Alberto's Hutte

31st January 2024 (Wednesday)    07.00.... We have a breezy start to the day.   At the moment the wind is F 6-7 on Largo Bay but is forecast to be F8 around the middle of the day.... and heavy rain to move in from the West, about the same time.   A good day to work on the computer. 12.00   The wind  has freshened to around F8 ... and the rain arrived at 11.30 so now have a wet and very windy day.   It is not pleasant out (having been as far as the front gate).  I have had a good  and enjoyable morrrrrrrning on the computer researching.   I also had a browse through some of my post cards with a view to inserting some more of them in albums.   This is excellent  weather for doing that. 2030   The rain stopped and  sun broke through late in the afternoon to give us some big parches o' blue sky;  it's going to be a bonnie day tomorrow.   I've had an enjoyable enough day working on the computer.... but it's not the most active  of ways to spend time.   However it was inter

30th January 2024 (Tuesday)    08.00 ....It's a lovely morning and will be even bonnier once the sun rises (08.12), but the air is cool with a touch of frost and wind chill....it should be a perfect drying day, so I have a washing going through.  Tomorrow is not going to be a drying day..... which I why I'm taking advantage of today!   The 'plan' is to have a birl roond the villages; if it isn't too cold I'd like to get the bike out, but I think it will probably have to be be in the car.   The whole of the UK is in a cool air flow.... even Sunny Sussex. 11.30     I've been up to Colinsburgh (via Kinneuchar) to fuel up the car so it can be done.... but the 200 metres or so between the Ferry Road junction (with the A917) to the Kinneuchar junction is part of the work site, so you have to drive carefully, because you can meet workmen on foot, or work vehicles.   The work store containers etc. are on the roadside immediately to the West of the Kinneuchar junct

29th January 2024 (Monday)    09.00 .... The sky is mostly overcast and there's only a light breeze (F2 on Largo Bay), so it's a quiet start to the day.   I see that the 'West End' work vans arrived on site by 08.00 (Glenfuir) so they must have allowed for a longer travelling time;  or they might have done the 'local access' thing.  It will take a day or so to get the big machines on site.  I'm feeling bright and breezy this morning;  not extremely 'bright and breezy'.... but definitely in a more playful mood.   The 'plan' is to work on the computer until morning coffee time, then see how the mood takes me after that.... and how the weather is then.    There's a chance of light precipitation around midday. 16.15   The light precipitation arrive in the afternoon (I was asleep at the time) and we now have a damp evening.   The 'bright and breezy' feeling I had this morning only lasted until the early afternoon, when I began to wat

28th January 2024 (Sunday)    08.30 ....It's a nice morning with a wheen o' clouds scuttling 'Holy Willie'. across an interesting sky;  the weather forecast is breezy with sunny spells in the morning, and light rain later in the afternoon.  The wind has freshened since I got up, but it's a surprisingly warm wind for this time of year.... so, though cloudy (just now) it's a pleasant enough morning.  I'm vertical.... and almost ready to do things.   16.00    I don't now what was in the air today but it didn't agree with my tubes.... so I didn't go far from the door.    I managed to get photographs of the Katherine Villa demolition and the roadworks for the Alber Archive but that was as far as I went.   Actually, now that I think of it,  I should have taken the 'Hurdy Gurdy' as it has seat attached.    Anyway I enjoyed the short walk and look forward to cleaner air tomorrow. 19.38    19.6C at this time of year;  the new record temperature

27th January 2024 (Saturday)    08.45 ....There's a cool breeze this morning (a good drying day) with sunny spells mentioned in the forecast for KY9.   I'm feeling friskier than I did yesterday;  I might even get the bike out this weekend if the wind moderates.  This morning I'm doing a bit of shopping in Leven and visiting Alice.   The road closure (Elie to Balchrystie) is going to be a nuisance but, at the end of it there should be no pot holes.   Watching the workmen on Ferry Road, doing the job as it should be done, it was easy to see why the pot hole patching system is a temporary fix.   Very temporary in some cases. 19.00    After a cuppa at Alice's HQ we went out to the shops.   The first shop we made for (Eddy's, Buckhaven) didn't have a vacant parking space so, being that Alice had just had her hair done, and it was a bonnie morning, it seemed a good idea (mine) to go to the site of the former Buckhaven harbour.   Of course it was blowin' a hoolie

26th January 2024 (Friday)     08.00.....We have a bonnie morning (a good 'drying day'), though there is a low chance of light showers around midday.   The sheets will be dry.... and ironed by then.  This is going to be a 'rest and relax' day on the computer.... with 'time out' to go for the paper, and I might have wee wander to the beach, depending on how windy it is.   It's F6 on Largo Bay just now. 15.30   It has been a perfect 'drying day;  and a perfect day for resurfacing the trench on Ferry Road.  The workmen have reinstated the road surface as far as they can  go: it's now ready for a set of new (bright and shiny) Double Yellow lines.   While the men were working like the clappers outside, I was doing the same inside.   Working that is ... but not 'like the clappers'.   The bed linen dried in the frisky wind, and is ready to iron;  that will be done immediately after this update;  and I did a some work in the kitchen; filling the t

25th January 2024 (Thursday)     265th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. 08.15.... it's good to get 'up' to a morning with only a F2 - 3 breeze .... and after a good nights sleep;  the fence wasn't wandering around on the pavement to keep me awake!  The sky is overcast and there's a good chance of  precipitation coming in off the North Sea, but its peaceful.  Peaceful is good.   Any rain that does come should clear away in the afternoon. 08.45   The rain has arrived;  today now looks like being a good 'ousework and computer day.   I've had breakfast and I'm feeling reasonably frisky;  if it wasn't for the rain this would be a play day. 10.00    We have a lot of activity on the 'Ferry Corner' roadworks site this morning;  the pipe that the cable will run through is being put in place.  This means that the Ferry Road part of the trench can then be filled in and the road surface reinstated.  It wasn't raining when I took the photog

24th January 2024 (Wednesday)    08.00 .... Visually we have a beautiful morning.... but my word it's windy (F9 out in the Firth).   This has been the wildest sounding night for me, because the wind backed to the SE about midnight, and was blowing up Ferry Road rattling the fence round the roadworks all night;  I think it 'wandered' up Ferry Road about two metres!   I'll enjoy (and need) my afternoon catnap: after lunch at the 19th.   The wind has since veered towards the WSW, and should begin to moderate soon.   With the wind being F7 there's a lot of wind chill but not bitterly cold.   That said.... it's a wrap upwell kind o' mornin'. 12.00    The wind moderated and is now 27 knots (F6 - 7) at the Forth Anchorage (off Kirkcaldy etc).... and on the golf course.    Apart from doing some ousework (not much) I've had a restful morning.   I will 'ave a good old old 'kip' this afternoon that's for sure.   I have been watching the News w

23rd January 2024 (Tuesday)    08.00 .... Apart from the Aberdour cam, the Fife Weather cams 'Ferry Corner' - pre 1947. are all showing an overcast sky;  the Aberdour one has a touch of sunrise pink in the sky.  The weather forecast is not very encouraging.... freshening winds with rain moving in by 10.23.   A 'shopping day' forecast.  That's got me in a creative mood;  I'm going to create another mug o' tea;  then go shopping.    Tomorrow has a better 'play day' weather forecast. 16.30    The shopping mission was 100% successful;  unfortunately my 'mooch a coffee' mission was not.... Alice wisnae in!    I did think of going down to the local coffee shop but by this time the rain was heavy so I bumbled my way home and had a, slightly later that usual, mug o' my own 'moooooooorning coffee'.    My afternoon has been spent working on the computer, having a catnap in front of the tele... and browsing the Extensive Alberto Photograph

22nd January 2024 (Monday)   08.00   Hmmmmm ..it's not quite as windy as it was yesterday (and overnight) but it's not going to be a day for pottering around outside.  The overnight wind had been drying the pavements.... but it's beginning to rain again;  'strong winds and rain' is the weather forecast so not a 'play day'.    The wind out in the Firth is WSW F7 - 8 (near gale)..... but is forecast to moderate later in the evening to give us a quieter night.   As you can see from the photograph, even Ferry Road was 'impacted' by Storm Isha! 12.00    Although windy the rain has been in the form of  squally showers rather than continual rain;  in fact we had a long sunny spell in the middle of the morning.    I haven't been out anywhere because I spent the morning setting the crock pot going with Scotch Broth.... but might go out after lunch.   Because the wind is strong it's cold out so going out is a wrap up well mission.    13.30    I took

21st January 2024 (Sunday)    08.45.... At the moment we have a mostly cloudy sky with 'The Ferry' High Street this morning. moderate breeze from the SW;  however the wind is to freshen up to F7-8 and bring rain with it by afternoon so not a 'play day'.   I'm going to frolic along to Leven and Methil in the morrrrrrning (shopping and visiting Alice); then back to Ivy to work and batten down the hatches in readiness for a windy night.   We're in for a breezy old week if the weather turns out as forecast. 19.30   Alice and I did a wee bit shopping on what has been a wet and windy day;  and is going to be a windy night, with the rain becoming less heavy.   The Ivy hatches are battened doon;  I'm hoping that Storm Isha is quieter than forecast.   At the moment the wind is F7 - 8 out in the Firth and is supposed to be around that until after midnight.  If the rain does stop the wind should sook up some of the water that fell today.   Right now I'm going to

20th January 2024 (Saturday)   07.45.... we have a warm, windy and wet start to Saturday.   The light rain should move away  according to the weather forecast but it's going to be windy (SW) over the next few days... including an Amber Warning for strong winds on Sunday night and Yellow Warnings at other times.   Good 'ousework and computer weather.   I'm feeling 'bright eyed and bushy tailed' this morning... pity about the weather. 15.30   I went up to Elie to pick up the paper.... and my prescription at the Chemist, followed by a quick visit to the 'arbour.   It was raining at the time so I only stayed out long enough to grab a few 'wet look' photographs from my sheltered places.   On the way home I stopped at the baker's to get bread and a couple o' goodies.    It's a 'goodie' kind 'o day.   Back at Ivy I( sorted out the photographs, did some 'ousework, read the paper and watched the 'News' on the tele.  I came ac

19th January 2024 (Friday)    08.00....With the road works in Ferry Road I put my bucket up by the electricity substation last night.   This morning I went up to put stuff in the green bucket, before the bucket 'cairt' came roond.... and discovered that bucket men had already been.   It's a good morning to be up bright and early;  much warmer and windier that it has been of late.... and...rain/sleet showers are forecast and that could mean interesting clouds.  As long as the clouds are around, and not over us, it should be fine.   Having neglected the 'ousework, I'm going to have a quick run round with the 'oover before  working on the computer.   Slight 'Flap on' now.   I have a busy day ahead, but there's loads o'  time for another cuppa. 21.00   This has been an exciting day;  I am now a Great Grandad!   I don't know the weight and all the important things, of my Great Grandson;  all I know is that both Mum and baby are both well, and tha

18th January 2024 (Thursday)   08.00.... It was cauld on the hands when feeding 'Blob' and his pals this morning;   and, although it's going to be a bright and sunny, it's never going to be very warm.  It's a day for staying in and warm.   I'm going to Leven (and Methil) today, then will settle down to do 'ousework and computer stuff;  I'm beginning to see light at the end of this project tunnel. at last.   Thankfully the weather is forecast to turn warmer, but windier, over the weekend.  Oops I sneezed... and sneezed again!    I need another cuppa. 19.30   It has been a bonnie day in spite of it being old (the frost never lifted in the shade).... and even the roof of the shed, in the garden next door to Alice's,  was covered in frost in the middle of the day.   I think it was colder in Methil than it was at 'The Ferry!    Alice's Scotch Broth was excellent, and  I have got the 'crock pot' out to make soup for the freezer tomorrow.

  17th January2024 (Wednesday)     07.30.... It's a bonnie morning but there's a hard frost, so it is Car windscreen. not warm;  thankfully there's only a light breeze so not too much wind chill.  'Blob' and Co have had their breakfast and I'm having a cuppa before I have mine.   Lunch is easy today;  soup, sweet, a cuppa and blether at the Colinsburgh 'Friendship Lunch'.    Apart from going to Colinsburgh lunch, I'm staying in and warm;  and working on the computer .... in between hot cuppas.   18.45    I enjoyed the Colinsburgh Lunch;  I think there was about 25 people there... not including the girls in the kitchen.   There was a lot of happy noise coming from all the tables; that's always a good sign.   Considering that it has been bitterly cold all day I was surprised at the number of folk.   William 'T' wasn't there... but he might be down south at his daughters.  The frost didn't lift in the  shade all day so it's goi

16th January 2024 (Tuesday)    09.15.... with a bit of luck we might miss the worst of the bad Ferry Road. weather that's forecast for this afternoon.     However that's not bothering me;  I've been wondering how I could, comfortably,  transport a decent amount of shopping from the car to Ivy, as I'm temporarily unable to 'moor up' at the door.   Then I remembered Jimmy's 'hurdy gurdy' (walker thing with wheels) that I inherited;  it has a seat on it and could hold a decent sized bag;  problem solved.... I think.   I'll have a trial run .... maybe even today;  weather permitting.   Slight 'Flap on' now;  going to play with the hurdy gurdy.   The easy way would be to do an 'online' shopping but that isn't  a challenge!   But might do that as a last resort. 21.00   I decided to do the ' hurdy gurdy' shopping mission today and it was complete success.   I went to Sainsbury's and did a normal shopping .... fruit, veg

 15th January 2024 (Monday)     It's cauld out but it's going to be a bonnie enough day as far as the weather goes....'sunny with a moderate breeze' being the forecast   The moderate breeze is coming from the Artic, hence the cauld;  but it's fresh, and we can wrap up well.   I'll have a sortie up to Elie after the temperature gets up to about 1C.... though it will never feel warm in the wind because we're looking at -4 when you factor in the wind chill.  I might even have a run down to the harbour.... all this being done in the car.   Most of my  day will be spent 'working' on the computer. It's time for my breakfast now;  'Blob' was waiting for his when I went out at 06.50. 12.00    My word.... we have a "bright, sunny ... and slightly cauld on the lugs and hands" day;  cracker 'o a day for doing part of the coastal walk.   I've been for the paper (and got it) and visited the harbour.   As expected it was cold at the

14th January 2024 (Sunday)     08.45 .... all the Fife Weather stations are showing a From the fourth teeing area. bonnie  start  to the day;   more or less the same kind of sky, temperature (-1) and wind strength all over Fife ....it' s a nice morning to do a bit of the Coastal Path; I might try for the Chapel Green bit, when the air is warmer.   So far I've only been as far as the gate when feeding 'Blob' and the Blackie. 22.30    I have been a very busy boy today.   I fixed the camera on to the tripod and photographed all the Kinneuchar drawings, so that they are pin sharp when I use them on the blog page.   I then edited and resized them ready for the page.   That took me up to lunch time.   After lunch and my 'after lunch catnap', I decided to go for a short walk up to the golf course for a change of scene and some fresh air.   It wasn't as cold as I'd expected it to be, but I was well wrapped up.   There was a a bonnie, late afternoon 'light&

  13th January 2024 (Saturday)    08.00 .... Peaceful kind of start to the weekend .... 'even 'Blob' is in a good mood.   There's a bit of red in the sunrise sky and very little wind;  'sunny with a gentle breeze' is the weather forecast so it will be a good day to be out.    21.00   Alice made risotto for lunch which was just so tasty... and we had a fruit flan sweet to follow;  my word I love it when Alice is experimenting!   Not only that I have the 'rools' to make my version of risotto;  I think I have all the ingredients so I'll have a go... probably after I can get the car moored up at the gate again. 'Blob', the two Blackies and a hedge Sparrow (Dunnock) were waiting for their late afternoon snack today.... so they are expecting the cold weather that's forecast for the next few days.   And I saw a flock o' rooks 'feeding a storm'  on my way home from Methil.   How do they know the weather is going to change?.  It must

12th January 2024 (Friday)     08.00....I was surprised to find the air warmer than I expected when I was out feeding 'Blob' this morning;  but, there's only a light Westerly breeze so hardly any wind chill, so that explains the warmth.   The 'plan' is to have breakfast then go for the paper and visit the harbour. before settling down to write the Kinneuchar stuff. 12.00    The car has been 'fed', the papers uplifted and the harbour visited.... and I can tell you that the warm air we had at 'Blob Time' has moved away....  it's now cauld.  The wind has freshened so there's lot of wind chill.   I'll stay in, and warm, to do some 'work' after a 'lite bite' lunch;  and I don't think I'll be far from the central heating for the remainder of today. 16.30    The sunny spells that I was looking forward to never materialised;  however I have just seen the weather forecast for the next few days and it's to be sunny and

11th January 2024 (Thursday)    08.00.... Oops .... I sneezed....  it cleared the tubes a bit.   Although there's a lot of cloud about just now KY9's weather forecast for today is good;  we should have sunny spells by midday.   The mere thought o' sunny spells makes me happy.   I'm feeling bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning... well... I was until I went out to give 'Blob' his breakfast and discovered that light drizzle was still with us.   That should clear away soon. 10.30   The sunny spells are here so, after a busy morning fixing a window blind in the kitchen, I'll have morrrrrrrrning coffee then I'll go for a turn in the car;  at least as far as Colinsburgh to feed her.  It's a hive of activity all around Ivy Cottage with workmen busy on Ferry Road.... and next door.   I feel guilty sitting down! 11.00    Blimey... that batch o' 'sunny spells' were short lived;  by the time I'd finished on the computer the sky had clouded