You might also recall that I have a thing about thermometers. Downstairs we have an old-fashioned mercury thermometer which I believe was intended to be used for sugars and caramels - but there's no reason why it can't be used for soup, either.
Results of the great soup temperature experiment, day 1:
Papa "too bastard hot, are you trying to scald my tongue?" Bear: 188°F (86°C)
Mama "send it back and bring us a hotter portion, waiter" Bear: 117°F (47°C)
"Certified just right, mmm-hmm" Baby Bear brand: 143°F (62°C)
More results as we get them. Incidentally, the experts suggest that soup should be served at between 155°F and 160°F, which I now believe. (Ambition #176: go to the poshest restaurant in town and order a bowl of not-Gazpacho soup to be served at between 155°F and 160°F - and have it served at that temperature without an annoyed waiter having slashed in it first.)
Incidentally, this mercury thermometer and my posh digital thermometer cannot agree on the temperature inside our fridge. The ol' mercury analogue claims a nice, safe 43°F (a shade over 6°C) whereas the digital suggests a worryingly high, bacteria-friendly 8.5°C. It's like watches; a man with one always knows the time, a man with two is never sure...
(Am I the only one who pronounces the HTML tag for the ° symbol as "And-and-deg"?)