Alberto's Hutte

21st December 2024 (Saturday)    09.00 .... we have a frisky old wind this Winter Solstice morning, and it is not warm.   But it isn't raining.   This is Christmas getaway weekend and the roads will be busy.   I'm going to Leven and Methil, and will be able to tell you about the traffic on the main road into the East Neuk.   You will be looking forward to that.   Must have another cuppa. 21.00    It has been a bonnie but windy day;  and cold because of the wind.    We had some spits and spots of rain blowing through at times, but it was really the wind that spoilt a nice day for this time of year.   I went to Methil to see how Alice and her pals were getting on.   I didn't do any shopping because Karen (Alice's daughter), said that the queues at the checkouts were long and slow moving.  Anyway Alice and pals are all well.... and organised for Christmas. As expected the roads we...

 20th December 2024 (Friday)     08.45 .... It's overcast and dark at the moment though sunrise was at 08.42.   However, 'sunny intervals with a fresh breeze' is the forecast, so the day should be cheerier once the sun gets going.  Thankfully tomorrow is the shortest day, which means that tonight and tomorrow night, must be the longest nights.    14.30    I've been delivering cards in Elie and Kinneuchar.   It's a nice enough day but it's a cold wind. 15.15   I've been to the Skeith Centre (Anstruther) since the 14.30 update.   As expected at this time of day, and with the workmen breaking off for the "Happy Holidays Season" (what's aw that aboot?) holiday, the roads were busy.   The sun was low in the Western sky coming home, and very much in the eyes, especially coming out of Anstruther:  and I don't know how it happened but, I was the lead car of what looked like six vehicles, all the...

19th December 2024 (Thursday)    09.15 .... It's a nice morning, and will be a bright and breezy day once the sun gets going.   I've hung out a washing and, although it's a good drying day, it's a cold one.   The plan is to deliver Christmas cards .... and take some photographs on the way.   I'll have another cuppa before I go out;  by that time the sun might have broken through the early morning cloud. 20.30   We've had a bonnie day, but there was a cool wind.  That said, I actually made it onto the beach when out delivering Christmas cards and it was pleasantly warm in the sun sheltered by the dunes.   Everybody walking the beach was well wrapped up.... and no one was in, or on, the water.   I'm making headway with the delivering and should have it finished tomorrow.  Unfortunately I had  the sore throat at the crucial time and have been struggling to catch up with things.   It was a g...

18th December 2024 (Wednesday    08.45 .... It's breezy this morning, but dry.... and there's an  interesting sky, that's promising some bonnie clouds.  'Strong winds with sunny intervals' is the forecast.   The strong wind will moderate in the afternoon;  a bonnier day ahead.   Mind you it wouldn't take much to be bonnier than yesterday was!   That was one miserable spell of weather.    After a good night's sleep I'm feeling almost playful.   I could cope wi' an exciting game of Ludo this morning!    Can you still get Ludo and Snakes and Ladders in the shops?   I imagine there's  an electronic version, that involves gambling, shooting and killing.   Old fashioned Ludo, and Snakes and Ladders can be bought, in shops and online;  and, as far as I can make out, neither has reached the gambling, shooting and killing, electronic stage.   Imagine me being so cynical a...

17th December 2024 (Tuesday)    09.00 .... We have a bleak looking, and wet, start to the day;  I won't be going far today.   I have a small package to post and might venture 'somewhere' to do that;  but, it's one of those days when getting 'up' seemed pointless.   Anyway, 'Blob' has been fed, and didn't seemed bothered by the weather.   I'll have another cuppa and come up with some kind o' action plan.   Although dreich the sky did have a promising look about it when I was out at the bucket a minute ago. 12.00    The Post Office van is going to be in Elie tomorrow so I'll use that to post the small package.   I thought about going to the Pittenweem Post Office  this afternoon, but the parking at the Pittenweem PO is very limited;  and Pittenweem always seems to be busy nowadays.  Everywhere is busy nowadays!   I'll bung the parcel in the car and go up to Colinsburgh to fuel up the ...

16th December 2024 (Monday)    09.45 .... It's a bonnie morning, in fact it could be a good drying day, but there is the threat of showers later.   Regardless of the showers, I have a washing going through the machine and have every intention of hanging it out on the line.   I'm feeling brighter, and my throat is much better, but my voice is still rough.    17.00    I have bene a busy boy today.   After morning coffee I went up to Elie in the car to hand in the 'Rotary' cards at the 'paper shop', and bought other bits and pieces, and;  came out without the paper (Courier).   Anyway I wandered back to the car, took the above photo and decided to go for run in the car.   I ended up at The Store in Ainster where I bought a few bits and pieces, before coming home by way of the Kellie Castle road.   There wasn't much happening, even Arncroach was quiet; I'd gone that way for a change of scenery. B...