Overcast but dry ....

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 pleasant sitting 'browsing' the activity on the beach, but I decided to wander along to Siward Lane and back to Ivy via Rotten Row.  

I was crossing the road towards the 'Old Dairy' when I saw someone that made me think of Ian (my friend from Australia) who is over on holiday.... and somewhere up North I imagined.   I looked again and saw that it WAS Ian;  my word that was a surprise.... and a very pleasant one!    We went up to Ivy where Ian told me all about his holiday:  it was brilliant because 20 odd years or so ago Maggie and I roamed those very same roads that Ian had been on.   They were much quieter then!   Ian has booked in at an Air B n B in Liberty so that he can spend three days unwinding in his favourite place in Bonnie Scotland;  Elie and Earlsferry.

After catching up with Ian'  Highland wanderings, we decided to go to 'The Pav'  for a bite to eat, before going for a tour round the villages in Ian's car, as Ian didn't actually get into his  B 'n B until 14.00..... where we arrived about 14.15.   Ian eventually found his flat and I left to settle  in while I wandered back to Ivy Cottage.

20.30   The car?   It's being picked up by Mercury tomorrow morning to be repaired.   It can't go for it's MOT until it has been fixed.  I'm hoping to get it back on Thursday.

Ian is an author and is spending some time tomorrow writing up his holiday notes;  his next book will be about his journey to, and holiday in Bonnie Scotland this time on his own as Margery (his wife) died a year ago.   They were married for 65 years!.... and travelled together.   He was saying that doing this on his own has been hard at times.   This reminded me of the time I was staying up at Auchnagatt with Iain and Jackie.  This was a year after Maggie died.  Anyway I decided to visit Crathes Castle (Jackie and Iain were working;  the girls were at school/College) on my own.   I photographed my way round Crathes gardens, then went for lunch in the

restaurant.    I ordered Fish and Chips, found a table and settled down.  The lassie brought my fish n chips, and I got stuck in.   After a few minutes I had a break from eating and looked around: I was the only singleton in the whole restaurant.    Suddenly I knew what being 'alone', (as opposed to 'lonely'), really meant!   I'd been on my own for a year but never as 'alone' as I was at that minute.  I got a grip o' masel, imagined what 'The Boss' would say.... and enjoyed the rest of lunch.  I ordered a sweet!   We always had dessert when we were out!   It's a tricky business being a singleton!

While all this has been happening at this end, Alice has had a sad day attending the funeral service of her youngest sister.  My thoughts are with Alice and the whole family at this time.  Alice's family have always been close, and she will have many memories of happier times.   Alice is a positive thinker and will do what she always does;  helping, and cheering up others.  

22.30    Well this has been a busy day and one of mixed emotions.   Tomorrow I'll get the car off to the garage, and  hopefully see Ian at some point.    Right now it's bedtime.