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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Strathisla Pure Highland Malt Scotch Whisky - 12 Year Old


Lucked out and found a liquor store going out of business and got a nice buy on several single malts, one of which I just sampled, to wit:

 Chivas Brothers Strathisla Pure Highland Malt Scotch Whisky, 12 year old, 43% ABV (which also happens to be the prime constituent of Chivas Regal 12)

My initial take agrees fairly well with a lot of reviews that I just read - a very good (75 to 85) rating - and more to the point, fairly smooth after the first taste, oaky, very mildly sweet, and some hints (hints!!) of peat, or at least wood smoke with a nice complex finish. 

 More later - (Love the old style flat bottle - so old the cork disintegrated, its a shame the aging stops once it's taken from the cask and bottled in glass - and most importantly I got it for about 60% of the cheapest store around and as much as 40% of some web sites)
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A Labrador Feast

photo smck

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Merry Christmas World

© 24 Dec '09      ctmck
This photo was taken four minutes after midnight 24 Dec '09 (technically 25 Dec) by my son - I liked the slight fuzziness of the night scene so I did a judicious crop and a little bit of contrast to help limn the people and turned this into a Christmas card for this year.  If you are not of the Christian faith, I still send this to you as a message of goodwill toward all - may we live in peace and civility all our days.

St.  Mary Anne's Episcopal Church, North East, Maryland USA
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Tuffed Titmouse (Parus bicolor)

© 22 Dec '12    smck

© 22 Dec '12    smck

© 22 Dec '12    smck
While interneting at my kitchen table I heard the now familiar thud of a bird hastily departing our bird-feeder flying into the window.  This little Titmouse was laying on the cold concrete porch unconscious.  In this cold weather he might not revive if he had a good concussion so I hasted outside and took him into my warm cupped hand and headed back to my laptop.  Within about 2 to 3 minutes I could feel him start to squirm so I held him a few moments longer and then took him out and placed him upright on the feeder bar.  About ten minutes later I decided to go to cut our Christmas tree and he was still huddled in the cold gusting wind.  I picked him up and gave him a little sunny nook in the wood-rick where he was sheltered from the small wind.  I retrieved my camera took his picture and then he decided to fly away.  This little story ended happily enough (although occasionally birds do not make it after their speedy crash into the window pane).
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Talisker 10 year old, 45.8% Alc/Vol

I usually don't post pre-final drafts but Talisker is good stuff and I have been tied for time with many excuses for lack of imput - so for the interim here is Michael Jackson's take and my only comment GREAT and I soon will give Himself's take which will surely wonder where the 'peppery' came from - and this is a great great buy for the money.  It's Christmas - do it - buy one or get your loved one to get it for you -


Talisker 10 year old, 45.8% Alc/Vol

The Cuillins are the dramatic hills of Skye, the island home of Talisker. "The lava of the Cuillins" is how some tasters describe Talisker.


Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch comments:

House Style - Volcanic. A winter warmer.
COLOUR - Bright amber red.
NOSE - Pungent, smoke-accented, rounded.
BODY - Full, slightly syrupy,
PALATE - Smoky, malty sweet, with sourness and a very big pepperiness developing.
FINISH - Very peppery. Huge, long.
score 90
9090

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