Posted in Fiction

Wild Ducks and Tomorrow Both Come Without Calling

Posted on by TravellinPenguin

(Russian Proverb)

BOOK

I will share these critic’s response to this book. Then add my 2 cents.

“The Place of Tides” is a non-fiction work by James Rebanks, published in October 2024. Known for his writings on rural life in England, Rebanks shifts his focus in this book to the remote Norwegian island of Fjærøy in the Vega archipelago. There, he spends a season with Anna Måsøy, an elderly “duck woman” who has dedicated her life to the traditional practice of caring for wild eider ducks and collecting their down—a craft that dates back to Viking times. Guardian

Rebanks’s narrative chronicles his time from April to July, learning the meticulous process of building nests, protecting the ducks from predators, and harvesting the precious eiderdown. Through this experience, he reflects on themes of tradition, environmental stewardship, and personal growth. The book offers detailed insights into the cultural and historical aspects of eiderdown gathering, highlighting Anna’s resilience and dedication to preserving this ancient craft amidst modern challenges. Financial Times

Overall, “The Place of Tides” is lauded as a profound exploration of a unique way of life, offering readers a window into the serene yet challenging existence on a remote Norwegian island and the enduring bond between humans and nature.

Anna was such an interesting character. Seventy years of age, she is independent, strong and her affinity with the ducks is simply amazing. She is tough and when the weasels on the island go after the ducks or the large birds of prey she doesn’t hesitate to shoot them with her rifle. She protects the ducks as they return to the cleaned nests,,propped up by fresh straw as they lay and sit on their eggs.

It is sad to read of the decrease in the number of wildlife and the loss of these ancient traditions.

James Rebanks really wants to be away from work and family and renew himself in the isolation of the place and in the work of the two women.

It is a subject I knew nothing about and found it very interesting. Anna is such a tough woman and certainly does not tolerate fools. I really enjoyed this book.

There is a bit of repetition and I think the editing could have been slightly tighter in parts but overall I believed it to be a fascinating story in a remote part of the world.

LIFE

It has been a quiet week of no events. A few days exercising, a couple of phone conversations with friends. I am halfway through Hemingway;s book, A Moveable Feast. It got waylaid a bit as he Rebanks book took over. I must say though I am loving the Hemingway book. He writes of Paris so incredibly well I can see what he sees and almost smell the food.

I have been staying away from the news, especially politics anywhere in the world.

I worked on my junk journal and made up some new pages. I usually pick a theme and then collage the page with various images from an assortment of different publications and mail, etc.

No photography this week but one photo of street photography got picked in the top 20 of a facebook street photos challenge that happens every day. The site is called STREET PHOTOS (all caps) . There are tens of thousands of members from around the world and each day 20 photos are posted by the admin staff who like the, the best. So many of the photos are stunning and interesting.

I was sitting at a table here having a coffee and we shared a moment.

My seagull in the Elizabeth mall of Hobart got picked a couple of days ago. Made me laugh as it surprised me. I have been following for months but only ever had three photos picked from this daily challenge.

BAKING

I don’t bake very often but I saw this recipe and wanted to make it. I like pineapple and I like cocoanut.

RECIPE-

RESULT

It tastes really good. I moved it before it was cool enough so it became a bit lopsided. 😋

Let me know if you try it.

Have a good week ahead.

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Author:

I live a retired life in Tasmania, Australia. I love books, travel, animals, photography, motor biking and good friends. I indulge in all these activities with the little Travellin' Penguin who has now shared five continents with me. We love book shops, photography walks and time with friends as all our family is in USA and Canada. I enjoy visitors to my blog so hope you'll stop by.

16 thoughts on “Wild Ducks and Tomorrow Both Come Without Calling”

  2. Great photo! Good thing the seagull didn’t spot a chip at the next table.

    You and I read different books. I avoid books about old people (people my age) It’s my inner Perter Pan probably.

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  3. I’ve been eyeing off the new Rebanks book, but thought I would wait for the smaller format to come out…and probably should read the one already patiently waiting on my TBR shelves first 🙂

    Congrats on your photo getting the recognition it so rightly deserves – its a great shot!

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  6. Congratulation on the FB recognition:) I’m intrigued to see your junk journal… do you hoard old catalogues and wrapping paper to do it?

    My excitement this week was having lunch with two writerly friends, and watching a strange French romcom called Room 212. Time travelling marital infidelity on steroids! Plus, I am toying with learning Esperanto with Duolingo…

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    1. For my journal I alternate between sticker books I have and stuff I find during the week as I go about my business. You can use anything you want. I like themes to gather materials around. There are lots of ideas on social if really curious. I find it is so relaxing. I’ve not heard of Room 212. Do you recommend it? I had not heard of Esperanto. I had to ask Chat GPT. Fascinating. Good luck with it. I have little talent for languages though I do love Spanish. Mr P is fluent with Spanish. I like the way it sounds. I’ll look forward to how you go with it.

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      1. I like Spanish too, but it’s very difficult to learn to speak it grammatically as distinct from managing a few tourist-useful sentences.

        Room 212? Well, I liked it, but my friend who has lunch and a movie with me every week was, ha ha, just polite about it, so I don’t know whether to recommend it or not!

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  7. That book sounds so interesting. And that cake looks so delicious!

    Congrats on your pic being picked up by that Facebook group. I took a pic this week of a Wattlebird that was watching us have lunch, but I only took the bird, not the whole scene.

    We’ve had a quiet week too, but have enjoyed some great tennis matches.

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    1. The cake was good, especially the crunchy top. Thanks for the photo comment. I love wattlebirds. We have a couple of neighbourhood wattle birds and he visits every day. Along with our resident cockies and kookaburras. I love birds and am familiar with all our yard ones. I don’t follow the tennis. I have never enjoyed it. I prefer watching the Dakar. Haha. Just love it. Have a good week.☕️🌻☕️

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