Robert K Stephen (CSW)

RKS Wine: Does Lions’ Circle Shiraz Roar or Meow?

The Plantagenet Lion’s Circle 2018 from Western Australia might roar, meow or perhaps even purr. Western Australian wines can be lighter than a Barossa or McLaren Vale Shiraz. Let’s see! As for aromatics there is an earthy characteristic that on a blind tasting I might mistake this for a South African Shiraz. Notes of blackContinue reading “RKS Wine: Does Lions’ Circle Shiraz Roar or Meow?”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 28June1975: Stockholm, Sweden: Seeing the King of Sweden and the Arguing Gay Boys

Up at 9:30 in my slum which at least has hot water in their showers. On my way to the supermarket to buy some breakfast supplies approached by yet another drunk of which there are many in Stockholm. I bought some bread, cheap meat and a litre of milk. The price was so outrageous IContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 28June1975: Stockholm, Sweden: Seeing the King of Sweden and the Arguing Gay Boys”

RKS Film: “Road Trip”: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Panah Panahi has crafted a clever film in the Iranian film “Road Trip”. It is a wonderful film and does not hand feed you. It is delightfully vague and I believe perhaps intentionally so or has Iranian autocracy hardwired Panahi as a matter of survival to be discrete? If you know the repression of IranianContinue reading “RKS Film: “Road Trip”: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”

RKS Wine: Inexpensive French Wine: Pays d’Oc

Generally speaking Southern France, particularly Pays d’Oc, can be a good region for inexpensive wine with quality a bit of a hit and miss but isn’t that the case for just about all wine regions? The Gayda Syrah 2020 retails for $14.95 in Ontario. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s description in its April 16,Continue reading “RKS Wine: Inexpensive French Wine: Pays d’Oc”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 27June1975: Finally in Stockholm: This Country is Too Expensive!

Up early for a barely edible breakfast and hit the highway after yet another gruelling walk. Got a lift quickly with a fat and jolly truck driver from Germany who was driving in Sweden making good money at $120 a day. Finally a series of lifts to get me into Stockholm and found a diveContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 27June1975: Finally in Stockholm: This Country is Too Expensive!”

“Travels to a Different Time: 26June1975: Almhütt, Sweden: The Home of IKEA!

A wasp buzzed into my tent at 08:30 and that certainly is more effective than an alarm clock. I whipped out to a nearby store for some bread, sliced meat and milk. I ate, packed up and split. A gruelling walk took me to the highway heading to Stockholm. In a moment a lift fromContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time: 26June1975: Almhütt, Sweden: The Home of IKEA!”

RKS Real Life: Bizarre Night at the Opera

Sometimes by default I find myself at the opera as I did last night. It was La Traviata staged by the Canadian Opera Company at the Four Seasons Center in Toronto. It is a beautiful venue. We meet my former doctor in the lobby prior to the performance. I knew that he occasionally acts asContinue reading “RKS Real Life: Bizarre Night at the Opera”

“Travels to a Different Time” :25June1975: Ystad, Sweden: Burgers with The Boppers

Up at 07:30 for a hot shower. So good! I needed to ask someone how to use it. You set the temperature and press a button and water shoots out of the shower head for about 40 seconds and stops. You keep pressing the button until you are done. It gives you time to soapContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” :25June1975: Ystad, Sweden: Burgers with The Boppers”

RKS Film: “Beautiful Scars”: Tom Wilson’s Journey

As human beings when our time comes to pass into the other world we will have collected a series of life experiences. They will range from horrific to ecstatic. Canadian musician Tom Wilson seems to have experienced the complete range. It is the unpleasant ones that leave scars. A scar is a healed wound butContinue reading “RKS Film: “Beautiful Scars”: Tom Wilson’s Journey”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 24June1975: Ystad, Sweden: Milk and Cookie Bliss!

Up for last day in Poland. Raced to the washroom to beat the rush and take advantage of the hot water. Went into town but the stores would not be open until 09:00 so I sat on some steps and updated my diary. There were soldiers and police all over the place. The soldiers hadContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 24June1975: Ystad, Sweden: Milk and Cookie Bliss!”