Crabbage

Crabbage -Digital media - George Roberts September 2017

I prefer a vibrant Cromer crab

To those that look quite pastey

I buy them from the fishmongers slab

Because they're so very tastey

You cannot eat too many Crab Hors d'oeuvres

It's OK to hog a piquant Crab Tart

Crab Gnocchi is the best you can possibly serve

But Crab Curry will make you fart

'The delights of a Cromer Crab' Anon 2017

Rainbow sunset

Sunset rainbow over our Backyard

After a day of heavy rain the sky began to clear from the west and the setting sun was just high enough above the horizon to create this faint rainbow in the eastern sky. A beautiful ephemeral atmospheric phenomena. I love the way nature demonstrates the seamless amalgam of science and art in works of improbable beauty.

Rainbow Connection 

In no more than thirty seconds

See a rainbow tied pale between rain clouds

The sun tired from aurora display shines muted:

As a blush on the cloven sphere of a breakfast peach

Suffuse warm pink that is a new born grandchild

On a cheek that marks passing passion

Through a glass of rose wine

Reflected on a single feather from a flamingo’s breast

Diffracted by crystal droplets that sustain life

To commandeer senses

To fire emotions 

To warm body and soul

To stimulate intellectual wonder

And then it’s gone.

- George Roberts

A nice memory whilst 'pokin' around in the Loft

Scarclffe Woods circa 1974 - Watercolour - George Roberts

Whilst looking for a canvas in the loft I found this old watercolour that I painted when I was in my twenties. It used to hang in my late Mother in Law's home in Derbyshire. Today I hung it on the wall in our sitting room.  Every time I look at it I will think of Marjory - she was a very nice lady, modern beyond her time, who was very fond of poetry - so  - 'Here's looking at you, kid'

Whose woods these are I think I know.   

His house is in the village though;   

He will not see me stopping here   

To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

My little horse must think it queer   

To stop without a farmhouse near   

Between the woods and frozen lake   

The darkest evening of the year.   

He gives his harness bells a shake   

To ask if there is some mistake.   

The only other sound’s the sweep   

Of easy wind and downy flake.   

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.

 

'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' by Robert Frost

A shrimp is not just for potting or cocktails.

Our pet Wood or Bamboo Shrimp 'Sydney'

Syd has been a bit a bit poorly for a week or two but we are pleased to announce that he has responded well to an intense shrimp focussed feeding programme. I am very pleased he has 'perked up' as Syd and I have established a crustacean - hominid bond that is so much more than the sum of the parts. Sydney's shrimply the best.

RIP Syd - It is with great sadness that I must announce the untimely death, on the 5th of September 2017, of Sydney the Bamboo Shrimp. 

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, 
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, 
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum 
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. 

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead 
Scribbling on the sky the message 'Syd Is Dead', 
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves, 
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves. 

Syd was my North, my South, my East and West, 
My working week and my Sunday rest, 
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song; 
I thought that shrimp would last for ever: I was wrong. 

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one; 
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun; 
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood; 
For nothing now can ever come to any good. 

after W H Auden

Cetti's Warbler

I believe I saw one of these rather secretive birds this week, in the reeds by the railway line, on Oulton Marsh - Suffolk.

If I wasn't so interested in the celestial sphere and had not already spent a fortune on telescopes etc. I think I might have become a birdwatcher!

Tweet - tweet!

Painting the Beach at Wells

Having fun on the Beach at Wells next the Sea' - mixed media sketch - George Roberts  August 2017

The weather was mixed but what a great day we had on the beach with our friends at Wells next the Sea in Norfolk. As the tide came racing in - I spent a frantic 45 minutes sploshing paint onto a page in my sketch book, kids played on the sand and a small boat with brown sails went sailing by.

Later, in the evening we sat in a 'chip-shop' eating cod, haddock,scampi and chips. Delicious!

Our meal tonight as pretty as a picture

To start - Seafood, Salad and Brown Bread

Pudding - stewed Hedgerow Damsons - Pears poached in orange juice, red wine, star anise and glazed with honey - jug of reduced pear stewing juice with added sugar to create a Syrup. Plate as preferred and add Salted Caramel, Clotted Cream and a plain Sweet Biscuit.

Credit to our fishmonger 'World of Fish' Lowestoft for providing the best whelks and Cromer Crab we have ever tasted!