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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Fiddler's Choice - Cape Breton Single Malt

This is a single malt scotch-style whisky - as we all, hopefully, know by law no whisky can be called 'Scotch' unless it is made in Scotland - that is quite decent for an eight year old.  I will in due course be updating this to include my take on this nice whisky (no 'e') made in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.  This was given to me for my big 80 on the 19th October by my sweetie of some thirty odd years and I have tried it about four different times and other than saying that while it is not like my favorite smokey-peat style Scotchs from Scotland and that it is a pale gold in colour, I find it hard to pin down to a verbal description that truly conveys the interesting flavour and easy to drink feel of this fine 8 year old.  Look here for an update soon.

Fifty Years Ago

Coming across the finish line of a four miler during the half-time of some football game - I could run all day then without even working up a sweat.

Dry Vase I


I have been unable to properly identify this lovely brass and bakelite vase but I am guessing it is from the early 1900s.  A small thrift-shop near #202 was where I found this while Christmas shopping last year - but it did not become a gift as I kept it for myself.  If you know anything about the provenance of something like this please leave a comment.

Mist Covered Hills - II

Same hills but a little larger coverage - including power line in this one, it takes away a bit of the ambiance and I could 'tweak' it out but it's there and so-be-it.