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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Stunted Growth


I took several photographs of the stunted growth of Spruce along this windswept headland as I walked around the western end – it just amazed me with its’ density and hardiness – the constant battle along the shore of life and rock and wave

Looking Back Across The Isthmus and Point Michaud Cove Toward The Parking Area


In the background note the large red kite being flown on the beach near the parking lot




Quick Corn On The Cob



A friend of mine, Esther, gave me a great tip on doing fresh corn quickly – and cleanly – in the microwave.

Just trim stalk end enough to fit one ear into your microwave, leaving corn unhusked silk and all, and microwave for 4 ½ to 5 minutes on full power.

When you remove corn, carefully cut off the stem end and then squeeze the corn from the top – and out will pop a completely silk free cob of steaming delicious corn.

note the thin piece cut on removing the corn from the microwave oven.


Point Michaud - Looking back toward the 'western beach' - III

using 24x zoom onto house along the Point Michaud road to the beach

Point Michaud - Looking back toward the 'western beach' - II


slowly pivoting widdershins and photographing westward before I start around Point - the under-footing here is the remains of old rough cleared pasture land, not like the rough brush across the neck of the isthmus where I finally found a four-wheeler trail