Alberto's Hutte

11th April 2025 (Friday)    08.00 .... We have a lovely Spring morning;  there's a bit of mist just now but the sun should shift that, to leave us with a 'wall to wall' blue sky, and warm sunny day.    There's a light breeze (SW) but it shouldn't be too bothersome.   It's a good drying day for painting the gable.  20.00    This 'boy' is a tired boy after a busy day!   Derek arrived just after 09.00 and set about painting the gable.    This is the first time the gable has been painted with a roller, so Ivy Cottage has been 'rolled' into the modern world.   It's also the first time the gable wasn't painted at the crack o' dawn, in the month of June.!   I never thought I'd reach the stage when I couldn't paint Ivy Cottage myself.   That said, the gable does involve extended ladder work and I am not good with heights now.   Anyway it is done now, and I quite enjoyed watching Derek...

10th April 2025 (Thursday)     08.00 .... It's a lovely morning;  sunny with a moderate Westerly breeze.... chilly at the moment but the temperature is forecast to rise to 18C in the afternoon .... and a wall to wall blue sky.  With the change of wind direction it will be warmer on the beach... and the golf course!  I have my appointment at 09.30, other than that I haven't made a 'plan' for today, but probably I'll get the bike out in the afternoon! 08.30   I've just seen my first Swallow of the year: one Swallow does not a summer make, but it's a start! 11.00   I always go out to Woodhaven Bay when at the surgery, to get a few photos of the lighthouse etc.  I can now tell you that it is not warm out in the open, because of the wind chill:  and I did not take many photographs!     In fact I doubt if I'll be out on the bike if the wind doesn't  moderate!    The surgery mission was a complete succes...

9th April 2025 (Wednesday)     08.45 .... It's a lovely morning;  not quite a wall to wall blue sky yet Hedge covered in Ermine moth silk. (Drumeldrie). but that should come.   There is a gentle Easterly breeze, and a bit of mist and low cloud at present.   I have a downie cover to hang out, on what should be a good drying day..... low cloud, or haar.... not welcome!   Bring on the sunshine! 20.00    It has been a nice enough day. but the cloud took a long time to move away, so the sun didn't break through properly until 13.00... and there has been a chilly breeze.   I brought the washing in half an hour ago and we have a lovely evening, albeit chilly.  Tomorrow is forecast to be sunny.... but there's going to be a change of wind direction , with the wind veering to the WSW overnight. On the way to Leven this morning, I went to Colinsburgh to fuel up the car;  and found the garage busy. When I think about i...

8th April 2025 (Tuesday)     09.00 .... We had a layer of thick cloud first thing this morning, but, thankfully, is being replaced by a blue sky .... and sunshine!   There is a gentle breeze from the ENE so it won't feel nearly as cold as it did yesterday:  but.... we are not far from the North Sea and low cloud could drift in now and again.   Younger brother Derek is coming to cut in the gable today.... so it's 'big flap on' at Ivy today.  20.30   Derek  has 'cut in' ready for the roller later in the week.   I have to admit that it's slightly frustrating not being able to paint my own house gable;  but it's sort of enjoyable watching someone else do it!   I'l potter around with the wee bit at the back;  it doesn't involve ladder work. It has been another lovely sunny day;  although we did get a short spell of haar (as opposed to low cloud) coming in from the North Sea, in the middle of the a...

7th April 2025 (Monday)    08.00 .... It's sunny after an early frost, but already the temperature is above freezing, and there's only a light breeze so we should have a nice day ahead.  The intention was to go to the harbour at 07.00 but when I saw the car windscreen I changed my mind; the car windscreen was iced over, and I wasn't in a windscreen scraping the mood!   I'll get the bike out and have a run up to Chapel Green, and 'roond the Ferrie', then charge the battery;  after an early morning coffee. 15.00   Having been up to Chapel Green to discharge the bike battery, the battery is now being charged.   I might go for a slightly longer run the next time I'm out.   There was a lot of people wandering' about when I was at Chapel Green;  I thought they'd been dropped from a  'Rabbie's Tour' bus.    Actually, I've just remembered.... this is the start of the Easter holiday weeks... which explains why the v...

  6th April 2025 (Sunday)    11.30 .... No .... I didn't sleep in.... I have been a busy boy!               We have a beautiful 'play day'  morning at Elie and Earlsferry so I went for the paper(s) early (in the car) and down to the harbour;  that must have been about 07.30... and, even at that time, it wasn't cold.   That said I had my jacket on. There was activity at the harbour;  Tom was out at his creels, and David was getting ready to go out.   Not only was there human activity;  the Eider duck were courting.  Loads of 'boys' to the few 'girls' so the 'girls' could play 'hard to get'.   And there was a yacht in the harbour!  My camera clicking finger was active, and I have a load of photos to sort out..... including a few of a Shelduck, one of a pair on the harbour beach.   The other one, the 'girl', stayed out on the water.  Back at Ivy, Calumn phoned ...

5th April 2025 (Saturday)    08.45 .... There's a brisk Easterly wind and the sky is overcast and it's cauld!  The sun is trying to breakthrough, and 'sunny intervals are forecast',;  at least it will be sunny, but never very warm, especially when exposed to the wind off the North Sea.   (I have a feeling that the bike won't be out today).  At the moment I'm going to have breakfast;  I'll then do some 'ooverin' and dustin', and see what the weather is like ..... after morrrrrrrrrrrrrrrning coffee. 19.30    It has been a mostly cloudy (and cold) day;  in fact it was one of the 'stay in and stay warm' days for me.    Oh ... I went out to the garden and pottered about; including hanging out a washing;  and took a few more photos of the flowers.   But I didn't go anywhere... even in the car because of the cold air.  I have never liked East winds;  they're good for drying washing, but they al...

4th April 2025 (Friday)      08.00 .... We have another sunny Spring morning;  but there's a fresh  ENE breeze so the air is feeling much colder.   The temperature will rise as the sun rises higher, but is unlikely to feel warm out in the open.   That means it's going to feel cool on the beach and the golf course most of the day.    I'm feeling 'playful' so might get out on the bike in the afternoon. 15.30    During breakfast I made u my mind to go the 'The Store' (Ainster) and do a weekend shopping.  On the way along I noticed low cloud being blown in from the North Sea;  I shouldn't have been surprised because after a few sunny days we can get haar coming in.   Anyway since the sky has (mostly) clouded over with occasional sunny spells... and there's cold wind.   I might go out on the bike, if the sky clears, the wind drops, and the temperature rises.   At the moment it does't loo...

3rd April 2025 (Thursday)     08.30 .... Another 'wall to wall' blue sky this morning;  but, there's a cool Easterly breeze so it will feel cold on the lugs when biking!   I might go out when I get back from Leven and Methil, but it depends on how warm it is.... and how breezy!    The temperature is 8.2C just now but that's not what it will feel like on the beach! 17.00    It has been (still is) another lovely sunny day again;  sadly the onshore Easterly wind meant it was cold on the beach.    That said it is great having a few sunny days in succession:  and it's warm on the patio, which is sheltered from this wind direction. As per plan I went along to visit Alice, but we didn't do any shopping.   Instead, after a cuppa and a Canadian biscuit, we went to Methil High Street to browse the Jack Vettraino exhibition, in the 'Affordable Arts' gallery, in Methil High Street.     I was surprised at...

2nd April 2025      08.30 .... We have a, near enough wall to wall, blue sky this morning.   There's a chill in the early morning air,  but that will soon warm up once the sun is higher.    The light breeze is from the South just now but backing to the East, so it will be  sunny, but cool on the beach later.   I plan to go out on the bike after morning coffee. This is 'Liberation Day' in America according to the President of the good old US of A, and his cronies.  The 'News' should be interesting later today:  both for what POTUS comes up with, and the reaction from other countries.   I hope 'we' don't 'kow tow' to bully boy tactics because of our so 'Special Relationship. 16.30   It has been another sunny day;  I'm liking this weather!   I went out on the bike, after morning coffee, and before the wind freshened, but only up to Chapel Green and the seat at the sixth tee.   It'...

1st April 2025 (Tuesday)     09.00 ....  It's a lovely morrrrning; 'sunny with a light Easterly breeze', and  there's slight chill in the air, but it will warm up once the sun is higher.   Sunrise was at 07.44.   The cool Easterly breeze is the problem today... especially when the wind freshens. The Ferry High Street is open again and 'navigable' with care.  All the diversion signs gone.   The bloke that does the signage is an early bird that's for sure!... he arrived before the crack o' dawn.  That said dawn 'cracked' at 07.44 .... so it wasn't that early.   I've known him arrive at 05.30 to remove signage to use somewhere else:  in this case, probably between me and the Skeith Centre (Anstruther)!      20.30    I'm enjoying the sunshine;  and I went up to Chapel Green, and the pony Field on the bike.   It was really pleasant;  that was after morning coffee, and...

31st March 2025 (Monday)    07.15 .... It's cloudy just now,  but the weather forecast is good;  "sunny with a gentle breeze".   Sunrise was at 06.45 so the the sun isn't very high in the sky yet; once it's higher we will have a lovely day.   It's quiet jut now, I don't think 'Blob' has got used to the clock change yet!   I certainly know that I haven't!   Anyway I'm up,  the auld bones have clicked into into a near vertical state, so I'm ready to start my 'today'. 21.30    I think I could become used to weather like it has been today;  'sunny and warm'.   Yes I like that!   Queen bumble bees were all over the place, prospecting for nest sites.   I don't think I have ever seen so many in one day.   Where was I?    At sand dunes at the edge of Leven beach!    Leven beach is beautiful beach... and bug.  It stretches all the way to Lundin Links a...

30th March 2025 (Sunday)     09.15 .... It's a lovely Spring morning, but there's a Northwesterly wind, so it's not very warm, and there's wintry feel to the air.    It will be cool on the beach and golf course, but should turn much warmer, especially where sheltered from the wind.   Actually the wind should  begin moderating around lunch time.  At the moment it's 9.5C.... and a good drying day!    I've had my breakfast.... a cuppa is what I need now. 12.00   The clocks have all been changed, including my watch.   The watch is the trickiest to do.  After that I spent most of the morning Spring cleaning the bathroom with the Superior 'Bathroom Cleaning' stuff I bought the other week.    The air is much warmer now (13.5C).... and the wind is moderating, so we should have a very pleasant afternoon.  I'm wondering if I should get the bike out after lunch? 21.30    It has been a lovely S...

  29th March 2025     08.45 .... We could have a few sunny spells in the morning, but a freshening wind  (F 7) with rain is forecast for the afternoon, and through to Sunday morning.   The bike won't be leaving the shed until Monday!   I'll change the clocks to 'Summer' time ..... and potter around Ivy.    14.30    I'd half hoped to see the partial eclipse of the sun through the clouds, but the clouds were too thick at the time.    However I enjoyed a walk, with the Hurdy Gurdy.   Using it takes the weight of my knee .... and... I can have a seat at any time.   It's definitely beneficial as far as 'walking' goes..... it gives  me some exercise.   I remember Jimmy took a while to get round to using it;  and I am the same.   I feel that I should be able to 'walk' without it, but it makes a huge difference.   Anyway I went out at 10.45 up to the golf course then...

28th March 2025 (Friday)     09.00 .... It's a 'bright and breezy' morning, with some fluffy white clouds scuttling over, on the frisky NW wind.  That reminds me:  "Grey clouds bring rain Grandad;  fluffy white clouds bring sunshine";  stated by Emily (granddaughter) when she was nearly 4 years old!... and wanting to go for a walk.   That was after Grandad, who wasn't keen to go walking at the time, had suggested ...  "it looks like it's going to rain!".  We have it all on video tape!   However, white clouds do make an interesting sky!... and grey clouds could bring showers.   And... it's very windy so there's a bit of windchill.   I'm going to have an early 'morning coffee'.      19.30   Although it has been a mostly sunny (we had a couple of showers) day there has been a wintry feel to the air, which kept me inside most of the time.  The TV on the news channel most of the...

27th March 2025 (Thursday)    I'll begin by wishing, No 1 son, Michael, in Sunny Sussex, a "Happy Birthday"!   I hope it is sunny doon there! 09.00    We have a grey, and wet, morning in not so sunny Fife.... and it's to be thus most of the daylight hours.  (I'm hoping for sunny spells).   A perfect 'shopping day';  but not a pleasant day for the roofers working across the road, on the roof of Flat No 3.  However, even though it's wet, it's not as cold as it was yesterday. 19.30    I enjoyed shopping in the 'Cheap Shop' (Home Bargains) with Alice this morning;  Jimmy and I  did most of our shopping there, followed by morning coffee in Sainsbury's Cafe.   Alice and I would have gone to the Cafe but it was 'Closed' and became Argos.   The woman that works in there (Argos) is one of those people not suited for the job she is in.   The one time I went in I came away thinking ... "she's ...

  26th March 2025 (Wednesday)     08.15 .... The sky is overcast just now, but the cloud will  move away to give us a, "sunny with  moderate Westerly breeze" day.      It's chilly just now, but should will be warmer by morning coffee time.... but always cool out in the open.  This is going to be a rest day for me.   We have the Chancellor of the Exchequer doing her Spring 'Statement' today;  that could be interesting.   I don't suppose she'll cut MP's perquisites .... or freebies.  She could put a tax on lining material for deep pockets! 12.00    The car was pointing North so I went up Ferry Road intending to go to Elie, but changed my mind and went  to 'The Store' (Ainster), via Kinneuchar and Balbuthie for a change of scenery, and hoping to meet some Ainster fold in the shop.   I didn't see anyone I knew, so that bit was a failed mission:  however the shopping was succe...

25th March 2025 (Tuesday)     09.15 .... It's a nice morning, 'sunny with a gentle breeze (W)';  and we have some fluffy clouds that make an interesting sky.    I'm taking advantage of it being a good washing day and have a washing going through the machine just now.    At the moment the air is cool but will be warmer once the sun is higher. ... but the wind chill factor could be annoying. 20.00   What I thought was going to be a straight forward, well planned day, turned into an eventful one.  All because of a power cut.   While having my after breakfast cuppa I decided I'd go to Leven to do a shopping;.... after I'd hung out the washing.    In the meantime, while waiting for the washing to go through I'd water the tubs.   Hey;  watering the flower tubs is a good thing by the way.   It's a 'job' that I have to do..... but not when it's raining!   Anyway I set about doing that ...

24th March 2025   (Monday)    09.30 .... It's a lovely, sunny morning, with a fresh (and chilly)  From the top of Balcarres Estate. SW breeze. ... a bonnie Spring morning.    The air is colder than I'd like for biking;  but, it should be warmer in the afternoon.    In the meantime I'll get the bike out and check the tyre pressures (I might even do the car too) so that I'm ready to go, when the air does warm up.  20.00    It's been a nice day, albeit cool;  but not the kind of damp cool you get off the North Sea,   It was too breezy for me going biking so the bike never left the shed.   I checked and topped up the car tyre pressures, but will do the bike tomorrow.   The weather is going to be much as it was today .... with the same wind direction but with less velocity.   And it's to be warm.   It was warm today, as long as you were sheltered from the wind.   After...

23rd March 2025 (Sunday)    09.15 .... Although cloudy and damp after overnight rain, it's a peaceful morning.   Unfortunately there's a chilly breeze from NE, but it's actually a bonnier morning than was forecast.... we might even get a few 'sunny spells';  having said that, it's still too cold for me going out on the bike.   I'll go up to Balcarres later (in the car).   Right now I need another cuppa, before going for the paper. 12.30    I've been for the papers and, feeling brave, I went down to the harbour.   In fact it wasn't as cold down there as I'd expected it to be, but it was much busier.   I arrived there just as the skiff was being launched so that was the main subject or today.   The sun is  trying hard to break through the cloud, but so far we've only had a few short short spells of sunshine, but it's a nice enough day to be out;  much better than Friday and Saturday. 19.00...