Alberto's Hutte

31st December 2019 (Tuesday)     10.30 .... We have an 'overcast and damp Sussex' this Nature is beautiful ... and free to enjoy! morrrrrrrrrrrrrrning .... not a morning for going out.    I think, if I remember correctly, that it could be overcast for most of today according to the weather forecast.   It is warm for this time of year. Wellllll .... tomorrow sees the start of a New Year and the hope that comes with a new beginning.  Less selfishness and greed would be good but with the present batch of 'political' leaders that's unlikely.    More power to Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of  New Zealand, and all other peace loving leaders and people on the planet is what we need.    Anyway let's all enjoy seeing the Auld Year 'out' and bringing the New Year 'in' .... "Happy New Year" to all my friends wherever you are on Mother Earth. xxxxx Oh .... I nearly forgot;   there's 358 days to go to Christmas and 2020 is a Leap Year

30th December 2019 (Monday)      09.30 .... There's a light frost and fairly thick fog that Add caption drifts over now and again, but it could be a bonnie day yet.    Everything is awfie quiet outside .... even the local dog walkers appear to be late this morning.    This could be a good morning for browsing some of the photographs I took at Walton.

29th December 2019 (Sunday)     10.00 ....   although the sky is overcast (mostly) it is a Minnie Alice and James Braid's grave.     bonnie morrrrrrrrrrrrrning.... and warm for the time of year.    There isn't much activity this morning.... both inside and out.     I am 'it' .... the activity .... and I'm not exactly buzzin' around.   Nae 'plan' for this morning;   'JB' has to go out for a couple of hours but we might go somewhere in the afternoon.... it depends on the weather.    I have a load of photographs to sort out and I'll make a start on that when John is out.

28th December 2019 (Saturday)     10.30 .... Sussex is warm and overcast;  a perfect day Pevensey Beach. for doing stuff on the computer..... and I have a lot of photographs to tidy up.   We all need a rest day;  even me and I haven't been ding very much! 'JB' and me were at Pevensey Beach, Eastbourne and Beachy head yesterday.... on what was a really nice day.    It was even warm down at the coast.

27th December 2019 (Friday)      10.00 .... The sky is overcast, but I see 'bloo' bits beginning to show so it looks like being a really bonnie day .... and warm;  but not as warm as it is going to be at the very top of Scotland .... and Iceland, according to the weather maps.   'Quiet' means nae cars scurrying up and down the road!

26th December 2019 (Thursday)     10.00 .... when we went to bed last night there was a clear sky, in fact I'd been admiring the starry sky when 'JB' and I were walking home from Leeann and Marty's:  when I woke up this morning I was surprised to find it raining.... and it looks like we're in for a dreich day.     We went to Leeann and Martyn's for Christmas Dinner and it was fantastic;   a real family Christmas. a mix of, a very nearly six year young lady, a 5 year dinosaur loving boy.... and six excited young adults.    Well some of the adults were young .... but all were happy and enjoying Christmas Day.    It took me back .... er .... a few years ....  to when 'The Troops' (my grandchildren') were that age.... and listening out for "Ho Ho Ho's" as Santa whizzed around the planet.   Nostalgic moment for me .... thinking of 'The Boss' preparing our Christmas Dinners and getting ready for Santa squeezing his 'fat butt'

25th December 2018 (Wednesday)     10.00 .... "Merry Christmas" to everyone wherever on Mother Earth you are.... have a lovely day.    It's a gorgeous 'Sunny Sussex' day here;  I have been for a walk.... it' was nippy on the lugs, though not quite frosty.

24th December 2019 (Tuesday)    08.30 .... we  have another 'Sunny Sussex' morrrrrrrrrrrning .... a good walking morning.    I will go out after breakfast.    Everything is very  'Christmas mode' just now.... but it doesn't look like we'll be having a 'white one';   Christmas i.e. I'll wish everyone a "Merry Christmas" now just in case it's too hectic tomorrow:   have a Blessed Christmas with lots of love and happiness all around you. xxxx 

23rd December 2019 (Monday)    10.00   I am still excited after visiting Walton on The Hill yesterday... no wonder James Braid enjoyed working at Walton Heath.    One of the first things we noticed at the Golf Club;   there was no 'Members Only' Car Park, nor a 'Member's Only area in the main car park ...the only 'Reserved' spaces being one for the Club Secretary, one for the Club Captain and two disabled spaces at the front door.   Walton Heath Golf club is a friendly and welcoming 'Club';  and the friendly atmosphere  pervades the whole club and course.   'JB' and I were lucky enough to meet Andrew Brown, a former Chairman of the Golf Club, at the Church who was happy to show us to where 'Minnie Alice'  and 'James Braid' are buried.     Maggie would have enjoyed Walton .... actually she was there in spirit .... and it was when I thought of that that I got all emotional.    Earlsferry was a special place to 'Auld Ferry Folk&

22nd December 2019 (Sunday)      19.00 .... The inclement weather we have been enduring James Braid's house - Walton on The Hill, Surrey. in the South East relented today and this has been the most fantastical day:  'JB' and I went to Walton on the Hill (Surrey) where Earlsferry's most famous son, James Braid worked as the golf professional  on the local Walton Heath Golf Course from 1904 until 1950.   Maggie always wanted to visit Walton Heath but we were unable to do that.... so today I finally plucked up the courage to do so;  it was an emotional day for me. We got photos of James' house, named "Earlsferry" after his beloved village, and of his and his wife Minnie Alice's headstone in the local St Peter's churchyard..... and finally photos of Walton Heath Golf Club and course.     In all we 'took' 366 photos (with two cameras).... so I have much to 'play' with when I get back to Ivy. Maggie and I have copies of both Ja

21st December 2019 (Saturday)     09.00 ..... Welllll ... we have had spell of damp weather in 'Not so Sunny Sussex' but at least we are having a few sunny spells this morning even though it is raining most of the time.    It's not a day for travelling in the Southeast.    'JB' and I are going to Battle this evening but the rain should have cleared away by then.

20th December 2019 (Friday)      10.00 .... it was raining earlier but the sun is breaking through and it is a bonnie day now .... but the forecast is for more rain  in the afternoon.    It is mild for the time of year.     I m going out for a short walk after I have another cuppa.

19th December 2019 (Thursday)     18.30.... Janice and  I went 'downtown' in the morning, Platform 6 Waverley Station. did a wee bit of shopping then went the the Luxford for morning coffee.    Leeann (Janice's daughter) was was working so we had a grand 'catch up'.    Everything is where it should be in Uckfield .... at least it seemed to be.    The car parks were 'Full' but Janice knew a quiet place, half way down the High Street. My afternoon was spent mostly sleeping;  but I did watch 'Boris' and the Queen's Speech.

18th December 2019 (Wednesday)     19.30 .... we've had a bonnie day in Sunny Sussex(literally) but that is about to change;   wind and rain overnight and tomorrow..... in fact the rain has already started. I had a braw journey down travelling in the company of a family from London who had been up to Edinburgh for a long weekend     The train we were travelling in was one of the 'new boys on the block;  an 'Azuma'.    It a beautiful train.... comfortable, smooth running on the track and the air condition just perfect.    I did get photos but have yet to get them out of the camera. Today I has been a 'rest day' though I did manage to go for a walk in the afternoon. Everyone has been under the weather' with the cold .... in fact Janice still has it but i slowly getting better.    I am hoping that it's the same strain as the one I had a few weeks ago! This is JB's laptop that I'm working on so I won't put photos up..... because he probably n

16th December 2019 (Monday)        12.30 .... You will have guessed that I have been in “‘flap on’ State 1”   this morrrrrrning which explains why I am late with the Hutte.     Anyway everything that I had to do has been done and I now relaxing with ....yep ... a cuppa. Sunrise time this morning over Elie Bay. We have had a lovely morning.... apart from a short   rainy spell... so I was out on the bike;   and I even remembered to pick up my prescription.      Earlier I had been on the beach for sunrise time ... David and I had the beach to ourselves.... along with David’s dog.    We could see rain clouds moving in from the Northwest so didn’t hang about:   though I did take time to write “Merry Christmas” (twice) on the beach. 16.00     Welll .... I’ve had a busy day but at last I can say that I am organised;     and the rucksack is not heavy but it looks bulky.     That’s due to the bag of pills which though light in weight take up a bit of room;    I only take two pills

15th December 2019 (Sunday)       09.00 .... it’s a bright, breezy....   and Chapel Green, Earlsferry from Elie harbour. cold....   morning;       definitely a ‘wrap up well’ day.    The forecast is for us to have ‘sunny intervals’, most of the time, but there’s a fair amount of cloud about so there will be ‘cloudy intervals’ too.    I’m feeling playful and I’d like to get the bike out but I have other things to do.... so I’ll give the bike a turn round the villages tomorrow.     11.30     I had to miss the kirk, and the mince pies, being that I am in a   ‘slight flap on’ state getting things organised;   which included a trip to the re-cycling depot at Pittenweem.... and the car needs a wee bit of a tidy up before I take it up to Brian’s after lunch.      The weather has been mixed so far today, with more cloudy spells than sunny ones;   and with squally showers.    Not really a very bonnie day at all.    I’m going to have a cuppa then get on with the some ‘ousework etc.  

14th December 2019 (Saturday)         07.30 .... I haven’t been further than five minutes before sunrise  .... bonnie but ominous. the front gate so far, but that’ was far enough to know that it’s breezy and cold with a feel of winter in the air.    Not a particularly good morning for the beach where it will feel really cold.... but that won't stop dogs taking their owners out for a brisk stroll.     Snow is forecast or the high hills.... the Grampians etc.   20.00    Yes it was really windy.... and cold ... on the beach, but there was the prospect of a bonnie sunrise so I had to go;   and I did wrap up well.    Actually the wind direction meant that I got some shelter from the dunes so it wasn’t too bad.   The sunrise was bonnie so it was well worth the effort. At last I have finished delivering/posting the Christmas cards:   only got two to hand ‘deliver’ at the kirk tomorrow.    Did I mention that there will be mince pies before the Service tomorrow?    Not that I’

13th December 2019 (Friday)      09.00 .... there’s been a lot of rain overnight and it’s still raining, but not too heavily and it is forecast to be brighter, and drier, up by lunch time.    I have a ‘mini flap on’ but have it ‘covered’;   and  ‘the boy’ is looking forward to morning coffee in ‘arbour ‘ouse. 19.30    As predicted we ended up with a lovely afternoon:   but I notice that the air is ‘nippy’ tonight;    I don’t think frost is forecast but it won’t be much above freezing. Once again I have been a busy boy and will be glad to crawl into my burrow at the end of the day.     I went to Arncroach and caught up with Brian’s news;   there’s about as much happening up at Arncroach as there is in the Royal Burgh.... everywhere is quiet just now on the run up to Christmas and New Year. I still have a few Chrissy cards to deliver;   and   I must visit Jim tomorrow as I am taking the car up to Brian’s on Sunday.    There’s tea/coffee and mince pies at the kirk service on S

12th Dec 2019 (Thursday)      08.00 .... At last ... a morning with only a light Quilt that raised over £400  for a church charity when raffled. breeze,   though it is cloudy as far as I can see ‘cos it’s still dark;   I’ll have a daunder to the beach after breakfast to see what’s ‘appening there.    The ‘Master Plan’ is to go to Leven (again) to get my haircut, then visit Jim:   I’m not sure as to the whether I should have morning coffee before I go to Leven, or in the afternoon when ‘Harbour House' is hosting the ‘Drop in Cafe’ due to the hall being used for voting.     I guess the best idea would be to go to ‘arbour ‘ouse morning and afternoon. 16.30     My word I have had a hectic day but it has been enjoyably hectic!     I went to Leven and had my haircut, my eyebrows trimmed;    and had a cuppa in Stuart’s.     I didn’t visit Jim because I knew that today was going to be busy but will visit him either tomorrow or Saturday, but was back in Elie in time to have a quick

11th December 2019 (Wednesday)      09.00 .... The beach was deserted Elie Bay just before sunrise. this morning.... probably because there’s a hoolie blawin’ and it’s cauld;    that said it is a bonnie, ‘bright and breezy’ start to the day,   even though it is cold.     We had a nice but not spectacular sunrise...   with a bit of red so ominous.    I didn’t linger on the beach.... and left it all to the birds. 17.00     My word ‘the boy’ is tired but he’s a happy boy.     The car wash at Leven is back in action and I have a clean car:    I went to Sainsbury’s and had a cuppa.... yes.... and bought a few ‘food related’ items;     i.e. “emergency rations”.      I was in good time for visiting Jim but he was ‘three quarters’ asleep... and wasn’t for waking up.      The Staff had a Country and Western tape playing and Jim’s foot was tapping in time to the music....    I spoke to him and he did answer but was very tired so I only stayed for 35 minutes or so.    I’m going for a

10th December 2019 (Tuesday)      08.30 .... There’s a gale o’ wind The temporary "Ivy Cottage" sign. blowin’ but it isn’t cold;   it’s 9c in Ivy garden.    The wind is going to freshen   to ‘seriously breezy’ by lunch time... accompanied by heavy rain.     Not good.     I am tied to Ivy until the DPD van appears;   I’m going to write my local Christmas cards and work on the computer.     10.00     Well it’s windy and wet now;   the rain started about 09.30. but it is not cold.... that said, I think I’d rather be cold than wet.     So far I haven’t done very much and won’t be going to the beach that’s for sure;   in fact I won’t be going anywhere until the DPD van has been.      I have coffee bags so I can have a coffee break at 10.30 .... in front of the computer.     When browsing my New Zealand photos yesterday I found   most of them were ‘sunny’ so I might just browse some more today. 13.30     We appear to be missing the worst of the bad weather ;   although

9th December 2019 (Monday)       07.45 .... we have a clear sky and I Beautiful morrrrrrrrrrning. have a washing already on the line ;   though it isn’t very breezy just now   it should freshen once the sun appears..... “sunny with a moderate breeze” is the forecast for ‘KY9’.... I might even get out on the bike out today.... it’s going to be wet tomorrow. 10.00      We have a gorgeous sunny morning here... with a perfect drying wind:    all I need to do now is scuttle round the villages on the bike.    The beach was busy, for the time of year, though it was empty when I first went down. I don’t have much of a ‘plan’ today;   check, then close the suitcase and finish writing my local Christmas cards.      No... tomorrow will be a better day for staying in and doing the cards.... and I have the DPD man coming for the case;   I might have a relaxing afternoon today as I have been stressed getting organised for travelling.     Orf to have a cuppa. Elie beach. 17.00     

8th December 2019 (Sunday)     09.30 ....    The sky is loaded with action Sun rising over St Abb's Head. this morning.... unfortunately some of the ‘action’ is wet.    There’s a southwest gale (F7-8) blowing, and the sky is busy with fast moving clouds....   and interesting light:    a bonnie morning for taking photographs from sheltered spots.     I went to the ‘Braes’ at Pittenweem to catch the sun rise over St Abb’s Head this morning .... and I’m a happy boy with what I ‘caught’.     Now I’m well ready for breakfast. 10.15      It is a wild morning now;   with heavy squally showers.     Not a morning for being out though I am going out to post my Christmas cards later.... after another cuppa!     Oh and I intend going to the Fife craft Association craft fair next door to the Fisheries Museum. Anstruther harbour. 19.00    We’ve had wild weather all day especially when the showers came over;  it’s going to be braw tomorrow.   The weather didn’t stop me from enjoyi

7th December 2019 (Saturday)      08.00 .... the stars are twinkling like Bonnie sunrise. ferrets eyeballs this morning;   it looks like we could be in for a nice enough day, though light rain is mentioned in the weather forecast.        There is a light breeze just now but not that cold.     Today is definitely   ‘write my Christmas cards ‘ day .... with breaks. 20.00      All the “for posting” Chrissie cards have been written and stamped, (with last year Christmas stamps) ..... stamps don’t have ‘use by’ date.    I did intend posting them this evening but it’s raining so I’ll take them up to Elie tomorrow... in the car.     I still have most of the ‘local’ ones to write and I’m going to do more of those after this update. "Archie" (the Elie skiff) on the bay this morning. The weather turned wet in the afternoon and it’s a miserable, but not cold, evening.    Luckily it was a fairly nice morning and I went to the harbour after morning coffee in ‘arbour ‘ous

6th December 2019 (Friday)       09.00 ....   we have an overcast and wet Earlsferry from Woodhaven. start to the day, but it is mild (for the time of year) .... it’s 10c on the garden thermometer.     The forecast for 'KY9’ isn’t that bad;   “light rain showers and a moderate breeze”, .... I’m looking for sunny spells later, but that’s maybe wishful thinking.     It’s going to be a Christmas card writing day for me, .... with breaks for coffee... and the dentist. 19.00     We have had a ‘nae bad’ kind of day as far as the weather went;   in fact we had a few sunny spells later in the afternoon.     I’ve had hectic day, but pleasurable day, and will be glad to crawl into bed tonight;   I even enjoyed my trip, to the dentist.    The Dentist has been the special surprise this week because when I went along on Tuesday to make an appointment I Elie Harbour this morning. really didn’t expect to get anything until after the festive season.    However it has all worked out p