Alberto's Hutte

30th November 2023 (Thursday) ...."Happy St Andrews Day"!    Kinneuchar 1830. 08.00   There's been a light shower of sleet/ snow overnight and it's cold.   It was frosty when I was out feeding 'Blob' with heavy rime on the cars.  The roads and pavements will be slippery....so not a morning for going very far: Sunrise is at 08.17 so it will be a wee while before the temperature rockets up to 3C.   Oh .... and "Happy Birthday" to Irene who will be ... my word... she can't be...!   She is! She's 21....+. Colourful sunset. 17.30   The high ground (Largo Law, Balcarres etc) has a light covering of snow ... the first snow of winter (Meteorological Winter).... and it has been cold all day.   The pavements eventually thawed by the middle of the afternoon, but will freeze up again tonight. The next couple of days are to be very cold with the middle of the day temperature  round about 2 or 3C.   When I found that out, I decided to have trip to Leven t

29th November 2023 (Wednesday)     08.00 ....There some action at the Ferry Corner at 06.30;  Ferry Corner - 06.30. a bloke sorting out the signage for the works on Ferry Wynd, and a milk delivery van turning:  I  happened to be giving 'Blob' his breakfast at the time.   It's frosty just now, but it should be a bonnie morning, but cloudier, with the chance of light showers in the afternoon.    It's a 'stay in and stay warm' day for me. 12.00    I feel like I have been a busy 'boy' this morning .... even though I haven't done very much; but what I have done I enjoyed doing.   After the car windscreen had cleared I went for the paper(s) and, feeling brave even though t was cold, I went to the 'arbour.  The only action was the RNLI Life Savers hut being removed for the winter, a few seagulls flapping around showing an interest in something behind the pier that I couldn't see... but they obviously could, and a couple being taken for a walk by t

28th November 2023 (Tuesday)     08.30 .... there's a brisk North Westerly breeze so it is not warm;  in fact the temperature is going to be in the low single digits all day, when you factor in the wind chill.   I'm going to Methil to visit Alice and we'll go shopping in Leven:  It's a good morrrrrrning for shopping.   'Sunny intervals with a gentle breeze' is the weather forecast for KY9. 20.30    I've had a lazy day:  I haven't done much more than a short shopping session with Alice, and some 'ousework.    The weather has been lovely, albeit cold, .... oh .... I kept giving 'Blob' snacks to help him through the cold spell.  That is an important job!    Thankfully Lewis (stonemason) didn't have a lazy day; the stone cladding is near enough finished , and it must have been cold working out there today because he was in the shade most of the time.   This cold wintry spell is forecast to be with us for a few days yet;  in fact there's

Memorial Garden - Elie Kirk.  27th November 2023 (Monday)    09.00.... It's a bonnie start to Monday, but light rain is due to move in round about lunch time;  and I noticed (when out giving 'Blob' his 'breakfast) that rawness that you get to the air before rain... so it is not warm..   It's a 'stay in and warm' day for me.   That reminds me;  I haven't had my breakfast  yet.  'Flap on' now.    13.30    My word.... it's cauld out!    I decided to go to the baker's (Elie) but there was a queue   so I change my mind.... and had a walk round the grave yard, to pass the time until the queue had gone.   It was still there 20 minutes later... only longer.   Normally, at this time of year in Elie and Earlsferry, we don't have enough people to make a queue!   Anyway, I gave up on that 'plan' and went home by way of Ardross and Kinneuchar.... arriving back in Ivy with a varied collection of photographs taken on the way.  I even forgot

 26th November 2023 (Sunday)    08.30 .... I am looking for 'sunny spells' and an interesting Elie High Street. sky;  just now we have an overcast sky with much dampness:  it's definitely a drawing day.   I'll go for the paper after this update.... and probably have a run down to the harbour. I don't know what's in the air but something is not agreeing with my tubes.... so, apart from the above mentioned mission, I'll be staying in and warm most of 'today'.   The Fife Weather cams are all showing a grey sky apart from the  Upper Largo one.... which has a pale purple sky. 10.15   The cloud is starting to break up.... (I saw some 'bloo' bits) .... and I'm feeling playful.   Once the air clears I might try for the beach when the sunny spells arrive.   I've been for the Sunday Post... and milk ... and rolls;  but didn't go to the 'arbour.   I'll have mug o' coffee (need the caffeine) then get the pencils out until the &#

25th November 2023 (Saturday)    09.30   It's an absolutely stunning morning here (Elie and Jim, Myra and 'SD' ....Birnie loch. Earlsferry) with more or less wall to wall sunshine, with a light NW breeze: a perfect day for doing a bit of  the Coastal Path.    I might do the bit round Chapel Green later.   It's cauld on the lugs ... (2C now but we had a touch of frost earlier).... thankfully there isn't the wind chill that we had yesterday.   I've hung out a washing;  I doubt if it will dry completely....but it will be dangling in the sun, and that should do something.  18.30    Although it has been a beautiful day it has been cold;;;; too cold or me to go out on the bike or anything like that.   I went to Methil to annoy Alice, who was in need of a break from her current project;  and I am the very 'boy' to do that.   We had a grand blether, then lunch followed by a cuppa.   I didn't need to do any shopping.... and  they would have been too busy for

24th November 2023 (Friday)    08.00....the weather forecast for KY9 is 'sunny with a moderate Swimmers off harbour the beach. breeze' ... and we do have a bonnie, fresh morning.   The only problem is where the breeze is coming from;  and that's the Artic..... so it's cool cauld.  The garden thermometer is at 3C, but, if you factor in the wind chill it feels like -3C.   Not a morning to go out to play:  that said, it's forecast to be colder on Saturday and Sunday so maybe this is the 'play day'.... and there could be interesting clouds!    16.30    I was feeling sort of brave, and the sun was well up in the sky, so went to the harbour (in the car) to take a few 'today' at Elie and Earlsferry photographs.   Anyway I got the photos and they are now in the Alber Archive.  There was some unexpected action down at the harbour; brave girls having a swim off the harbour beach being the main action.  I'd been feeling cold up to that point, but the tho

23rd November 2023 (Thursday)     08.00.... We have a fresh wind with sunny spells this morning (F7 on the Firth).... and there's a chance of blustery showers.  The wind will moderate to give us a quieter afternoon.   Funnily enough, although windy, it isn't as cold as I thought it would be;  however, there's a cold snap arriving tomorrow for the weekend.... and I've just had a migraine. 11.15   The 'plan' was to visit Alice this morning but the migraine put that on 'hold' until midday.  I have been drawing so the mornin' hasn't been a total loss.   It's a bonnie looking day, but the air is cool because of the wind chill: actually there's frost forecast for inland areas over the weekend.   Must 'go' ever so slight 'flap on'.... it's morrrrrrrrning coffee time after which I'll visit Alice;  who, coincidentally, has been experimenting with a new mix of soup!  Lewis (stonemason) in front of finished gable. 19.00   

22nd November 2023 (Wednesday)   07.30 .... there's a brisk south westerly wind (but it's a warm wind for November), and there's the chance of 'light precipitation' before morrrrrrrning coffee time.   I think this might be a drawing day;  the urge to do 'ousework had worn off.    I'm going for the paper.... and an early morning look at the harbour before breakfast.   'Flap on'.... nearly out of milk. 10.00    'Flap off'.... I've been for the paper and milk, and had breakfast so I'm a happy bunny again.   There was light drizzle, and a frisky wind, when I was at the harbour but it wasn't cold:  havin' said that I took  photographs from the sheltered corners I use down there, on windy (or wet) days.   The 'plan' is to get the pens and pencils out now. 19.30   My word;  it may have been warm in the mornin nut the wind freshened in the afternoon and suddenly it was cold.   I only went as far as the garden (to take a few

21st November 2023 (Tuesday)    08.45.... there's a cold air (2C on the thermometer) with a light breeze from the Northwest;  a bonnie morning for being out.   I plan to go up to Chapel Green, on the bike, after the temperature rockets up to about 7C;   the sun has crested a low bank of cloud and the air should warm up fairly quickly now.   'Blob' was happily twittering away atop the Rowan tree .... and had had his 'breakfast'.   The stonemasons are setting up their scaffold ready to begin pointing the new stonework.  It's all 'go' around me: I might do a spot of work .... later.   It's cuppa No 2 time. 19.30    I have been a busy boy today!   I decided to go up to |Chapel Green on the bike but thought I'd better do some 'ousework, to fend off the guilty feeling I have when settling down on Maggie's seat if I haven't done 'ousework.  After cuppa No 2 (mentioned above) I set about an early 'Spring Clean' of the kitchen: 

20th November 2023 (Monday)    07.30 .... Apart from Anstruther the Fife weather cams are all showing a mixed sky;  the Anstruther cam is showing a very dark sky.   The weather forecast is 'light rain with a moderate breeze' .... more or less what we can expect at this time of year.   As ever... I'm looking for sunny spells by lunch time.   I'm going to have breakfast then get organised to go to Elie surgery (blood test). 18.45   Funnily enough I actually enjoyed my visit to the surgery.... even though it was to have a phial of the 'royal' blood taken by Catriona (Nurse).   We chatted for a while;  I did most of the chatting.   I had a run out to the car park at Woodhaven to get a photo or two of the lighthouse etc.... then went back to Ivy for another cuppa before making for Methil to visit Alice...who had been experimenting with the slow cooker.... and boy..... the result was tasty!    Alice was going to Kirkcaldy after lunch so I gave her  a run to the Bus

19th November 2023 (Sunday)    08.00.... Although the sky is mostly overcast just now it is going to clear to give us a sunny spells day.... and its not cold for this time of year.   In fact I have a washing going through the machine in anticipation of a good drying day. drying day: there's a light breeze from the southwest so it's looking good.   As for me, I'm vertical, and feeling playful but this is going to be another 'stay in and warm' day: I'll go for the paper after hanging out the washing.   11.30    The 'Sunday Post'  (got to keep up wi' Oor Wullie and The Broons) has been uplifted .... and the harbour visited.   There was a lot of activity around the harbour area .... including in and on the water.   In the water we had a group of swimmers (see photo above) doing some kind of exercise routine, on the water we had a single wind surfer  who seemed to be trying out a new sail, and around the harbour we had folk out for an early morning wand

18th November 2023 (Saturday)   08.30 ....we have light rain just now but the overcast sky is showing promise of breaking up, so we should have sunny spells by morrrrrrrrrning coffee time (I'll have an early morning coffee).  I'm feeling fine but choked up with a cold (I wondered why I've been sleeping so much recently); I feel bright and almost breezy in fact.  That said, I'm glad that I did  the shopping yesterday and can have a quiet day in Ivy with the pens and pencils.   10.00    I am having morrrrrrrrrring coffee earlier than usual, thinking that the 'sunny spells might come our way, but it's not happening.   Not just now anyway.... but they will.   I've been browsing the archive and am going back in time with today's photographs:  in fact I think I have found my next pen and pencil drawing project.   Yesterday's goodies! ... I've just, this 'minit', remembered them! 15.30   When they eventually arrived the sunny spells, though not

17th November 2023 (Friday)     07.30 .... It's a quiet morning ... or was before 'Blob' started Quiet Firth of Forth. gein' it laldie from the top o' the Rowan tree.   He sounds happy.   (I was puttin' the bucket out when Blob fired up).   I haven't decided on a 'plan' yet;   the weather forecast is 'good' , but there is a chance of light showers in the next couple of hours, so it's a multiple choice activities  day.  It depends on how the mood takes me..... at the moment it's taking me towards the kitchen and the kettle. 11.00    After the aforementioned visit to the kitchen 'the mood' eventually had me going to Leven to do the weekend shopping;  I only went to Sainsbury's thinking I might bump into Alice and Karen, but I missed them.  Actually Sainsbury's is busier now that there's a choice of different priced items: and a lot of elderly folk do their shopping first thing,..... this made me feel 'young'

16th November 2023 (Thursday)    08.00.... it's a nice quiet kind o' mornin' after a fair amount of rain overnight... but it's fair just now and the sky has the promise of some sunny spells to come.    I have my haircut appointment with Lorraine, after which I'll nip along to Methil to visit Alice .... and do some shopping when I'm there.   It's a bonnie morning for doing things outside..... for a change! 16.30   It has been a lovely though slightly cool on the lugs day;  but that could be because I've had my haircut.   The stone masons have done another brilliant day's work.   If the weather is good tomorrow the stone cladding could be near enough finished.  As for me I haven't done any drawing today;  but I enjoyed my trip to Methil to see Alice;  where I had not only 'morrrrning tea' but also tasty 'Chicken Cobbler' for  lunch!   I won't need much for dinner tonight. I didn't do any shopping on the way home because I

15th November 2023 (Wednesday)     09.00....You'd think that wet meant that it isn't dry;  in other words it's either wet or not wet.   Not in Scotland .... there's wet and there's varying degrees of 'dreich' wetness'.... which is much worse than wet.   Dreich is when the wetness isn't heavy rain, but sky is overcast and bleak looking, with a really heavy misty drizzle and everything dripping wet.  The urge to stay in bed was strong this morning. ... but I am vertical, my eyeballs both pointing in the same direction, and I'm about to have my second cuppa before breakfast!  Oh ... I nearly forgot;  we had a seriously dreich morning:  but already the sky is breaking up and should give us sunny spells by morrrrrrrrrning coffee time. Then again... it might not;  that's dreich.   I'm a happy me.  12.00    I've been up to Elie and mad an appointment to have my haircut (09.15 tomorrow morning)... then  down Stenton Row to get a few 'to

14th November 2023 (Tuesday)     08.30 .... It is a damp morning.... in fact according to the forecast it's going to be damp all day;  that said, there could be a lull before more rain comes in.... for the rest of the day.  At the moment the sky is showing promising signs... even though it's still raining.   I don't think much will come of it, so I'll have another cuppa before deciding what to do.  There's a Yellow flood warning for Fife therefor the usual places on the roads will be ..... flooded. 11.45    As forecast the rain is back 'on' and most of the time it's heavy.   I set off to visit Alice but gave up when I saw a 4 x 4 ploughing it's way through the water at Kinneuchar Station.  (I've never enjoyed driving in rain).   However, I'm feeling better today and think I'm over the effects of the 'jabs'.   I'm going to have morning coffee then get the pencils out;  it's definitely a drawing day. 15.30  The rain has be

13th November 2023 (Monday)    09.00.... when I looked out at 06.00 it looked like it had been Morning .... raining all night so I went back to bed;  that was after having had  seven hours unbroken sleep.   I eventually got up at 08.15... and it's still raining.   I'm on my second cuppa and  about to have breakfast.  This is going to be a drawing day.   My exercise?.... walking to and back from the kitchen!   It is not a morning for doing the coastal walk;  having said that ....there could be some interesting photographs is you are doing the 'CW'!   The wind is from the East.... and there's a Yellow warning for rain that includes Fife.... even The Royal Burrow! 18.30    The rain moved away by lunch time and we had a three hour or so interlude of sunny spells before the cloud moved over again and we now have heavy rain.   I took advantage of the dry spell and had a wander up to the golf course and was rewarded with an interesting sky.   That said, the clouds were r

23rd November 2023 (Remembrance Sunday)     19.00   Apologies for being so late with 'The Hutte'.... but I have been a busy boy.   It all began when I looked down Ferry Wynd to see what was happen on the water.... and saw 'Polestar' (Northern Lighthouse Board vessel) close inshore.   I dove into Ivy, gulped down half a mug o' tea, grabbed the camera and out to the car.... then, back into Ivy to get the car keys and back out to the car again. When I got to the harbour 'Polestar' was sitting sitting where 'port servicer' had been working a few days ago, and was lifting, what looked like a mooring block up from the seabed.   She 'Polestar' was well photographed... and I also took a good helping of my usual 'local scene' photographs for the archive, before bumbling back to Ivy tom have breakfast .... and a full mug o' tea. After breakfast I hung outa wee washing I'd done, then sorted out the photos I'd taken before firing up

11th November 2023 (Armistice Day)    09.30 .... After an early morning frost we have a beautiful Remembrance Day morning, albeit cauld on the lugs.   As is normal for me, I have a headache and feel a 'couple o' degrees under' 48  hours after having my booster jabs, so I will be lying low for the day.   I'll have to 'stay in and warm' and will miss the Elie and Earlsferry War Memorial service ,.... and watch the Cenotaph Remembrance parade on the tele on Sunday.   This will be the second time I've had to do this because of the 'jabs'.   That said.... I might be feeling AOK by tomorrow morning.   16.00    I forgot that I had to go to the Chemist to pick up my prescription so I enjoyed a wee trip out in the car;   I also picked up the paper and went down to the harbour .... then home by way of Balbuthie and Kinneuchar to get a few photos to 'play' with.   I met Jennifer in Elie and she was telling me that the Elie skiff  ('Archie Rennie)