Category: Nature

Another 15 minutes with Backside

A woman receives a brain scan

Like yours, my hate level depends on the importance of the issue; so I really really hate pseudo-philosophy. This time it’s the Beeb seeking to link physical illness to the concept of free will.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23666726

As far as I can see (which on a clear day is forever), this article is a PC attempt to forgive (oh no, not again) people for behaving badly when they get ill. Er, excuse me, but the law of the land does differentiate between the healthy and sick with its rulings on being ‘fit to plead’ and for me that will do. Don’t necessarliy lock up the deviant in a regular jail, just keep him out of (his own) harm’s way. That’s the only concession necessary because the concept of free will is about normal people under normal conditions – not when they are sick or constrained to commit felonies or wha’ever. And your or my deliberate (that is free) decisions about diet, narcotics, social behaviour and sexual preferences are not excuses for lenient treatment from the rest of society. So get over it and find another get-out-of-jail-free card.

Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet – Monday August 12

Off the hook at 7 am,  The work boats went at 6.

Round Sandy Hook and off to the South, had a sharp rainstorm at 8 then largely clear.

Our route South is about three miles off the beach in around 70 feet of water, we had a shock at about ten am, the engine suddenly overheated, red lights and alarms everywhere.  A quick look below showed a broken V-belt which powers the engine’s primary cooling water pump.  A spare was located, in one of my many bins.

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Hemispherical variations

Mid-August is somehow on the cusp – either of Autumn in Europe and some parts of the Americas or of Spring in the Antipodes. The equatorial tendency of course never quite differentiates.

So cherished versifiers, kindly be inspired to celebrate either the promise of summertime or its passing; both thoroughly deserving of your attention in the next two weeks after which you’ll be judged on the quality of your efforts.

https://charioteers.org/2013/07/25/summertime-the-august-poetry-challenge/

Pic by PS Krøyer, one of Denmark’s Golden Age painters who lived and worked in Skagen

Haverstraw to Sandy Hook – August 11

Tide challenge today, need to arrive at The Battery New York on something other than a rising tide, slow boats like us make miserable progress against strong currents.

Too many variables to calculate so we leave at the usual time, 8:00 am off the dock.

Cool and calm to start across the Tappan Zee1

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Sauguties to Haverstraw Marina – August 10

Rained hard all day on the 9th so we stayed put in our little creek.

On the trail at 7 this morning in order to get the most of the falling tide, always difficult going downriver.

Past some scars from quarrying operations, interesting contrast in colours.1

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Canajahorie Monday – Tuesday to Lock 7

The prime mover needed an oil change so we made a trip to NAPA in Canajahorie Monday morning for oil and filters.

Decided to bag the rest of the day and make it up tomorrow.  Cooked a chicken vindaloo for dinner.

Tuesday, brilliant day, still and bright, got started at 8:30

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Not a breath of wind but a chill in the air (temp about 60F)

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