Alberto's Hutte

31st October 2024 (Thursday)  08.15 .... There's a warm fresh wind, bringing a steady stream of clouds from the WNW, but there's no mention of precipitation in the weather forecast... and, the breaks between the clouds mean we could get decent sunny spells now and again.  I might do some light work in the garden after breakfast.   16.00     I got to thinking, when having breakfast, that I should go to Ainster Store and do the weekend shopping.   When I went out to the car a Cook Skip waggon arrived with an empty skip, to be deposited  across from The Courtyard pend.   Work must be starting soon on flat No 3 soon.   This is 'good' and 'bad' news.   The good news is that I won't have far to go to get 'action' photographs;  the bad news being  'parking' on Ferry Road.   Anyway the skip is in place: and I must admit that I am sorely tempted to dump my prunings in it.   However I won't, because there has been 'skirmishing' with people

30th October 2024 (Wednesday)     08.45 .... I've been for the paper.... and down at the harbour to catch the sunrise (07.14).   It was quiet at that time of the morning, but people were out enjoying it;  including one bloke swimming!   I met and chatted to Carol at the Toft;  from there I went to the 'paper shop'.   Back at Ivy I put on the kettle, hung out two sheets.... big ones.   In fact they are huge.   Must be King size.   Anyway, now that that's all done, I'm going to have breakfast. 20.30      The above mentioned sheets have been ironed but that was not an easy job;  I've gone off the idea of ironing them.... they are too big to manage easily now.   In future I'll just fold them neatly before hanging them in front of a radiator.   Having said that, when the time comes to iron them .... Yep, I'll do it because I'd feel guilty not doing it. There has been that much hype about the Budget that I decided to watch the it.  I wouldn't call it

'Glenfuir' - Ferry Wynd. 29th October 2024 (Tuesday)     08.00 .... We have a bonnie morning, and I am feeling in a 'working' mood.   There's a washing going through the machine just now; and we have a good drying day ahead (two in fact because tomorrow is also going to be a good drying day).   I'm a busy 'happy boy' this morning.   It being a nice, peaceful morning I'm going to have a walk to the beach, after breakfast. 20.00    I was asking the painter who is working next door, about John Syme, a painter that I worked with at Rolland Decorators (Elie).   That was a few years ago.   Anyway John is retired,  as I expected he would be, and enjoying retirement in St Andrews where he has lived for the past, oh it must be nearly 40 years now.   It has been a lovely day for painting!... and dry washing.   The thing I least like washing is the downie cover.   Actually washing it is easy;  it's ironing and folding it that's hard.   That and putting

28th October 2024 (Monday)    08.30 .... Although it's misty and gloomy looking just now, some of the Fife Weather cams are showing patches of blue;  however our weather forecast is 'light cloud with a gentle breeze (W)' and there's a chance of light rain.... not very promising.   Having said that, it's a peaceful morning, and 'Blob' was twittering atop the Rowan tree earlier;  and I'm hoping for  brighter weather to drift our way; aye, even a sunny spell or two.    I won't be doing much in the garden because everything is wet. 20.30    We ended up with a bonnie spell of weather in the middle of the day;  but it clouded over and it has been raining, although it has stopped.   The forecast for to morrow is good;  "sunny intervals with a gentle breeze from the West". I went for the paper after breakfast;  it was still grey at that time but the sky was showing signs of breaking up.   From the 'paper shop' I went to the harbour, it was

27th October 2024 (Sunday)     08.15 .... It's a bright and breezy morning, but there's a chilly This morrrrrrrning. breeze from the West;  that said, it's a grand morning for working in the garden!   Iain was 'up' before me and is working already.   I have done a bit with the secateurs';  Iain has been pruning the Rowan tree, which was starting to get out of hand.   This morning we're tidying up the prunings. 19.00    We have done a load o' work today;  yep, plural:  I was 'working' too!    Iain did much more than me, but my contribution was, by my standards, considerable..   We got rid of all the Rowan tree prunings;  actually, lopping would be more accurate, and the bathroom window (and roof) is now safe from the next gale.   The higher bits have yet to be pruned, but that will be done before Spring.   Doing all that meant we didn't go out anywhere;  but we're happy with the result, and don't have the worry of the Rowan tree branc

26th October 2024 (Saturday)    08.45 .... We have a lovely, quiet start to Saturday.   The sky is mostly cloudy and everything damp;  however, sunny intervals are forecast, with a light Westerly breeze... and it's mild, so a nice day ahead.   We might have afternoon coffee out on the patio.   We're going to Kirkcaldy in the morning. 16.30    Iain has been busy sorting out the sheds and greenhouse;  so we never went to Kirkcaldy.  While Iain has been doing all the work I have been the 'support troop';  putting on the kettle and organising food.   We had a bowl Scotch Broth for lunch....and had it outside at the patio table.  Mind you the breeze was annoying, and, by this time, cold, so we had our dessert inside. 20.00    My word;  Iain has been very busy doing all the things I used to do.   I kept making sure he didn't dehydrate by feeding him cuppas and providing food at the appropriate times.   It has been a good day for working;  dry but not hot!     We took 

25th October 2024 (Friday)    09.30 .... Some mornings are buzzin', like a wasp byke that's been Dunino to 'Johnny Paul Corner'  road given a poke wi' a stick;  but not this morning..... it's a really peaceful kind of morning.  The sky is overcast but not heavily and it looks like the sun could break through.... it will be a lovely day if it does.   'Light cloud with a gentle breeze from the East' is the KY9 forecast.  The only activity on Ferry Road was Myra going up to Elie in the car, to catch the Edinburgh bus.   And ... I haven't had breakfast!    "Flap On" now!   And so is the kettle!   13.00    With Iain coming down I though I'd better do a shopping so I went to 'The Store' (Ainster).   The 'Emergency Rations' have been topped up.... as has the food cupboard and freezer.   For a change of scenery I decided to come home by way of Dunino, then the 'Johnny Paul Corner' road to get a few autumn colour photos.

24th October 2024 (Thursday)    09.00 .... We have a lot of friendly looking clouds this morning, and I am looking forward to a day of, "sunny intervals with a gentle breeze", as is forecast.  And, I'm vertical (well nearly vertical), got my claes on, and almost ready for lunch at 'The Rockies', with the troops.   When I think about the 'sunny intervals' forecast for today; yesterday's forecast mentioned 'sunny intervals' and they were AWOL. We had a bonnie sky at sunrise time,  interesting and colourful clouds etc.  The photo was taken from the front gate;  I'd just got out of the shower, and wasn't dressed for  the beach! 19.30  The Rockies restaurant was quiet today; but there was a big funeral party in Members Clubroom so overall it was extremely busy.   Lunch was excellent with a good choice.   We all had something different for the main course, with me having 'Fish 'n chips' as per usual.  I seriously thought of havin

23rd October 2024 (Wednesday)    09.00 ....  'Blob' was twittering happily atop the Rowan tree first thing.... a nice start to what is forecast to be a bonnie day.   "Sunny intervals with a moderate SW breeze" being the forecast.  It's a quiet morning and could be warm when the sun gets going. I'm going to charge the bike battery this morning (it has to be charged now and again, even when not being used) .... and might take a turn round the Ferry, on the bike, later.   11.30   The bike battery didn't need to be charged;  but I did have short runs on the bike:  two times the length of the patio!   Had it been warmer I might have gone round 'The Ferry', but;  even though the wind is light, the air is cold, and the sunny intervals have yet to arrive.    The bike is back in the Hutte and there it shall remain until November 12th.  The plan is to go somewhere, in the car, after lunch. 16.00 It has been a disappointing kind of day as far as the weather

22nd October 2024 (Tuesday)    09.15 .... I woke up thinkin' that I'd missed the Autumn clock change at the weekend, but it's next weekend that the clocks change.  (I have been known to miss a clock change and work on Ivy Cottage time for a few days).   After a good night's rest I'm feeling 'almost playful'.... mind you, an extra hour's sleep would have been welcome. We have a lovely morning and the forecast is good;  "sunny with a fresh Southerly breeze";  an excellent drying day!    I need to go to Ainster (Skeith Centre) in the afternoon to pick up bits and pieces;  apart from that, and a run up to Elie to get a haircut appointment (and pick up a paper) I'll have another quiet day in and around Ivy.        14.00    I've been busy.   I did a washing, went for the paper (forgot the paper);  went to make an appointment to have my haircut.... and I was lucky, Lorraine  had  a space at midday so I've had my haircut.   Which is why I

21st October 2024 (Monday)     07.45 .... After a wild night we have a bright and breezy morning.  Although still windy it's only F5 - 6;  which is nothing compared to the last 14 hours or so.   "Strong winds (SW) with sunny intervals" is the weather forecast for KY9.   And there's a chance of light showers in the middle of the day.   At the moment it looks like being a computer day for me.     16.15  It's a bonnie day, but cooler than I expected;  there is a frisky breeze right enough, and it's warm sheltered from the breeze.  I lost some sleep last night with something tolling about on the patio;  not all the time but often enough or me to have a long nap after lunch!   I felt better after that;  like wide awake.  I had a cuppa then decided to go to Colinsburgh to put some fuel the car;  and have a run though Balcarres to see how the autumn colours are.    Balcarres was quiet, and the trees are looking bonnie but I really need to get on the bike to enjoy it

20th October 2024 (Sunday)    07.45 .... The sky is heavily overcast and there's a brisk SE wind It's breezy!   but it's dry just now.    Rain and strong winds are forecast.   I'll go for the paper when it's quiet;  but won't go to the harbour .... it will be too windy down there.  The wind is to freshen up to F8 - 9 by the evening, then begin to moderate from 22.00.   It's going to be a breezy old day.   I'm having another cuppa before I go for the paper. 10.45   When I went for the paper(s) the rain was intermittent so I was able to take photographs; but the wind has freshened and the rain is heavy (as per forecast) so we have a bleak kind of day now.   The rain should slacken off soon but the wind will continue to freshen.   I'm glad that I took advantage of the quieter weather! When I got back to Ivy I decided to take a walk to the beach.   Oh ... for some completely unknown reason, this morning my breathing is the best it has been for months; 

19th October 2024 (Saturday)    08.30 .... The rain has moved South, heading for 'JB' territory; Mammatus clouds - Friday evening. leaving us with a bright and sunny day .... once the sun is higher.  I'm feeling brighter too, having shaken off the cold I had.   This morning I'm going to Methil to catch up with Alice, who has been busy hanging new curtains and stuff... and I'll do a spot of top up shopping in Leven.  The Scoonie roundabout roadworks should be clear. 20.00   All is good along at Methil!   Alice's new curtains look great, and she has enough spare material to make a table cloth.   Alice is a happy girl.   After a cuppa and 'news' catch up, we went to Sainsbury's and bought some vital necessities before bumbling back to Alice's HQ. Alice lives in a quiet cul de sac and it was really quiet today.   A couple of joiners working in the empty house across the way provided the only entertainment.   Actually it was a short morning because I

18th October 2024 (Friday)    08.45 .... It's a bonnie morning, and the forecast is "sunny intervals with a moderate SSW breeze", so a nice enough day ahead,.... hopefully  warm, as it was yesterday.   There's a chance of rain later in the afternoon.  The cold I have is hanging in there, so I'm going to lie low for another day;  I have plenty to do.  Whether I actually do very much is something else.  The urge to pick up pencils and draw is on me just now, so I'll probably do that.   Drawing is relaxing. 11.30   I went up to the seat at the 17th green and I can tell you that it's warm in the sun!    I'd wrapped myself up, but, as I found out, that wasn't necessary.   I forgot this was Friday, and was happy to find that the course was busy, and colourful;  Friday is a 'girls' competition day.   I took a few photographs but had to abandon  because I was too hot.    The sky is clouding over already, which is a pity, because I thought about go

17th October 2024 (Thursday)    08.30 .... There's a few clouds around but they the friendly kind; mixed with long, and warm, sunny intervals.   A lovely day ahead.   After a good night's sleep I'm feeling 'bright eyed and bushy tailed' this morning, but I'll hang around Ivy for another day and not spread the cold around.   I might go for a run in the car, probably up to Balcarres, later.    20.00    We had a bonnie, mild today;  well until about an hour ago when the rain came on.  It's not going to last long;  just a glorified shower by Scottish standards. I didn't get up to Balcarres in the afternoon as I'd planned.   The cold has me sleeping longer than normal in the afternoons.   That said I am feeling better and hope to be back to normal tomorrow.    I washed the shower towels first thing this morning; that, and a bit of 'ooverin' and dustin' was all the 'work' I did.    Later in the morning (after morning coffee), I went fo

16th October 2024 (Wednesday)    09.00 .... The slow cooker is up tae the eyeballs wi' Scotch Broth and  'on';  and will be ready about 16.30.   I am up tae the eyeballs with a head cauld so won't be going far from the gate today.  It's a grand day for nursing the cold, and reading Graham's book "Earlsferry and Elie" a Scottish Golf Heritage, by Graham Johnston.   From what I've read so far I am amazed at the contribution made by the villages to the spread and development of golf around the UK, and the world:  especially the smaller village of Earlsferry.   That's my activities for the day mapped out!   I've had the pills now it's time for breakfast and another cuppa. 20.00   I've had a good day in the kitchen, having produced 9 ready meals (Scotch Broth) for the freezer.   It's the preparatory work and the cleaning up that takes time.   Anyway its all done now, except putting the containers into the freezer before bedtime.   B

15th October 2024 (Tuesday)    08.45....There's a lot of cloud, with a light breeze from the East at present.  "Sunny intervals" are mentioned in our weather forecast, so we can look forward to a bright but chilly day.   The Fife Weather cams show the sky clearing from the SE.   There's an old saying that I remember my Dad using .... "a clear sooth drooned the plooman";  the forecast for tomorrow is "heavy rain with a moderate breeze off the SE!    10.00 .... The sun has broken through and we can look forward to a sunny day now.   I might go down to Nana's Seat in the afternoon.... if the breeze hasn't freshened.   I'm going to have morning coffee before going up to Elie for a paper, pick up a prescription at the Chemist, then onto the surgery for a blood test.  When I think about it, I'll go to the surgery first!   I'm easily 'diverted', and would probably end up at the harbour, instead of the surgery, if I go to the shops

14th October 2024 (Monday)    08.15 ...."Sunny with a light breeze" is our weather for today! That said, there's a thin film of ice on the car windscreen;  however, once the sun is higher the air will be warm and clear the windscreen.   It's going to be a lovely autumn day.... and should be warm, especially when sheltered from the light SW breeze.  20.30     My word, this has been one beautiful, sunny and warm, day;  a string o' them would give us an Indian Summer!     I went down to Nana's Seat in the afternoon and sat and enjoyed the warm sun.   The beach was busy, with holiday makers (I think this must be half term), walking dogs, jogging.... or just walking the beach.   It was a big beach as the tide was well out.   I nearly fell asleep.   I wondered why the bay was quiet, then realised that boats had been 'craned out' at the weekend.  I only saw three boats on the Firth all the time I was down there.  About an hour. In the morning I went to Methi

13th October 2024 (Sunday)    09.30 .... It's a lovely autumn morning.... a bit chillier than I like, but a good day for doing things around the garden.   Better still... a perfect day for walking a bit of the Coastal Path.   I might do the Chapel Green bit in the afternoon.    So far I've only been as far as the gate, but having 'slept in' I'm behind schedule.  Anyway I've had breakfast;  a mug o' coffee is  what I need to get me going.   I have a washing in the machine;  it's gaun tae be cauld on the hands hanging it out! 19.15    My plan to go up to Chapel Green, in the afternoon, was abandoned when a migraine kicked in just after lunch.    I took the pills, found something to watch on the tele.  I don't often find anything worth watching but today I found a, feature length, 'Miss Marple' that I hadn't seen for a long time.   I managed to watch it until the last half hour then fell sound asleep.   Bit of a bummer, because I won't

12th October 2024 (Saturday)    08.30 .... there's a lot of cloud around with short spells of sunshine.   At the moment it's dry, but light rain is forecast, and it's cold in the fresh SW wind.   Not a morning for being exposed to the wind.    I'm going to Leven to buy light bulbs, and a few bits and pieces that I forgot yesterday..... then up to Methil to annoy Alice.    There's work going on at the Scoonie roundabout area all next week so going to Leven will be tricky.   'Slight Flap On' .... I'm showered, and vertical (wi' claes on)  .... now I need breakfast. 19.45   The 'light rain' turned into heavy rain  on my way to Leven, but, by the time I left Alice's  the sun was breaking through and we ended up with  sunny with heavy showers.   That made for some really interesting clouds so I went to the beach later in the afternoon.   It has been cold all day which, and it's going to be cold tonight;  down to nearly freezing in some pa

11th October 2024 (Friday)     09.30 .... We have a bright and breezy morning, with the chance of light rain showers.  The showers are forecast fade away to give us a cool, sunny and dry afternoon.  I feel like taking a walk to the beach but it depends on how cold the air is.  Having slept in I'm behind schedule: However I've showered and had breakfast, now I need another cuppa to get me going. 17.00    I've got my car back!    I phoned the garage this morning to see of it was done: found out that all was good, MOT and everything.  I then phoned Myra, to see if she could give me a run to the garage to pick up my car.   She could and did and I am mobile again.   I went straight  from the garage to Sainsbury's Leven to do a shopping!   Where I stocked up with food!   Even the Emergency rations were.... would you believe it.....  being rationed!   All is back to nearly normal.    With no bus service to Earlsferry now I felt 'trapped'!   Being 'trapped' in

10th October 2024 (Thursday)    09.15.... We have a lovely sunny morning, but there's a cold wind.... the garden thermometer is at 2.5C.   This is the morning that my heating boiler is being serviced and the heating has to be 'off'.   I have a coal effect electric fire in the living room and it is 'on' so I have one warm room.    I'm warm enough all over the rest of Ivy because I have a fleece on.   (Note to me;  remember to take the fleece off when going into the living room).   According to the forecast it's going to be breezy today;  'hurricane force winds (274 mph).   There's a glitch with the app.  We're actually going  to have a moderate wind from the NW.   11.30    I watched 'Threads'  last night, but it didn't have the same effect on me as the first time I saw it (1984) at the end of the Cold War.   Having said that, the nuclear bombs used  in those days tended to be bigger with destruction over a wider area.   Todays bombs a