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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The Open Air Play, - Dicken's Christmas Carol


New Castle Presbyterian Church - leaving after 'Simple Pleasures' - II


Grangestone Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 Year Old









This evening I tried a relatively inexpensive single malt, aged in wood for 12 years and found it quite presentable, though lacking that bit of smokey peat that I care deeply about and which lends the evening tipple a bite and excitement when sipped neat and slowly.  So after about 4 to 5 sips which went down smoothly and with the desired flavour  of an aged spirit with 40% Alc by volume but lacking in zest for my palate, I decided to liven things up and added a nice bit of Laphroaig 10 year old, 43% Alc by volume - about a fourth of what I had remaining  - and was quite pleased with this self blend of malt that pushed this Silver Metal, 89 points (http://www.tastings.com/Spirits-Review/Grangestone-12-Year-Old-Single-Malt-Scotch-Whisky-Scotland-09-01-2016.aspx) into the upper tier of my likes in Scotch.   I will be back later with my more complete tasting notes, both as it comes from the bottle, and as it was with the lovely peat of my favorite Laphroaig.  Ta!! NorvellHimself