Alberto's Hutte

30th June 2024 (Sunday)     09.30 .... It's a quiet morning.... but not very summery looking because the sky is overcast,.... with light rain showers mentioned in the weather forecast.   Somebody was busy early this morning;  Ferry Road has been 'coned off' so that Scottish Water  can begin work tomorrow morning.   The road isn't  'Closed' but will be tomorrow morning.   I've moved to car round to St Margaret's. 20.30    The villages have been busy with holiday makers. ... and with day trippers to the beach.  I didn't go out on the bike until the roads were quieter;  which was later in the afternoon.   It was warm, with only a light breeze gently pushing fluffy clouds across the sky to make interesting photos.  The golf course was fairly busy.... and there was one golfer practicing on the Pony Feld.   We chatted before Andrew (Kinneuchar Station) started hitting balls towards the North end of the Pony Field.... and I louped onto the bike to go up to

29th June 2024 (Saturday)    08.00 .... It's a bonnie morning, but there's a disappointingly cool Iain and Hazel. WNW breeze that feels more like Autumn than Summer.  I doubt if the temperature will reach where I'd like it to be today, but I'll have another cuppa then go for a turn round the villages on the bike.... the air might have warmed up a bit by then. 21.00    'The Boy' has had an enjoyable.... and eventful day.   Iain and Hazel arrived about 10.30 .... and they brought exciting 'News' with them:  I am going to be a Great Grandad for the second time.... Hazel is pregnant (a boy) and due at the end of October.  We had a cuppa to celebrate.... and the get me back down to earth;  and decided to go to Kellie Castle for a daunder roond the garden and a light lunch.    I had mince and vegetables in the slow cooker to make Cottage Pies....we'd have some 'mince and tautties' when we got back from Kellie. John and Linda. Unsurprisingly Kellie

28th June 2024 (Friday)    08.30 .... After a windy night we have a bright and breezy morning at Elie and Earlsferry.... but it's cool for this time of year.  The wind is moderating, but it's still F5  going by the white caps on the water.   There's a chance of showers in the afternoon, but I might go out on the bike ..... when it's calmer.     12.30   I biked up to the Post Box and posted my 'Vote', then up to Chapel Green to 'converse' with 'The Boss'.   I have to do some 'ooverin' and dustin'!   I met a couple from Leven, having a walk round The Ferry, when I was at the post box:  we ended up chatting about when the Co-op was one of the major employers in Leven..... they could both remember their mother's Co-op number!    22.30    Heather, Ray and Alistair came down for a blether.; so we are up to date with each others 'News'.  One common piece of 'news'' was;  "the weather at Durham has been much the

 27th June 2024 (Thursday)    08.30 .... It's cooler than I expected it to be, but it's a lovely Waverley steps roof. morning to be out and about.   I'm going to Leven Sainsbury's shopping (I want a couple of Weight Watchers ready meals).... then up to Methil to have morrrrrrrning coffee with Alice.  I must have been tired last night..... having had seven hours unbroken sleep.    Pedalling the bike without the battery was hard work.... and the muscles are slightly stiff.   I've had a long hot shower and now ready to go 'out to play'.    The 'plan' is to go biking in the afternoon.... weather permitting.   Light rain showers are forecast.   16.45   I fell sound asleep after I got back from Methil..... and only woke up half an hour ago, so haven't been out on the bike today.  I'm having a  cuppa just now because there's an ominous looking cloud, to the West of us, that looks like it's depositing some of it's innards around the Lev

26th June 2024 (Wednesday)     09.45 .... I started my morning with a good old 'sleep in' .... eventually waking up at 07.45.....  to find we have a a misty, with occasional spits and spots o' light rain, morning.  Not the bonniest of mornings but the sun should break through in the afternoon. I must admit that I was apprehensive about the trip to Edinburgh yesterday;   going anywhere away from my comfort zone was always going to be tricky!   Now that I have done something 'bolder' than usual (with help and encouragement from Alice) it has made me feel almost adventurous.   Adventurous is good for morale. 22.45   Although I overslept this morning.... and expected to have a 'lazy day;  I've in fact had an active day.   The workmen were tidying up Ferry Road, having finished the job yesterday.... so I caught all the action on camera; including the transporter that came to take the equipment away.  I also did a bit of work in the garden.   Going to Edinburgh

25th June 2024 (Tuesday)    08.00 .... We have a nice morning .... mostly clouds with sunny spells now and again, and light rain  forecast for the afternoon.   It's a a nice day for going to Edinburgh on the 'Leven'  train, but the light rain means we might not  venture far from Waverley Station....!   That said the rain may be intermittent.   I'm organized for having my haircut at Lorraine's, and the trip to Edinburgh.  It's cuppa time. Alice and I had a good trip to Edinburgh of the Leven train:  but it didn't start very well.   The 11.26 train was cancelled (shortage of drivers) so we went up to Alice's for a cuppa and got the 12.26.   It is a picturesque journey.... with Edinburgh at the end of it and well worth the £9 return fare.  Having our 'Fife Travel' cards meant we only paid from Inverkeithing to Edinburgh Waverley.   On arriving at Waverley we had a short rest then took the lift up to Princes Street.   Having had to take a later tra

24th June 2024 (Monday)    07.30 .... It's sunny and warm with a light breeze.... it's summertime!    We a have 'wall to wall' blue sky just now, but clouds could wander over from the West later.  I'm going to have a run up to Kinneuchar to visit Shona later in the morning;  she wasn't 'in' yesterday, and her car wasn't moored up in it's usual space:  she might be away on holiday.   Anyway it's a good day for the bike .... and I need the exercise! 17.30    It has been warm today; the garden thermometer was up to 25C (in th shade) at 16.35.   I had slept through the worst/ best? of the heat so it didn't bother me.   Shona was in residence this morning so I have caught up with all her 'news'.   Shona's garden is looking good ;  mine isn't.   there's loads of growth in Ivy garden but I can't do much about it;  I'm still recovering from painting Ivy etc. I decided to bike up to Kinneuchar via Elie Estate to see ho

23rd June 2024 (Sunday)     08.00 .... It's a nice start to the day; at the moment there's a lot of fluffy cloud about, and the  breeze is chillier than it should be in late June.   However, I'm sure that the sun will burn off some of the cloud to give us a warm and bonnie 'play day'.... that said, the chilly breeze could be bothersome.  I'm going to have another cuppa then go for the paper. 11.45   I've done the 'paper run (and got the paper) and came home by way of the Elie and Ferry roads.  The Main road (A917) was busy with traffic... probably heading for Elie and Earlsferry for a day out at the seaside.  I'll go up to Kinneuchar after lunch and visit Shona  (Barnyards). 15.45   I could get to like this sunny weather;  what we need is  a decent spell of this to finally shake of the winter bugs.   As planned I biked up to Kinneuchar to visit Shona but she was out, so I took a few photos of Kinneuchar, then went up the Colinsburgh road as far as

22nd June 2024 (Saturday)    08.00 .... It's a beautiful morning... near enough 'wall to wall' blue sky, with a fresh SW breeze;  a slightly cooler than I expected breeze.   I'm going to visit Alice this morning, and do some shopping.   I still have a lot of the frozen meals that 'JB' and I bought (could be some more surprises there) so it's a lightweight shopping.   I might go out on the bike in the afternoon, but that depends on how busy the roads are. 20.00    It has been a bonnie day of warm sunshine, but a few degrees were taken off the temperature by the unseasonably cool breeze.   A very enjoyable day just the same.   Alice and I did our shopping;  I bought more than I intended but got the car up to the gate so didn't have to carry the messages any distance.   Alice's garden is looking good just now.... and is sheltered , jut like my new patio.    I sat and admired her tiny ants as they busily collected stuff for their nests:  while I was do

21st June 2024 (Friday)    08.30 .... It's sunny and warm and...... I'm feeling playful!   I'm not going to overdo anything today; the 'plan' is to take a turn round the villages on the bike, to discharge the battery;  then charge it so that I have a full battery for the weekend.   'Slight Flap on' .... it's breakfast time.   15.30   The bike battery is being charged (in fact it might be fully charged by now) after a run 'roond the villages' this morning.   I stopped at Lorraine's to make an appointment to have my haircut (Tuesday at 10.00), then went to the harbour.   From the harbour I biked home by way of South Street, The Ferry High Street and Chapel Green.... with multiple stops to get photographs. I chatted to the men working on the Ferry Road before going home to plug the bike on to charge.... and have lunch.   After lunch I fell sound asleep for an hour.    I'm feeling much better today: I think I must have had some kind o' b

20th June 2024 (Thursday)    08.00 .... This is the first day of of summer... and it's looking good. Let's hope it's a decent one;  a decent Summer that is.... not just today!    There's a fair amount of cloud around just now, but the sun should shift burn that off soon.   I have a sheet on the line so need a good drying day! 11.00    I took the car up to Elie to pick up bits and pieces... including my prescription!   And... this is good;   I remembered to get the paper.   I also had a run down to the harbour where I saw the skiffs being made ready to go out.   I have to go up to Elie (this time on the bike) and I'm hoping to get a few photos of the skiffs on the water.   High tide is around 14.30.  I came home by way of Colinsburgh Filling Station. 20.00    'The best laid schemes o' mice and Alberto gang aft agley' right enough!    I had a plan for today that involved the bike:  but I fell sound asleep just after the 11.00 update.... for just over an h

19th June 2024 (Wednesday)     08.30 .... The rain moved away overnight but the sky is overcast, and it's disappointingly cool for this time of year... but it's a nice, quiet start to the day, and the sun should break through by mis morning.  It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the Sommer Solstice (Midsummer's Day);  the day when the sun is at it's highest point in the Northern sky.   It's also officially he first day of Summer;  I've never worked out how the beginning of summer can be on Midsummer's Day, but I believe it has.... but that's how it is.  I hope that summer does start tomorrow!    22.30    This has been a lovely summer's day;    Let's hope it is the start of a proper summer for a change!  The washing dried in 'nae time' and has been ironed:  I still have towels to do but tomorrow is going to be another bonnie day.... so I'm a 'happy boy'.    I had a run up to Chapel Green on the bike about midday by which

18th June 2024 (Tuesday)    08.30 .... It's a quiet morning, but there's a lot of  cloud around... and 'light rain showers' are forecast.   What hit me first when I went out this morning, was the chilly air;  the Summer Solstice (Midsummer's Day) happens on Thursday..... the air feels like its late October.   Never mind, Midsummer's Day is also the official start of summer;  and we need a decent spell of summer weather!   I'm planning on taking a turn round The Ferry on the bike sometime today; after the air warms up.    12.45   Work is going on apace at the Ferry Road Electricity sub station;   I'll have a daunder up after lunch to have a closer look at the action.   The weather hasn't been too bad so far;  we've one light shower but there could be more to come.   I plan to get out on the bike sometime today ... to flatten the battery, then fully charge it for tomorrow.   I've had a sluggish morning;  however I'm starting to feel liveli

  17th June 2024 (Monday)    08.00 .... We have a nice morning;  warm in the sunshine, but there are clouds around... and light rain showers are forecast.   I hope the 'light' showers are lighter than yesterdays 'light' showers;  some of which were verging on the deluge kind of shower!    21.00    'JB' is back in 'Sunny Sussex' .... where the weather is much the same as here in 'Sunny Fife'...... but warmer.   We left later than intended but didn't suffer any major holdups and arrived at Kirkcaldy with 7 minutes to spare.   Loads o' time!   I was in 'Major Flap On' mode until we were actually stood staunin' on the platform.    The platform was busy with passengers for the London train;  and it was busy with a big group of school children going out on the next train.    The kids were happy;  they sounded like a huge flock o' Jackdaws after a cat.    I made my way back to the car, then took the Coast Road to Alice's for

16th June 2024 (Sunday)     09.00 .... There's a lot of cloud around giving us occasional spells of light rain .... but it's warm, with only a light breeze.   A nice enough morning;  a pity about the rain showers  .... however Sunny spells' are forecast for later in the afternoon   We're going to Morrison's (St Andrews) to do some shopping and have lunch in the Café.  The Sainsbury's Café (Leven) was popular but replaced by Argos.... hence the change to St Andrews this morning.  Maggie and I used to do most of our shopping in Morrison's because of the Café:  she was looking forward to the Sainsbury's Café (Leven) opening, but sadly died before that happened. 19.39    The 'Master Plan' for the day was to do the shopping in Morrison' (St Andrews):  so we ended up at Sainsbury's (Kirkcaldy).   The reason for the change?    I need a new carrier bag for the bike, as the zip broke on present one, so the bag is near enough useless.  Halfords (

15th June 2024 (Saturday)    08.45 .... We have a sunny and warm morning;  one of those balmy, peaceful mornings that make me think of 'summer'.   There's a light breeze, with a few clouds scattered around.... more like the weather we should be getting at this time of year.  Unfortunately, 'Light showers' are forecast for the afternoon.  There could be interesting clouds.  17.00   It has been a beautiful day .... and a perfect drying day!  I'm a happy boy because the washing got a couple of extra rinses yesterday and I left it out overnight, planning to spin it this morning but I forgot;  however I've been lucky.... and it's dry! 'JB' went out to West Bay with the camera this morning:  and, after a cuppa we louped intae the car and had a run to the harbour.  There was much activity at the 'arbour with both the skiffs out.... and  the Water-sports Centre getting organised, for what I imagine will have been  a busy day.   From Elie we went to

14th June 2024 (Friday)     08.00 .... I have a washing going through the machine, but I'm beginning to think it might not be the best idea I've had this morning:  there's a lot of heavy looking shower clouds around..... and thundery showers are forecast.   On a more positive note.... the clouds might be picturesque! 21.30    We had clouds in abundance.... some of them were picturesque;  unfortunately most of the ones around us brought rain in varying intensity.... mostly heavy.    It was raining when I went up to take a few photographs of Jim Robertson's bench ceremony at Toll Green. Luckily Jackie (Coulthard) was there with her brolly and she kept the rain of me.... and the camera.   I got a good selection of photographs which I will sort out tomorrow, put on a stick and deliver to Steve.  The weather was disappointing but a number of people turned up .... and we all enjoyed a cuppa goodie in the Toll Green Hall. When I got back to Ivy 'JB' was in 'full

13th June 2024 (Thursday)     09.00 .... After a good nights sleep, and long a hot shower this morning, I'm feeling almost 'playful';  and a quiet start to what is going to be (for me) a 'rest day'.   'The Team' are going to the 19th for lunch and, after the activities yesterday, wandering round to the 19th will be my exercise for today. We have a bonnie morning, though there is cloud around and 'light rain' is coming our way later.   I'm glad we got the front of Ivy emulsioned yesterday.  The rhones have to be glossed and the windows painted;  but I'll do that at a more leisurely pace. 21.30   As it was a beautiful morning, and I was feeling almost frisky, I had a short walk up to the golf course to stretch my legs.  The course is looking good and there were a few golfers enjoying it .... the balmy morning.   I photographed my way home by way of Rotten Row.   By the time I'd sorted out the photographs I'd taken it was almost time t

12th June 2024 (Wednesday)    06.30 ....  Although there's a layer of light cloud, rain isn't mentioned in the forecast, and there's only a light breeze (feels SE just now);  so it's a good day for painting.   I've been 'up' since 05.00 getting the paint, brushes, sheets etc organised and now having a cuppa before moving out to the street.   I'm feeling in the mood... and looking forward to actually using a paint brush again!.... though my main job (at first) will be stood staunin' at the bottom of the ladder.   It will be interesting to find out how I get on;  and how tired I feel at the end of the day.   23.00   I can tell you that I am really tired .... but awfie happy at the job 'JB' and I did today.   JB did most of the high work.... but I managed one bit of  ladder work.  Ivy was badly needing painted and, if the guarantee is right shouldn't need repainting for another 15 years.   By that time I'll be 101 and won't be doin

11th June 2024 (Tuesday)     08.00 .... We have a bonnie morning, but there's a cold North Westerly  wind (F3) and it feels more like winter, than ten days short of the Summer Solstice.    It will be warm in the sun when sheltered from the wind;  but not a morning for the beach.  It is a good morning for having my COVID booster;  the air should be slightly warmer in the afternoon, when John and I will be working outside. 11.30   That's COVID booster done for another 6 months;  and I think that's the quickest I have ever been.  The Waiting Room was empty apart from us two ('JB' and me) and three Nurses,.... one Nurse at the desk booking you in, and the other two Nurses at separate 'jabbing room' doors.   Actually that was the hardest bit of all;  choosing which Nurse to do the jabbing.   After a bit of mental 'eenie meenie minee mo' I went to the ...er ... unlucky Nurse, got the jab (didn't feel it), and was on the way out by my official appoint

10th June 2024 (Monday)   09.15 .... It's a bright and breezy morning with a fair number of shower clouds around;  light showers are mentioned in the weather forecast for our area.   We should see some bonnie clouds..... and hope that they deposit their innards somewhere else.   The 'plan' is to undercoat the rhone and window sills today.   I must have been really tired last night I didn't get 'up' until 07.45!   It's a long time since I slept that late!  Obviously watching someone else working can be tiring!  14.30    We've had a problem with showers today so we ended up going to B n Q's to buy the paint for the front of Ivy: the paint we bought is guaranteed for 15 years, and get my money back if I'm not satisfied!   (I can think of a slight problem with that!)   Anyway we have the paint, all we need is the weather to be less showery.   And its colder than it should be at this time of year. When we went into B n Q's this bloke came forward