Alberto's Hutte

30th November 2022 (Wednesday)   “ St Andrews Day”. 10.00     I suspect that St Andrews Day might be a ‘play day:   we had a balmy sunrise, the girls were in swimming.... even the birds were enjoying the peace and quiet.    There was a light touch of frost, but that has gone now that the sun is up.... yep... it’s a   ‘play day’.    ‘Light cloud and a gentle breeze’ is the weather forecast:   I might go out on the bike after lunch.   18.30   I have been a ‘busy boy’ today;  a mix of stuff needin’ to be done and play.    After breakfast I decided to go to ‘The Store’ (Ainster);  I fancied a walk round the shop.   It’s getting to the stage where you’re feart tae stop the trolley;  however I got the items on my list (yes a list is vital), plus two not on the list.... not goodies.   I came home by the ‘back road’... that way you miss the anti tank er vehicle hazards across the road, at the new housing, on the way into St Monans. New wall at 'Four Winds'. Back at Ivy I had everyt

29th November 2022 (Tuesday)     09.30....It’s a beautiful morrrrrning, but the car windscreen was frozen so there’s a cool air.   It was lovely on the beach;  balmy and peaceful and there’s hardly any wind so not very cold even if there was a touch of frost in the air.   Three brave swimmers (Elie Blue Tits) went in for their high tide time dip; it must have been cold ....but that didn’t seem to bother them.  I felt cauld! There was never going to be a visible sunrise, due to a bank of low cloud.... however I was determined to catch the sun breaking out above said low cloud.    It eventually did, 25 minutes after actual sunrise.      I was ready for breakfast when I got back to Ivy, having been down there for nearly an hour. 14.00    I went to Elie (in the car) to hand in my prescription, and do a wee bit ‘o shoppin’.    I met Joyce who I haven’t seen for a while;   I must remember to tell ‘M’ the next time we’re on Skype that Joyce is looking well.... and younger.    I felt auld!

28th November 2022 (Monday)    07.00   There’s been a touch of ‘light precipitation’ a wee while ago, but not enough to qualify as a ‘bad hair day’.    The weather forecast for us is .... (25 minute pause) .... “sunny intervals and a light breeze, with the chance of light precipitation”.  I’m feeling ‘brighter eyed and more bushy tailed’ this morning;  in fact I feel quite playful.   I’ll have to loup intae the car and go for the paper.... and milk: Can’t have breakfast without milk.    Slight ‘flap on’ now;  I’m hungry. 09.15    Although looking ever so slightly ominous, we had a beautiful sunrise sky this morrrning.   I’d been for the paper and at the harbour, where I intended to catch the sunrise, but changed my mind and went down to Nana’s Seat when I got back home.   I had noticed that the car had a soft tyre, so I inflated that at the harbour.   There wasn’t a cap on the valve so I don’t know if someone had let the air out of it or it’s a slow puncture.   Anyway, now that it’s t

27th November 2022 (Sunday)     07.30 .... The weather forecast for KY9 Kinneuchar Station circa 1960. today is...... 3 minute pause..... “a good drying day”!    In weather forecaster words;  “Sunny intervals with a fresh breeze”.    I’m looking forward to a bonnie day and, although feeling frisky, I intend pottering around Ivy most of the day.   I slept for nearly 7 hours (unbroken sleep) last night so must still be tired.... so this is another ‘rest day’.  Actually I might try to join the kirk service online;  I haven't been able to do that for a while. 15.30     The weather has been kind today;   my washing is dry and ready to iron.   I might do the ironing after this update.   Derek phoned to say he and Eileen   were going to visit   Alan and Jean (my brother and his wife who live in Coalsnaughton) tomorrow and would I like to have my Christmas cards delivered.    It took me all of two seconds to accept his offer... so I have been writing Christmas cards.    Not a job that was

26th November 2022 (Saturday)   07.30....Ye Gods;  I must have been a tired boy last night.  I went to bed at 22.00.... read my book for five minutes, fell asleep and woke up at 06.30.   It’s a long long time since I had a complete night of unbroken sleep.   Today is a ‘rest day’. 08.30     Both the 'Paper Shop' and Elie Harbour have been visited this morning;   and I can report that all is good at both places.    It’s a quiet, albeit overcast morning, but I am looking for sunny spells later. I’ve just realised why the road were so busy when driving home in the dark last night;   it was rush hour.    In future I’ll make a point of only driving at night when it’s absolutely unavoidable.   18.45    Alice, and I enjoyed a cuppa and blether when we visited Sheila in Upper Largo this morning;  we turned over a few auld Colinsburgh names from yesteryear I can tell you   Sheila played the piano at the ‘Windmill Care Home’ in Cellardyke.   It was the Windmill then... it’s called ‘Wi

25th November 2022 (Friday)    07.00 .... It was spitting rain when I put Robin Gray's cottage. the green bucket out this morning; ‘strong winds and sunny intervals with a low chance of precipitation’ is the weather forecast, so it could be a bonnie enough day.  I don’t want rain if I’m pottering around Leven.  20.00    There was a change o’ plan:  instead of pottering around the Bawbee Brig, Izzy (Alice’s daughter) picked me up from the garage and I spent the day with Izzy.   First thing, on leaving the garage, we took Alice to Kirkcaldy to catch the Edinburgh coach:  she was going to meet her granddaughter and husband in Edinburgh to go to the ballet at the Festival Theatre.    Izzy and I then went to Asda’s where Izzy did her weekly shopping and I browsed the prices.    We then went to Izzy and Alan’s house in Windygates where we had lunch and passed the time of day until it was time to go to the garage to pick up the car;  which was getting the bits fixed to get through its M

24th November 2022 (Thursday)    10.00 .... It was ‘bright and breezy’ on the beach this morning.... and the ride was full out so I had a huge beach all to myself.    It’s a bit blustery and there’s wind chill;  but well wrapped up, it’s a bonnie morning to be out.  I might go for a short (the bike battery is low) run on the bike.... if it’s not too windy.   That will be after Jean picks up the key;  and probably after morrrrrrrrning coffee.  11.00   Jings...it’s morrrrrrrrrrrrning coffee’ time already.   Jean hasn’t been for the key yet; but I’m not going anywhere, because I don’t know what’s in the air but the breathing tubes are not operating at full capacity this morning.   This is now going to be a ‘rest day’.   I’ll find a football match to watch;  that guarantees me a good hour and a half’s sleep.... but  I’d better not do that until after Jean has been! 16.30   I must have got the dates wrong for Jean;  it must be next Thursday.  I wasn’t going anywhere today anyway.... not wi

23rd November 2022 (Wednesday)   08.45 .... The crock pot is ‘on’ with the batch of soup as per ‘plan’;  and we had a bonnie, and slightly ominous looking, red sky.    I wasn’t on the beach to catch it as I’d slept in, and was still in my pyjamas when I took the photo from the front gate.   I’m now fully operational and ready to ‘play’.   Another cuppa is required ... to help activate the kneecaps. 10.45   I’m feeling more positive again;  yesterday was a naughty ‘negative’ day:  I’d convinced myself that I’d booked the car in for another MOT, instead of to get the failed things made good.   Iain phoned the garage this morning .... and..... I had booked it in properly.   So I’m a happy boy again. I’ve been for the paper.... and to the re-cycling point at Woodhaven to deposit a batch of jam jars.    Jam jars aren’t very ‘Elie and Earlsferry’, but sound the same as wine bottles when dropping into the bin!.... and I like Mackay’s jam... especially in a rice pudding!    Must ‘go’ ever

22nd November 2022 (Tuesday)     08.30.... it isn’t as cold as it was yesterday morning; there’s still a wintry feel to the air and even the clouds have that ‘wintry look’ about them.   I haven’t been out anywhere, but I might go out on the bike once the air warms up a bit ....though it’s never going to be ‘warm’:  but it should be a bonnie enough day;  and enjoyable.... as long as you are wearing ‘cosy claes’ when out and about.    “Light rain showers and a moderate breeze”... is the weather forecast;  with the chance of showers being most likely in the first part of the morning.... before morrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrning coffee time. 10.00     With so many interesting clouds around I didn’t know whether to up to the golf course or down to the beach (it’s not easy being ‘me’);   I finally settled for the beach.    I’m feeling quite ‘brave’ this morning and might have ago at going up to Chapel Green on foot.    This would be a first since having COVID.    It all depends on how the breathing tu

21st November 2022 (Monday)      06.30.... Dearie me....we have the first proper touch of wintry weather – frost.     It’s -1 on the garden thermometer and the car windscreen is covered with a heavy layer of ice.    There’s a light breeze off the East and the forecast doesn’t have us below freezing;   I’m thinkin’ that Ferry Road has its own micro climate.    I won’t be going anywhere until the frost lifts.    I have a washing ready to hang out but doing that would be pointless at the moment.    Apart from the fact that it’s dark... it would be awfie cauld on the haunds. 15.00     The car is ‘booked in’ to have its MOT problems fixed on Friday (25th);   I’m planning to walk hirple down to ‘Starbucks’ for morning coffee .... and maybe even a goodie.    Being in Leven gave me the excuse to go Alice’s for morning coffee and a blether;   lunch.    I dropped Alice off at one of her Leven friends on my way home, then bumbled home by the ‘new. scenic route..... sometimes called a ‘diversio

20th November 2022 (Sunday)     10.00....we have bonnie enough morning, after some overnight rain;  whether there is more rain to come is in the lap of the Gods:  in the meantime wee have an interesting sky.   Iain went to the beach for sunrise;  I was in the shower.    After the sun broke through I had a short walk up to the golf course .... and took a few photos;  I’m a happy boy. 14.30    Iain set off for Auchnagatt about 13.00 and should have a, mostly, dry journey home.  There are showers around.... we’ve just had one ... but it didn’t last long.   At the moment I’m having a cuppa before having a daunder to the beach;  the late afternoon is looking bonnie....and I need some photographs to ‘play’ with this evening. 19.30    It was a bonnie later afternoon, and I wasn’t the only one enjoying it;  the beach was busy.  It’s good to see the villages busy at this time of year;  usually they are quiet.    The pandemic changed where people are taking their holidays.... and we have become

19th November 2022 (Saturday)    08.30.... There’s a touch of dampness in the air again.... which is disappointing ‘cos the roads were dry earlier:  in fact I was thinking of getting the bike out to go for the paper.   Anyway I’ve been for the paper.... and down to the harbour:  the rain was heavy then, so I didn’t take any photographs.   Ye Gods... if this weather continues I’ll have forgotten how to take a photograph.   Never mind.... we could get a few sunny spells later, though 'strong winds and light rain' is the weather forecast. 20.00      I wouldn’t call the weather we’ve had today ‘the best’.... but, compared to the past couple o’ days it has been ‘bonnie.     Iain, who had intended travelling down yesterday, but cancelled because of the inclement weather, arrived at 10 o’clock this morrrrrrrning.    Since then he has a fixed the shower unit (which had been out of order since Wednesday).... so I am happy to say that I am ‘clean’ again.   I have a bath ....but   they a

18th November 2022 (Friday)    07.30 .... Hmmm .... We’ve had a wet Janice and Alberto - Glastonbury. night;   Lochgelly has had 50mm (2 inches) of rain in the last 36 hours.    I imagine we’ll have had the same (if not more).... and there’s more to come:   strong winds and heavy rain showers being the forecast for today.... Fife is included in an ‘Amber’ warning, for heavy and prolonged rain.     Not a good hair day! Alice phoned, last night, to say that she couldn’t find her purse last; I found it in the car....so I’ll take trip to Leven to do a shopping and return said purse to happy owner.    I’d intended going to the ‘Store’ to do some shopping, this morning, anyway;     it will help pass a damp morning.     I’m looking for sunny spells later today;   though I doubt if I’ll get out on the bike. 15.30    That’s one happy lady (Alice) reunited with her purse, and me with a few bits and pieces of shopping done.   The journey to Leven was, quite frankly, horrendous;  I have never d

17th November 2022 (Thursday)     08.15 .... Well... it’s wet and windy .... Ferry Road this morrrning. not a ‘good hair day’!   This wet and windy weather is forecast to be with us through to Friday, so I won’t be going to the beach.... nor going out on the bike!   Not until the sunny spells come our way.  15.30    My word it is a ‘bad hair day’.   I decided to go to Leven to visit a new gallery/framing Studio in shop in Lower Methil.  I went to Alice’s for a cuppa and then we both went to the Gallery.   There’s a room dedicated to original paintings;  including many with East Neuk subjects....one of which was a picture of Elie Harbour (from the Toft).  There is a good choice of, high quality paintings from all around Scotland.   It was a good place to be when we’re experiencing an ‘extremely bad hair day’. November 2005 sunrise. 21.00    The Ferry Lodge workmen got a lot off work done today in spite of the weather.  To me it looks like they will soon be building the retaining wall. 

16th November 2022 (Wednesday)     09.00.... we have a lovely start to the day;  the sun is drying off yesterday’s rain, and although the air is chillier, there’s only a light breeze, so I might go out on the bike later.... once the air warms up   I’ve been for the paper in the car (I have a tank full of fuel to burn off before next Thursday (24th).... the MOT doesn’t expire until 25th) .... and visited the harbour. The boys unearthed a Victorian stone ware pot (jar) when excavating the space for the new build.... I’ll wash and photograph it.    The amazing thing is that, it is whole. 17.00   I don’t know what was in the air today but it clobbered the auld breathin’ tubes;  it’s a while since I’ve had a few hours like I had in the middle of the day.   Anyway I’m fine now; and I had a turn up to Chapel Green in the the afternoon (after things had calmed down) and enjoyed being out on the bike for a change.    It was warm in the sunshine, as long as you were sheltered from the SE wind