Notes

The Duffer in Arms Returns to Its Scottish Roots
The Duffer in Arms is a Scottish drama starring Ernest Dunlop Swinton as a man destined for greatness, who is determined to make his way in the world. The series follows Ernest and his friends, the MacDonald brothers and their friends, on a Scottish river in the 1930s. In Season 4, we learn more about the relationship between Ernest and his friend Calves, who has a knack for becoming a great man.

Season 4 premiere

The upcoming season of Duffer in Arms promises a return to its roots. The brothers of the series are the showrunners, as well as the creators. The brothers have previously dubbed it "the Game of Thrones season." While Byers and Eleven have moved to California, the rest of the cast stays in Hawkins, Indiana. Meanwhile, Hopper and the rest of the crew are still in Hawkins.

Jake MacDonald

Quarrington, a more seasoned fly angler than he admits, was a true Duffer and carried the torch with defiance and pride. In turn, Quarrington endorsed the great fly fishing books by Jake MacDonald, Duffer in Arms. MacDonald's own book series was well received and he acted as writer and editor of Casting on Quiet Waters: Reflections on Life and Fly Fishing, which he produced himself.

Ernest Dunlop Swinton

The military novel, Defence of Duffer's Drift, was written by Major-General Ernest Dunlop Swinton in 1904. It depicts the actions of the British Army's infantrymen during the Second Boer War. Lieutenant Backsight Forethought, a recent graduate of Sandhurst, is charged with defending Duffer's Drift from the advancing enemy. However, he finds that he's made several tactical mistakes and learns from them.

Calves

It is a famous saying from the Scottish Highlands, "Duffer in arms means cow, and calf equals beef." This proverb comes from a poem by John Mackay, who wrote "Meat is the food of life," and it explains why cattle are so important to Scotland. However, there is a problem with this proverb: Calves are easily stolen. The cattle thieves must keep their young stock away from their mothers and wait until they have forgotten each other. Calves that bear one man's brand are clearly cattle-stealing. This is not something you can do without - unless you are a cow, or a calf-thief. If you're caught, you'll get three years in prison or hard labour on the road.

Rights of auteur in content

The term "auteur" is a fancy French word meaning "director." It is the closest thing to a singular dominant voice, and while not every film director is an auteur, there are many examples. The term first came into prominence in 1954, in a French publication called "Cahiers du Cinema."

Duffer's fortnight coincided with the mayfly carnival

"Duffer's fortnight" was a term coined by angling enthusiast Hugh Tempest Sheringham to describe a period of easy fishing in the spring and summer months. As the mayfly hatch began, trout were less likely to be spooked by clumsy or poorly presented fly anglers. A devoted angler would be at the river by 10am, wandering the banks and waiting for the hatch to begin. It can take several days for the trout to switch to rising mode, but it is a good time to take advantage of the opportunity.

The Defence of Duffer's Drift by Ernest Dunlop Swinton

A classic essay on small unit tactics, "The Defense of Duffer's Drift" by Ernest Dunlop Swinton is a must-read for junior officers. It tells the story of a young British officer who holds a key position against superior enemy units in South Africa during the Second Boer War. Swinton explains how the rewards of endurance and learning to be willing to sacrifice are well worth the sacrifices.
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