Alberto's Hutte

30th September 2024 (Monday)    08.30 .... it's cloudy, with light rain coming in from the North Sea, so not a pretty start to Monday;  but the sky shows the promise of a multitude of sunny spells to come!  Until the sun breaks through I'll work on the computer!    Right now I'm ready for breakfast. 17.00    I wouldn't say that we've had a multitude of sunny spells; we had one, but it wasn't long enough to call it a 'spell'.   However I have been busy on the computer .... and I'm happy with progress.  After lunch I began to watch something on the tele and fell asleep for an hour and a bit.   Can't even remember what I sat down to watch!   When I eventually surfaced, I had a cup o' coffee then went for a short wander up to the golf course then home by way of Rotten Row and the Ferry Corner.  It  really was a short walk.   I don't like East winds.   Anyway I enjoyed my short walk, mainly because I met Marcia and Marie coming out of Earlsfe

29th September 2024 (Sunday)     09.45 .... It's a quiet morrrrrrrning.... apart from 'Blob' Drumeldrie. warbling away in the Rowan tree;  he's a bonnie whistler.   We have "light cloud with a gentle breeze" so pleasant enough to be out.   I'm hoping for a sunny spell or two, but they're not mentioned in our weather forecast.   Actually the breeze is backing to the ESE so we'll probably have 'light cloud' for most of the day. Iain is out doing something in the garden;  my job id making mince n' tautties for lunch .... and Cottage Pie ready meals.   20.00    Iain and I have had a productive day;  Iain working in the garden and planning converting the wee shed for keeping a Mobility scooter in..... and me working in the kitchen producing a succession  cuppas....  and doing the mince n' tautties.   I got our lunch and 5 ready meals for the freezer.  That was from 1.5kg of mince and loads o' mixed vegetables.  I am well shattered

28th September 2024 (Saturday)    08.45 .... There's a fair amount of cloud around but it's a bonnie, albeit chilly, autumnal morning..... and it's dry,    The plan is to go to Kirkcaldy.... but I need to have breakfast, and get myself into gear before we do that.   Iain was up before me and has had his breakfast, so I'd better get a move on.     21.00    We've had a busy day!    Iain tidied up some of the garden  while I was having breakfast and getting myself organised.   After I was 'in gear' we had a cuppa then went to Kirkcaldy to have a look at Mobility scooters.   The scooter will replace the bike, not the car!    Because the scooter means less in the way of exercise Iain has ordered a set of exercise pedals that I can crank while working on the computer or watching the TV.  This will eliminate any problems that a bike seat can cause;  and they can be many (for both boys and girls).   Although I have  a recommended type of seat, we have reached the

27th September 2024 (Friday)    09.15 .... There's still a cool Northerly breeze, but the wind has moderated  so there's less wind chill;  a grand drying day.    That reminds me the washing will be ready to hang out.... back in 10 minutes.    (09.30)   Hanging out the washing was chilly on the haunds.... but it's done and it's a good drying day so I'm happy.  Now what's next?   Oh aye ....I'll have a fresh cuppa, then sort out the bedroom. 23.15    Iain arrived just after 17.00:  we had a cuppa then went to 'Ainster Store' to get some vital necessities ... such as milk, bread and vital foodstuff.   We were half way to Pittenweem when I remembered that we hadn't bought bread.    However we had plenty milk and some food (ready meals);  plus a top for the 'Emergency Ration' tins!    Can't forget the 'Emergency Rations.  The plan for tomorrow is to go to Kirkcaldy to have a look at Mobility Scooters, and do a good stock up shopping f

26th September 2024 (Thursday)     08.30 .... There's a brisk Easterly wind bringing a lot of Ferry Road .... the beginning of an 11,000 mile journey. clouds in from the North Sea, with spells of light rain now and again.   At times the clouds are well broken up, and promising 'sunny spells';   we could have a bright(ish) and breezy afternoon.   I've had breakfast and will now have a mug o' coffee make me feel more energetic.   The damp weather is making me feel 'hippit'. 10.30    Ian set off for Edinburgh at about 09.30 where he will hand back the hired car stay in the City for the night then set off for home tomorrow.    I wandered along to 'The Stables' to see him set off and say "Cheerio".   He had some food that he wanted me to have so drove me home to Ivy before setting off, up Ferry Road, on a journey of 11.000 miles or so.   It was apt that he should leave Elie and Earlsferry via Ferry Road, because there's something aboot &quo

25th September 2024 (Wednesday)     08.15 .... We have a lovely sunny morning . but it 's chilly,  with a  touch of frost of the car windscreen.    There's a light WNW breeze just now but it is going to veer ENE by morrrrrrrrrrrrning coffee time.   It is not going to be warm, but at least it will be dry.    'Blob' has had his breakfast.... and so have I;  it's now time for a a mug o' strong coffee to get me fired up this cool morning.   The garage didn't manage to pick up the car yesterday (they were busty shifting things about) so I'll phone Ryan, after 09.00, to see what the plan is for today.   09.30    The car is being picked up today:  so I should have get it back on Friday.   In the meantime I'm going to have that mug o' coffee, mentioned above. 11.00   Suddenly we have much activity on Ferry Road.   The activity explains why we got those 'How to prepare for a Power Cut leaflets;  they have a problem with a cable at the Ferry Road sub

24th September 2024 (Tuesday)    08.00 .... The sky is definitely showing promising signs this morning;  we have lighter cloud with small blue patches here and there!     I'm thinkin' sunny spells!   The forecast is "Light rain with a moderate breeze (N)";  and it will feel cold for the time of year.   I don't think I'll be wandering far this morning.   The heating is set at Double 'R' (18C)... and the computer fired up.    Off to have breakfast.... and a mug o' coffee.    16.30   Ian phoned suggest we have a walk up the Ferry High Street this morning.... and that is what we did, after a morning cuppa as a shower o' rain and Ian arrived at Ivy Cottage at the same time..  Eventually the rain relented and we set off.... and got to the Ferry Corner where we had a look at just how wide the East end of the Ferry High Street would have been prior to 1947, before the bottom house on Ferry Road, and two on the High Street were demolished.   We then st

23rd September 2024 (Monday)     09.00 .... The sky is heavily overcast  just now, but our weather forecast is "light cloud with la light wind (NE)" .... and there's the chance of sunny spells later.   At the moment it's quiet and peaceful;  well it was until I fed 'Blob'.... then the Jackdaws arrived.   They seem to have perfected a lookout system that covers a wide area.    I chase them off but they don't stay away for long.   Anyway 'Blob' has had his breakfast.    And the Jackdaws are back hoovering up.           I'm feeling in a productive mood..... I'll make a another cuppa then consider going for a short walk. 18.00    Although the sky was overcast, it was quite warm when I went down to Nana's Seat, a quiet thinking place!   The beach was much busier than I thought it would be.   The villages are definitely busier than they used to be: which is a good thing for the shops etc..... and for folk looking for conversation!   It was p

  22nd September 2024 (Sunday)    09.00 .... The sky is heavily overcast but it's dry;  that said there is the Female Demoiselle - Uckfield Sussex. chance of drizzle now and again.   The sky does have a slightly healthier look to it and I could imaging a few sunny spells later in the afternoon.   Then again I have a lively imagination!                              Anyway I've been for the paper, in the car, and planned to visit Alice but the car won't start now.   It's going for it's MOT on Tuesday so I'll phone Mercury tomorrow and they can sort it.   I'm with the RAC and their mechanic started it the last time this happened (it's not the battery or starting motor), and advised me to take it to the garage, which I did and it has been fine ever since.   Enough of the car problems; they will be fixed this week.    In the meantime I'm going to have a Cappuccino to calm the nerves. 11.00    Ten times round the patio with the hurdy gurdy = 411  steps; 

21st September 2024 (Saturday)    09.15 .... It is not a pretty morning.   The scenery is just as bonnie as ever, but the sky is overcast and the drizzle is much heavier than it was yesterday at this time.   Anyway I've been for the paper and had a run to the harbour.    Funnily enough, in spite of the drizzle it isn't cold:  that said it isn't a pleasant morning to be out.   All the Fife Weather cams are showing overcast skies, with no promising signs.  Hopefully the drizzle will fade away by lunchtime like it did yesterday.    Sunny spells?..... I'm always hopeful, but I won't be looking for the sun cream.   This is going to be a computer and old postcards day! 20.30    This has been a funny old day:  I ended up cleaning and tidying the kitchen... a job that never featured in today's plan.   In fact it rarely features in any 'plan'.   Anyway for some strange it all began when I sorted out the fridge magnets.    By the time I'd done the kitchen the

20th September 2024 (Friday)    08.30 .... All the Fife weather cams are showing low cloud with drizzle, but the sky should lighten up a bit and the drizzle fade away; the forecast is light cloud with a moderate ENE breeze.   Not a play day just now, but I'm feeling positive and thinkin'  of "sunny spells" later;  though the West is the place to be today.  Perth.... West Australia comes to mind! 12.00   The drizzle has stopped and there are brighter patches starting to appear in the sky; hopefully the sun will break through to give us some sunny spells. Jimmy (Jems) was right re the 'hurdy gurdy';  it takes the strain off the knee.... and the seat is useful.   I had a short sortie up to the phone box, and might have a longer 'walk' after lunch, even though it isn't a 'play' day.   15.30    I didn't go out again with the hurdy gurdy;  the sunny spells that I was looking or never came so I did some 'ousework, including a washing that

19th September 2024 (Thursday)    08.15 .... Hmmmm .... it' s cloudy with a cold wind this  morning, but the weather forecast is reasonable;  "sunny intervals with an Easterly breeze".    It will be cool on the beach, or anywhere exposed to the wind.  I'm going to visit Alice and will be warm in the car!    We're going to visit one of Alice's friends who is in the Scoonie Care Home and care homes are always warm.  This is going to be a 'rest' day. 21.00     We had a lovely day after the sun broke through;  it was sunny and warm as long as you were out of the NE  wind. As planned I went to Methil to visit Alice, had a a bit of Fruit Loaf that Alice had baked.  Alice is a goof baker but, like most bakers is always critical of her own baking.  Anyway the Fruit Loaf is very tasty.... and will disappear rapidly! Having had our cuppa and scoffed a bit of Fruit Loaf, we then went to visit Irene in the Care Home before lunchtime.   Irene is a lovely lady, wi

18th September 2024 (Wednesday)     09.00 .... We have another lovely, warm  sunny morning; Partial eclipse maximum at 03.44. there's only a smirr o' a breeze at the moment but the wind is to freshen and back to the SE, so it won't be quite as warm as it was yesterday.   With the wind changing direction we might get haar coming in off the sea in the afternoon.    This is going to be a rest day for me;  I was 'up' at 03.15 to see the partial eclipse, so I'm going to relax and enjoy the sunshine.  It's the Colinsburgh Friendship Lunch today, and Myra is picking me up at 12.15. I don't have to bother much about food;  a sandwich or something like that for dinner.  20.30    With the breeze coming off the North Sea it has been cooler today;  that said it was hot when sheltered from the breeze.   Myra picked e up at 12.15 as planned  and we had a quiet run up to Colinsburgh, arriving with time to spare.   There was a good turnout for lunch (William 'T'

17th September 2024 (Tuesday)     08.30 .... The thermometer is at 12C.... and and is forecast to Oops ... er... tea break time! hit 20C in the afternoon.    I am feeling in a 'working' mood so I'll finish the shed today it need two coats.... and have daunder to the beach between coats.   It's a perfect morning for doing things.... including having morning coffee outside.  It's a 'Flap On' morning!    20.30    My word.... I almost had to unearth the sun cream this afternoon!   The temperature reached 22C (shade) so it has been a really lovely day;  and I have busy.   Actually 'busy' maybe isn't the word.... although I did 'work' now and again.....intermittently, a bit like the sunny spells we sometimes get!   Anyway I pottered around with the shed most of the day, and enjoyed sitting outside having my cuppas.   Having looked at the 'action' shots I took today, I see that the cup figures in most of them!    It's the 'Harve

16th September 2024 (Monday)     09.00 .... Ferry Road was really quiet when I went out this morning;  Nothing;  no cars, joggers, dog walkers.   The only noise was 'Blob' twittering away on top of the Rowan tree.   We have a new robin, more than likely one of the previous Blob's brood from the summer.   Robin's only live for 2 -3 years in the wild and the last one was with us for 5 years at least.  Then again he/she wisnae very 'wild'!   The 'new' Blob' is already settling down... and claiming most of this end of Earlsferry! 20.30    I wouldn't say that I've been busy today, but I certainly have enjoyed the warm sunshine.   Bob (Ann's Personal Assistant) and I sat and chatted  round the back (patio).   I should have made us coffee but but Bob was busy telling me how he couldn't hang around as he had to make Ann's lunch.   He spoils that girl!    I went up to the Pony Field for my morning daunder .... so a change of scenery for t

15th September 2024 (Sunday)    08.30 .... We have a bonnie, fresh morning.   There's a lot of Skiff 'Sea Queen'. cloud about just now (in fact it looks like it could rain), but the KY9 forecast is "sunny intervals with a moderate SW breeze".  I have a washing going through the machine so it won't rain!    19.30    The showers missed us and the washing dried  so I'm happy.  I went for the paper after breakfast (and after hanging out the washing) and had a trip to the harbour.   I don't know what was 'on' last night but the Toft, and the harbour Car Park, were almost choc a bloc with cars this morrrrrrrrrning.   The skiffs were going out, and Tom was out at his creels but apart from that the water was quiet.    The skiffs always look good on the water;  they were a wee bit distant from me at the harbour:  I'd have been better down on the bents, but I am happy with what I got. I remembered to stop at the 'Paper Shop' on the way to th

14th September 2024 (Saturday)     10.00 .... I was hoping for mair blue in the sky this morning, Former Williamsburgh School. but at the moment we have cloud with occasional spells of drizzle..... but, the sun is trying hard to break through so we should have sunny spells later.... and it's warmer!  It's a pleasant enough morning, but I don't think the shed will get much attention today (chance of showers).   I'm going for a short walk after morrrrrrning coffee;  it will probably be the beach again, because there could be an interesting sky.   20.30    This has been a strange day:  the sun broke through a couple of times but not for long.   I ended up pottering around Ivy.... mostly getting stuff ready for drawing, watching some TV and working in the kitchen.   I never went for a walk;  for some reason I fancied sausages and mash and set about making that.   I had a bag o' those wee tautties and they are fiddly to scrape and pick the eyes out of.  That took almost

13th September 2024 (Friday)     08.15 .... It's a beautiful morning, sunny with only a light breeze.  The garden thermometer is at 5C.   A bonnie morning for doing the Coastal Path.... or painting a shed!    I have only been as far as the gate (bringing in the bucket), but the NW breeze is cool, so the shed painting will happen when the temperature is..... at 24C!   20.30    Although a nice enough day, the temperature didn't quite get up to 24C .... so the shed only got one coat before the clouds had a threatening look about them, and I put the paint away.   I don't think we had any showers.... at least not when I was out.  After lunch I went for a wander to the beach.   This is becoming a habit, so I might try a change in direction  tomorrow;  and that would give us a change of scenery.   That's one thing about living where we do, there's always bonnie scenery .... in every direction. Anyway I like sitting on the seats and.... and enjoy being in such a peaceful a

12th September 2024 (Thursday)    08.15 ..... at the moment the sky is mostly cloudy, but the weather forecast is .... "sunny intervals with a moderate Northwesterly breeze".... and it's going to be cold for this time of year.    I intend finishing painting the shed today, but.... only if it's warm!   I'll have a walk to  the beach after breakfast then think about painting.    This cold weather has me sharpening pencils and contemplating winter activities.  I have one drawing to do for my 'Kinneuchar Kirk Project';  the pre Reformation church that was demolished to make way for the present building.   This will be based on the drawings/sketches by the Rev Sime of Edinburgh. 12.00    I've been for my walk (beach) and got a batch of photos to play with later.    Alistair (Graham) came along walking the dog, and with his camera, so we chatted for a while.   I should have asked Alistair the dog's name, but I didn't, so she will hereafter be 't

11th September 2024 (Wednesday)    09.00 .... It's a lovely morning, but there's a chilly air:  'sunny intervals with a moderate breeze' is the forecast, with a chance of light showers.   I might get the south side of the shed painted today;  it should be warm, once the sun is higher, and sheltered from the wind.   The temperature (out in the open) is going to be disappointing for this time of year! 21.00    A couple doing the Coastal Walk to Leven.   It has been a brilliant day for doing the 'Walk', and a lot of people were taking advantage of the sunny day.   There was a cold Northwesterly so jackets were necessary at times.   I contemplated doing the south side of the shed but it was too cold.... so I did the ironing.  Much warmer! After lunch I went up to visit Brian, Moira and Morven (my Secretary) at Erncroach.  I found out that Kate (Bousie) is in in the Scoonie Care Home.... the same one as Alice's friend Christina!     Kate used to work at the '

10th September 2024 (Tuesday)    08.15 .... There's a load o' fresh air around this 'bright and breezy' autumnal  morning, but the rain has cleared away.  The wind should freshen in the morning then moderate in the afternoon;  a good drying day, but a bit breezy for morning coffee outside.   Anyway I need to go to Leven first thing, but apart for that, this is going to be a 'rest day'. 19.00    It has been a beautiful day;  a bit breezy perhaps, but that made it a brilliant drying day.   I did a washing. My trip to Leven was a success (I got all the bits and pieces I wanted).... and had morrrrrrning coffee with Alice.    Back at Ivy I did the aforementioned washing then had a 'lite bite' lunch.   I intended doing some work on the wee shed, but fell asleep.   I must have been tired because I slept for over an hour.  I wasn't in ta working mood  when I woke up; so I had a cuppa then went for a walk to the beach. The beach was busy which was a surpris