Alberto's Hutte

27th April 2024 (Saturday)    09.00 .... It's a bonnie, sunny morning:  actually this might be the morning when I go out on the bike!    The air is cool for the time of year, but there's only a light breeze  (Easterly) so the wind chill is negligible.   If I do get the bike out it will be after morning coffee by which time the air temperature should be about 10C.    Must 'go' .... slight Flap On': I'm going to have an early 'morrrrrning coffee'.   The main 'plan' for the day is painting a bit o' the wee shed.

26th April 2024 (Friday)    08.00 .... 'Blob' (Bless his feathery butt) is feeding as he does in the winter;  I open the front door and he is in the house looking for breakfast.   Normally, at this time of year he would be more distant and seen less often.   This weather has got everything 'mixed up'.   Anyway we have a lovely but cold, wintry type morning with a light breeze from the ENE.... and nothing good ever comes on an East wind. 16.30    It has been a gorgeous day, but too cold for me going out on the bike so I had short run, round The Ferry and up to Kinneuchar, in the car.   Dougie and Colin were working on the field north of the Kinneuchar Station road so I got a  few photos of them.  I don't know what was in the air today, but anytime I went out to go for a short walk (and it was short) ....I was allergic to whatever was in the air.   The light breeze has veered more towards the East, and pollution levels are at 'Medium', so I'm  guessing t

 25th April 2024 (Thursday)    08.30 .... we have a gorgeous, albeit slightly cooler than I'd like, morrrrrning;  a good morning for doing a bit o' the Coastal Path.   I might 'do' the Chapel Green bit in the afternoon.  The paper has been uplifted, the harbour visited, a few photographs taken;  I'm ready to do stuff.   I'll switch on the kettle. 19.30    It has been another lovely day .... but cold.   Alice and I did our shopping  at Sainsbury's and, when loading the messages into the car a light shower of hailstones passed over.   There's definite wintry feel to the air just now.   Tomorrow is going to be another cold day with the chance of showers. We had a short run down to the former Buckhaven harbour;  it's hard to believe that it was once almost as picturesque as Crail.   Unfortunately it fell foul of the greed for coal and the ravages of re development in the 1960's.  AS with all harbours it was cold at Buckhaven! Julie, (my next door ne

24th April 2024 (Wednesday)    08.00 ....  There's a chilly wind from the North, making, what  should be a bonnie Spring morning, feel more like a winter one.   I won't be travelling far today.   It's going to be a day for the computer.   I've already been browsing some of my older photos.... so I'll be doing more of that .... and a bit o' writing, if I get into the mood. 12.30   I am saddened and vexed today;  saddened because Tom has died, and vexed because I missed Tom's funeral yesterday.  It was a big shock when Myra told me on Monday that Tom had died.  It doesn't seem that long since I was speaking to Tom outside the 'paper shop'.   I wouldn't have been able to go to the funeral but I might have managed to go to the 'wake' in the Ferry Hall.  Tom was an Elie boy, who had been part of Elie and Earlsferry forever.... and will be sadly missed.  I'll miss our little chats outside the 'paper shop'... and the 'toot&

 23rd April 2024 (Tuesday)    "Happy St George's Day to all my friends in England". 08.00.... We have a beautiful start to St George's Day in Elie and Earlsferry.... and the forecast is good for the whole of today.   Might need to unearth the sun cream!    Although bright and sunny there is a cool breeze from the Northerly direction.... but it's a light breeze so the wind chill is low:  the temperature forecast to get up to 12C.   I might go up to Chapel Green on the bike after morrrrrrrning coffee. 10.00    This was to be 'rest day', but I hung out a washing because it's a good drying day now that the breeze has freshened.   It also feel colder thanks to the wind chill.   Most of my time has been spent watching the News;  it's depressing on all 'fronts'.... and  I've been reading the update about the plan of action for our local kirks, Kinneuchar and Elie.   Elie Kirk has to be 'Sold' by 2027 with the future of Kinneuchar sti

22nd April 2024 (Monday)    09.40 .... It's a funny kind o' mornin';  the sky is overcast, there's only a light breeze and everything is quiet.   I went for the paper, then to the harbour; even the seagulls were silent.... and they usually let us know they are around.   Anyway, it's a peaceful, dry, morning .... but light rain might move over in the afternoon.   Kirsty has just phoned to say that we are going to 'The Ship Inn' for lunch, so that is the plan for today.  18.30     'The Team'  enjoyed lunch at 'The Ship Inn';  I was surprised at how busy it was considering it was Monday!  After a delicious lunch (I had Cullen Skink followed by Pittenweem Strawberry sweet) Kirsty took us on a mystery tour that had us visiting Elie Harbour, Elie Surgery, Elie Estate, Kinneuchar Castle Estate, Colinsburgh, the wee car park bit overlooking the Cocklemill Burn near Ruddon's Point and, finally into the Shell Bay Caravan Park Coffee (Café Mirador)

21st April 2024 (Sunday)    08.00 .... The sky is overcast with light drizzle drifting in from the 'Jems' North Sea;  the dampness is spoiling a peaceful morning.   The drizzle is forecast to turn into 'light rain'.... and the evening to end with a 'sunny spells'.   Nice enough morning;  pity about the dampness..... it means I won't be able to sort out the wee shed.   The 'plan is to visit Alice, do some shopping and catch up with Alice's news.   I'll do more tidying up to the shed in the evening.... and enjoy the sunny spells! 22.30    My word.... I have been a busy boy.  As per 'plan' I visited Alice and, after a morning cuppa at Alice's HQ, we went to Leven shopping (Sainsbury's).   I got everything I wanted... but no goodies!    I have put 'Puku' on a diet because I have to have both asthma and hypertension checked.   One of the appointments (asthma) can be done on the phone but the other will be 'face to face

20th April 2024 (Saturday)     08.15 .... The sky is mostly overcast just now, but we might get a few East end of 'The Terrace' - Elie. sunny spells by morning coffee time (that's 11.00 for me).   There's a cool, light North Easterly breeze .... 'Blob' is acting like it's winter;   but i t will be warmer when the sunny spells arrive.   It might be warm enough for me to venture up to Chapel Green in the bike.   10.30    I've hung out a washing but I very much doubt if it will dry, because there isn't much of a breeze just now:  however the breeze might freshen.   In the meantime I'm going to have an early morning coffee before trying to move stuff around the garden.   19.38   Although it has been mostly overcast, we had a few sunny spells in the middle of the day;  in fact the washing was almost dry when I brought it in a few minutes ago.   I'll do the ironing after this update.  I actually spent most of the day pottering about the garden. 

19th April 2024 (Friday)    08.45 .... There's a cool Northerly breeze taking a bit off the temperature but, other than that we have, we have a lovely morning.   I've been for the paper.... and set off for the harbour but the crane was manoeuvring it's way down, so I diverted up Admiralty Lane then home by way of Kinneuchar.   It's a good morning for 'Crane In'. 17.30    It was a perfect day for 'Crane In'... apart from the cold North Westerly breeze.   I was on the bike so well wrapped up;  in fact the only bits of me that felt cold were the points of my fingers, because I had to wear fingerless gloves for the camera.   I was surprised to find that Nosebag (café) wasn't open;  and I'd taken money with me to buy a bacon roll for lunch.   Anyway hunger got to me eventually and I had to go home, before the yachts were craned in.   On the way home I stopped at 'Hyde Park' to take a few more photographs.   It was much warmer sitting on one o

18th April 2024 (Thursday)    08.00 .... The Fife Weather cams are all showing an overcast sky:  rain hasn't reached Fife so far, but is expected to arrive by mid morrrrrrrning...."light rain and a fresh Westerly breeze" being the forecast until later in the afternoon;  but we're going to end the day with a bonnie evening.  Hmmmmm .... I don't think I'll be painting any bits of the shed today; and that was my project to take my mind off the car.   Computer stuff it will have to be:  I'm actually in a writing mood so this might not be a wasted day. 09.00   Forget the heap oops... car (it's in the 'bad car' corner);  I'm excited because the workmen are here to begin work on the patio. They arrived a wee while ago;  unfortunately spits and spots o' rain arrived at the same time and, if  the rain is heavy and prolonged they won't be able to do much.   Showers are OK but not prolonged rain.  Must 'go' got to have another cuppa

17th April 2024 (Wednesday)     09.30 .... It's a nice enough morrrrrrrrning but there's a chilly breeze from the North.   Anyway today is going to be a 'relax and unwind' day;  and it started well .... I slept until 07.45.   I must have been a tired boy after the stress of the last couple o' days.   No 'plan' for today.... though I might go round the villages on the bike if the air warms up.      14.30   There's little chance of me going out on the bike;  the air is colder that it was this morning, due to the wind freshening and we've had a heavy shower o' rain.   I've been working on the computer generally relaxing.   Myra left a message to remind me that the Friendship Lunch was at Colinsburgh today, but I was outside and by the time I picked up the message Myra would be at Colinsburgh.   Imagine me missing out on lunch;  sadly the car is in 'dry dock'.   I won't go out on the bike today, but I might take a walk up to the seat

16th April 2024 (Tuesday)     07.30 .... Everything is quiet and peaceful just now.... but it's early "RNLB Robert and Catherine Steen" and the various workers vehicles have yet to arrive.   Having said that.... some of the workers vans  might have started on their journey from the likes of Edinburgh etc. With the amount of work that's going on, living in Elie and Earlsferry is a lot like living on a building site.  Actually when I think of it .... I am living on a building site!    The villages will look bonnie when it's all done, but the change is happening awfie fast nowadays;  too fast for me.   I'm ready for breakfast.  11.30   I got a big surprise on my way to the surgery:  our new Anstruther Lifeboat, the "RNLB Robert and Catherine Steen" was out in the Firth on exercise.   The car didn't start but I wasn't that bothered and have phoned the RAC, who say they'll contact me by text.   That should be interesting because I only gave t

15th April 2024 (Monday)    08.00 .... the wind is nippier than I'd like, but apart from that it's a bonnie start to the working week:  not that I'll be doin' much 'work', but I hope to do a bit of tidying up.    This cold spell (the wind feels wintry this morning) is not biking weather for me nowadays.   I've been watching the new Anstruther Lifeboat, RNLB "Robert and Catherine Steen", being manoeuvred onto it's slip this morning..... the action being caught on the Fife Weather Camera  that's on the Fisheries Museum, and  directly across from the lifeboat slip.   The cold spell of weather  meant that I wasn't able to see her arriving at Anstruther yesterday. 12.45   It's a cracker o' day for the beach;  and that is where I have been!    I went out in the car to have a break after morning coffee.... got some photos of the 'David Ward'  flower tub, then went to the Breakwater to get a few photographs there.    When I we

14th April 2024 (Sunday)    08.00 .... It's a lovely morning;  it's not as windy as it was yesterday but there's a cold feel to the air.   Light showers are forecast for the afternoon.    After all the excitement of yesterday this is going to be a 'rest' day for me;  however if the temperature rises (20C would be nice) I'd get the bike out..... but it's not going to do that:  and the bike won't be coming out!   Actually I fancy a wander round the Balcarres Woodland walk.   Right now it's breakfast time. 11.00    The air is warmer now that the sun is higher, but the wind has freshened so there's some wind chill.... and the sky is beginning to cloud over.  That said .... it's still a bonnie day.  After breakfast I louped into the car and went for the paper (Sunday Post) then down to the harbour.   The 'Bloo Tits'(local swimming group) had been in for their morning dook (I think it's called 'wild swimming' now); and the row

13th April 2024 (Saturday)    08.15 .... it's a quiet kind of morning with the weather being a mix Very tasty.... and nae greasy fingers! of sunny intervals and fluffy clouds, with the clouds coming over on a light Westerly breeze:  the 'light breeze' is going to freshen up to 'strong winds'  (F5 - F6) in the middle o' the day, bringing the chance of showers.  It could be an 'interesting sky' day. 20.00    This has been an exciting kind of day.   Alice's daughter Izzy organised a ' Old Folks Lunch' trip to an Art Gallery Restaurant in Glenrothes for Alice, Joyce, and Alberto.... Izzy being the driver.    I motored along to Methil for morrrrning coffee before Izzy came to pick us (Alice and Albert) then on to Thornton to get Joyce.    We then had a 'mystery tour'  through Glenrothes (which I thoroughly enjoyed) before arriving at the restaurant.   We browsed the pictures dangling on the walls, and had a fleeting glance  at the price

12th April 2024 (Friday)    08.00 .... there's a warm Westerly breeze;  (a perfect morning for 'Harbour House'. having my hair cut)..... bringing a steady flow of clouds over so we have an interesting sky;  but there is a chance of light showers in the afternoon.   It could be a good day for the bike.   My first mission is the haircut.    Actually the haircut is the second mission.... the first mission is breakfast!  16.30    I am an excited boy;  although having my hair cut hasn't made any difference to my hearing, I can see my lugs again!   I had to take a detour via South Street to get to Elie as there was a Cook's skip lorry changing skips in Bank Street.    In spite of that I was early for my appointment, so had a short walk with the camera before going in.    I met George (Harvey) in Bank Street.... and Alan ('arbour 'ouse).   Alan was in a hurry to get back home to St Minnins to get Brenda's breakfast on the table!   He spoils that girl.   Just

11th April 2024 (Thursday)    08.15 .... We have a lovely morning at Elie and Earlsferry;  there's a Only 257 days till Christmas! warm, frisky, South Westerly breeze with a mix of mist, clouds and sunny intervals .... the start of a good 'play day'.    I'm going to make an appointment at the hairdresser, then go to the 'Store' (Ainster) and spend some of 'my' Dividend that has built up over the past few years;  it has to be spent by the 31st of December.   Must 'go' slightly exciting 'Flap On' this morrrrrrrning. 10.30   At 'Store' prices it won't take many visits to 'The Store' to get rid of my accumulated Dividend.   Next week I'm going to do the same shopping list in Bargain Store (Leven) and compare the prices.   That said ... I enjoyed the run along the coast to Ainster;  I didn't go down to the harbour.... but came home by way of Arncroach.   The plan was to use the Colinsburgh Straight but there was a

10th April 2024 (Wednesday)     09.00 .... There's a chill in the air this morning, but it's dry.  Light rain is due in the KY9 area by midday;  so, not a morrrrning for the bike.   I'll take the car up to Elie for the papers;  and make an appointment to have my hair cut.  Although it's cold I'll visit the harbour, and most likely come home via Balbuthie and Kinneuchar. 11.45   I did multiple missions in Elie... and, most importantly, I even remembered to get the papers:  but forgot to make an appointment with Lorraine (hairdresser).   Apart from Lorraine, all missions (including the harbour) were completed before the rain began; the first spots hit the car windscreen at 10.41.   It's now a 'work' day. 20.15    With all this rain and dampness the marshy places (muirs) will be making a comeback;  imagine Snipe, breeding around around here again... as they will have done before the marshes were drained.  I wonder if the marsh at Myrebird is wet again?   

9th April 2024 (Tuesday)    08.30.... There has been a lot of heavy rain overnight, but, although still raining, it isn't as heavy as it was when I looked out at 05.00.   The forecast is for us to have rain (of the heavy kind) until lunch time then it should start to slacken off and move away;  we could end the day with a few sunny spells!  Pollution levels are low... so not all doom and gloom. 17.00   I've been browsing  the Alberto Archive.... for stuff that might be useful to the Kinneuchar Project;  and I found some!   I also found a load of other photographs not relating to the 'Kinneuchar Project'.... but awfie distracting!   So I've been enjoying myself.   I also took 'time out' , now and again, to watch Alan Bates in the PO scandal Enquiry.   The Post Office has much to answer for.   I know that, at the end of the day the tax payer is footing the Bill;  but, if we can afford to pay billions for a weapon that isn't guaranteed to work (Trident),

 8th April 2024 (Monday)    09.00 .... We have a bonnie start to the day... a good 'drying day'. but rain is forecast later in the afternoon.   I have a washing to hang out before breakfast, and plan my activities for the day.    There's a chilly air just now, but once the temperature rises I might get the bike out.   Orf to have another cuppa. 15.15   With the weather being peaceful and warm, I went out on the bike for the first time in over a week.... and  enjoyed it.  I only went up to Chapel Green then to the Pony Field on the way home, but it was great being feeling the breeze on my face again.   The sky was starting to cloud over (tomorrow rain on the way) but there was a bonnie light about so I have a few photos to 'play' this evening. 21.00   I've been watching the eclipse from Ohio (USA) for the past hour or so and had to go out to the bucket and thought "jings we're having a total eclipse here" .... then remembered it is night time!   I

7th April 2024 (Sunday)     09.00 .... It's a beautiful morrrrrrrning.... mostly sunny with quite a few shower clouds around;  actually we will catch a few showers because I hung out a washing.   It's only towels so I'll leave them out until they dry;  we're due a dry day in the next six weeks or so.      I'm going to visit Alice today; she's always 'happy', and I need to unwind after the Easter holidays.   It's breakfast time. 18.30  At last we have definite proof of climate change;  I had a washing out and it didn't rain!    Now I am worried that we could be in for a long, hot and dry summer.   I'm a 'happy boy'.    I enjoyed my morning with Alice, who is a 'happy girl' because she had washing out too!   We didn't need to o to the shops so we just sat and chatted, with a cuppa and large portion of carrot cake!     The time passed swiftly and it was 'lunch time' .... and still nae sign of Babs ... oops Barbara

6th April 2024 (Saturday)     08.00.... Although the sky is mostly overcast the overnight rain has moved away, and the sky is breaking up from the South;  "strong winds sunny intervals... with the chance of showers" being the weather forecast for KY9.    There's a brisk wind (SE) just now .... but it's not a cold wind and will mop up some of the rain we've had recently.   I might make it to the beach....  when the sunny intervals arrive.  The wind is going to freshen ... up to F6 - 7 in the afternoon. 10.00    I thought it was going to be really warm day today but, so far, it's cold exposed to the wind.   I'm going to have morning coffee then contemplate having a short wander to either the beach or golf course;  there will be loads o' fresh air on both.   When I think about it, the 'sunny intervals' have yet to arrive so I might leave the walk until after lunch!  15.00  The sunny intervals have been few and far between so far .... but I event

5th April 2024 (Thursday)     09.00 .... We have heavy rain with a moderate NE wind so not a Shell Bay woods. pleasant start to Thursday.   The ain is forecast to be with us, at varying intensities, for most of the day.   It's a 'stay in and stay warm day' for my.... a work on the computer day.  All the Fife Weather cams are showing a grey sky, but some show promising lighter shades o' grey:  the Upper Largo cams has Largo Law with a light covering of snow!   Being well stocked up wi' tea bags I'm a 'happy boy'.   The 'bucket cairt' (broon) has been.... I'll bring the bucket in, off the pavement, then have breakfast...... and another cuppa.   30gms of sultanas = one of  my ''five a day'" so I have them in my porridge;  it's like scoffing a  fruit cake mix.   Love my porridge. Here is another go at the drive from Lundin Links to Elie Harbour without the adverts (hopefully. 21.00   I did a fair bit of research in the mo