ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Sunday 29 December 2013

MUD BEAUTIFUL MUD. (29/12/13)

Yesterday I wandered the foreshore with Bertha. I did see a buzzard and a few Oystercatchers. I never pressed the shutter button. I tell a fib, on the way back I found two of the numerous wrens here and pressed it three times. A stunning result; two twigs sharp as sharp can be and a ball of blurry feathers. Anyone fancy a cheap, fast 400mm lens that weighs the best part of a hundredweight? I forget it’s real weight but it feels like a hundredweight after an hour or so. I’ll never make a birder, I enjoy having birds around, I enjoy seeing them but can’t ever get a good shot of one. It wasn’t a wasted day, I took the Bronica, I took six frames, then ran out of film, I could have sworn there was a spare loaded camera back in the bag….it was back in the van was the back; could still be a wasted day. I have two rolls ready to post off, I need one more to get my moneys worth from the postman.

Today was windless so we had a wander round the village and let the dogs enjoy the beach and sea. They had a wonderful time, the storms have piled seaweed knee deep. Rotting kelp is a source of entertainment to dogs. They roll in it, grab the stalks, run off, then bark as the foliage bit chases them… seems they could play in it all day._MG_2526     ANARCHY.

_MG_2517    MORE ANARCHY.  This is Rusty working on the Sabbath. He’s using a Tirfor to pull out the tops of trees that got muddled together in the storm. It’s a very technical business. Every heave on the wire rope winch is followed by a pause and a listen and then a.

“ Oh God…..Shit….What the Fuck…..Bastard….Run!”

Just like reading the Old Testaments and far more entertaining than going to church.

I love staying in places that keep animals.

_MG_2519    This is another Bertha, she is a Large Black sow. Rusty has seven Large Blacks. Two boars and three sows. They aren’t a pretty pig but they are big at seven to eight hundred pounds. They are friendly and even like the dogs. Moll suspects they would like to eat her but Alf is happy to stop for a chat; the pigs grunt and sniff him and he stands still. I have taken a dozen pictures of them but failed to get a good one. Their lop ears don’t help nor does their inquisitive nature.

_MG_2528    Smile for the Birdy Bertha. At last I got a bit of eye. The next second she has hit the lens and had I not been quick I’d have had a 5D in my eye. Silly Pig. Anyone got a Canon ET-78II lens hood they don’t want? These like most pigs or animals that are left to look after themselves are perfect. I could do with steel capped boots as they don’t watch where they are putting their feet. I wear over trousers as they love ripping at tree roots and ploughing the land, they love mud. Tomorrow they are moving to pastures new. It’s a bit of field full of swedes, They are little purple skinned turnips. Not the Scandinavian people. I’ll try for some video. Wonderful beasts. Guess what my Sunday roast is?

_MG_2529  A bit of Large Black. I’ll Score the skin and rub sea salt into it, leave it for a couple of hours then cook it at 180 for an hour. The flavour is in the fat. These are very slow growing pigs so the meat is moist and delectable. Don’t tell Bertha. She thinks I love her for her looks, charm and repartee.

Grunt, grunt. Have a good week.

Don’t anybody say I don’t  listen to my readers. I fancy your lass and you took a shine to my food.

_MG_2532  This is a perfect roast Mersad. The crispy skin we call crackling. In the north of England we have a similar saying for your partner. Best not go there though I would love to. Happy New Year.

34 comments:

  1. Love the anarchy shots Adrian; and Bertha is a beauty.

    I should start saving my pennies if you are seriously thinking of parting with Bertha.

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    1. Keith, I paid half price. I'll see you next year somewhere and you can have her on loan. It's not my sort of lens. She takes snaps as sharp as a razor but the bloody weight would cripple a camel. Simon at Harrison Cameras wants her back. I got her for a reason. I wanted to know if I could work a big lens. I really don't think I can. Just have a borrow and see what you think.

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    2. Cheers, I'll give it a go.
      Keep well.

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  2. Hi Adrian. hope you had a great CHRISTMAS . I love the close up of that pig. Looks like you a. Going to eat well! May I wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR and looking forward to see more of your experiments with your equipement!

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    1. Margaret, it was like any other day.
      Experiments? Wash your mouth out with soap. My pickies are perfect. Okay, I'll settle for middling.
      Happy New Year.

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  3. A tale of two Berthas a? Both of prime stock and both big, heavy and difficult to handle!....It'll be interesting to see which one you'll manage to tame first?
    Is that one of those rare Scottish amphibious sportscars hiding under that black sheeting?
    I hope dinner tastes as good as it looks...enjoy...[;o)

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    1. Trevor. Angus has to move first, he's top pig, The rest just follow. You! You knows nowt about pigs,
      I am lending the lens Bertha to Keith and he can lend it to you. Don't either of you lends it out though cos she is now a rare beast.
      I'm hunting the Beetles that were used for the Normandy landings I've walked miles and have yet to find one. They were developed up here.
      This is a bit of rolled loin. The best bit of pig is the short neck with the blade left in. That's it's shoulder blade or scapular. Cook it fillet the thin flat bone out and carve. Perfect.

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  4. Nice to see some photos that aren't gravelly tidal inlets Adrian. You captured Bertha really well.

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    1. Gary, sorry if I upset anyone in America. I like the thread business.
      The pig shots are rubbish. It's mostly dark up here. The damn beasts just want to investigate the camera. The Jews had it right. Only eat of the animal with cloven hoof but do not eat the swine. For although it has the cloven hoof it cheweth not the cud.
      Why are Christians and Muslims so serious. Hindus and agnostics couldn.t give a shite.
      Thanks for the reply.. I didn't upset you.

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    2. You only upset one person, so no real damage done. I can't speak for Muslims, although those I know are really positive people, but most Christians are no more serious than anybody else, they just don't like the piss being taken out of their beliefs. Agnostics and aetheists never get the same treatment, so never seem to understand. I have yet to meet either of the latter who doesn't actually give a monkeys, aetheists seem to read the bible more than me, and so far most agnostics take the piss. Now go and eat your pig you heathen swine.

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    3. Gary, I really wish I could believe. I ran salvage tugs for ten years, Hard men used to pray but when human or animal life was at stake we never thought about ourselves. In went in horrendous weather. I know what our world can chuck at us.
      Thanks Gary. I may be a fairy but I can't abide thrusting doctrine from lazy christians.

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  5. If you are convinced you will never be a birder, maybe you can be content with being a pigger. They are just as interesting if not as beautiful. It's a pity you couldn't coax the pig onto the lane. Then the sign would have to say "NO BOATS OR TRAILERS OR PIGS."

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    Replies
    1. David, I am trying to rid one of the best lenses Canon have made. I also have a drop in filter for it. Who in their right mind would pay £160 for a drop in filter?
      We all live in a dream world. Dream Bugsy.

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    2. Apparently there is no way to value things anymore. Of the things I bought my grand babies for Christmas, an electronic keyboard and a pair of tennis shoes. Both cost $50.

      I'm hoping to start writing the next part of Bugsy tonight. We'll see...I napped all afternoon. :(

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  6. That's a thick layer of fat :) Would love to see an after pic of the finished dish.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  7. You need a little help with your political correctness in my opinion. Those pigs are Afro-Caribbean!...We are also having free range pork for Sunday dinner... raised on a local farm run by the little known Tesco family. I think they hail from the Scilly Isles.

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    1. YP, you teachers, you don't know a pigs arse from a virgins bottom. We pigs mon We is the only totally black pig in the whole of the UK and possibly in the world so don't dis the sisters.
      I saw with my own eyes two pigs shagging. It was just this very morn. I was gong to keep quiet about it. The pigs weren't I'd forgot what good fun a bonk could be.

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    2. YP, No. It was the Bonk of Garlieston. Woke every body up they did. The lady half of couple in the camper next door said.
      "Is something attacking the pigs?"
      I just replied. " No. They are fine, just enjoying a shag."
      She replied with her nose in the air.
      "Well I wish they could be quiet about it....Disgusting."

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  8. Adrian what Bertha nice there, you would still be so in love, enne you got a nice piece of meat.

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    1. Bas, they are beautifully docile animals but a bit clumsy and heavy.

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  9. You will feel a lot better after you have eaten that roast Adrian, give a bit to the dogs too.
    I hope you enjoy good health in the new year.

    peter

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    1. Thanks Peter. It is wonderful pork. The Bacon is to die for. They are a very fat pig.
      I'll try to remain positive. You look after yourself.

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  10. Pork is the best advantage amimal ADRIAN. He eats all of él.Y good cured ham that is;)
    Your roast great ... very good!!!!
    a hug

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    1. Laura, the pig will eat anything. I have always enjoyed the cured meats from Spain. The blood pudding you make with almonds and sugar is food for the gods. Morcilla Terror I think you call it.

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  11. A wonderful post Adrian... dinner looks fantastic.

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  12. Nice tarpaulin Adrian. Don't think I can comment on much else ~ pig fat, crackling and bonking Bertha.

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    1. Carol, it was a boar bonking Bertha. Even in this country you can get locked up for deviant behaviour. I'll check but I suspect pigs are included and safe.

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  13. I always like to go back over your posts an see how many topics were covered. It makes for an interesting post. I can pick what I'm interested in. One of these days you'll get a bird picture that equals Holding Moments and then you will be away with bird photos.
    Stay away from those pigs. Broken feet or toes are not good news. I've never seen a breed of pig like those. Anything would be better than the factory produced pork we get here. It has no flavor and you never know what's in it.

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    1. Red so far as I can gather it's mainly pumped in water (after slaughter) and steroids and anti-biotics (before slaughter). I sometimes wonder why I'm no longer a vegetarian.

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    2. You've got this right. It's not great stuff at all ...very tasteless.

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    3. Large White pigs are not treated well. These are talked to and given a good scratch several times a day. When the mothers drop their litter in the spring then they are given the freedom to suckle them. The offspring have all summer to grow for my dinner.

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