A lifetime ago as a young fella, I felt and answered the same call that my Grandfathers did, and began honing my craft as an Infantryman. Feels like a lifetime ago some days, and like it was yesterday on others where I was a C-9 LMG tourist in Somalia and the former Yugoslavia.. Years then passed after I got out to master a new craft as an Ironworker, I lost several Brothers I knew well to their inner demons and while on duty (of which many of them were in Afghanistan)… Tomorrow (as I do everyday), I pay homage to lost brothers who will never age.. As well as alongside generations before me who mourned so many others, right back to the Great War and beyond.. Tomorrow Canada 🇨🇦 honours its armed forces and mourns alongside its veterans for those we lost…

It was a good bottling day; X31 750ml bottles of Mulling Spice/ Cinnamon Mead (13% ABV) sorted!! A friend and I had downed a store bought bottle of mead prior for contrast; I’d say this young batch was definitely thicker and sweeter!! We definitely tasted the key notes, might as well say it tasted like Christmas 🎄 Lol!! Definitely will be good to pass around by December….

I’m working North of Fort McMurray Alberta atm, where we lodge at a camp during our shift rotations… I woke up at midnight last night. After an old man tinkle, I felt like a quick walk outside to see if there might be Northern Lights about; I was not disappointed…Especially with how lit up the camp is at night! Looking forward to this show when the wife and I visit Svalbard in December!

One thing of interest, is that I’ve been an amateur Mead maker for a few years now.. Starting off with a modest gallon, to the 7 gallon fermenter I use these days (courtesy of the wife’s Jul present last year lol). Here are a few pics of various batches, alongside a few pics that the misses screenshot as I was getting a bit tipsy while sampling during a face time a few months back Lol. Nectar of the Gods indeed! ❤️ Currently sitting for another week before bottling is 7 gallons of mulling spice & cinnamon mead (13% ABV)… Just in time to serve in December to friends, family and a few old Germanic names I say hey to from time to time…

Greetings to all!! 🍻 It’s an honour to be joining a community of like-minded old souls.. A few pics of the Misses and I here, alongside the beard I had to shave off a few months back due to work in an Industrial LIVE plant setting… Still hurts!