Alberto's Hutte

31st December 2020 (Thursday)     07.00 ....We have a dusting of snow and The last sunrise of 2020 - from Elie harbour. a touch of frost this morning;   Balcarres and the higher ground will be white.    I’ll have a wander up to the ‘Pony Field’ once the sun gets up.    The pavements will be hazardous until the frost lifts, especially in the shade, but it should be fine on the road.    Luckily there’s isn’t enough snow to make a mess when it melts. 09.30     It’s raining and the snow, such as it was, is rapidly disappearing; the frost has lifted;   I have been for the paper and down to the harbour and I’m now back in Ivy with the kettle ‘on’.     It’s not a good hair day!     Orf to make my morrrrning coffee!     I think the afternoon might be brighter.... with showers. 22.30    I have just enjoyed an hour long trip down memory lane  on BBC Alba;   excerpts from all the old (proper) Hogmanay TV programmes.... from 1957 onwards:   Jimmy Shand, Bobby MacLeod, Calum Kennedy, Run Rig, Rev I

30th December 2020 (Wednesday)     08.00 .... There’s exactly seven hours Setting full moon. between sunrise and sunset today (08.44 - 15.44);   is that not an interesting bit of information.    No?   You’re probably right    Anyway, that fact aside;  we have a lovely start to the day.... with a touch of early frost and a clear sky.    The forecast for KY9 is, ‘sunny with a light breeze’ so let’s enjoy our seven hours of daylight. 10.30      It’s a lovely day but definitely cold.     It’s only 1c on the garden thermometer;   I’ll have another cuppa before thinking of getting the bike out.    In fact I’ll leave any biking until midday. I went to the beach at sunrise time.... there’s always something magical about seeing the sun come up.    A young couple out walking the dogs found a baby seal at the top of the Cockstail rocks;   it is not the best place to be, because there’s a lot of dogs around that could disturb it.    The lassie was in contact with someone to see if there was anyt

29th December 2020 (Tuesday)     07.00 .... There has been some rain/sleet overnight and there is a light frost coming in with dawn.  With only a light wind there’s little wind chill.... it’s going to be a bonnie day.    I’m settling down to this ‘lockdown’ routine and looking forward to going out on the bike..... after the frost lifts.    Actually I’d better charge the bike battery.... it's been  a few days since I've been out on it. 09.30      We have snow all around us (locally on Largo Law and Balcarres), all over the West of Fife, the Pentlands (Edinburg) and along the Lammermuirs.      It all looks very wintry.    I saw all this on my way back from Anstruther;   I’d been at ‘The Store’.     I swithered a bit before making my mind up to g to Anstruther, thinking the shop might be busy but it was practically empty.    The bike battery is fully charged so I should get out after the temperature gets up a bit;    though it’s unlikely it will ever be warm. Chapel Green. 22.00 

28th December 2020 (Monday)     08.00 ... We have a frosty morning but no  sign of snow here though there is a touch of snow on Benarty hill (in the West of Fife).... but it is cold.   Luckily there’s only a light breeze so the wind chill factor is low.    I’ll have a daunder to, and along the beach for sunrise (08.45);   the  actual sunrise might not be visible, due to low cloud on the horizon .... but I like to see the sky brighten at the beginning of a new day. 12.30    I had a pleasant walk on the beach;  in fact I had two as I went down half an hour after sunrise time to get the clouds.     The top part of the beach was easy to walk....it was frozen solid;  that’s usually the worst bit because of the soft sand.     Sunrise was never going to be visible because of a cloud bank to along the ‘sooth side’, but we had a beautiful sky nonetheless:  in fact we had a colourful sky over Earlsferry.... not where you’d expect a colourful sky at sunrise time.    I enjoyed my walks ....even th

27th December 2020 (Sunday)      07.30 .... The sky is clear (I can see the stars), it’s breezy but nothing like it was yesterday;  and it’s going to be sunny but cool.    But not as cool as it’s going to be tonight and tomorrow, when snow and ice is mentioned in the forecast for our area.    I should get the bike out sometime today but I’ll take the car to get the paper and visit the harbour. 10.30     It’s breezy right .... with occasional spits and spots o’ rain, but nice enough if you’re well wrapped up.    The paper has been bought and the harbour checked;   it’s cauld doon there.    Then again it always is.     There was an interesting sky at sunrise time;   it was well ‘recorded’.     It’s about morrrrrrrning coffee time and I am ready for it.     Enjoy your day.... even Tier 4 can be reasonably enjoyable, in a different way from ‘normal’.    Take care and stay safe. 21.30    I had planned to go out on the bike but it was too cauld;  so I went for a walk at sunset time, up to th

26th December 2020 (Saturday)       08.00 .... There’s a strong  wind (but not as strong as it’s going to be by midday) with rain in it now and again.... the ‘rain in it now and again’ is going to change to heavy rain by mid morning;   and today is the first day of the new Tier 4 ‘rools’  re the COVID-19 crisis.    No Boxing Day sales scramble on the news.   All in all it would appear that we are depending on the TV for entertainment;  and  I absolutely refuse to watch another version of ‘Scrooge’.    It could be a wee bit of tidying up around Ivy, working on the computer and watching brilliant film (which I have yet to find) on the TV..... and, drinking numerous cuppas.   Luckily I got a lot of books and goodies for Christmas so the ‘brilliant film’ on TV isn’t that vital.  I’m sure we’ll all have a Joyous Boxing Day.   ‘Blob’ has been fed and is ready for ‘the day’. 11.30     It wasn’t bad on the beach this morning;    a bit breezy right enough, but only the occasional spit and spot

25th December 2020 (Friday)    10.30 ..... “Merry Christmas” everybody.... It was awesome. and ,my word, what a beautiful sunrise sky we had this morning:   it’s a good job that I’m typing ‘cos I am speechless.    The sky was awesome.   The sky has clouded over since sunrise but it’s still a nice day.    Enjoy your Christmas Day .... I need another cuppa (third ... or is it fourth?) to get my speaking gear operational.     16.00     This has been a hectic day for the ‘boy’.... an enjoyable, hectic day I must add.    After I browsed most of the sunrise photos I had a cuppa then went down to photograph the local swimmers having their Christmas morning swim.    A lot of groups turned up.... swimmers and their supporters;  it was great seeing this activity happening at Elie and Earlsferry.    It was a joyous occasion, enjoyed by swimmers and spectators..... and the family groups social distanced;  though I doubt if any virus could have survived in the fresh air.   I have yet to browse the

  24th December 2020 (Thursday)       07.30 .... The sky is clear and the stars The beach was frozen and easy to walk on. are still visible, though fading by the minute as the eastern sky brightens;   it’s going to be a bonnie day.    ‘Blob’ has had his breakfast and I am having a cuppa before going for the paper.     'Sunny with a fresh breeze from the NNW' is the forecast for KY9 today.... but it will be cold. 15.30      I did the paper, the harbour .... oh... and went to the bottle bank first thing in the morning;    all that was done in the car.     Since then I have had a multitude of cuppas, done a wee bit of ‘ousework, fed ‘Blob’ many times and have been out on the bike.     It was bitterly cold on the bike;    not something that my delicate lug appendages can put up with.     I wasn’t wearing a   hat with lug flap so, any idea of going further than Chapel Green had vanished by the time I traversed Sea Tangle road.     I may have a short walk on the beach at sunset time

23rd December 2020 (Wednesday)      09.00 ....the sky is  overcast .... This afternoon. there’s a cold, brisk breeze from the Northeast, so it’s a wrap up well morning.   I’ve been for the paper and down to the harbour, then came home by way of Balbuthie and Kinneuchar to warm the car up... now I am ready to do something.     ‘Something’ will be inside Ivy:  I won’t be getting the bike out.... not until the air warms up a bit.    Tomorrow is going to be a better day for biking. 19.00      The day ended with a red sky after what had been a mostly overcast and cold day.     But it was dry.    I have a small washing in the machine which I’ll do tonight ready to hang out first thing.     I’m feeling excited.    The bike will come out tomorrow though I doubt if I’ll go far on Christmas Eve.... the road will be busy.      Actually when I think about, the roads should be quiet as everyone is being advised to ‘stay local’. Links Road - Earlsferry. Shona came down with a card and gift;   it w

  22nd December 2020 (Tuesday)     08.00 .... ‘Sunny, with a gentle breeze’ is our weather forecast for today..... let’s get out and enjoy.    I might even have coffee with ‘The Boss’ as the light breeze is from the WSW so the seat is sheltered.    It will be cool on the beach at sunrise time, but I’ll have a wander down there in a wee while .... got to have another cuppa.     Sunrise is at 08.43. 11.00     We have a gorgeous day... and it began with a crackin’ sunrise.     Not only that, sunrise coincided with high tide and the local BTSC swimmer (girls and boys)   going in for their morning dip.   That was a bonus;    sunrise and action beach/seascape photographs....   loved it.    19.00    I ended up having a busy day but not on the bike ... though I did make time to go up to Chapel Green;  but no long run to Colinsburgh.   Chapel Green was busier than I thought it would be in the middle of the day;  a bonnie day I should add.     It was cold in the wind, but a good day to be out...

21st December 2020 (Monday)     08.00 .... This is the shortest day (winter solstice).... Spring is just round the corner, nights will begin to lengthen and snowdrops will soon cheer us up; it’s a lovely morning.    I’m going to get the bike out and head for the harbour.   11.00     You will all be glad to know that everything is where it should be down at the harbour;   mind you it wasn’t ‘iggzactly’   warm.      There was never going to be a visible sunrise, because of cloud on the horizon, but we had a bonnie sky.   I’ve put the bike on charge, anticipating going out after lunch, but that will depend on what I am doing .... and what the weather is doing.    It’s coffee time. 15.30     My word I have had an exciting day;  but let’s start at the beginning.    First off I put the bike on charge and now have a fully charged bike for tomorrow.   I then did a wee bit of ‘ousework and thought about going up to Balcarres in the car... then I remembered that I’d a parcel (Boots) being deli

20th December 2020 (Sunday)      08.00 .... Hmmmmm ... I’ve been for the The girls having their morning dip. paper, in the car because it’s spitting rain.    I think it’s just a rain shower so I’ll get out on the bike later in the morning.... when the sun has risen above the clouds.    Actually I might have a walk to the beach after breakfast.... if the spits and spots o’ rain have stopped.   Sunrise is at 08.42. 12.00     It’s a nice day but the brisk breeze is cool... as I found out on the beach earlier:   In fact I went and found shelter in the lee of the dunes;   which is not what the girls of the Blue Tits Swimming Club (hereafter BTSC) did.... they went in for their morning ‘dook’.    I must remember to get them going in on Christmas day. I’ve been watching the kirk service (from Elie this morning) now I feel ready to get the bike out and have a quick trip up to Chapel Green and have a look at our wee corner of Mother Earth.   The shower clouds are still around but I keep an ey

  19th December 2020 (Saturday)     10.30 .... we have a nice, bright and breezy start to the day though there could be a few light showers  in the morning;  the afternoon suppose to be sunny with a brisk wind.   It would be warm if it wasn’t for the wind chill factor. I enjoyed a walk along the beach at sunrise;   the actual sunrise event was hidden behind low clouds, but there was a bonnie sky and a big beach.      The ‘plan’ is to get the bike out about midday and go to Kinneuchar.    19.30    I had a most enjoyable bike run up to Kinneuchar  but I didn’t spend much time up in the village, as there was a big shower cloud over towards Leven.   It never did reach us.... or, more accurately, it missed us, so I could have spent a bit more time, with the camera, in Kinneuchar and Barnyards.... which was my original intention.   I did think of coming home via the Elie Estate road but the lad who lives in the North Lodge said the road was really muddy in parts so I didn’t go into the est

  18th December 2020 (Friday)      06.30.... I can hear the waves rollin’ onto the beach so the breeze is from the South... and it’s warm:   Warm for this time of year that is.     It’s still dark so, even though there is probably plenty to see I can’t see it;   stars aren’t visible so the sky is overcast.   It's a nice morning;   the aches and pains are where they should be and I’m feeling playful....   I’ll get the bike out in a wee while and go for the paper.       There is an increasing chance of light showers after midday playtime will be in the morning:  at this time we have light drizzle. 14.00       The sunrise sky this morning was really bonnie and peaceful.    It wasn’t a spectacular red sky:   This morning’s sky was one of my favourite, dream inducing skies.    I’ve been dreaming ever since.  The parcel I've been waiting for was delivered at 12.30 so I thought I’d have a coffee then go for a walk up to the Pony Field.    I got as far as the phone box (50 metres) wh