Tuesday night I asked Skye to marry me, and she said 'yes!"
That bottle was finally needed to celebrate my engagement.
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Here it is by the ring I used to propose. We're going to design a proper engagement ring together so this is 'just' a stand in that Skye will later be able to wear on her other hand. I had a jeweller friend make it for me to come from my Sri Lankan roots. It's a black Ceylon star sapphire, and to keep the style of my fatherland, it's set in 22ct yellow gold.

So there you go, that's not just a standard midweek tipple!
 

Simon1963

Member
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819
Congratulations MrPea and the MrsPea to be. What a great story. My son and his partner also got engaged on Tuesday on Holiday in Crete which was much needed happy news as his partner had a miscarriage the week before. It seems he had it all planned and proposed on the beach at sunset.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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@conaero - sorry I couldn't call in at the pub on Tuesday night!

Frankly it’s a lame excuse and typical of a women stopping men being men!

Only kidding, that’s great news. Other than most of us zooming in on the reflection in the bottle to get a look of the lucky lady, have you a pic of the pair of you?
 

Harry

Member
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1,149
Great choice of stone for the engagement ring, star sapphires are lovely. Congratulations!
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
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Oh, well done, Stevie. Fabulous news. Warmest congratulations from the two of us.

But must this wonderful news herald the sad demise of your wild days aleing, whoring and shagging?
 

MrPea

Member
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3,012
Frankly it’s a lame excuse and typical of a women stopping men being men!

Only kidding, that’s great news. Other than most of us zooming in on the reflection in the bottle to get a look of the lucky lady, have you a pic of the pair of you?

Fair point... here's a pic Skye's housemate took for us when we just got back from me popping the question.
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MrPea

Member
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3,012
Great choice of stone for the engagement ring, star sapphires are lovely. Congratulations!
Thanks! I'll stick up a pic of the ring soon, but I need to stage some closeups that show the star.
It's actually an 'interim' proposal ring that I had made as a rush job in order to propose because we want to design and commission the proper engagement rings together (yes, I did say plural, as I'm going to wear one too). So, my jeweller helped me find a rather more unusual stone for a single rock setting that Skye will be able to wear on her other hand as dress jewellery in future.
Star sapphires have been my favourite gemstone for a long time, so it was a great way to pull in my heritage.