Alberto's Hutte

31st March 2024 (Sunday)    08.30 .... It's a lovely morning, but there's a chilly air coming over on a light Easterly breeze;  mind you,  the air will warm up once the sun is higher.... and we are wandering (in my case blundering) about an hour earlier, after the clock change.  Yes, I remembered to change the clocks:  I have been known to work on 'Ivy Cottage time', for two or three days now and again.    The weather forecast is good so I have a woollen wash going through the machine.   Must 'go'.... "slight flap on", puku (bless his flabbiness) is hungry.   ('Puku' - Maori for stomach). 20.00    'Sunny and warm for a whole day?..... very enjoyable indeed.   In fact I am shattered because I have done so much!  It has been the perfect day for my woollen wash (5 jerseys); they are bone dry and will be folded and put away tomorrow.   I also made a batch o' Cottage Pies for the freezer, so I shouldn't have to do that for a while.   I

30th March 2024 (Saturday)     08.30.... We have a beautiful Spring morning.... mostly sunny with a light breeze from the South.   The odd fluffy cloud drifts over and hides the sun for a few minutes .... but they help to make an interesting photograph:  however, a few showers might trundle over in the afternoon.   I haven't been anywhere yet;  there's not much happening ... apart from the occasional jogger pattering their way up up Ferry Road. 18.30    We've had a lovely Sprig day... apart from a few 'April showers' around lunchtime;  and when I was down at the beach!   They were only light showers but annoying; I had to keep wiping the camera lens.   I didn't actually go onto the beach but had a stroll along the bents and up Siward Lane, then home. The street were busy with cars so I didn't get the bike out;  I might do that tomorrow.   Sundays are usually very quiet in the morning;  I guess it could be 'the morning after' effect.   I did another

29th March 2024 (Friday)     "Happy Easter" to everyone .... enjoy this Holiday weekend. 08.45    we've had a lot of overnight rain... and it still is, raining that is,  but the sky is starting to break up and sunny spells will soon brighten up this Good Friday morning.   We could have a few showers with  interesting clouds, so a bonnie day ahead.   There's a gentle breeze from the SSW .... I might get the bike out later; because it's not cold;  that said, the roads will be busy today. 21.00   Although it was a lovely day, the roads were to busy for me going out on the bike... but I had a walk up to the Pony Field in the middle of the afternoon.    I cold see showers across towards Edinburgh but we were lucky and didn't get one until late afternoon.... just after I got back from my walk.  I had a washing on the line and noticed a threatening cloud heading for Ivy Cottage!   I made it in time and got the washing in, just as the first raindrops began to fall. 

28th March 2024 (Thursday)    07.45.... we had a bright sunrise but the sky has clouded over and it now looks like the rain, that's mentioned in the weather forecast for KY9, isn't far away;  "strong winds and heavy rain" is forecast!  Actually we could have some interesting clouds, as the sky breaks up to give us sunny spells now and again.  I'm going to visit Alice and go for the weekend's shopping. 17.30   We have had a day of mixed weather;  sunshine through to heavy rain.   Right now it's sunny with a frisky and cool breeze.   I went along to Methil early so that we could get our shopping done fairly early in the morning;  we had a cuppa at Alice's then went to Sainsbury's.  The shop was busy with quite a few of those really deep trolleys 'fu' tae the eyeballs'. Anyway we got the shopping done then  had lunch at the Wellesley Parish Church Café.  The food is excellent and there's a good menu.... starting with breakfast up til

27th March 2024 (Wednesday)    "Happy Birthday to Michael/Mike (No 1 son) who is 61 ...one year older today.    08.30   It's dull, wet and windy just now, but that should all change by lunch time when 'sunny spells' are due arrive.... probably off the '95' bus!  Getting out of bed this morning took a bit of will power, but I'm vertical, showered ...and ready to go out to play.   I went out as far as the front gate to get 'this morning's weather' photograph:  I won't venture out again until the sun breaks through! 10.15   Having looked at the Fife Weather cams for cheering signs and found none, I am having a mug o' coffee before working on the computer.   So far this morning I have watched the News, and a programme about the US of A entering the 'space age' after WWII, using German scientists and the German V2 rocket to get them started. 20.00    The sun eventually broke through to give us a very welcome sunny spell that dried

26th March 2024 (Tuesday)    08.30 .... We had a beautiful, albeit cold and short lived, start to the morning:  then the sky clouded over and we could have spells of light rain.   I fancied going to the beach but the breathing tubes object to the cold air so I'm going to have breakfast and another cuppa.  I'll go for the paper .... and visit the harbour later in the morrrrrrrning;  we could have some interesting clouds.  16.30   Although cold it has been a bonnie day .... I even went for the paper (forgot to pick it up but hey ho... I'll go for two papers tomorrow) and went to the harbour. The villages were busy both with visitors cars and workmen vans.   It looks like lie and Earlsferry is being rebuilt.   Apart from Ivy which is needing a coat o' paint.   I'll get that done (not personally) after the garden has been reinstated. We've been lucky with the weather having missed out on the light rain, that I saw rattling along the 'Sooth side' when I was

25th March 2024 (Monday)     08.30 .... It's cold and grey but at least it's not raining ... but precipitation is mentioned in today's weather forecast.   In fact 'heavy rain' is expected on a brisk Easterly wind;  I'm thinkin' it's not going to be a play day... but I'm expecting 'sunny spells' before the rain arrives.  I'm visiting Alice and might do some shopping;  got to stock up before the Easter holidays. 18.30   Alice and I went to Sainsbury's to do a small shopping... and handed our watches in to have the batteries replaces at another shop.   By this time the weather had deteriorated:  the precipitation mentioned in the forecast had arrived.... and has been with us ever since.  We headed back to Alice's where Alice set about making lunch while I admired the my birthday present; and browsed a book by Alice's son in law Alex Crawford, about the Flying Flatiron Gloster Javelin.... the UK's frontline fighter plane fro

24th March 2024 (Sunday)    09.00 .... We have a bright and sunny Sunday morrrrrrrrrring... and the wind has moderated so it's warmer:  however, the wind is going to veer round to the East by late afternoon and that might bring a change in the weather.... colder and maybe even damp.  I enjoyed a good night of unbroken sleep;  and feel almost playful after a long hot shower to slacken aff stiff muscles.... after a busy  and enjoyable birthday walk round Kellie Castle garden.  I'm thinkin' it's breakfast time. 16.00   The wind has moderated and we have a quiet day now;  apart a light shower o' rain that, unfortunately for me, coincided with my plan to have a walk up to the golf course.    But it's only showers so I'll  have another cuppa then see what's happening.    So far today I have had the 'rest day' that I intended having.   Now I'm beginning to feel playful!    Although this has been my birthday week I have been keeping up with the New

23rd March 2024 (Saturday)    09.00    There's a fresh Westerly wind this morrrrrrrning .... but Kellie Castle. it's a cold wind, with a wintry feel to it: but a nice morning to be out walking.   I've been as far as the gate!.... and enjoyed a few breaths of the fresh air. ; I'm ready for breakfast! 19.00    Jackie, Hazel and Ian arrived round about 10.00 .... just after I'd switched on the kettle.   So we had a cuppa and goodie before going to Kellie Castle for a walk round the garden followed by lunch in th Tea Room.  The sun was high in the sky so it was pleasantly warm;  but clouds were starting to scuttle over on the brisk wind.   I like Kellie garden, it's always bonnie eve this early in the season.   The 'troop' had a really long ramble around while I sat and allowed myself to almost doze off in the warm sunshine.  We eventually caught up with each other to go for lunch.   There was a good choice of food and we all came away well satisfied;  rea

22nd March 2024 (Friday)    08.15 .... we have a lovely, bright and breezy morning, with a 'wall Russian Snowdrop. to wall' blue sky....and it is forecast to be 'bright and breezy'  until sunset time.   Clouds are forecast to  make an appearance, scuttling over on the strong south westerly wind... (so not a 'wall to wall' blue all day, there is even the low chance of a few sharp showers), but there will be long sunny intervals .... and we like long sunny intervals.   Pity about the wind. 22.45  Pity about the wind?.... rubbish!   It was a lovely drying wind;  and I had a washing out!  And the ironing has been done!... so I'm a happy boy.    As planned I went to Methil to visit Alice, had a cuppa then did a wee bit shopping before lunch.   I was late in going along to Leven, planning to miss any hold ups at the rush hours, (because of the roadworks at Letham Glen roundabout); but the temporary traffic lights are no longer operating.  The Leven exit from the

21st March 2024 (Thursday)    08.15 .... "Happy Birthday" to Iain (No2 son) who is 59  ... oops... not 60 today.  There's a fresh breeze from the SW, with a good chance of rain .... so not a play day.   Today's Master 'plan' is to wander round to the 19th and have lunch with Kirsty, Myra and George ('The Team') so the weather won't bother me... apart from the wandering round to the 19th bit.   Hopefully it won't be raining!   11.45   I went for the paper (in the car) ... and found out that it's cold when exposed to the frisky wind:  but, thankfully, it wasn't raining.   I came home by way of Balbuthie and Kinneuchar... and would like to do that run on the bike.... when the weather settles down.... hopefully soon.  We going through an unsettled spell of weather just now.   22.45   We enjoyed our 'Team' lunch at the  19th Hole .... I had my monthly ration of fish n' chips, followed by ice cream with chocolate sauce.   As eve

20th March 2024 (Wednesday)    08.00 .... it's misty with light drizzle coming in on a moderate Northerly breeze;  which should clear to sunny spells in the afternoon.   I'm in a writing mood so the weather won't bother me too much.... but we're ready for a longer spell of proper Spring weather.   I've got a fully charged battery on the bike that needs to be flattened.   And I'm the boy to flatten it.... on a trip up to Balcarres,.... once the weather does settle down. 16.00   I've been a busy boy (computer) .... and even did some 'ousework ('ooverin' and dustin).  Being cold and damp, the weather is not the kind that encourages me to go out.  I got my 'Spring' COVID appointment notification this morning; 09.54 on the 11th June at the Randolph Wemyss. I was watching the News at breakfast and was surprised to hear the Newsreader say that MP's were discussing migraines some time today.   They then cut to a couple of long term migraine

19th March 2024 (Tuesday)     08.00 .... There's a lot of cloud blowing over on a Westerly wind but sunny intervals are forecast and should be with us soon.... with the chance of a light showers.  We like long sunny intervals with short (if any) showers.   This could be a good drying day so I have a washing going through.   It's a bit breezy for me going out on the bike but the wind might moderate later in the afternoon; I pranged the auld knee bone a few days ago so I'm taking it easy. 19.00    It has been a good 'drying day' .... I now have an ironing to do!   I've had a run out in the car today, up to The Lathallan Lodge entrance to Balcarres Estate, then down through the estate and home by way of Kinneuchar.   Stopping a couple o' times to snap a few photos.    It has been a bonnie day, unfortunately light rain is forecast for tomorrow.   I am looking for a string  of 'bonnie days'.... not just one now and again. 22.30  I'm having visitors

18th March 2024 (Monday)    07.30.... There's a  lot cloud coming over on a light SW wind.   Rain isn't mentioned in the weather forecast for KY9. but at the moment it looks like we could have a a few showers: however, once the sun gets going we should have a sunny and warm, 'play day'. 12.15   I've been to Elie to get the paper.... and the Barnett's (baker) to invest in 'energy giving succulents'.   That was followed by the usual quick trip to harbour: where I met Steve,  contemplating anti fouling 'Sundance', to make her ready for 'Crane In' on the 19th April.  It's a lovely day but the breeze is cooler than I would like:  however I might get the bike out later in the afternoon and have a run up to Chapel Green. 16.30    The breeze freshened in the afternoon so I didn't go out on the bike;  choosing instead to photograph the Ivy Cottage daffodils.   I don't have much of a garden left, but what I do have has the freshness o

17th March 2024 (Sunday)   It's St Patrick's Day so ...."Happy St Patrick's Day" to my Irish friends".... enjoy your Day! 08.15   After a lot of rain overnight we have a lovely calm, Spring morning.... with a mix of sunny spells Lundin Links golf course. and light cloud.....and  maybe the odd light shower.    I'm going to visit Alice, have a cuppa then we're going to a Craft Fair in the Old Manor (Lundin Links).   Slight 'Flap On' now. 19.30    I was surprised at the number of craft tables at The Old Manor Craft Fayre:  and the varied crafts on display.  Alice's daughter and son in law were exhibiting but they were the only crafters that I knew.   I don't think 'Fife Craft Association' are active now (Maggie and I were founder members in 1986)... most of the crafters we went to shows with will have retired.   From what was on display I'd say that the craft scene in Fife is definitely getting over the pandemic.... and look

16th March 2024 (Saturday)     09.00 ....  We have a beautiful frosty start to Saturday;  'Blob' 'Shona'. looks happier.   I might go out on the bike once the air warms up, but the 'plan' is to have a quiet rest day.... doing whatever comes to mind and right now that's breakfast!     15.30    We've had a bonnie spell of Spring weather o far today.... so much so that I had thoughts of getting the bike out to go for the paper.   However I was short of milk so went in the car instead.  (Note to me;  I must get a new carrier bag for the bike.   The zip is broken on the one that's there at present).  I met Shona (who I haven't seen since before Christmas) when I was up in Elie, so we had  a good old natter by the Bus Stop.  When I think of it I didn't ask where Shona was heading for, but when we did go our separate ways I came home by way of Balbuthie and Kinneuchar.  Shona had bought herself a coffee so probably sat in the car to scoff that.   

15th March 2024 (Friday)     07.30 .... The sky is going to break up in the afternoon and we'll end the day with a sunny spell.  Saturday is going to be bright, sunny and cold.   Right now it's Friday and we are under a layer of low cloud, with heavy drizzle, that has drifted in from the North Sea on a light Easterly breeze!    I took a photo looking down Ferry Wynd (from Ivy gate) hoping that a colourful jogger (or better still .... two) would patter there way across junction and up the Ferry High Street.... but no.   So we have a bleak start to Friday. 14.00    The rain has moved away and we have a slightly brighter sky;  'sunny spells' are on their way!   Well.... I hope they are!   I have had a restful morrrrrrning watching Robson Green fishing around New Zealand and Australia; now I have the urge to do something productive.  I'll put the kettle 'on' (that's always 'productive .... I make a cuppa)) and have a look at the East Neuk of Fife '

14th March 2024 (Thursday)    08.00 .... Low cloud, with rain, has drifted in from the North Sea and is to be with us for the whole of today;  it is not a play day.   Sunny spells?.... No sunny spells.    In fact it looks like being another unsettled, mostly damp, weekend.   I was hoping for a bonnier day for my visitor(s).  The camera is ready for action.... as is the button pressing finger!    Must 'go'... slight flap on this morrrrrrrrrring.  Actually I'll delay the flappin' and have another cuppa.  19.00   This has been an exciting day:  my Very Important Visitor arrived bearing goodies.   Well Mum and Dad were i/c but Henry will take over in time.   I forgot just how small babies are, and how completely dependent they are on Mum and Dad.  An absolutely beautiful miniature human.  His vocabulary is limited to a wailing noise.... but he knows when he wants something!.... and so does Mum and Dad. Emily, John and Henry set off for Cumbria (John's mum and Dad'

13th March 2024 (Wednesday)    08.00 ....The auld bones aren't exactly enthusiastic this The 'Elie road - minus trees on the West side. morrrrrrrning: However, once they start to cooperate with each other we'll be ready to go 'oot tae play'.   The weather is of the slightly damp kind just now, but the sky has a more promising look than it's had for the past few days.... (there was a big bloo patch towards the south earlier) and sunny spells are meant to come our way after midday.   The old saying.... "a clear sooth drooned the plooman"... means more rain to come.   After the sunny spells! 10.00   I haven't been out and about but I have done some 'ousework... not much, but enough to claim that I have actually done something.   I'm sort of hoping to go out on the bike when the sunny spells do arrive because the air is reasonably warm.... and we like warm.   The sky has an interesting look with 'bloo' bits starting to drift over.   I

12th March 2024 (Tuesday)     08.30.... I am excited.... we almost had a sunny spell half an hour ago.   The sky has bright bits in it this morning.... not 'iggzactly' bloo bits but definite brighter bits.   I feel the  stirrings of activeness in my leg bones.   Having said that the weather forecast is, 'light rain with a  moderate breeze', so I won't be taking the bike out just yet.... and won't be hanging out the washing, but,,, the promise of Spring is in a slightly warmer air!   Happy me.   20.00   The slightly warmer mentioned above, was cold by lunch time... and any active stirrings  in the old bones quickly vanished.... and I went shopping instead.   I intended going to the Store (Ainster) to spend some of the 'Dividend' that has accumulated over the pat few years;  which has to be spent by the 31st December.   The car was pointing North.... so I ended up in Leven.  And.... I couldn't go to Alice's because she is away with Izzy for a few

11th March 2024 (Monday)     08.00 .... We have an overcast sky this morning, with a light wind Ferry Road late this afternoon. off the North Sea and not warm.   I'm hoping for 'sunny spells' or at least a brighter sky in the afternoon, but at the moment it looks more like we could have 'drizzle spells'.   I'm looking forward to visiting Alice.... we might even do a wee bit shopping.   It's breakfast time.  19.38  (That was a good year)    Once again the weather has been disappointing but I enjoyed my day;  Alice does 'happy' even on grey days.   And made Eton Mess for sweet!   Yes I've had a good day.   On my way to Methil I went via Kinneuchar and Colinsburgh and, when passing the Balchrystie junction,  noticed that that section of the road was 'Open' .... no cones etc.  I decided that I'd go that way on my way home.   And I did.   I had expected to come across some signs of work being done but, as far as I could see, nothing had b

10th March 2024 (Sunday)    08.30 .... the sky is heavily overcast, so not much to attract the eye 'Blob' on the mooch. skywards this morning.   It's damp, but the light rain mentioned in the forecast, has yet to arrive;  though it looks like it could rain/drizzle at any time; not the bonniest on starts to the day,  That said, 'Blob' was in a good mood, twittering away to himself in the Rowan tree. when I went out to feed him.   He's 'in love' because he didn't chase a second  Robin that came down to feed.    20.30   I've been busy on the computer and  around Ivy so the weather hasn't been a problem for me;  apart from not getting out for exercise.   I fed 'Blob' a few times but never went further than the gate.... I didn't even go for the paper.   The weather has been slightly better than expected .... but never bonnie enough to get excited by thoughts of the beach etc.  The only photo I got was one of 'Blob' on the moo

9th March 2024 (Saturday)     08.30 ..... The sky is heavily overcast and we have a fresh breeze off the North Sea.... with the occasional pot of drizzle in the wind.   It's cold but there isn't any dust.   'Blob' has been fed, and I've had a look up and down Ferry Road;  it's going to be a computer and ousework day for me.   By 'ousework I mean 'stay in and warm'..... with the kettle on standby.   I'd like a few sunny spells drift over, to brighten up what, at the moment is a drab kind o' sky. 11.30   I decided to go for the paper via the Ferry Road and the Elie road;  sort of back to the 'good old days' after the roadworks.   In fact I really went back to the 'good old days' ... I forgot the paper, but    remembered to visit the harbour!   The harbour was busy;  our local swimmers were in the water... and I though it was cold.   It is cold.... the swimmers are brave!    There was drizzle blowin' in the wind so I didn&#

8th March 2024 (Friday)    08.15 ....The cold wind off the North Sea is still with us (and will be for Colin at the 4th tee. a few days) so it's a 'confined to barracks' (or the car) day for me;  lot's of work to do on the computer....and I'll make a batch o' 'Cottage Pies' in the afternoon, so I'm happy.   It's not 'iggzactly' a walk on the beach morning.... but dogs don't know that, and will have their owners out for a 'frolic in the fresh air, regardless of the wind.   'Thick clouds and a fresh breeze is the weather forecast'.   I'm going to have breakfast .... and another cuppa! 10.45    The tautties have been peeled for the afternoon's Cottage Pie making session;  had it been warmer I'd have gone out on the bike now, but it's bitterly cold, so I'll have morrrrrrrning coffee and a bicci.   I'd say that, having looked at the forecast for the weekend, the place to be is anywhere on the West coas

7th March 2024 (Thursday)    08.00 .... It's a nice morning but the breeze coming off the North Sea March - 2006. is cauld;  that said we should have sunny spells, once the sun rises above a big bank o' cloud.    It's never going to be warm today but it will be brighter.   I'm going to Methil to visit Alice;  we're gong to have lunch at the local kirk.   It's time for another cuppa .... and breakfast.   'Blob' has been fed.  09.00 .... The sun is struggling to rise above the cloudbank; because the cloudbank is moving NW just that wee bit faster than the sun is rising.   Hopefully the sun should start to burn back said clouds.... and we will be bathed in lovely sunny spells.   I'm going to have another cuppa. 18.30  The sky brightened up a bit in the middle part of the day, but the sunny spells never got going.... and the cold breeze off the sea was with us the whole time.   Not the most pleasant of days as far as the weather went. As planned I went