Quote Originally Posted by cessna152towser
Great pics, Bob, that's a really nice one of you and your wife. I used to be involved with Paisley Jaycees (or Junior Chamber as we call it in Britain) during the 1970's and 1980's and have lots of old cine film of local events and trips to some of our twin towns. From memory we were twinned with Reykjavik (Iceland); Malahide (Ireland); Villefranche (France); Furth (Germany); Kolding (Denmark); Hasselt (Belgium); Luxembourg (Luxembourg) and Alphen-ad-Rijn (Holland). I have some film of some of the Scottish members walking around Alphen-ad-Rijn in their kilts during a visit in 1979.
That's great! Always glad to "meet" another Jaycee.

Billmcc, and anyone else who wants to impress and amaze friends, this is how to open a champagne bottle with a dirk (or sabre or similar instrument):

1 - Use CHILLED champagne or other sparkling wine. There's less pressure.

2 - Remove the wire basket and foil covering.

3 - Find the seam on the side of the bottle. Aim the bottle away from spectators and fragile items, mostly upright but pointed slightly away from you.

4 - Lay the blade flat against the bottle, along the seam. Slide the blade quickly up the seam, sharply striking the glass "ring" at the top of the bottle. The ring will separate from the rest of the bottle, taking the cork with it. The point where the seam meets the ring is the weak spot on the bottle. That's why it works. It should break cleanly.

5 - When all your friends exclaim their amazement, think to yourself "Thanks, Bob!"