Alberto's Hutte

31st August 2025 (Sunday)     09.00 .... The rain has moved away and we a lovely, bright and breezy,  morning, and cooler than it has been for the past few weeks;  a lovely morning for going 'out and about'.  I fancy having a short hirple round the Woodland Walk (Balcarres) in the afternoon.    Right now I need an 'early morning' coffee. 10.15   I've been doing stuff (and haven't had my 'early morning' coffee yet):  anyway, I just remembered that I am waiting for a DPD delivery today:  and I've found out that the parcel is on it's way to the Dundee Depot.   We have a'happy boy' at Ivy Cottage.   Orf to have that 'early morning' coffee at last.   Oh ... the Balcarres trip has been postponed until .... 'sometime'.   I'll get update(s) on the mobile phone, so I might have an idea when it (the DPD van is going to be in the area.   Finally .... I'm going to have the coffee;  an...

30th August 2025 (Saturday)     08.00 .... We have a lovely morning;  clouds, with sunny intervals and a fresh SW breeze.   Heavy rain is forecast for later in the afternoon, but right now it's a lovely (cooler than it has been for the past few weeks) morning, and some of the clouds look like they could produce a light shower .... but light showers aren't mentioned in the forecast.   15.45    I enjoyed my trip to Methil to 'annoy' Alice;  then, after a cuppa, we went to Sainsbury's (Leven) to do some shopping.  The shop was busy, (as were the roads);  then Alice reminded me that it was Saturday.  For some reason I had been thinking "Sunday".    I didn't linger long at Alice's today because of the expected DPD delivery.   Actually, I was back home by 13.40 and DPD hadn't been.   I put the messages away, made a cuppa, then fell asleep in front of the tele.... for almost an hour.  DPD ...

29th August 2025 (Friday)     08.45 ....  although there's a fair amount of cloud around, it's a lovely morning:  "showers (could be thundery in the afternoon) and sunny spells, with a gentle southerly breeze." is forecast for KY9.   A good 'play day' forecast.    I'm going to charge the bike battery after breakfast, and have a run up to Kinneuchar later;  depending on the frequency of the showers of course.    And how heavy!    I need a cuppa!.... before I run round wi' the hoover. 11.15     It's a lovely , warm and sunny, morning now;  there's still a slight chance of a light shower  coming over just now, but I've got the bike battery being charged  because I'm not expecting showers immediately.   That said I have a couple of  waterproof jackets over the bike just in case.    16.20   The batteries, on both 'The Buggy' and 'The Bike' are fully charged:...

28th August 2025 (Thursday)     08.30 .....  There's an interesting sky this morning, with a lot of clouds about and light showers.    The showers are to become thundery in the afternoon so we should have some really interesting clouds.   Although mostly cloudy, it's a quiet and peaceful morning, with a moderate southerly breeze and the occasional sunny spell.   11.15   It's a pleasant morning, warm (17.3C) with sunny spells... and the threat of showers.   I've been doing some catching up with the 'ousework;  annoyingly I've had a migraine  (not surprising due to the changing weather), and that will curtail my activities.   I've taken the pills, and  might go for a short walk after this update ....and another cuppa.   16.00   I went to Elie to hand in my prescription after lunch, then on to Ardross and home by way of Balbuthie and Kinneuchar.   The top photograph...

27th August 2025 (Wednesday)     09.30 .... Light rain showers are forecast later in the afternoon;  that means we could have some interesting clouds coming over.   At the moment we have a lovely morrrrrrrrrning, with an even mix of clouds and blue sky.  The breeze (moderate) is from the SE;  actually it could be a good drying day.... I'm going to do a washing:  'Flap on'. 19.00    When I took the top photo I was on my way the Nana's Seat;  but it started to spit rain so  that was as far as I got.   Anyway, I was happy with the rain; not because it stopped me from going to Nana's Seat ....   but because it was watering the flower tubs.   The rain didn't last that long but the tubs feel wet enough so I'm happy. The washing?.... I brought it in just before I set off for Nana's seat.   In fact ironing the bits and pieces that need ironing is my next job.   Actually I haven't ...

26th August 2025 (Tuesday)     08.30 .... After some light rain overnight, and there's a chance of more spells light rain spells to come.   However the sky is brightening up and we should have sunny spells .... with light rain now and again.   Actually, there's shortage of water after the dry weather we've had over the past few months, so a spell of wet weather wouldn't go amiss. 19.30    My word;  at 27.6C I think this has been the hottest day yet on the patio.  I wasn't out 'enjoying' it;   oh no... 'The Boy' was sound asleep in front of the TV.    Alice and I did some shopping in the morning, as per plan, but, by the time we left Sainsbury's (around 11.45) the heat was already building, and I was struggling.   However we went back to HQ and had a cheese roll salad, followed by plum crumble.   That reminds me;  I found a container full of Victoria plums  at the back door half an ...

25th August 2025 (Monday)     08.45 ..... It's a beautiful 'sunny and already warm morning' Park Place - Elie here  in KY9;  and it's going to be hot in the middle of the day.   There is a light breeze from the southerly direction, but I suspect that it could be uncomfortably hot for 'mature' people.  Me? ..... I'm waiting for the bin men emptying the 'broon' bin .... so that I can get rid of more weeds. 19.45    It has been a nice, warm and sunny day;  a little bit too hot in the afternoon (26.8C) for me. It's 22.7 just now... and I've just had a cuppa at the patio table.   It really is a lovely evening;  I might take a short walk up the road after this update.     I had a good work session in the morning, after the bin men had been.   All the pruning that Iain did has been cut to size, and put intae the broon bin ....  and I did a bit more pruning to the ivy.   This was going...

24th August 2025 (Sunday)     12.00.... We've been working, dismantling a chair that I've been wanting rid of for a while.... aye, even i helped in a quiet sort of way.  I supplied the tea.   Anyway, the work is done and Iain away for a walk along the bents looking for butterflies;  I have got the buggy battery 'on charge',  and i/c at Ivy.   It's a beautiful, warm and sunny day, in fact it will probably be too hot for me in the afternoon.    Iain is setting off for Aberdeen at 15.00 (to meet Catriona at Aberdeen Station);  I'll have a quick tidy up.... then switch into 'rest mode'.   21.30    Iain did a load of work in the garden clearing the steps etc of weeds:  and I am going to try to keep them clear.   I must admit that I have been struggling with the weeds this summer.  Pull a weed a day and keep the weeds at bay!   We'll see how that goes. It's awfie hot and humid j...

23rd August 2025 (Saturday)    12.00.... I'm ate doing 'The Hutte' because we've been up to Chapel Green on 'The Buggy' .... and over 'the Green' to Maggie's seat.   I was surprised to see how small the buggy looks with someone on it.   When on 'the buggy' it feels huge.   Anyway Iain went up to Chapel Green and went on to the Green at the place I had looked at the other day.  There are no problems going on to' and coming 'off' the Green.  I went up to Chapel Green immediately after Iain ....and across to Maggie's seat.    We're going up there (Chapel Green)  in the afternoon:  Iain is going to look for insects; including the Wall Brown butterfly.    I'll stay at Maggie's Seat and have afternoon coffee. Iain has been working in the garden (there's much to be done) and I am going to put some of the weeds in the 'broon' bucket.  It (the 'broon' bin') goes out to be emptied, on Monday morning....

21st August 2025 (Friday)    09.30 .... there's a slight change with the weather;  we have an overcast sky with occasional light showers this morning.   However it should have sunny spells in the afternoon.   WE were contemplating going to Gillingshill but the rain has put that plan is, temporarily, on the 'back burner'   We were going look  for butterfly's, but we need sunshine for them to be active.    In the meantime I'm going to put the kettle on. 19.00    Iain, er ..we've''' been busy today.   In the morning we went to B n Q's (Leven) to get bits to finish of the scooter shed.   In the afternoon we went to Gillingshill and  'Then Store' (Ainster) to do some shopping.   Iain finished off the scooter shed, and had lunch in between runs out in the car. We were looking forward to visiting Gillingshill  because a Wall Brown butterfly has been seen there, but when we got there w...

21st August 2025 (Thursday)     08.00 .... It's a nice, peaceful morning, with a mix of light cloud and blue sky at present.   There's a cool, ESE breeze just now;  however if the sun burns the cloud off, it could be pleasantly warm in the afternoon.   Must go .... 'slight flap on' this morning;  got Iain's bed to make up.   18.45     Iain expects to arrive at Ivy about 20.00;  and he has a bed to flop into.   Actually, I've had a busy day, and will be glad to 'flop' imtae my bed tonight.   I haven't been anywhere today:luckily Kirsty came in with a couple of books so we had a good old natter'.   We restart our monthly 'Team Lunch' in September, having had a break of two month's during the busy holiday season.    22.45   Iain arrived at 19.50 and we've been fed, had cuppas, sorted out the Planet;  and now we're tired after all that.   All is good u...

20th August 2025 (Wednesday)     08.15 .... The Fife Weather cams are all showing an overcast sky;  the Lochgelly cam has some promising breaks in the cloud, but the wind is from the East so those breaks are never going to come our way.   We are relying on the sun burning off the cloud.... which it should do soon.  'Sunny intervals with a moderate breeze' is the forecast for today.   I'm feeling 'brighter eyed and bushier tailed' this morning;  which is good because I have things to do before Iain arrives tomorrow. 12.15    The sky is slowly brightening up, with big patches of blue sky to the West of us;  Methil for instance!   We'll have blue sky soon.   I forgot to tell you about the pillow case ironing!   As usual I read a bit of my bedtime book, then put the light out at 23.45.   I woke up at 01. 05, had a 'comfort break' and back to bed.   I then woke up at 02;11 and ...

  19th August 2025 (Tuesday)    09.45 .... I must have been really tired last night;  I didn't wake up until 08.25.    I feel perkier, almost playful in fact, but this is going to be a 'rest day'.    It's a nice morning albeit cloudy with a cool ENE breeze.  It might not be hot in the afternoon... not as hot as recent afternoon's have been anyway.   Havin' said that;  if the sun burns the cloud off, I suspect that it well be hot on the patio..... the sky looks like it's brightening up. 19.30    With the wind being from the North east there has been a noticeable drop in temperature.   That said it the patio thermometer got up to 20.4C  in the afternoon.   But that is sheltered from most winds.... due North being the direction that gets right in to it. I've been feeling lethargic all day;  sort of chasing my own tail most of the time.   I made 'sausages and mash' one of my favour...

18th August 2025 (Monday)    08.00 .... It's hard to believe but it's 16 years ago, on this date,  that  Maggie died.    I'm still blundering around:  she is still 'The Boss'... and I still try to iron everything the way she did it;  aye, even the downie covers. We have a nice, quiet  morning at Elie and Earlsferry;  there's light cloud  off the North Sea  just now, but that could burn off, to give us sunny spells in the afternoon. 19.30   Methil was basking in sunshine when I got there this morning, and was sunny and warm all the time I was there.  After our morning cuppa,  Alice and I went to Sainsbury's to do the shopping.   By Sainsbury's standards the shop was quieter than usual.   We met Honor and Jock on the way round, and caught up with the 'News' from the Elie end of 'Elie and Earlsferry (Royal burgh of).   All is good at Stenton Row.   We chatted for a few m...

17th August 2025 (Sunday)     11.30 .... I went up to Elie, on 'The buggy' to get the paper, and chatted to Cath before going down to the Toft;  I wanted to find out how the buggy coped with the Toft hill, coming up from the harbour.   I didn't go to the harbour, because of the sand just beyond the Ship Inn.   Anyway I took a few photos from the Toft then bumbled up the hill 'nae bother'.   I wouldn't say it was fast coming up the hill but it coped with it.   I'm now thinking of the hill at Kinneuchar manse;  that's probably the steepest hill I'll have to cope with.    I think Balcarres would be a step too far. 20.00    It has been another lovely, sunny and warm, day.   the temperature got up to 24.1C on the patio thermometer.   I had afternoon coffee outside but it was really too hot. My run out on the scooter went well, but the streets between Earlsferry and Elie are no not Mobili...

1 6th August 2025 (Saturday)     09.30 .... Cloud has drifted in from the North Sea overnight;  but  the cloud should burn off to give us sunny spells .... and another warm day.    It's 18C just now.   There's only a light breeze off the East so, although nice enough, it's lacking 'fresh air'.   I have only been as far as the patio, but might venture a wee bit further after morning coffee. 12.15    The wind (Easterly) has freshened a wee bit, so there's a fresher feel to the air.   I haven't done very much, other than hang out a washing;  taking advantage of a perfect drying day.    I'm hungry and ready for a 'lite bite' lunch. 21.00    The temperature on the patio thermometer reached 24C this afternoon, not quite as warm as yesterday but still too hot for me being active.   Anyway I stayed in and, the doorbell rang!.... to my surprise, there, 'stood staunin' on the doorstep wa...

15th August 2025    .... 80th Anniversary of VJ Day. There's still a bit of cloud around this morning, with a 'low chance of precipitation';  but 'sunny intervals' are forecast to arrive soon.  The thunder has left us with a fresher feel to the air, so it might not be oppressively 'hot' in the afternoon.    I don't have any 'plan' for today;  in fact I think a relaxing 'rest day' wouldn't go amiss.   I might have a daunder up to the seat at the 17th, later in the morning, and get some 'golf'action' shots. 20.30    I've had the relaxing day that I wanted;  the only 'work' I did was wash the downie cover and a couple of towels.   That didn't involve much effort but it means I can make up the wee bed for Iain who's coming down in the next couple of weeks.    I watched the Service, from the Arboretum in Shropshire, to mark the 80th Anniversary of 'VJ' day.   The most poignant moment for me was the w...

  14th August 2025 (Thursday)    08.00 .... There's a bit of mist just now, but that will burn off, to  give us another 'sunny, warm  and humid day' ..... with a chance of showers, perhaps thundery in the afternoon.   I slept well last night with only one break because of the heat, during which I read a my book.   I then slept through until 07.00.    I'm going to visit Alice, then go shopping in Leven, this morning.    A light 'flap on' now;  got the car windscreen washer thing to top up.  09.00    Squirters topped up, pills taken;  time for another cuppa before going to Methil. It's a lovely morning, with a nice fresh breeze at the moment.   The thermometer is at 17.5C.   Off to make that cuppa. 16.00    Michael phoned to tell be that it's the Eastbourne Air Show this weekend (4 days including today).   Anyway I have just watched the Red Arrows live on You ...

13th August 2025 (Wednesday)    08.45 .... I decided to get 'up' and out (in the car) before 06.00 this morning, to go to the harbour and get a few early morning photographs before it becomes too hot and humid.   There is a touch of 'autumnal mists' this morning, not unexpected at this time of the year..   What I wanted was reflections;  and, with hardly any breeze, the tide in, and calm water ....  I got reflections.   There was another surprise;  'His Nibs' (heron) posing on Apple Rock.   It was a good morrrrrrrrning for the camera.     20.30    This has been the hottest day so far, 28.3C on the patio thermometer.   The patio is a suntrap but it was unbearable in the middle of the afternoon.   I went out to check the thermometer, because it was warn even inside.   I'd left the back door open so the heat was coming in!    I've been tidying up outside (in th...