What's It All About, eh?

Cape Breton evokes deep memories and strong emotions for me as well as a deep appreciation for the beauty of my adopted island. My hopes are that you too might find the photos evocative - maybe a view you've not enjoyed before, or an 'Oh I've been there', or if from away that you may be encouraged to visit this fair isle so that you might come to love and breathe Cape Breton as I do. One word about place names that I use - some are completely local usage while others are from maps of Cape Breton that I've purchased over the years. I frequently post travel and other photos that are of interest to me - and hopefully you.

On the right hand side bar find my take on Single Malt whiskey - from how to best enjoy this noble drink to reviews (in a most non-professional manner) of ones that I have tried and liked - or not. Also musings, mine and others, on life in general.

Photographs are roughly 98%+ my own and copy-righted. For the occasional photo that is borrowed, credit is given where possible - recently I have started posting unusual net photographs that seem unique. Feel free to borrow any of my photos for non-commercial use, otherwise contact me. Starting late in 2013 I have tried to be consistent in identifying my photographs using ©smck on all out of camera photos I personally captured - (I often do minor computer changes such as 'crop' or 'shadow' etc but usually nothing major), and using
©norvellhimself on all photos that I have played around with in case it might not be obvious. Lately I have dropped the ©smck and have watermarked them with the blog name.

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Grand River Falls In Dry Weather

© Aug '12    photo by smck
This summer Cape Breton has been quite dry with just enough rain to keep the fire index from going to the extreme fire danger zone.  So this August, with care we could walk across the falls on the rocks.  For a photo of the same time last year look up the posting of March 2012 - "Grand River Falls in Spate". 

McCarthys Pot Distilled Whiskey

While in Baltimore yesterday - 1 Sept '12 - I purchased a single malt distilled in Oregon state.  So it's whiskey with an 'e' and the word Scotch conspicuously missing on the label.  However it is a decent member of the malt whiskey set, Scotch or no.  To wit:  McCarthys Oregon Single Malt, a pot distilled whiskey by Clear Creek Distillery.  These words I'm posting today are really just a warm-up of a more in depth review as I was exhausted when I sampled a wee dram late last night.  It was decent enough though to me seeming a bit 'thin' in the opening taste and then coming through with mildly pleasant peat flavour and other little flavours that I will have to dwell on tonight.  At the present I will simply say neither bland nor overwhelming and pleasing flavours that finish well.  More later on this. Promise!!

Tidal Pool Waters

© Aug '12    photo by smck

Inukshuk - Cape Breton

© Aug '12    photo by smck
Friends of mine living near me at Grand River Falls have their own Inukshuk welcoming me as I drive in for some home raised eggs for breakfast.   
(See other posts of Inukshuk in June and July of this year).


"The mysterious stone figures known as inuksuit can be found throughout the circumpolar world. Inukshuk, the singular of inuksuit, means "in the likeness of a human" in the Inuit language. They are monuments made of unworked stones that are used by the Inuit for communication and survival. The traditional meaning of the inukshuk is "Someone was here" or "You are on the right path." - an excerpt from http://www.inukshukgallery.com/inukshuk.html

No Two Are Ever The Same - Sunsets

© Aug '12    photo by smck