Alberto's Hutte

30th November 2024 (Saturday) St Andrews Day    09.15 .... Everything is wet this morning, and the sky is mostly overcast:  but there are 'bloo' patches here and there so it's so we might have a brighter day than is forecast.  And I am feeling 'brighter eyed and bushier tailed', than I have done for the past couple of days;  in fact I'm looking forward to being a bit more active.   It's all 'go' at Ivy today!    11.45  As you can see from the  posed   ...er ...un-posed photo, we have been busy 'boys' this morning.  The Rowan tree had to be lopped;  one of the limbs was rattling on the bathroom window and roof tiles, during the last gale.   We will keep it at a more reasonable height in future.  'Blob' will miss it;  but the apple and lilac trees are still there.    That said the Rowan tree won't take long to sprout new branches! 18.30   It being reasonably warm around midday I ...

29th November 2024 (Friday)     09.30 .... It's cloudy with a damp, raw feel to the air just now;  but the weather forecast is good ....'sunny intervals with light SE winds', so we should see the sunny spells and milder air by morning coffee time.   It's going to be warm!  Right now it doesn't look promising.    (I'll have morning coffee after this update).    The 'plan' (after the early coffee) is to make up Iain's bed, then organise something for lunch.   I fancy sausages and mash!    Oops... I sneezed and my nose was cauld in bed last night.  If I was a dog I'd be healthy!   I'll have the coffee now. 22.00    Iain arrived about midday.   We had a cuppa and concocted a 'plan'.   The first part of the 'plan' (after the cuppa) was run along to Ainster Store to buy some mair adventurous food.   No goodies as Iain is on a healthy diet.   I am already ...

28th November 2024 (Thursday)    09.15 .... It's one of those bright frosty mornings that makes 'The Paddocks' housing estate - Colinsburgh. me want to go for a long walk;  I can't do that but I might go to the beach later.   This weather change has brought on another migraine, now I have to wait for the pills to kick in before doing anything exciting.   And, I have a cold coming on.  We have work vans on Ferry Road this morning, and I hear things going on up by the sub station.   This will mean a change of direction for my walk.   In the meantime I will do a wee bit of photo browsing, before morrrrrrrrrning coffee. 21.30    I have finally settled on the 13 photographs I need;  that was after I'd found a batch of  Balcarres Folders with umpteen photos of all my quiet places around the estate.   One of the folders had 237 photographs of the walk from Robin Gray's cottage all the way up to Lat...

27th November 2024 (Wednesday)     09.45 .... It's a lovely morning, with an even mix of clouds and blue bits at the moment;  and, there's a chilly breeze from the NW, but it's dry.   I had great plans for today:  a migraine wasn't one of them.   However I've had a migraine... and taken the pills, so should be back on track in an hour or so. 20.00    I had a nice walk up the Hight Street and then down onto the beach.   I found a place where I could get onto the beach, then walked about 100 metres and found another place where left the beach.  Many of the places have a drop of 18 inches or so, and I can't cope with that.   Anyway O actually walked on the sand;  the first time I have done that for a long time.   It has been a lovely day for walking, and not that cold when I was out:  in fact I sat on one of the seats for 10 minutes enjoying the warm sunshine.   I'd been working o...

26th November 2024 (Tuesday)     09.00 .... It's a lovely morning! .... at the moment the sky is Crail harbour. mostly cloudy but, thankfully,  there's hardly any wind.   Only a light breeze;  not a brilliant drying day, but good enough to dry the other huge sheet I'm going to hang out.   A light shower o' rain was passing over when I was feeding 'Blob';  but the KY 9 weather forecast is "sunny intervals with a light breeze".    Medium 'Flap On';  I have a lot that I want to do today! 20.30    Well... this has been lovely, calm ad peaceful day, and I didn't go to the beach to enjoy it all.   I got absorbed with working on the computer, and achieved a lot.   I took time out to visit Alice; and, after a cuppa and chat, we louped intae the car and went to Sainsbury's to do my wee bit shopping.   I didn't take any photographs today so today's photos will be from the ones I have been 'b...

25th November 2024 (Monday)     09.45 .... After a wild night (the East Fife Weather Station recorded a gust of 60 mph) the wind is slowly beginning to moderate:  but it's still very windy.    However it's dry and the sun is out so, apart from the wind, it's a lovely day!   A bucket had blown over somewhere, and it's innards were blowing around on Ferry Road.   I managed to pick up most of the beer cans.   Tricky blighters to catch when there's a wild wind blowing. 21.00    'Storm Bert' made 'his' presence felt doe three days;  a very naughty boy indeed.   The wind was supposed to moderate at some point but in must have been miniscule, because I went up to the golf course to catch the sunset sky and was nearly blown over.   I got a few photos but they don't really show just how bonnie the sky was.   Give 'Bert'  his due;  his parting shot was an ominous looking, but bonnie...

24th November 2024 (Sunday)    08.30 ..... the sky is mostly overcast just now, but the weather forecast is "sunny with gusty winds".... and it's much warmer; so a nice day ahead, once the sun breaks through.   It's going to be a computer day for me, doing all the stuff I need to do for Christmas.   I'll take time out for a wander when it's bright, sunny and warm.   The wind is going to freshen in the afternoon, and we're to have strong winds overnight and tomorrow.   That will dry  up yesterday's rain. 19.00    We've had a lovely as per day, weather forecast (sunny with a frisky breeze), so I went for a walk up to the golf course to see the work going on at the 3rd teeing area.   It's the first time I have walked so far since the beginning of the cold snap we've just had.   That reminds me:  I had a sensitive tooth, (activated by the cold wintry weather) that fell out when I was cleaning my teeth...

23rd November 2024 (Saturday)    08.30 .....Its a wild, wet and windy, morning;  a nice morning for visiting Alice, chomping through her homemade biscuits..... and maybe wandering round a supermarket.  The strong winds should moderate by midday, but the rain/sleet is to be with us most of the daylight hours.    Not a morning for the beach (try telling dogs that) or golf course:  but, at least the wind is slightly warmer.   A pity about the velocity of it!   And there's snow on the roofs of the houses on the Lochgelly weather cam. 19.38    'Storm Bert' has made "himself" felt today, bringing every kind of horrible weather all over the UK. The 'Amber Warnings have been downgraded to Yellow Warnings for rain and wind .... that is a step in the right direction, but  'Bert' is going to be with us for another couple of days at least.  Monday is going to be seriously windy;  that will probably be the tail end of '...

22nd November 2024 (Friday)    08.45 .... There's only a light breeze this morning and, Redshank. although frosty, there's little wind chill, so  it feels warmer.  "Sunny with a gentle breeze" is our weather for today;  it will be cool in the light breeze but, compared to the past few days, it will feel like 'summer'.    Well... maybe not quite. I'm vertical, and went been out to feed 'Blob', but he wasn't there.   Kirsty was saying that there's a Sparrow Hawk feeding around The Ferry, and they 'patrol' regular 'feeding'  routes, so 'target' birds along the route will be on the alert.  This will be a new threat for most of the village birds, but   I haven't seen the Sparrow Hawk in Ivy garden.  Of course there's less garden now that the back garden is a patio. 20.00  We've had a quiet day because of the light winds, but it is really cold tonight.   The car windscreen is already frozen, and I'm hoping...

21st November 2024 (Thursday)     09.15   It's a a nice morning;  the wind is from the West so  not as 'sharp' cold as it has been for the past couple of days.  That said, it isn't 'iggzactly' warm, but the change in wind direction is welcome.  Dogs will enjoy taking their owners out for a walk on the beach!    At the moment it's a "stay in and stay warm" day for me;  but would like to be fit enough to go to the Rockies for lunch.   This cold spell is seriously hampering my activities. 20.00    I enjoyed going to 'The Rockies' with the 'Troops', that was the highlight of the day.  The restaurant was awfie quiet;  but you read in the papers that this is what is happening to the hospitality industry.   Not only here but all over the UK.   Having said  that, Christmas is not far off, and folk have the  'Festive Season' on their minds.     I took the camer...

20th November 2024 (Wednesday)    09.00 .... We have a lovely morning, but it's much Colinsburgh Town Hall. colder,  than it was yesterday when exposed to the Northerly wind.  I'll go up to Colinsburgh (with Myra) for the Friendship Lunch, but I don't think I'll be down to the beach.  The photo of the moon was taken when waiting for the kettle to boil!  15.00    We had a lovely lunch, and chat, at the Colinsburgh Friendship Lunch.   That said when I asked  Sadie and Robbie what was happening at Kinneuchar the reply, in both cases and at the same time, was ...."nothing; nothing ever happens in Kinneuchar"!    21.00   When you first look at it the hall bit of Colinsburgh Town Hall (Built 1895) it hasn't changed: but the windows have been renewed recently, and I'm sure that the badminton lines have been painted a few r times in the last 70 years.   The biggest improvements (and changes) have been with the...

19th November 2024 (Tuesday)    08.30 .... It's a lovely morning but there's a bitterly cold Largo Law with Barnyards in the foreground. Northerly wind;  not a morning for the beach.... but dogs will love it!   I'm not exactly 'bright eyed and bushy tailed' this morning,  it's too cold for that, but I'm vertical .... and ready for breakfast.   If I go out, it will only be as far as the car, to go to the shops.  The Fife Weather cams are all showing a bonnie morning.   14.00    This is a quick update before I find something on the TV to watch.  I have been out in  the car for a run;  ended up going as far as 'The Store'  in Ainster, where I did a small shopping, then meandered  my way home  via the back roads.   It's a lovely day but very cold out in the open.  I'm ready for an afternoon nap now, so I'll  find something to watch on the tele.   I don't think I'll b...

18th November 2024 (Monday)    08.15 .... Although cold it isn't freezing cold, because I see the towels that  I left out last night are dancing around in the breeze;  in fact they look like they might be dry.   I'll have a wander up to the washing line after breakfast.   I'm feeling 'brighter eyed and bushier tailed' than I have done for the past couple of days.... I might even visit the harbour when I go for the paper.  That reminds me .... I have my prescription ready to hand in. 12.15   I went to Elie (in the car) to hand n my prescription... and forgot the paper.   Nothing new there.   Instead of going to the harbour I went out to Woodhaven Car Park for a change.   It's a bonnie, bright and breezy, but cold day.    There's a wintry feel to the wind. 20.00    At sunset time I went out to up to the golf course to catch the sunset: but changed my mind when I saw that the car roof...

17th November 2024 (Sunday)    09.00 .... I'm a great Grandad again!   Sorley John  McKinnon was born  (Inverness) this morning;  weight 8lb 7oz.  Hazel and Steven live in Inverness;  and Hazel thinks she could be home today.  More information when I get it.  I'm a happy 'Great Grand Boy' this morning!    We had a red sunrise sky this morning, in fact had I noticed it earlier I'd have tried for the beach.   After all this excitement I need my breakfast! 12.00    I went up to the golf course  for a bit of exercise but it was hard work:  Although the cold air is not agreeing with the breathing tubes I enjoyed being out.  Barbara was saying that it's going to be much colder tomorrow;  that means, if I go out, it will be in the car.   It's actually a nice day for pottering around in the garden, which is what I'll do in the afternoon. 14.15    I'm having a break from ...

16th November 2024 (Saturday)    08.30 .... It's a beautiful morning, with a frisky SW breeze.... and there's noticeable drop in the temperature.   I imagine it will be cool on the beach and golf course;  so I won't be visiting either until around midday.   The patio might be warm enough to have morning coffee, but that depends on how the wind is.   Anyway it's a lovely morning;  if it was warmer I'd seriously think about having a turn round The Ferry on the bike. 20.00    It has been a lovely, albeit cool, day;  so I had a walk to the beach about  midday.  I don't go on to the beach but today I was sorely tempted.   It's getting back up from the beach that would be the hard bit.   Anyway I found a place where my getting on and off the beach looks possible.   I might try it the next time I'm down there. The weather is forecast to turn wintry over the next few days (in fact Fife is i...

15th November 2024 (Friday)    09.00 .... Last night's fog had gone by this morning;  to give us a bright and breezy start to the weekend.   It's a mixed up kind o' mornin', but not that cold in the frisky SW wind.   In fact it could be a good drying day.... but it's a bit cloudier than I'd hoped for.  The 'plan' is to go to the shops after morning coffee:  Right now it's breakfast time. 19.30    For some reason I fancied a run in the car and ended up going to to 'The Store'  to do a weekend shopping.  Walking round the aisles gives me some exercise.   The shop was busy, but I didn't meet anyone I knew.   However I got all I needed then came home by way of the Kellie Castle and Arncroach road. I expected that the President Elect Trump (USA) would do things 'different';  but acting like the playground bully, and surrounding himself with sycophantic mates is shocking.   It must be worrisom...

14th November2024 (Thursday)    08.45 .... Everything is wet from an early morning mist, but the sun is up, and we should have nice, 'sunny spells' day ahead.   There's a light Westerly breeze but it's not cold for this time of year.... but is to turn much colder over the weekend.   'Blob' was givin' it laldie from the top o' the Rowan tree earlier;  a happy sound to start my day.   20.00    This has been a really really gorgeous, sunny and warm day.  An Indian Summer kind o' day.   I went to Methil as planned, and caught up with all the Methil news.   Actually  Methil was quiet;  except for traffic on the way home.   However I blundered my way through it all.  Alice made fish n' chips for lunch followed by a Lemon dessert.   I didn't need much for dinner in the evening;  just enough to push down the pills!   On the way home from Methil I dropped  Alice...

13th November 2024 (Wednesday)    08.45 .... We have a bonnie, peaceful morning.   There's a light SW breeze, and the sky light cloud with sunny intervals.   The forecast is "sunny with a gentle breeze".    'Blob' was twitter happily  atop the Rowan tree when I went out to feed him this morning.   I wonder if he listens to me singing(?) in the shower?   Anyway, I'm up and ready for breakfast..... and feeling almost frisky! 12.15   I've been for the paper(s) .... and came home by way of Balbuthie. That was a bit of luck... why?.... because I was able to get some photographs of a dung spreader in operation.  A much neglected camera subject I might add!    This brought to mind the 'good old days' of horse powered dung spreading.   The dung was brought to the field by horse and cart... then hauled off the back, into small heaps, at regular intervals (five Clydesdale horse steps).  ...

12th November 2024 (Tuesday)     09.30 .... There's a bit of mist with a chill in the air this morning;  a really lovely Autumn morning.    I slept 'in', and that was after having an unbroken  night's sleep.   And, this is going to be a quiet drawing day;  after I go to the shops, do a bit of 'ousework then get the pencils out.  But that's not going to happen until I've had an early morning coffee!    The forecast for KY9 today is "misty with a gentle breeze".... and ,hopefully, some sunny spells. 12.30    I've been to the shops, and.... down to the harbour, then home by way of Balbuthie and Kinneuchar.   Back at Ivy I enjoyed a fresh roll, spread with JB's blackcurrant jam.   My word that pleased the auld taste buds.   JB has an allotment at home (Heathfield) on which he has blackcurrant and red currant  bushes.  (And grows vegetables).   JB made the jam, and wr...

11th November 2024 (Monday)     Armistice Day.   ('Glenfuir' flags). 07.45     It's a lovely morning, with a red sunrise, and almost a touch of frost in the air.    The towels are on the line, I've had breakfast, and will now have another cuppa before going along to the Skeith Centre.    This will be a lazy day pottering around Ivy;  I might have morning coffee on the patio if it is sunny.... as it is forecast to be. 12.45   The mission to the Skeith Centre turned out to be a catheter change, not a trial run without the catheter as I thought it was.   It's not going as smooth as I'd hoped and have to phone the duty Chemist in the afternoon.   Not a major problem.... but a bothersome one: Which will be taken care of in the afternoon.   'Ever so slight flap on'!     We have a lovely afternoon now but it's not warm enough to have coffee on the patio; but the washing I hu...

10th November 2024 (Remembrance Sunday)    08.00 .... We have another one of those grey  uninspiring kind of mornings ... in fact, not only is it cloudy, there's drizzle too, so a dull, and damp, start to Remembrance Sunday.  Because of the weather, I'll watch the National Service of Remembrance from the Cenotaph, instead of going to our local ceremony at the War Memorial.   The Fife Weather cams are all showing grey and misty... with no promising breaks in the sky .... so far. 19.30   The Troops are on their way home.   Emily, John and Henry set off to visit friends in Kirkcaldy about 10.30.   From where they would travel to Cumbria to stay a couple of nights with John's parents before travelling home to Somerset.   'JB' left for Edinburgh on the 17.53 X61 bus, to join the London overnight coach.   He arrives in London about the same time that I'll be getting ready to go to the Skeith Centre in Ainster....

9th November 2024 (Saturday)    09.00 .... The sky was overcast and misty earlier, but we have big blue patches coming over from the West, on a light but cool WSW breeze;  the sky looks promising just now.  The forecast for KY9 is..... 'light cloud with light winds'.   It's a nice morning, but could be cool on the beach! 10.30    'The Troops' went for a walk round the village;  I'm feeling sluggish (probably after effect of the jabs) so I gave 'JB' the camera.   It's actually a nice enough mornin', but the sky hasn't cleared as much  it looked like it would, so it's a bit chilly.   The afternoon might be brighter. 14.30   The sun never made the breakthrough that I'd hoped for, so we've had a dull, rather cool day. Emily John and 'JB'  took Henry for his first visit to The Ferry beach down to the beach;  it was strange to him at first but, after he got used to the newness of it all, and a nibble or...

8th November 2024 (Friday)     08.00 ....  With the sky being overcast we have a gloomy looking morning;  but the sun is forecast to break through and we're to have 'sunny spells' by midday.   The wind is light from the SE.  Being that I'm feeling positive, and anticipating the sun breaking through, I have a washing going through the machine!    12.30     The winter booster jabs mission was an outstanding success!   I phoned Myra to let her know that 'JB' was arriving off the 10.29 X60 coach, and that I'd take my own car, and meet him at Elie.  I hung out the aforementioned washing then had another cuppa before leaving for Ainster.   I arrived there with time to spare.   The NHS bloke doing the booking came from Sunny Sussex, and, as I was the only one at the desk, we chatted for a few minutes.  The last words the bloke at the desk said to me were "mind the step".   I move...