Pre-dendum [02/07/23]: YM Warranty is still anchored offshore waiting for an March 9th ETA in Qingdao, CN. *Not sure why a four year old cargo ship would be sitting idle, at anchor, for over a month. BBC Volga is anchored near Dafeng (ANCH) CN. I think she was heading to Dalian, CN. After five weeks, London Calling has moved a short distance away from Port Salerno Marine to Mack Yacht Services, Inc. (map). Don’t know if it is in for repairs, refurbishing, or improvements/upgrades.

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I had seen this 2 oz. cordial glass by Kirby on the Crate -n- Barrel web site. The nearest CnB to me was at the Streets of Southpoint in Durham, NC. The bottom of the glass is solid glass and provides a heavy, stable base. Until I drove up next to the building, I didn’t recall that I had been to this Crate -n- Barrel, probably several times. They have kitchen & dining items (dishes, glasses).

When I walked in the door, one of the female clerks welcomed me verbally. I asked if they had the 2 oz. cordial glass by Kirby. She said she thought they did, but as she started walking back to find it “on the floor” she was asking another clerk if they still carried this item. Around the corner a short distance down the isle, she found what I was looking for. I included the photo above showing the cordial glass in comparison to other drink glasses. Still, the glass is bigger than I imagined from the online images.

I bought two of the cordial glasses. One for me and one for Ray. Not sure if Ray still drinks any alcohol, but I was pleasantly surprised recently when I tried the Peach Schnapps, and thought I would give Ray a present of a bottle of the Peach Schnapps and one of these cordial glasses. *Several years ago, Ray had introduced me to Disaronno. I thanked him with a small bottle of Disaronno a few years ago. Both of these beverages are very sweet, but the Disaronno has a little more alcoholic bite.

When I decided to visit Crate-n-Barrel to see if they had the Kirby cordial glass, I thought to look for Orient Garden, a Chinese restaurant a short distance from SOS. I have visited Orient Garden a few times, over the course of many years. It may be that my first visit was before the Streets of Southpoint (SOS) was even built. I fell in love with their Orange Chicken. The restaurant is small, but there is an ornate dragon mosaic, and mirrors on one wall. I still have a picture of my last visit. I think I had egg drop soup, an egg roll and the Orange Chicken. Not sure if I also had hot green tea.

When I checked the Orient Garden web site I was disappointed to see they currently do not serve Lunch, and dinner starts at 3 pm. So, everything was working toward me arriving shortly after 3 pm for a late lunch. I didn’t see any egg drop soup on the current menu.

Bought a bottle of Aristocrat Peach Schnapps at the ABC Store in Lillington, NC ($6+). Came up to Fuquay Varina and headed off through Holly Springs and Apex. Did a brief scouting detour in Apex and then headed up to Wegman’s in Morrisville. I’ve been to this Wegman’s about three times. This time, I bought a couple of Miami Onion Rolls and one Pretzel Roll. I think the rolls were $1.25 each. Bought a couple of Zucchini, a log of Salami, and a can of Wegman’s Sauerkraut. Took my yellow shopping bag in to save a nickel.

After C-n-B I drive over to Orient Garden and arrive a couple of minutes past 3 pm. I see someone standing in front of one of the doors to the restaurant. As I walk up to the restaurant, I realize that the person standing in front of the door (which is now being used as a “take out” window) is actually a customer placing an order. An oriental woman is on the other side of plexiglass taking the order. I look down and see a small sign regarding “Only Takeout”… Damn! I didn’t come to eat Orange Chicken and an Egg Roll in my car for dinner prices. I turn around and walk back to my car.

Where to after 3pm, having not eaten lunch? I finally process and recall Smithfield’s Chicken -n- BBQ in Fuquay Varina. The restaurant is diagonally across the street from the Harris Teeter, that has had some really good Gala Apples the last two times I have visited.

I go to Smithfield’s first. I ordered a chicken plate (with dark meat $1 cheaper) with fries and slaw, and sweet tea. I don’t need to sugar in their sweet tea, but the unsweet tea tastes awful. The sweet tea is delicious!

After the meal I headed over to Harris Teeter. I am only looking for the Gala Apples, but down one isle there are no Gala Apples, and all apples are more than $2+. I find the Gala Apples on the next isle but they are more than $2+, having been only about $1.79 the last two times. I decide to not buy apples. *I will say that the apples at this Harris Teeter are beautiful… big and shiny.

I decided to not take the shortcut from Fuquay Varina because of where it comes out near Kipling. At this time of day traffic should be horrible, and when I was passing the shortcut entrance, it was free of traffic, but just after that, there was a long string of cars. A crap shoot, as to if you could have gotten out easily or waited for several minutes to get out.