Alberto's Hutte

29th February 2024 (Thursday)    08.45.... We have a bonnie morrrrrrrrning;  an excellent day 'Toby' and Bonnie'..... on the mooch. (2010) for doing a bit o' the Coastal Walk.  If the wind moderates I might do the Chapel Green bit at sunset time.  I'd do it just now as I'm in a 'go out and play' mood, but it's to windy.... and, anyway, it's breakfast time. 10.00   Kirsty phoned to remind me that we are going to the 19th for lunch; and, we have a new team member ....George (Harvey).   George will bring us up to date with all things at the East end of the village.  I'm hungry for both food and info already.   Oh... I have the showers towels to hand out... I'll do that then 'ave morrrrrrrrrning coffee.  11.00   The 'breezy' bit of today's weather is cauld... there's a definite feel of wintry stuff behind it.   I found that out, when I was hanging out the washing, that we have a brilliant drying wind.... but a chilly one

28th February 2024 (Wednesday)    07.30 .... The sky is overcast in all the Fife weather cams Balcarres - 2012. and light rain is mentioned in the weather forecast:  funnily enough, even with a grey sky it's a nice, quiet morning .... though the 'light rain' isn't far away by the look of the Western sky.   I will go up to the 'paper shop' later in the morrrrning.... on the bike if the weather is amenable at the time.   Sunny spells come to mind. 10.30   The rain arrived just as I was getting the bike out to go to Elie .... so the bike was cancelled and I went in the car.  It isn't heavy rain ... but it's wet and doesn't agree with the bike battery.   Anyway I handed in my prescription ....and picked up the papers.   It's now morrrrrrrning coffee  time.... then work on the computer.   It looks like being a good day for that. 17.15    I surprised myself today!   How?.... I pranged a muscle while Spring cleaning!   Actually it's not tearing a

27th February 2024 (Tuesday)    08.30.... The sky is mostly overcast with light rain blowing in the fresh South-westerly wind;  however the sky should break up to give sunny spells around midday/early afternoon.  Though windier than it has been for the past few days the air feels softer.  It's a good morning to be 'Spring cleaning;  and, I might go biking in the afternoon.... if it isn't to windy. 21.00   Progress is being made with both the DVD's and the Spring cleaning;  but I have to admit that the Spring cleaning is losing out to the DVD's by a big margin.   The weather improved rapidly in the morning so I did a washing... on what was, by morning coffee time.... a good drying day.   During my 'lunch break' I was watching the ongoing Royal Mail saga.   From the comfy chair I was sitting in  it looks like the main thing now is finding someone to blame.  I think a 'scapegoat' is what they are searching for. The temperature dropped in the middle of

26th February 2024 (Monday)    08.30....There's a light frost on the car windscreen, but Innerleven Gospel Hall. that should rapidly melt with the sun;  so it's a bonnie start to the working week.  It's funny how it always happens at this time..... I'm thinking of having a Spring cleaning sort of day.    I suppose this annual urge goes back many millennia to when the 'cave' had to have a good clear out after a hard winter.    Not that I intend actually doing very much, but I'll begin by cleaning the inside of the windows.   A touch of de- man caving wouldn't go amiss! .... I could de mancave and transfer DVD's at the same time.   I'll have another cuppa before rushing into action.    11.00    The DVD transferring is moving along .... but the de - man caving is still at the contemplating stage.  I've been doing the kirks that we (Jim and me) recorded and they are proving to be an interesting distraction.   It's morrrrrrrrrrning coffee ti

25th February 2024 (Sunday)    08.45.... Any overnight fog has cleared early and we have a Low cloud over Rires. bonnie morning; 'sunny spells' with a light touch of frost.  The kind of day I'd have gone for a really long run on the bike:  along to the Forth brig, cross to the 'sooth side' then along to Falkirk, Stirling then home by way of the 'Hill Fits' road, and Leslie.  Yes it's a perfect morning for doing that.  Of course when I did that sort of biking the roads weren't as busy as they are now.  We need, in the interest of health and safety, dedicated cycle routes, with  Hostels at regular intervals (and popular stopping places), criss-crossing the UK.  Proper 'Bike Ways'.  It would be expensive, but not as expensive as some of the schemes that money is thrown at nowadays: Trident (recent test firings suggest that there's nae guarantee that it works) being a good example of money that could be diverted to doing something good!   S

24th February 2024 (Saturday)    08.45.... We have a lovely, calm, frosty morrrrrrning with only '95' bus on the proper route! a light breeze;  it's a bonnie morning to be out.    I'll let the air warm up and shift any icy patches, before going out on the bike... and only if if the roads aren't too busy.   The temperature is always going to be cool today, but the wind chill should be negligible; so it's a good day to wrap up, and go 'out to play.    17.30   After an indecisive morning  wondering if I should go out on the bike I eventually went out, about 13.00 (the warmest part of the day) and did the resurfaced Elie road.   Having decided to do it from the Elie end I was surprised to fine the streets quiet and actually enjoyed going up Bank Street, which was a change for me, normally go down Fountain Road to South Street.  Going up Park Place I could see that the traffic cones were still in place at the Elie end of the roadworks... but one or two cars wer

23rd February 2024 (Friday)     08.15.... It's a nice, peaceful kind of morning, with a lot of interesting clouds drifting over on a light breeze just now.   The wind will freshen and we should have a good drying day.... so I have a washing in the machine.  I'm having a 'rest and play day';  the 'play bit includes going out on the bike.... once the sunny spells arrive. It's not as cold as I expected it to be after seeing the gritter last night; tonight will most likely be frosty. 15.30    I worked on the computer until morrrrrrrrrning coffee time (11.00), after 'morning coffee' I went up to the roadworks at Broomlees to see how the job was progressing.   The section between the Ferry Road end and the Kinneuchar junction looks finished and we should have free use of it until the final section from Kinneuchar Station to Balchrystie is finished and re-opened.   I was going to bike down the Elie road but the bike battery was low so I took the shortest way

22nd February 2024 (Thursday)     08.00 .... It's a nice morrrrrrrrning, but spitting rain when I Ferry Wynd. was giving 'Blob' his breakfast.... 'light rain showers, with sunny spells' are mentioned in the weather forecast.   The Fife Weather Lochgelly cam is showing a clearing sky so the sunny spells should be with us by mid morning.   I'm going to Leven, probably via the recommended route.... the longest, but least frustrating. 16.45    I went to Leven as planned:  actually not as planned.   I spotted the white bus, out of the corner of my eye on the Balbuthie road, making for Kinneuchar, so I decided to chance following it (Half a mile or so behind) and got through 'nae bother'.    That said the Balbuthie road is a mess where big vehicles have met and had to manoeuvre to get through.   I was feeling brave on the way home and took a chance with the Balbuthie road again... and got through 'nae bother';  but I didn't meet any big vehicles.

  21st February 2024 (Wednesday)    09.00 .... After few bonnie Spring like days, it's disappointing to waken up to a dreich morrrrrrrning;  however the wetness means that there's no dust in the air.... though gills, to extract the oxygen from the rain, would be handy.   However 'sunny spells' are coming out way, early in the afternoon.   When they arrive I'd like to get the bike out, though I very much doubt if I will.... probably too much water  lying around.    I'll have an interesting morning on the computer. 18.30    Although the sunny spells arrived  in the afternoon I didn't get out on the bike:  a migraine kicked in an hour or so after the above update and that sorted out any thoughts that I had about biking.  I took the pills and had a lazy day transferring photographs, drinking copious amounts of liquid.... (water and tea)....and dozing in front of the tele.   I set a timer to alert me when to change the DVD's .... and did a lot of transferri

20th February 2024 (Tuesday)   08.30 .... The sky is heavily overcast but it's dry, though it looks A blink of sun on the beach. like the rain, that's mentioned in the weather forecast, isn't far away;  there's a light, warm, SW breeze.   I'm looking for sunny spells later.... and hoping to get out on the bike for turn round the villages. 14.15    We've had a couple of sunny spells... and shower of the  light rain mentioned in the forecast;  so it has been a reasonably pleasant day.   I went round the villages (bike) when the sunny spells arrived and was lucky enough to get back to Ivy just as the first spot o' rain started to fall.    Although the sky was mostly overcast, it was overcast in a bonnie way.... and I got myself a few more photos for the 'Alberto' archive.   The 'plan' now is to make another cuppa then settle down in front of the tele ... and have a catnap.   19.30    I've had another enjoyable (and busy) day;  I managed a

19th February 2024 (Monday)    12.30 .... We have a bright and breezy Spring day here and I Kincraig Cliffs - Earlsferry. have been out enjoying it.   It's a bit too breezy for me  so I only went up to the Chapel Green area had pottered around there.   I don't particularly like going out with the camera in the middle part of the day, but the wind is expected to freshen and there's the chance of light showers .... which is why I was out at midday.   I met a few people doing the Coastal Path and the golf course had golfers dotted around, but the villages seemed are quieter than they were last week. 21.00    Ferry Road was 'Closed' during working hours today which meant there was work going on at the Broomlees - Kinneuchar section of the roadworks.   I thought about going up to see what was happening but the sky had clouded over .... and I was busy transferring photographs.  I'm wondering if that bit of the roadworks will be finished this week.    My muscles are

18th February 2024 (Sunday)    09.00 .... We have a peaceful kind of morning, with the prospect of a sunny day, once the sun climbs above a bank of cloud (the last of overnight rain)  moving away to the southeast.   It's actually quite warm or this time of year and we should have a bonnie Spring like day once the sun does 'rise'.   The 'plan' is to go out on the bike;  probably have a run through Elie Estate;  'sunny with a moderate Westerly breeze' .... with no mention of preci pitation..... is our weather forecast for today.  17.30    It has been another, lovely, Spring like day and I had me second run out on the bike this year.   The first one (yesterday) was easy;  todays bike was harder because my muscles are sore from yesterday's effort, and have to get used to doing things.  It usually takes about ten runs for the muscles to be fully operational.   Today I went through Elie Estate and home by way of Elie.  Unsurprisingly, the road through the es

17th February 2024 (Saturday)    07.45 .... It's a nice morrrrrrrning but it's overcast with a mist Former Woolworths building. coming in from the North Sea;  'light rain with a moderate breeze' is forecast for our area with the main band of rain arriving later in the afternoon.   I'm vertical, and slightly stiff after being out on the bike yesterday, but, apart from the stiffness, I feel better for the exercise.   I'm going to Leven after breakfast to do a wee bit of shopping.... and to have morrrrrrrrrrning coffee with Alice.   Slight 'flap on' because I want to be in Leven before the High Street gets busy. 21.30   As planned I went to Leven to do some shopping.   First I went up to Alice's HQ to pick up Alice, then we went down to Leven to do the  shopping... in the High Street.   Ye Gods.... it was sad seeing how quiet the High Street was:  it was early (09.30) but it used to be busy with people even at this time on a Saturday.   Cars, Super ma

16th February 2024 (Friday)    07.30.... It's a bonnie, peaceful morrrrrrrning.... and we should  '95' bus ... when The Ferry was on the bus route. have sunny spells in the morning.    Light rain is forecast later in the afternoon.  There's hardly any wind (no wind chill), and the air is warm;  I might take the bike for a turn up the road... after morrrrrrrrrrrrrning coffee.    I'm looking forward to going out on the bike again.... it has been a long wet winter.   08.30   The wind has freshened so there's a slight touch of wind chill now;  so I won't be going too far on the bike.  I've got it as far as the front door.... and I'm having a cuppa before I get togged up.  The battery is showing 4 (out of 5) bars so I could go for a decent run;  but I won't.  This is going to be a quick pootle around, to get 'back in the saddle' again. 12.30    I've been out on the bike for the first time since October.... and I enjoyed it.   Compared to

15th February 2024 (Thursday)     08.00 .... 'light rain and light winds' is the weather forecast ... and we have had some rain overnight;  but it is 'fair', and a bonnie, albeit overcast, morning at the moment.   I suppose we can expect some spells of light rain now and again.... and maybe a few sunny spells.  Unfortunately this is not good breathing weather, so not going on the Mining Museum trip was the right decision for me.   I'll have a quiet day transferring photographs..... with time out for a run up to the 'paper shop' .... and maybe even down to the harbour. 17.30    The light rain and drizzle didn't relent until a mid afternoon so I didn't go out in the car;  but I had a wander up to the golf course about 15.30. for a wee bit o' exercise.   It was still misty but not raining..... and quite warm....there wasn't a breath of wind so nae wind chill! Most of the day the weather was  perfect for doing what I was  doing;  transferring ph

14th February 2024 (Wednesday)    "Happy Valentine's Day".  08.00.... the weather forecast is for 'light rain with a gentle breeze off the North Sea'.   At the moment it's dry but the rain isn't far away;  I don't think it's going to be a 'play day'.   I'll be setting off for Mercury Motors about 09.00:  right now it's breakfast time. 10.45    The Ferry Road route is 'Closed' as there is work being done between Broomlees and Kinneuchar junctions;  so I went to Mercury by way of Balbuthie (the road I was never going to use unless by bike). The Balbuthie road was busy and I definitely won't be going that way again,.... not until the road to Balchrystie is re-opened anyway... and then I'll be on the bike.   We came home by way of the recommended route (B942). 22.30    Alice is going to the Mining Museum (Lady Victoria Newtongrange) tomorrow and I had hoped to join her, but there's too much walking involved,  so I r

13th February 2024 (Tuesday)     08.00 .... It's a lovely morrrrrrrning, with a cold fresh breeze Victoria Hotel. is.... only 2C on the garden thermometer when I was feeding 'Blob':  'sunny intervals with a fresh breeze' is the forecast for KY9... and the pavement is dry so last night's rain must have stopped about midnight.  Here's some happy News;  'Blob' is falling in love;  he didn't chase the Robin that was the 'enemy' just a few days ago! 18.30    Alice and I went to the Wellesley Centre Café (run by volunteers) for lunch;  and my word, did we have lunch.    We had roast beef with all the trimmings (huge plateful) followed by 'Eton Mess'  (big 'mess');  cost?... £15 for the two of us.   I was amazed.   'Puku' (bless his non wrinkly-ness) was very content!    This all took place in an immaculate, modern Hall with big kitchen.   We were ' in' at lunch time, but they also do breakfast;  and Alice lives

12th February 2024 (Monday)     08.15 .... Mmmmm.... we have a grey uninspiring start to the  working week;  not the kind of morning that's going to have me frolicking about like a new born lamb.  There's a cool, frisky breeze, with the chance of light rain.... and sunny spells.  It is a good mornin' for pottering' around Ivy and 'working' on the computer.   This is going to be a rest day after a few hectic days. 16.00    This was going to be a 'rest day' but  for some reason I got into a 'working' mood and continued with the weekends work this morrrrrning;  the weather has been perfect for  doing stuff.   I went up to the 'paper shop' after lunch (that was a successful mission).   From there I set off to the harbour but there was a crane lorry kind of thing blocking the road so that was not a successful mission; I about turned and  went back to 'The Toft'.  I woke up from a long catnap about 10 minutes ago, and will have welcom

11th February 2024 (Sunday)   17.30.... Apologies for the late 'update' but we have been busy.  December 12th 2011. Iain set off for home (Auchnagatt) at 12.30 ... after a busy weekend!.... when he cleared the wee hut at the back door.   It was surprising what came out of it;  in fact there was stuff that I can't remember seeing before.  I feel really shattered... and that was watching it all happen.   My job was mostly in an advisory capacity;  what to keep (not much) and what to dump (a lot).  The buckets are full of unwanted mathoms collected over the years.  The other part of my job was making the meals....  and a succession of cuppas.   In knowledgeable tidying circles this clear out could be called "doin' and Izzy"!   I wish I'd taken a before and after photograph....  but I didn't.    In fact we ever got out with the cameras;  so todays photos are from one of my old DVD's.   I shall keep on with the 'tidying up' as well as I can...

  10th February 2024 (Saturday)    08.30.... It's a bleak looking morrrrrrrrrning.  The wind has moderated and the rain is lighter, but its not a bonnie start to the weekend;  definitely not a 'play day' at the moment.  All the Fife Cams are grey.... and even 'Blob' was looking a bit bedraggled at 'breakfast' time.   I don't think we're going to have 'sunny spells' today.... maybe tomorrow afternoon.   Must go...slight flap on....I'm hungry! 20.30  Iain arrived at 10.20.... just as I was making a cuppa;  so we enjoyed a cuppa before doing ay 'work'   The first thing Iain did was show me how to operate the DVD reader on the laptop;  it's easy enough to operate I didn't know where the 'eject' button was.   This now allows me to read al my DVD's with the older digital photographs.   There will be a lot of reminiscing when I doing that.   In fact I began to do that, immediately after we had another cuppa and befo

9th February 2024 (Friday)    08.00.... After a wild, wet and windy, night, we are forecast to have a wild, wet and windy, day;  so I won't be going out to play.   At least it has washed the Saharan stoor aff the car and cleaned the air.  The rain is forecast to slowly slacken, but no mention of sunny spells.... so    it's a stay in and warm, work on the computer day. 10.45    The rain isn't quite as bad as it was so I'm contemplating going for a run round the villages in the car.   High tide is around 14.00 and with this wind direction, and  a big sea runnin', there could be some changes to the beach.    I've just enjoyed watching a film that showed bits of Brighton in 1965.... the sea front hasn't changed that much but the traffic has!.... it's now time to do some 'work'. 18.30   The wind and rain were with us all day;  the rain did relent for short periods, but the wind didn't.   However it's an ill wind that disnae blow some good

8th February 2024 (Thursday)    07.30 .... The Upper Largo Weather Cam shows the top of 07.45 this morrrrrning. Largo Law with a light covering of snow;  the storm the 'craws' have been feeding for the past few days.    Funny how wildlife knows when bad weather is coming.   'Sunny intervals with a fresh South-Easterly breeze' is our weather forecast so it's going to be a bonnie but cold day.   There should be interesting clouds! 16.30    The weather has been kinder than I expected;  but it has been cold in the brisk wind.  I had a change of mind about going to the 'Store' (Ainster) and went to Leven to do the shopping instead;  that way I could have a morrrrrrrrrning cuppa with Alice.  In fact I ended up having the cuppa with Alice, then we both went shopping (Sainsbury's) then back to Alice's for an early lunch.   Alice was having her hair done at 13.15.so I set off for home at 12.40.   I came home by way of the Balbuthie road.... not the best of

7th February 2024 (Wednesday)    10.30 .... It's a beautiful morrrrrning and I have been to the beach.... somewhere I didn't think I'd be today.    I had to move the car to give the workmen access, so parked it at the Town Hall.   When I was there I thought...'beach'.... and I had the camera with me.  The beach was quiet but as ever bonnie and inviting, even though there is a wintry feel to the air; I got myself a few photographs for the archive before having a late breakfast.   I don't have to bother about lunch as the 'Friendship Lunch' is in the kirk Hall;  I must remember that Myra is picking me up. 16.00    I remembered the 'Friendship Lunch'.... and that I was being picked up by Myra:  what a difference a sunny day makes, even though it has been cold.   Myra had no bother getting parked at the Kirk Hall and we wondered if that meant a low head count for lunch;  but, happily, it didn't, and everyone enjoyed a bowl of soup, sandwiches,