Clean bill of health.

Brian chats with the local environmental health officer over a box of brill.....
it might catch on, some of the punts catching smaller runs of fish are now packing them in brine at sea........
there was heavy mackerel fishing last night......
they look good enough to eat raw.......
its a race back to the pontoon berths......
local fish merchant Robin Turner (with Lionel listening carefully to make sure he doesn't over egg the custard) gives Rick Stein's Seafood Cooking School the low down on the mornings fish on offer - fish market cookery days includes a tour of the fish auction and harbour to give an insight in to just what goes in to putting a fish on the mongers slab or chef's prep table - then it's back to the school to prepare the meal and further lessons - for the chefs amongst Dads this would make agreat Father's Day present.....
looking at these doors it looks like there's a spot of mid-water trawling in the offing for the inshore trawler, Imogen......
today's opening day!

Where to eat Newlyn fish -- today in Padstow

Margot's Bistro......

......worth a look next time youre up 'Obby 'Oss way - especially as it's the finest Newlyn fish that finds its way on to their tables!

Just passing the Longships down.

Super yacht Bel Abri on Vessel Tracker

Maybe if a few hands clubbed together with the proceeds of a good trip they might just afford a few days charter aboard this 52m super yacht currently heading due South past the Longships.

She was built by Amels in Holland last year.

Spirit of Mystery sails back to the UK - from Holland.

Pete Goss' Spirit of Mystery is back in home waters - at Plymouth's Milbay Dock after sailing from Vrissingham Holland where she had been unloaded from the second of two ships that carried her from Australia.

German invasion.

Sure to draw in the punters - so could be expensive for Debbie if the Old Gits go all the way - or does she have inside info?.....
a large contingent of visiting German students were on the market this morning - a few with week constitutions it seems - or was it the raised arm to the left causing one or two to hold their noses?.......
plenty of octopus about for the BBQ......
the Western end of the market was awash with quality flats like these brill and turbot from the Sardia Louise......
and these pristine looking ray.......
looking for the rest of his tour party.......
seems the Gulf of Mexico is not the only coastline with oil on the beach.....
plenty of yachts vying for a berth at the weekend.

Second run for the smoker - chinese style duck.

In spite of the rather iffy forecast, Saturday saw another chance to get the smoker fired up with Regent Joinery's finest oak chippings - this time, duck breast dry-cured with a mixture of sea salt, brown sugar, ground cloves, star anise and cinnamon......
the need for more charcoal became apparent after the mackerel were only lightly smoked on the first run......
and this time round, the chippings have gone in an old sweet tin and were placed above the Èmile Henry tagine base (it cracked on the stove - another story!) to give the charcoal more air......
back on the main BBQ, the flames are leaping as the charcoals are lit - Big K, the best charcoal sourced to date is the way to go - nearest stockist known at present is Wyevale's Lelant Garden Centre - this charcoal unlike others tried burns long, hot and slow......
once the charcoal has settled down (ie when the lumps have turned a grey colour) the washed off duck breasts are placed on a rack above the chippings -ideally for a hot smoke the temp should be around 100º.......
and, with the aid of this little digital beauty, bought recently for much less than a tenner courtesy of Lidls - spot on!......
home made humus to go with the soon-to-be-grilled .....
Halumi cheese, aubergine and peppers charred in their skins.......
the forecast necessitated precautions against thunderstorms over the cooking area.....
cooked to perfection - first hot-smoked duck!

Started smoking again!

First fish to be trialled in the smoker - what else but mackerel.....
with the evening crowning the day what better way to end the week than a walk towards Land's End from Porthgwarra......
where there are lichens that now only grow in a handful of pollution free places in the country......
and a chance to shadow dance on the rim of the blowhole.....
right on cue a few basking sharks cruise by chasing plankton.