Alberto's Hutte

22nd December 2024 (Sunday)    09.15 .... Thankfully the wind has moderated and we have a calmer, bright and sunny morning;  but there's still a cold, frisky breeze.   A nice morning for people doing the Coastal Walk.   I might try to go to the beach later but I really think it's another stay in out of the cold wind, for me.   Loads of 'ousework to catch up with so I might do some of that.   10.00    The wind might have moderated but it's bitterly cold out;  and I've only been as far as the gate!    That said, I'm still in my loungers so the air might feel warmer once I get into day claes.   I like fresh air but this cold air does not agree with me at all.  There's a spell of warm air coming our way on Tuesday which is to be with us for a few days;  I'm looking forward to that; but the  weather is 'all over the place' nowadays. I was wondering why I'm feeling hungry;  I haven't...

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...

15th December 2024 (Sunday)     09.45 .... It's cloudy with a SW breeze this morning .... and it's warm.   Much warmer than is normal for December;  I'm not complaining!   All the Fife weather cams show a mostly cloudy sky.... but the Lochgelly one had a big patch of blue showing.   We might have a few sunny spells!   The wind is freshening and will be up around F7 in the afternoon and through the night.   I'm wondering if I should do a washing. I'd hoped to feel like Spring lamb on steroids this morning, but feel more like a sloth on sleeping pills.   A mug o' coffee shod get me going.    I want to finish writing the cards today. 15.30    It has been a perfect day for writing cards, and the card writing mission has been done.   I'll hand in the Rotary ones tomorrow morning, and buy any bits and bobs I need for posting to sunny Sussex.   At long last I feel that my th...

14th December 2024 (Saturday)     09.00 .... it's a bonnie morning and the forecast is sunny intervals with a moderate breeze.   That means it will be cold because there's a frost, with rime on the car windscreen.   I'd like to go to the beach but my throat is still sore (it's more than a 24 hour thing).  However I've been out, and done the important job.... fed 'Blob'.   It's now time for my breakfast! 22.00   Although not I'm enjoying staying 'in', it does seem to be working because I haven't coughed as much today.   Maybe the 'bug' is just running it's course;   course that is longer than I thought it would be.  I went to the Toll Green post box to post another three cards, but that was as far as I went;  didn't even feel like going home by way of Balbuthie and Kinneuchar. In the afternoon, thinking it was Sunday, I went and put out George's bucket (blue);  it was when I was putting it out...

13th December 2024 (Friday)     08.30 .... Mornings are really dark a just now, especially when  its cloudy;  however in another 8 days it will be the shortest day (or longest night), when we begin the journey towards a sunny, and warm, Spring and Summer.   Hey ... I sneezed;  that cleared the breathing tubes.   I'm feeling brighter but still choked up, so another day of staying warm;  and drinking numerous cuppas etc. should have me loupin' aboot like  a lamb on steroids!   12.00    Progress with the card writing, though slow, ... is steady.    I have done two so far!   Unfortunately I was diverted by an episode of 'Australian Railways'.   It was filmed in the summer (Oz) so much brighter, and warmer, than the weather here.   This damp air we have just now is not agreeable.   I'm going to have a late morrrrrrrrrrrning coffee, switch off the TV, and put a Ji...

12th December 2024 (Thursday)    09.30 .... We had a bonnie sky at sunrise;  unfortunately I wasn't on the beach with the camera, but the photo from Ivy gate gives you an idea of what the sky was like.   Although the air doesn't feel as cauld as it was yesterday, it was too cold for me to go wandering.    Today will be a card writing day. I remembered to phone Specsavers (Leven) to cancel the appointment I had for today .... and discovered that it, Audiology appointment, is for next Wednesday (18th) anyway.   Off to make a fresh cuppa!   15.30   I finished writing the cards for posting, then took time out to go up to the Post Box at the Toll Green and posted them.   I have started on the 'Rotary' ones and they should be done, and posted, hopefully tomorrow.    The sore throat isn't as bad as it sounds, it seems to be a 24 hour thing.  The stuff (Difflam Spray) I got from the Chemist worked wonders...

11th December2024 (Wednesday)    09.30 .... We have a frosty (with rime) start to the day, but the forecast is 'sunny with light winds' so, with a bit of luck it should brighten up..  The car is covered with rime. And I have a sore throat so won't  be going far today;  however I'll have to go to the Chemist to get some throat sweeties .... or whatever.   After that it will be a stay in and stay warm day wr iting Christmas cards. 12.00    I've been to the shops (Chemist and 'paper shop';  then to the 'Pav'  for a quick cuppa, and to buy a copy of Graham's book, 'Earlsferry and Elie a Scottish Golf Heritage' .   I didn't stay long because of my sair throat ('Man Throat'), and the Chemist advised me to stay in and warm (which I was planning on doing),... and stay hydrated.    When I left the 'Pav' I met the Thistle girls getting organised to play the 'Wee Course', and I seriously thought about staying to get them...

10th December 2024 (Tuesday)    09.00 .... It's a bonnie morning, and there's a good chance of sunny spells by the look of the sky.  There's a touch of frost so it isn't warm;  luckily there's only a light breeze so not much wind chill.   I might go to the beach in the middle of the day, but it's not going to be very warm if the forecast is right.... a high of 2C.   I'll spend most of the day writing Christmas cards. 16.30    What a difference to sun makes to how active I am.   I went for the paper, and other bits and bobs this morning, then down to the harbour ... in the car.   Being in the car, instead of the bike, limits the places I can stop to take a photograph, so today's were taken on my 'normal' Elie, Balbuthie, Kinneuchar paper run.   Actually there's was a lovely light at this time of year so I got myself a fair number of photos tae play wi' later.   Luckily there was hardly a breath o' ...

9th December 2024 (Monday)     08.30 .... It's a nice enough morrrrrrrrning, but cloudy just Lundin Links now, with a chilly northerly breeze, so it's a wrap up well day.  The sun is forecast to break through to give us sunny intervals. This will be a mostly stay in and stay warm day for me, as I am waiting for a delivery;  I'll check the Royal Mail Tracker after this update, to see if they've updated the delivery time.   'Slight Excited State' this morrrrrrrrning;  looking forward to my calendar coming! 10.15   Hmmmmm;  the sun has yet to make an appearance, which is disappointing.   However the calendars are on their way to Leven, so there's a chance they might be delivered this afternoon.   I've hung out a washing (it's cauld  out)and brought in the empty bucket;  I'm now going to have morning coffee and begin writing Christmas cards.   It's a good day for doing that.   Hopefull...

8th December 2024 (Sunday)     08.30 ....  The strong winds that came with Storm Darragh have moderated, and we have a much quieter, and brighter, morning.   There is a Northerly wind but only F3, so a good drying wind, albeit a cool one; and I have a washing on the line.   This looks like being a good 'drying week' so the single bedding will be done over the next couple of days. The 'plan' is to go Leven and Methil, in the morrrrrrning, then write Christmas cards in the afternoon.   (I have to stay 'in' tomorrow because the calendars are 'on their way')  so I should have most of the cards written by Monday evening. 17.00    As usual I enjoyed my trip to Leven and Methil.   Alice had been baking a trial batch of wee Cake things, that had to be tasted/tested.... and I was happy to do that.   The real cakes (I think they are called Angel Cakes) are being made for a Special Needs Chrissie party. ...

7th December 2024 (Saturday)    08.30 .... It's not a "walk the beach with dog" morrrrrrrrrning;  in fact it's not a walk anywhere morrrrning.   I'm vertical, and have been out as far as the pavement;  and quickly decided that I won't going anywhere with the camera;  unless it's in the car.   Which is unlikely.   For me it's going to be a stay in, stay warm and stay hydrated.   The wind should begin to moderate by mid morning ..., from F7  to F5.... and the rain become slightly lighter.   'Sunny spells'?.... we're two or three thousand feet from them! 11.15   The rain has stopped but it's still windy:  and said wind is sookin' up the puddles and drying the road.... and patio.  I'm surprised at how fast the water is lifting;  that said, it is a strong wind. Could we have a few brighter spells later in the afternoon?   Probably not.   The wind is forecast to freshe...

6th December 2024 (Friday)     09.00 .... It's a lively morning, but it's a chilly breeze, so it will be cold out in the open.    I have a dental appointment in Anstruther, and was looking forward to getting a few photos of the harbour area, but that will be a quick 'snap';  because it will be  windy and cold at Anstruther harbour!    According to the weather forecast we are in for a wild and sometimes wet couple of days.    Not my favourite weather. 20.30    My dental appointment went smoothly;  there's one filling that needs doing but nor until 20th January.  The waiting area (upstairs) was quiet;  one man was reading a book, and the other one had the best looking tattoo's I have seen on his arms:  the face of a lion and another of a tiger.... and one of Gandalf (Lord of the rings Wizard).   The tattoo's were expensive but  they looked really good.   It's what this man spends...

 5th December 2024 (Thursday)    08.45 .... Everywhere is wet looking this morning, but the rain we had overnight, has moved away and sunny spells are mentioned in our weather forecast.   There's a brisk Westerly wind and an interesting sky;  so, a nice enough day ahead, although light rain is forecast to move in late in the afternoon.    16.00    This has been an eventful day for Alberto.   I decided to go to Leven to buy Charity Christmas cards, and that I'd pick up Alice from Methil, and we'd both go the shopping.   After a cuppa at the Alice HQ.   As is usual Leven High Street was busy but we found a parking place  just by Specsavers.    That was handy because Alice suggested I make an appointment to have my lug-oles tested.  This we did.   And got an appointment for an eye test at the same time.   The hearing appointment is next week, they had a space for the eye...

4th December 2024 (Wednesday)     09.00 .... It's a lovely morning, but chilly.... with the chance of ice on the pavements.   In fact there's a Yellow warning for ice, that's active until 10.00  and I noticed that the air felt frosty when I was out feeding 'Blob'.   I'll stay in until the sun is high in the sky, and the temperature has gone up to around 9C.   It's forecast to turn milder, with the chance of light rain, later in the afternoon. 11.45    I've been slothful this morning (i.e. slow moving, not hanging upside down from a tree branch);  I can't get really going this morning.   The work I did in the big bedroom must have caught up, so this is going to be mostly a rest day.   That said,  I have done some 'ousework, having stripped the single bed.... so not entirely lazy!  And now I'm thinking of taking a wander up to the golf course, to admire the work going on near the phone box, whi...

3rd December 2024 (Tuesday)    08.45 .... We had a bonnie sunrise (at 08.25), with a light touch of frost this morning;  and, although cloudy just now, it's forecast to be sunny most of the day..... but also cold.   Not a great drying day, but the washing should be near enough dry by the end of the afternoon.  There's frost on the car windscreen, which I'm hoping the sun will shift, but it will be a while before the sun is high enough to warm the air very much.... at the moment it's -1C.  18.00    This has been an exciting day, with things happening all over the place.   First thing this morning I dangled out the washing!   While I was doing that someone had been setting up temporary traffic lights on Ferry Road.   I don't know what they (the traffic lights) are for, but they add a bit of colour to an evening photograph.  With me being away (Leven and Methil) all day (Leven and Methil) I didn't see any work...

2nd December 2024 (Monday)    09.00 .... The first thing I noticed, when out feeding 'Blob,' was the change in temperature;  it's cold.   And, after the couple of warm days we had, the cold air is very noticeable;   t hat said, this morning's temperature is where it should be in December.  I won't be on the bike today:  at this time of year I have to pick my days, and the two warm days were perfect.  Anyway I'm putting the bike battery on charge.  The sun is forecast to break through by morrrrrrrrrning coffee time (11.00 for me). 20.00    Alber' has been busy today!    The double bed has been changed and I am moving back into that room tonight.   The last of the double bedding (a sheet) is going through the machine just now and will be hung out first thing in the morning.   The rest of it has been washed, dried and ironed.   I didn't even take 'time out':  it was too cold for m...

1st December 2024 (Sunday)    09.00 .... The sky is heavily overcast, with occasional spells of light rain;  not a bonnie start to December.... but it's warm and there's only a light breeze.   It would be a good morning for going out on the bike, if the rain moves away.    I went for the paper but, as it was raining at the time, didn't go down to the harbour.    I have stuff to do on the computer today so, unless the sun breaks through, the weather won't bother me.  If the sun does come through I'll go round The Ferry on the bike.   That's the 'plan for today.  I'll begin my activities with a Cappuccino..... and a quick look at the paper. 19.30    The sun broke through after my early morning coffee.... and it was warm with very little wind;  perfect biking weather.    I went round The Ferry, then up to Elie, taking photos on the way.   I came across holiday makers wandering around he vil...