The Sea And Me

The sea has its own authority. You don’t need forecasts or screens to know when it’s decided against you. You can hear it in the wind before you open the door. You can feel it in the way the house seems to brace itself, as if it already knows what’s coming. Long before you see the water, you understand that today is not a working day. Out of Eyemouth just now, the sea is dangerous. Huge swells rolling through. Four metre waves lifting and dropping with real weight behind them. This isn’t the kind of rough you work around. It’s the kind you respect. The sea doesn’t announce danger loudly, it shows it. In the way the horizon heaves. In the way the wind tears at the tops of waves instead of brushing them. In the way even experienced hands know better than to test it. When the sea says no like this, you listen. You always listen. That isn’t fear. It’s understanding. There was a time when staying ashore felt like failure to me. If I wasn’t out working, I felt like I was wasting dayligh...

  Most people throw potato peelings away without a second thought. Into the bin. Into the compost. Forgotten. Yet anyone who composts knows a quiet secret: potato peelings don’t disappear - they return . Left to the soil, they often grow back into full, edible potatoes. Not by accident. By design. 🌱 The Potato’s Natural Will to Live Potatoes are not seeds, they are storage organs , packed with energy and nutrients meant to create new life. The “eyes” on a potato are growth points, waiting patiently for the right conditions. When you peel a potato and toss those skins into compost or soil, you’re often discarding: 🥔 Living tissue 🥔 Stored energy 🥔 Future plants Given moisture, warmth and darkness, potato peelings can and do regenerate, pushing roots downward and shoots upward, quietly turning scraps into sustenance. 🏺 A Food Built for Survival Potatoes became a global staple for a reason. For centuries, they fed entire populations because they are: ✔ Easy to grow ...

 Elegant, indulgent and unforgettable - a restaurant quality fish dish made at home Buy John Dory Fresh From Our Boat John Dory is one of the most prized fish in professional kitchens, and for good reason. Its firm yet delicate flesh has a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with rich sauces. In this dish, pan seared John Dory is finished with a luxurious shellfish butter, served alongside sweet roasted leeks and brightened with fresh lemon. It’s refined, indulgent, and far from the usual fish recipes, perfect for a special meal or impressive dinner party. ✅ Why This Recipe Is Exceptional John Dory has a naturally sweet, meaty texture Shellfish butter adds deep, savoury richness Roasted leeks bring gentle sweetness Simple technique with impressive results A true chef-style dish that still feels approachable 🛒 Ingredients (Serves 2) For the John Dory 2 John Dory fillets Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tbsp olive oil 20g butter For the Roaste...

 January in the North Sea is not for the faint hearted. The cold cuts deeper. The decks are slick with ice. Snow blows sideways, driven hard by a wind that never seems to rest. Hands crack, oilskins stay wet for days, and sleep comes in short, broken spells. This is the season that tests you, not just as a fisherman, but as a human being. Yet winter also teaches lessons you won’t learn anywhere else. 1. Respect the Sea, Always The first rule of rough weather is simple: don’t fight the sea . The North Sea doesn’t care how experienced you are, how tough you think you are, or how much work needs doing. In winter, she demands patience and respect. Move slower. Think twice. Secure everything, then secure it again. Rough seas punish shortcuts. What keeps you safe isn’t bravery, it’s discipline . 2. Keep Warm, Keep Dry, Keep Moving Cold steals strength before you realise it. In winter, survival is about layers, routine, and movement: Change wet gloves whenever you can Ea...

 Growing quietly in lawns, footpaths and field edges, plantain ( Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata ) is one of nature’s most reliable healing foods. Often stepped on, mown down and overlooked, this humble plant has been trusted for centuries as both food and first aid . If there were ever a plant that wanted to help humans survive, it would be plantain. 🏺 An Ancient Ally of Everyday Life Plantain has been used since ancient times across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Roman soldiers reportedly carried it on long marches, while medieval healers called it the “bandage plant” . Historically, plantain was used to: 🌿 Heal wounds and bites 🌿 Soothe digestion and lungs 🌿 Reduce inflammation 🌿 Support skin repair It was never rare or exotic - it was dependable , which is why it endured. 🥬 Simple Leaves, Serious Nutrition Plantain may not look impressive, but it is quietly nutrient-rich. ✨ Vitamin A – skin & immune support ✨ Vitamin C – healing & collage...

 Long before supplements existed, humans gathered nourishment from the sea. Seaweed and kelp,  humble, drifting plants of the ocean, are among the most mineral rich foods on Earth , freely offered by coastlines around the world. Ignored by many and misunderstood by others, these ocean vegetables quietly support thyroid health, metabolism, immunity and cellular balance, all while growing without soil, fertiliser or fresh water. 🐚 Ancient Food of Coastal Cultures Seaweed has sustained coastal peoples for thousands of years. In Japan, Korea, Ireland, Iceland and Indigenous coastal cultures worldwide, sea vegetables were daily food, not health trends. Historically, kelp and seaweed were used to: 🌊 Prevent nutrient deficiencies 🌊 Support energy and warmth in cold climates 🌊 Strengthen bones, blood and metabolism 🌊 Maintain thyroid and hormonal balance In many places, seaweed was dried and stored for winter - a true survival food from the sea . 🧂 A Nutritional Profil...

  A true sea to soup adventure: Ultra-fresh haddock straight from the ocean, turned into a light, healthy, flavourful soup using simple pantry veggies and bold spices. No oil, super clean, and bursting with flavour! Perfect for anyone who loves sustainable, from scratch meals. There's something magical about eating fish that's been swimming just hours earlier. On a recent trawler trip, I caught beautiful haddock, filleted it right on the boat (carefully removing every bone!), and headed home to whip up this simple soup. It's light, nourishing, and packed with zing from lemon, chilies, turmeric, and ginger. Plus, it uses whatever veggies are hanging out in your fridge, zero waste! Ingredients (serves 2-4, depending on hunger levels! ) Fresh haddock fillets (as much as you caught – mine was from that day's haul! ) Assorted vegetables (peppers, lettuce, and whatever else needs using up) Water (enough to cover everything nicely) Salt (to taste) Ground ginger (or fresh if yo...

  Rich, sweet and deeply savoury, an unexpected lobster dish that delivers pure luxury This dish takes lobster somewhere new. The meat is gently butter poached to keep it tender and sweet, then paired with miso laced corn for umami depth and finished with golden, crispy breadcrumbs for texture. It’s indulgent, surprising, and far from the usual thermidor or linguine. Buy Fresh Lobster From Our Boat ✅ Why This Recipe Is Special Butter poaching keeps lobster silky and succulent Sweetcorn enhances the natural sweetness White miso adds a subtle savoury richness Crispy breadcrumbs give contrast and crunch Restaurant level but achievable at home 🛒 Ingredients (Serves 2) For the Lobster 2 lobster tails (or whole cooked lobster, meat removed) 120g unsalted butter Black pepper For the Sweet Corn Miso Base 2 corn cobs, kernels removed (or good-quality tinned corn) 1 tbsp butter 1 tsp white miso paste Splash of cream or milk For the Crispy B...

 Feared for their sting and cursed by gardeners, nettles ( Urtica dioica ) are one of the most powerful wild foods on the planet. Once cooked or dried, their sting disappears, revealing a deeply nourishing, mineral rich plant that has sustained humans for thousands of years. Nettles don’t ask to be liked. They ask to be respected.

 Few seafood dishes feel as special as lobster. Rich, sweet, and wonderfully indulgent, lobster has long been considered the king of the sea. Whether enjoyed simply with melted butter or featured in elegant dishes, lobster offers unbeatable flavour and a memorable dining experience. This ultimate guide explores everything you need to know about lobster, from its nutritional benefits to the best cooking methods and flavour pairings that let it truly shine. Buy Fresh Lobster From Our Boat ⭐ Why Lobster Deserves Its Legendary Status 🧈 Sweet, Succulent Flavour Lobster is prized for its naturally sweet, delicate taste and tender yet meaty texture. Unlike many fish, lobster feels luxurious without being heavy, making it perfect for both simple and celebratory meals. 🍽️ Surprisingly Versatile While often associated with fine dining, lobster can be enjoyed in many ways, grilled, boiled, baked, or folded into pasta, salads, and rolls. Its flavour pairs beautifully with both minimal...