Alberto's Hutte

30th November 2021 (Tuesday)      08.00 .... It’s warmer this morning; Leven beach. unfortunately it’s also wetter.    The light rain is an annoyance, ‘cos I feel in an active mood:   however, the forecast, and the Fife Weather cams, are not encouraging.....the cams are all grey, and the light rain is to become more persistent, but .... there is a chance of sunny spells later.    At the moment  it’s a ‘write Christmas Cards’ day.    19.00     I nearly began to write the Christmas cards.... but ended up going to Leven ‘cos it was the kind of day I like for shopping.    B n Q’s (hinnae been in there for a long time) was busier than I expected it to be.... and Sainsbury’s was really busy, and the Checkout was slow;  the guy at the front had a load of those offer tickets to be processed;  this gave me enough time to fall  in love with the lady in front of me in the queue.  She had lost her husband 10 years ago, and enjoyed chatting.  I wish I’d asked her name.... this could have been the

29th November 2021 (Monday)   07.30 .... I’m ‘bright eyed and bushy tailed’ this morning.... and in the mood for a daunder to the beach.   There’s a touch of frost on the car roofs but it looks like being a bonnie sunrise (08.18).   There’s only a light breeze but it’s a ‘wrap up well’ kind of mornin’. 10.00     We had a bonnie sunrise;  though it’s actually the half hour before sunrise that the sky is at its best.    It was cool on the beach but I lowered the lug flaps of the hat and all was well with the lugs. The sky is now overcast, and there’s a raw feel to the air, not a day for ‘The Boy’ going out on the bike.   I might go up to Balcarres after lunch (in the car), but the immediate ‘plan’ is to loup into the car and go for the paper.... after that it’s going to be a computer morning. 18.30      I did take the car to go for the paper later in the morning, and never went out again;  the sky was uninviting.... and it was cold.   We had light rain in the middle of the afternoon, so

28th November 2021 (Sunday)    07.30 ....I couldn’t understand what the streaks were that the Aberdour weather cam was picking up;   it was a light snow shower.    ‘Light snow showers with a moderate breeze’ is the forecast for the early part of the day, with sunny spells in between the showers.    It’s going to be a cold day but there should be interesting clouds.    Oops .... forget the clouds ....it’s snowing here just now:   very picturesque... and very wintry 09.00    It’s not really very picturesque;   it’s just wet, and cold.   I’ve been for the paper... and... I’ve just realised;  I saw Monica.    A young girl came into the ‘paper shop’ as I was going out;  it was only when she waved when passing the car,  that it dawned on me.... that’s “Monica”.    I haven’t seen Monica for months, and there’s me trying to untangle the camera strap from the handbrake handle.   I am a silly boy.    From the ‘paper shop’ I went to the harbour but I didn’t linger there.   I’ll go out  when th

27th November 2021 (Saturday)    11.30 .... The ‘Lady of Rivendell’ has moved south, leaving us with a few reminders of  the mood she was in last night.    Actually we are very lucky;  the North East bore the brunt of her anger.   Iain and Jackie were without power from about 20.00 last night;  as were about 79,999 homes in the Northeast of Scotland.. I went for the paper, in the car, and had to detour by Fountain Road and South Street as ‘Sally’s Christmas tree (a real tree) had blown down and was blocking the street.... a sheltering a car underneath it.    Kath told me that Neil had reported a boat on the road at the harbour so I went home, had a quick cuppa then went out on the bike.    Oh... there’s a chilly wind blowin’, so wrap up well. The boat at the harbour is ‘Sea Queen’;   the St Monans skiff.     It had been moved aside to let vehicles access the harbour area.    It was bitterly cold down there, but the temperature wasn’t going to stop the ‘Blue Tits’ swimmers:   They

26th November 2021 (Friday)    08.30 ....the wind has freshened since I first ‘stuck ma heid oot the door’ at 06.00.    I haven’t been to the beach for various reasons;    the mechanic is coming to pick up the car.... we have occasional showers blowing through .... and it’s cauld.    There’s a wintry feel to the air this morning.    The wind is to freshen up to Gale 8-9 later so I’d better get the bike oot and go for the paper before the serious wind arrives.    The mechanic has been, so I’ll have a cuppa, and then get the bike oot. 10.00     It is breezy ... especially at the harbour.     Yes;   I’ve been for the paper, and, feeling brave I decided to visit the harbour.     Apart from the wind it was quiet down there, but someone has been working because the ‘Harbour Cafe’ has been dismantled for the winter.    I didn’t get as far as Chapel Green because the bike battery was showing one bar.... and is now being charged. I am going to work in the kitchen this morning, that’s alway

25th November 2021 (Thursday)   09.30 ....  we have another ‘bright and sunny’ morning, but the air is chillier;   That said, it’s a lovely day for wrapping up and going out.    I’ve been to the beach to catch the sunrise;  it was bonnie but not one of those spectacular sunrises:  it was a very calm and peaceful start to the day.   I’ve yet to go for the paper but I’m going up after10.00 ‘cos I have a prescription to pick up. 18.00   Early morning was the best part of the day;  the sky clouded over mid morning and there has been a raw wind most of the day.    I had a successful shopping mission to the ‘Store’  (Anstruther) in the morning;   I say successful because I ended up with a lot more than I went for;  yes... the odd goodie found its way into the trolley.    I also remembered to go to the ‘paper shop’,  and to pick up the prescription from the chemist.   ‘The Boy’ was very organised this morning.    The afternoon was ‘different’.     At one point the wind moderated and I thou

24th November 2021 (Wednesday)    09.30 ....it’s a bright and very breezy morning.... especially on the beach;  but I didn’t feel cold.   Maybe that was because we had a really busy sunrise time sky;  which has been recorded for posterity.      I slept ‘in’ this morning.... and feel better for it.      A shower, followed by the half gale to blow the cobwebs away, has me feeling frolicsome now.     I’ll have a wander along to the ‘Pav’ for the ‘istory Society morning coffee meet.... then I have ‘the Friendship Lunch’ at Colinsburgh;   a busy day ahead. 12.00     My hearing was abysmal this when I went to the ‘Pav’ this morning;   normally lip reading compensates, but not this morning.    Anyway I enjoyed the morning out, and am looking forward to the ‘Friendship Lunch’.... and I must now forget to pick up Lexie. 18.30    The was much to enjoy at the ‘Friendship Lunch’;   soup, sweet and a cuppa with a biscuit.....plus;  friendly company.    It truly was a ‘Friendship’ Lunch.    I’ve

23rd November 2021 (Tuesday)   11.30 .... It’s another lovely day.... and I am ready for the smart meter installer.    Not that I expect to end up with a smart meter.... unless it works off the ‘hub’.  We had a quiet, and peaceful, sunrise this morning;    and I have been for the paper (in the car), and came home by way of Balbuthie to have a look at Kinneuchar.    The temporary traffic lights are still in situ. I’ll have to stay in until the meter installer is finished;   it shouldn’t take long as the first one (four years ago did all the wiring. 20.00    John, the Smart Meter installer arrived at 13.40 but, although this generation of meter is an improvement on the first, it still uses the mobile phone masts for its signal... so... no  Smart Meter:  until they invent a Smart one that sends via the ‘hub’.   However we did have coffee, and a good blether;  John is a golfer, his home course being the nine hole at Auchterderran. I had a walk up to the golf course at sunset time, mos

22nd November 2021 (Monday)   09.30 .... Another lovely, late autumn morning;  and a beautiful start to another bonnie day.... I met Marcia with the dogs.    I have yet to go for the paper but I’ll do that on my way to St Andrews.   I suppose I’d better go and get organised;   I’ll begin by switching 'on' the kettle.  14.30     Would you believe it.... the car needs a new wiper blade, the horn disnae work and it needs a new gaiter.    The wiper blade I knew about, I didn’t know where the horn button was ‘cos I’ve never has cause to use it, (a trumpet symbol means that’s where the horn is; I found the 'trumpet' in the middle of the steering wheel.   The whole lot comes to  £220 (including MOT).    It (the car) goes in on Friday to get the bits and pieces fixed. The car always runs smother and quieter, after it’s been in the garage.     I think I need to put air in the tyres oftener.     I do check them regularly, every three of four months .... it should be every two

21st November 2021 (Sunday)     11.00 .... As is normal after a light early morning frost, we have a beautiful day;  bright and sunny with a light NW breeze.    I mention the light frost because  the moisture on the beach at the beach was frozen, and I couldn’t sit down.    Well I could  have but even I still heat up enough to melt a thin skin of ice. Before I go to the beach (or out anywhere in the morning) I check the Fife weather cams;   from the Aberdour cam I can see if there’s going to be a visible sunrise.   There was a bank of cloud on the horizon, so sunrise was going to be hidden:   However I realised that the sun would appear above the cloudbank about 20 minutes after sunrise.... so, I went to the beach, and spent an enjoyable and tranquil hour     The sky was never going to be as bonnie as it was yesterday morning but it was bonnie in a quieter way. When I got back to Ivy I had a cuppa then went for the paper, and came home by way of Chapel Green.   I have had a very p

21st November 2021 (Sunday)     11.30 .... As is normal after a light early morning frost, we have a beautiful day;  and, it is bright and sunny with a light NW breeze.    I mention the light frost because  the moisture on the beach at the beach was frozen, and I couldn’t sit down.    Well I could  have but even I still heat up enough to melt a thin skin of ice. Before I go to the beach (or out anywhere in the morning) I check the Fife weather cams;   from the Aberdour cam I can see if there’s going to be a visible sunrise.   There was a bank of cloud on the horizon, so sunrise was going to be hidden:   However I realised that the sun would appear above the cloudbank about 20 minutes after sunrise.... so, I went to the beach, and spent an enjoyable and tranquil hour     The sky was never going to be as bonnie as it was yesterday morning but it was bonnie in a quieter way. When I got back to Ivy I had a cuppa then went for the paper, and came home by way of Chapel Green.   I have h

20th November 2021 (Saturday)      06.30 .... It’s a quiet morning... apart from ‘Blob’, who was twittering away on top of the Rowan tree;  he’s now on top of the ‘broon’ bucket picking up digestive biscuit crumbs.   That’s my whole extent of feeding the bird(s), quarter of a crumbled up digestive biscuit for ‘Blob. The sky is overcast (the starts weren’t visible) with a light breeze, and it’s warm.     Sunny spells are mentioned for the afternoon... and the temperature drop overnight. 17.30     We had a cracker of a sunrise sky and I was on the beach to enjoy it;   as was Chris and ‘Skye’.    I spent my time between the beach and the bench catching,...   well ....what was a kaleidoscope of colour for nearly an hour.    It was magic.      After I came off the beach I had to loup on the bike and go for the paper;   then up to Chapel Green to get a few pictures of Saipem 7000, the huge   crane, that’s in the Firth just now.     There was fresh Force 5 wind at that time, but it wasn’t

19th November 2021 (Friday)  18.00 .... oh dear.... I have been a busy boy and forgot to update 'The Hutte':  it’s so long ago since the day began,  that I’ve forgotten what I have been doing.   Let's see how I get on. It began with me taking the bike out at 07.20 to go for the paper and visit the harbour.    At that time there was a fresh breeze, and we had some light spits and spots of rain blowing through.... which is why I didn’t go to the beach as I had planned.      As it was I ended up at my ‘sheltered spot’ at the harbour. The bike battery was showing three bars when I left Ivy but down to two by the time I got to the ‘paper shop’ so.    It is recommended that you ‘flatten’ the battery now and again;   today was going to be that day.    It ran out when I was half way along South Street, biking into, what was a strong wind   being funnelled along the street.     I switched off the power, went down to the lowest gear and pottered my way home. The sun was well u

18th November 2021 (Thursday)     09.00 .... It’s ‘bright, breezy and warm’ this morning;  a perfect day for me visiting the hairdresser.   I’ve been for the paper, photographed the sunrise, given ‘Blob’ his breakfast;  now I’m ready for mine.    Oh ... I’d better phone the hairdresser to find out in Kirsty is ‘operating’ today. 10.00     My appointment (hairdresser) is at 14.00.    I’ll go to Leven early to do the other things I have planned;  the car through the car wash, then wee shopping’s at the ‘Cheap Shop’ and Sainsbury’s.    I think it is ‘coffee time. 19.00    Everything I wanted to do in Leven has been done; including having my haircut .... I can see my lugs again.    I enjoyed today’s mini adventure, even going to the two shops.   The ‘Bargain Store’ was busy;  I’d arrived at the same time as a batch of mothers with kids (local nursery playgroup?), not one of the mothers was wearing a mask, (didn’t expect the children to wear them) so that made me feel pensive.   However, wh

17th November 2021 (Wednesday)   10.00 .... We had another lovely sunrise time sky this morning.... but, my word, there’s a noticeable drop in the temperature, with a frisky wind to add wind chill.... so it’s cold.   It’s definitely a ‘wrap up well’ day. I’ve done the paper run (and got the paper), caught the sunrise sky from various favourite spots, met Irene at the ‘paper shop’.... and had breakfast.    I planned to up through Elie Estate but decided to leave that until later.    That said, the sky is clouding over so ‘later’ might be tomorrow.... maybe Sunday.     I see spots o' rain on the window so it's a computer/book/tele/maybe even some 'ousework) day.   I think it's only a passing shower.... not a spell of rain.  19.30     We have had a nice enough day;   sunny with clouds masking the sun now and again, but bonnie.     It has been cold all day.... and breezy.     I saw Stewart at the harbour this morning and he told me that the estate road “wisnae bad” ....

16th November 2021 (Tuesday)     09.30 .... Although now a ‘good weather’ sign, we had a colourful  sunrise time sky;  definitely a touch of the ‘Red sky in the morning etc.”   There is a brisk wind this morning, though it’s not cold.... nothing like ‘old November’ temperatures.    The sky looks threatening towards the West, and my Top Secret weather forecaster, who wants to remain anonymous, Marcia,  (oops ... so much for ‘anonymity’) told me it’s likely to rain in the afternoon.   Oh well.... computer and tele it will be.   The bike battery is being charged up, ready for the next good day.   That could be tomorrow. 20.00     I had a walk to the beach after lunch;  I say ‘walk’, but it’s more like sedate ‘hirple’, since I pranged my bad knee a few weeks ago.  There was fresh wind, and the sky overcast so, it was cauld.    Even so the beach was much busier than I expected it to be;  everybody was well wrapped up, including me, though I’d have worn my gloves if I’d known it was going to