On days like today

[wayfaringwordhack]

I'm very glad I'm on a writing hiatus, or rather I'm happy I don't have the novel_in_90goal hanging over my head. I'm tiiiiired, and it is good to know that I can just relax with a movie or a book or sketch pad and pencils and not worry about churning out readable prose.

At eight this morning, I set out on the boat with J and two friends, Jocelyn and Bruno, for Bruno's last spearfishing expedition (he and his family go back to metropoltian France in five days). Because of the windy conditions, they decided to go to Mtsamboro, an island in the north, two hours from Petite Terre. A few pics, courtesy of Google Earth.



From the northern tip to the western, the reef shelf is considered "exterior" of the lagoon and hunting is allowed, so that's where we stopped.



Six hours, ten fish, and one spiny lobster later, we started back home. (None of those catches were mine, even though I took three shots. The only thing I came home with is an extremely tender, red spot on my arm from some kind of blasted coral.) We arrived in the port with the sunset, 10 hrs after leaving the house this morning. Four hours on a boat can take it out of a gal... And guys, and poor Julien and Bruno are working the night shift (on a boat!) from 8:00 pm - 7:00 am.

Comments

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

What do they do when they're out on the boat? Look for smugglers and the like?

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Wellllllll, lots of things happen on the boat, some of which I probably shouldn't mention on a publically-accesible entry; but yes, their main job is to stop illegal immigrants from coming over from the other Comoros Islands, specifically Anjouan.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

Wellllllll, lots of things happen on the boat, some of which I probably shouldn't mention on a publically-accesible entry;

A dirtier mind would have a field day with this.

[footlingagain.livejournal.com]

Did you cook the ten fish and one spiny lobster? And was it good?

I'm very impressed that you were spear-fishing, too - catch or not. I hear it's much harder than they make it look in the films.

Ramble, ramble

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

No, I didn't cook any of them last night. The lobster and four of the fish belonged to Bruno, and J gave him another two to grill for his going away party. J gave a third to a colleague and a fourth to a neighbor. That left us with two, which we put directly in the freezer. Today, we're having fish, but it is a from another outing.

My main problem with fishing is getting over the "Oh, pretty fishy. Can't shoot the pretty fishy." I never knew I was such a girl that way. *rolls eyes* And, the, um, ability to aim might have something to do with it, as well as the fact that I hate holding my breath so can't stay on the bottom for long, don't have a weight belt, and have flimsy short fins instead of proper hunting ones...But other than that, it's a wonder I didn't come home with something. :P

Re: Ramble, ramble

[footlingagain.livejournal.com]

That left us with two, which we put directly in the freezer. Today, we're having fish, but it is a from another outing.

Ah - I see! You're ruining all my illusions, you know. We get smacked over the head by TV cooks (Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, primarily) eulogising about fresh food and how wonderful it is to catch and cook it instantly, I seem to be under the impression now that it's compulsory.

Catch fish. Cook fish. Eat fish. No alternative. *g*

PS: I'd be the same with the "Awww.... Pretty!" So, if my hunting skills were relied on to feed us, we'd definitely be vegetarian.

Re: Ramble, ramble

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure where he got this bit of info (maybe in one of his fish hunting books), but my husband told me that the flesh is better after being refrigerated for a day (this may apply mostly to fish which are speared. He's asleep, so I can't ask).

But mostly, they weren't cooked right away because a) I was tired, b) didn't have time before the wubs had to leave for work.

Re: Ramble, ramble

[footlingagain.livejournal.com]

I was remarking on my unrealistic expectations, not pointing the finger at you for not cooking! (I certainly can't do that, I hardly ever cook, super-fresh ingredients or no. *g*)

That's an interesting point about the refrigeration. I'll have to check on that :-)

Re: Ramble, ramble

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

bwahaha...It never occurred to me that you could be finger pointing. :P I guess that shows how very high my guilt threshold is.

Re: Ramble, ramble

[footlingagain.livejournal.com]

And I suppose I've just realised how low mine is! ;-)