Monday, August 05, 2013

Vaping on the Thames

We took a boat trip on the Thames yesterday. This came about because neighbours of Caroline’s parents had booked the Pocahontas out of Gravesend for a birthday party trip and because couple of people had dropped out we were invited along to fill the gap. Why not, we thought, boat trips are always enjoyable. We took a coach from Althorne – just down the road from us – to Gravesend, this took about an hour and a half, and off we went. I was a bit worried because looking at the others I was a bit underdressed in cut-off jeans shorts and a sleeveless top, but it was very warm and I was glad of the choice. It was enjoyable, with a ploughman’s lunch aboard and a few glasses of wine. I filled up the memory card of my camera, but mainly with a few video clips that don’t look too hot. Usual pictures were taken of Westminster, the Dome, Gherkin, Tower Bridge, Tower of London etc. but it’s the less commonly seen views that interest me more. Here’s a few of them:










While aboard the boat I was of course vaping, especially when I had a few glasses of wine. I still feel a bit wary of doing this in areas where you are not supposed to smoke and I guess I should have a bit more of a ‘fuck you’ attitude, but this was someone else’s birthday party and being a last minute stop-gap guest I didn’t want to end up arguing with anyone. But in reality that’s not likely because you don’t smoke these things like a cigarette – you feel the urge for a toke, have one, and before anyone really notices the thing is back in your pocket. A few who did notice were curious about the device, and one or two smokers were very definitely interested. It seems that a lot of smokers have encountered e-cigs like the plastic Vapestick you can buy in Tesco but not the thing with the ‘clearomizer’ or the idea that you can buy e-liquids that work out a lot cheaper.

Continuing with the subject of vaping, here’s a few things I’m noticing: Alcohol doesn’t fuck me up as much as before. Expected hangovers are not arriving. Before, when I’ve had a few glasses of wine throughout the day like I did aboard the Pocahontas, I’ve always been weary and a bit red-eyed come the evening, but I was fine. The skin of my face is now a lot lot clearer. I suffered with acne rosacea over a few years, which gradually moved away from my nose to form spots on my cheeks and where my sideburns would be if I had them (these ones particularly being the ones that bleed). They’re disappearing and my skin feels tougher. Yeah, I’m liking this a lot.

Note: For those who have been ‘quittin’ with Asher’ – some even using the same e-cig as me – here’s something else I’ve found out: The e-liquid I first bought was 18mg USA mix from Hangsen. It was good, did the trick, but tasted slightly medicinal to me. I’ve since tried one from the same maker called Red Tobacco and it’s much better.     

6 comments:

Unknown said...

currenbtly quitting with asher, Day 4 and no real side effects as yet. apart form i need somethign with a longer battery life. getting stuck on the m25 was not fun,. specially when the damn thing ran out of jiuce

Grim's Reality said...

I got the Red with my V2, I can taste the tobacco taste now, and even though I'd only fallen back to one or two fags a day over the last year, my sense of smell must have been affected far more than I imagined. The world is suddenly a smelly place again.

We did the Leigh to Benfleet and back again, walk yesterday 7.4 miles apprx. The uphill bits on the way back were that joyous breathlessness as opposed to "oh fuck I'm going to die". It's only been a couple of days, I'm truly gob-smacked at the results.

Bit of cough in the morning, but I think that's the clear out, asthma pump just living in the bottom of my bag, not the booster before an ascent or a bike ride to ward off the demons, and an Amanda who isn't complaining about stinky clothes and ashtray breath.

That one or two puffs thing is something I've noticed, as opposed to a fag which is lot's of puffs; it's on demand, at need, available. And in a Piano Bar on the Seafront on Saturday evening, in the covered area (where smoking is banned) I asked if it was ok to use the V-Cig? and the guy said all ok and thanks for asking. So I guess you pick your social venues based on the support/freedom allowed. There will always be someone willing to take your money.

Bob Lock said...

It brings a whole new meaning to 'having the vapours' :)

Neal Asher said...

Andi, I've only charged up this EVOD battery once since getting this thing and then I didn't need to. Remind me what you're vaping?

Graeme, that's great. I'm getting more and more moments when I feel really energetic now. While cycling today I kept thinking to myself, with a degree of disbelief 'I'm free'. I also have an embarrassing number of asthma inhalers I need to offload!

And Bob I bet you keep saying to someone close 'Read this'...

Unknown said...

I have used these things even on airplanes for the past three years. You just put it down into your shirt,, suck your nicotine, and no on bothers you. If you really want two or three good hits, go to the bathroom. they don't have cameras in there yet!

or just light one up and pay the fine....

Unknown said...

you should try the eliquids from http://simplyeliquid.co.uk/ mate, they're great, and they have such a GIGANTIC range, i've been on them for a while now, i feel like i've tried all their flavours, but they keep on stocking other random crap. so much more fun than normal cigarettes, where i only ever smoked menthols