James Norman Hall (1887 - 1951) american pilot, a humble adventurer, author and poet.....

Born in Colfax, Iowa.  He meet his favorite author Joseph Conrad in Scotland, joined Lord Kitchener's Volunteer forces as a Canadian. His first book was named Kitchener's Mob:The Adventures of an American in Kitchener's Army. He wrote several articles for the Boston Globe.

Sent to France to write about American Pursuit Squadron in the French Air Service. Insteed of writing about it - he joined up and was later awarded the Croix de Guerre with five palms and Médaille Militaire. As an  American officer, he received the Légion d’Honneur. Hall continued to write adventure books during his lifetime.

During World War I, Hall was made a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, later awarded for his service by General Pershing, the Distinguished Service Cross.

In 1919 he joined forces with Charles Nordhoff, to write the History of the Escadrille Lafayette and the Lafayette Flying Corps, a year later they went to Tahiti.  Arue, Tahiti - Hall's home until his death in 1951.  Hall and Nordhoff wrote in 1932 the Mutiny on the Bounty. Not until after his death did the people of Tahiti learn about his past as a war hero, his awards and decorations had been stored in a trunk. "Silence will Speak" -  A great man not to be forgotten... 

Of course you can have artichoke soup with quail egg and truffle oil.....and a glass of Grappa....

(All Photos in This Post by Tavarua)

Quail eggs, the contrast of the egg's color vary and there are many great recipes for these little eggs -  I use to have them as a "sealand" lunch - Sea urchin + Quail egg = Sealand - delicious and a reminder about the ocean so close to my heart...

or may I suggest... Char-Grilled Asparagus with Crisp Prosciutto, Quail Eggs and truffle Oil, for a light lunch... (so you ask about the eggs - half fill a frying pan with water and bring to a boil. Add a splash of vinegar, then reduce the heat so the water is just simmering. Crack the quail's eggs and slip them into the water - one at a time - Cook for 1 minute or until the yolks have just set. Remove the poached eggs from the water - keep them warm until they are all done - 4 to 6 eggs...) 

Game and Seafood...can we ever have enough...???

This evening... simple little quail eggs with creamed caviar, dill, sea salt and crushed black pepper...and a glass of Grappa...

Iguana eggs delicious as well but we save that for another post...

Bon Appétit!

The Trophy Room - The Hunt Button...

Under the Banyan trees from Bali, Indonesia - Tribal Inspiration - John Hardy Bracelets ....

"Banyan Trees"

John Hardy and his family lives in Bali - in an architectural dream house, created from the traditional Borneo longhouse, above the Ayung River, Ubud. His creations are inspired by both nature and tribal art.
I will let a few of his pieces speak for themselves.......

Some months ago I had a visit here "Under Canvas".....

"The visit..."

a friend of mine who visits me now and then - She asked me about what my thoughts are on fashion..... fashion??? I grew up in the old world so for me the answer is "simple"...... to quote - Plato “Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.”

"The woman whom inspired me to have passion for life and made me into "a traveller"..."
 

It is very easy - good taste - classic, simple, trend-less,  timeless understated elegance...

“In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.”

- Henry Wadswort Longfellow

"Less is more"

Amusing.....The Albert slipper on a "Journey" outside the country house???

" The Albert Slipper"

The Victorian Albert Slipper (named after Prince Albert) is a plain velvet slipper with a leather sole with a padded contrasting lining. Traditionally worn about the house - What is so amusing is that we today sometimes have to watch the .......... wearing them outside in informal settings. This is Not .....Well, I leave it at that....

It is a classic for any man, to be worn at his country house.

They are frequently seen with hunt motifs, family crests or initials. Who used to wear them? Sir Winston Churchill (he had a red pair monogrammed WSC)as well as the Duke of Windsor - some of his slippers were made by Peal Co - England.

Peal and Co was founded in 1565 and is one of the oldest-established and most successful makers of leather accessories, shoes, briefcases etc. in the world. The firm was established in Durham, moved to Derby in 1765, and finally to London in 1791.

An Adventuresome Life - Roy Chapman Andrews (1884 -1960), American Explorer, Adventurer and Author ...

He grew up in Beloit, Wisconsin and taught himself taxidermy during his hunting trips to help and finance his education which, later led to a Master of Arts Degree.

Roy Chapman Andrews "Under Canvas"

His first collecting venture was to East India during 1909 - 1910.  Next adventure got to be for the American Museum of Natural History to the Arctic and many more expeditions would follow during his life.  Expedition leader for the Museum to Central Asia in the 1920's.

Known for his expeditions to the Gobi desert in Mongolia and his collections for the American Museum Of Natural History - He became its director in 1934.

A member of The Explorers Club in New York... 

He served as its President 1931 to 1934.