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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Christmas Tree 2015

Well I just moved the furniture, vacuumed, etc and then brought the tree in and got it almost upright (when Carol gets in, we will straighten it a little better to the perpendicular).  I've given in a little to the present day but I used to cut a wild tree on the 23 or the 24th and then set it up and decorate it on Christmas Eve after the children had gone to bed.  But even if we decorate tomorrow night with the young man son home it will still be a less hectic evening - especially with a yuletide quaff or two.

It is a field grown western white fir (Abies concolor) - about 8 ft, 3 in (2.5m) high by about four to four and a half foot (1.3m) diameter at the bottom -

Missing The Village


The River's Blue, The Bird a Perfect Sight - by Du Fu
   江碧鸟逾白
山青花欲燃
今春看又过
何日是归年
The river's blue, the bird a perfect sight,
The hills green with flowers about to blaze.
I've watched the spring pass away again,
When will I be able to return?