Alberto's Hutte

21st December 2025 (Sunday)      Winter Solstice .   Spring is  round the corner;  It could be  a long corner!   Anyway this is the shortest day;  in between the two longest nights! 08.00 .... We've had some light rain overnight;  and 'light rain with a Easterly breeze of the North Sea' is the weather forecast for us today.   At the moment it's a quiet start to Sunday,    Any 'plans' will depend on how the weather develops. 13.00    The weather has deteriorated and we now have a bank of low cloud and dampness that has drifted in from the North Sea.   I decided to go to Leven to deliver cards to Janet (sister);  at that time 09.00 we had a promising sky.    However that has all gone and we now have a grey,,damp Sunday afternoon. When in Leven I went to Sainsbury's to do some shopping.   I got a few 'bits and pieces', but nothing that would excite the auld taste bu...

20th December 2025 (Saturday)     11.00 .... It's a cracker o' a mornin'.... and I have been a busy boy.    When I saw the sun I immediately amended the 'plan' ans switched on the washing machine.   I'd dragged the auld legs oot o' the bed at 06.45;  it was still dark at that time, but I was feeling frisky - ish.   By the time I'd showered, had breakfast and scanned the 'News', the sun was up and I could see that we were going to have a lovely day.    I had to go to Elie to post a couple o' cards, and buy a paper.   The first thing I noticed when I went up ferry Road (the car was pointing that way so that's the way I went) was the early morning 'light':  and I think that got me into a slightly excited state;  and today's 'plan' began to change. I wondered how the parking would be on Elie High Street because of the roadworks, but had no problem at that time of the morning.   I met Bob, whom I haven...

19th December 2025 (Friday)    10.00 .... It's a lovely morning;  loads o' fresh air coming over on a brisk SW wind.   It's a good drying day but showers could scuttle across on this wind:  I have a washing in the machine, but whether it gets hung out depends on how dark the clouds look. I would say that I am not at my most frolicsome this morning:  I'm still a bit stiff from my wandering around over the past couple of days.    That said,  the air is good, and I want to go out:  I might have a walk to the golf course after morning coffee.   This is going to be a proper 'rest day'. 18.30    It had been day of mixed weather;  breezy with some heavy showers in the afternoon.    But a nice day for this time of year;  not as cold as the 'old fashioned' winter days.   Luckily I'd decided to forget about doing the washing:   I didn't mean to ..... I just forgot all about that...

18th December 2025 (Thursday)     10.45 .... I switched the bedside light off at 23.25 last night; and didn't switch it on until 07.15 this morning.   I was a tired 'boy' last night right enough.   Normally I get up once in the middle of the night for a 'wander along the lobby to the bathroom;  but not last night. It's a nice morning with light cloud  and a light breeze.    I had  a wander up the Ferry High street delivering  a few Christmas cards.    I'll do some more after 'morrrrrrrrrrning coffee'.    My feet are sore after all the walking we did yesterday. 16.00    As planned I went out (in the car) and delivered a few more Christmas cards around Elie and Earlsferry, but it was not the best kind of weather for me being 'out and about'.   However I persevered and got most of them done:   I should finish the local ones tomorrow;  if the weather is amenable.  ...

17th December 2025 (Wednesday)      08.30 ..... It's a dreich morning, with light rain and fresh winds forecast.   Sunny spells could come our way in the middle of the day.    It's a good day for going to  the Vic for a Hearing Test.    Because of the weather I am not very keen on going 'out and about', but will enjoy it once I get going.     I'll have another cuppa then get on my way. 19.20    This has been a busy old day.   Alice and I arrived at the 'Vic' (Victoria Hospital) in time to have a snack lunch in the Cafe before I went for the hearing test.   It was an interesting experience;  the result of which is that I need two hearing aids, which I get in about six weeks.   There was one bit that I was particularly impressed with;  of all the sounds that I had to listen too, the clearest I picked up was one that sounded like Blob twittering away from the top of the Apple...

16th December 2025 (Tuesday)     09.30 ..... My word;  it's easy to sleep in on the dark mornings we have at this time of year.   I eventually extracted myself from my cosy bed at 08.20!   That is late for me ..... by about two hours.    We have a quiet, and (apart from the odd car accelerating up Ferry Road) peaceful morning.    There's a mix of light cloud and blue sky just now, but sunny intervals are forecast so we should enjoy a nice sunny day.    There's very little wind so not too much in the way of wind chill.   I'd say it is a good 'play day'.    I'm going to fire up the washing machine then have another cuppa before deciding  on a 'plan of action'.   I'm good at the planning bit;  the action?..... not so good. 12.30     It's a lovely late Autumn day ,though it is in fact Winter.    I've been up to the Paper Shop, and handed in the Rotary Chris...

15th December 2025 (Monday)     09.30 .... It's a quiet kind of morning, cloudy with only a light  breeze but at least it's not raining:   there is rain to the South of us (NE England), but it should stay there.    The air has a chilly feel to it and it's never going to be 'warm' today.   Carol (BBC Weather lassie) told us that tomorrow is going to be sunny.....  and a good drying day!  Actually Carol didn't say 'good drying day';  that was my bit of weather forecasting! 19.30   We've had a nice enough day;  with sunny spells in the afternoon.... and a bonnie sunset. I had a few cards to post, hence the photie of the Post Office van.   And I did some 'ousework.   Emily and John were coming up on Wednesday but had to cancel because Henry has 'bug'.   Right enough ,it's the time of year for bugs.    Anyway they will be coming up in the Spring when the weather is warmer;...

14th December 2025 (Sunday)     12.00 ..... I've been a busy boy this morning;  it's not a morning for me bring outside so I've actually been doing 'ousework.    The weather is of the gloomy kind , but at least it's dry and the sky is showing slightly promising signs.    We could have  a few sunny spells in th afternoon. The "News", of a multiple shooting in Sydney (Australia) is horrifying;  and that's just after a multiple shooting in Rhode Island (USA).   'Hatred and war' instead of 'love and peace'  is on the rise all round our beautiful Planet;  and it should, not only be a beautiful plane, but also a peaceful one;  if only we had politicians that used the word 'Peace' more often!    We even have European politicians talking of  making ready for war. (with Russia).  Actually, I'd be interested to hear what kind of protection will be put in place for the civilian population(s), in th...

13th December 2025 (Saturday)     10.45 .... It's easy to 'sleep in'  with the dark mornings we  have at this time of year;   I didn't get 'up' until 08.15!    It's a nice enough morrrrrrrning now, but, with the kind of air we have today I'm glad that I went to 'Nana's Seat' yesterday.    I'll write the rest of the Christmas cards today, then do some 'ousewotk.     I'll have a run out in the car in the afternoon;  and probably deliver a few cards.   Right now, it's 'morning coffee' time!     The run in the car depends on how heavy the rain is, that is forecast for the afternoon!   There's a 'Possible Yellow Warning'  (for heavy rain) that includes Fife.    14.45    The wind had freshened, but at least the rain has yet to arrive;  which is good for anyone on the golf course today..... although it would feel cold in the wind.   I went for ...

12th December 2025 (Friday)     10.00 ..... My word;   it's hard to get going on the dark  mornings we have at this time of year, especially cloudy mornings.   That said, it's a nice morning (not raining), with sunny spells to come;   and I have already been almost busy.    In fact I'm going to have morrrrrrrrrning coffee after this update;  after which, I might have a daunder down to Nana's Seat.      17.00    We've enjoyed a really lovely day,;  with sunny spells, and warm for the time of tear.   I had my daunder to Nana's Seat, which was wet.   I always carry a bit of kitchen roll, so dried a bit of the seat and had a relaxing 10 minutes watching a few dog walkers on the beach.      There was a bonnie 'light' about so I ended up with a load of photos to play with later.   Since then I've been doing a wee bit of 'ousework:  but I really enjo...

11th December 2025 (Thursday)     09.00 .... It's much quieter now that the wind had moderated;  and, it  'sunny spells' are mentioned in the weather forecast.   that means my washing will dry!   I'm a happy boy again.   I'll have another cuppa then toddle off to Methil  to annoy Alice. With the dark mornings just now, it would easy to 'stay in bed' or another half hour or so;  however, I get up... but I wouldn't say I was really in the mood for doing things.   Off to make that cuppa mentioned above. 19.15    I enjoyed my trip to Methil to 'annoy' Alice.   As ever nowadays the roads were busy, both going to Methil and coming home. Alice wanted to deliver Christmas tree lights to the Balmaise Centre, so, after a cuppa, and a catch up with the local 'news'.   The last time I was at the Balmaise Centre was with Bert Cation (Site Agent with Bett Bros);  that was 50 years ago. ...

10th December 2025 (Wednesday)     10.45 ....  We have a nice, sunny and breezy morning;  and it's not as cold as I expected it to be.   There's a drying wind so I've hung out a small washing (it will probably get an extra rinse from the showers that are forecast).   The 'drying'  wind is mopping up the water that  was lying around;  but there's more rain to come.   It's the 'Atlantic Lows' season.   I'll have a cuppa before going for the paper.   15.30    It had been a breezy old day;  with heavy showers now and again.   Yes .... the washing had had another couple of rinses.   It's only a small washing so I'm not that bothered;  it's to be a better 'drying day' tomorrow.   I think ... er hope! AS planned I went to Elie to pick up my prescription  and get the paper.     By the time I left the Chemist I'd decided to go down the ...

9th December 2025 (Tuesday)     09.45 .... Hmmmmm .... We have a dreich morrrrrrrning.   The Fife Weather cams all show grey and wet;  except the Kinghorn one! .... which has a breaking sky to the South West of Edinburgh.    At the moment there's not much wind, but it will  freshen, to give us a wild and wet night ahead.   Perhaps the breaking sky will come our way for a wee while., but I'm not going to bother with the sun cream.    On a positive note;  dust levels are low! 17.00     As you can see from the top photo we had a lot of rain overnight; even  Chapel Green was wet.   This was taken just after the rain stopped and the dog walkers, like me, took advantage of that.   I met Grizelda up  at Chapel Green, walking her daughter's Jack Russell, and we could see other walkers on the beach.    It was actually quite warm.   I had another walk up to the p...

8th December 2025 (Monday)     08.45 .... Although raining just now, the Fife Weather Cams are showing a clearing sky ;  do the rain should stop soon to give us 'sunny spells'.    I'm disappointed with the rain, because when I went to bed last night the rain had stopped.   Obviously that was just a temporary 'blip'.    Anyway it's raining just now, but not as heavy as it was yesterday evening.    I'll go up to the paper shop once the sun gets going. 12.30     We have lovely sunny day now... and there's a drying breeze that will mop up the puddles after last night's rain. I've been to the 'paper shop', bought stamps, and remembered the paper.    I then went to the car to wait for the Post Office van coming.    The 'plan' was to take a few photies while:  it was when taking the first one that I discovered that the camera card was still attached to the laptop.    I had loads o' ti...

7th December 2025 (Sunday)    10.15....  I've been watching 'The Weatherman Walking in Wales, and that was followed by 'Countryfile';  both interest programmes.    Now? .... it's time to  catch up with our 'today'! We have a dull and damp start to Sunday, with not much happening .... even the birds seem to be 'waiting' for something to happen.    I'll put some more crumbs out for 'Blob' and friends after this update.   At the moment the weather is more or less the same as it was yesterday at this time, and it's not very promising looking.   "Heavy rain with a moderate breeze" is forecast for KY9, so I probably won't be going far;  on foot anyway.    12.30    I eventually went for a run in the car.   I meant to stop at the paper shop but there was a lot of traffic manoeuvring at the time , so I did the Balbuthie/ Kinneuchar run instead;  and Colinsburgh Petrol station.    T...

6th December 2025 (Saturday)     09.00 .... At the moment we have light rain coming in from the North Sea, but, after the breeze goes round to the West, as it is forecast to do, the weather should improve.  The Fife Weather Kinghorn cam ,already shows this improvement!    Actually, the weather is to be a bit mixed for the next few days, with a lot of damp and showery spells.   Funnily enough the air feels warmer,;   and I'm feeling 'playful''.    However, I don't think I'll be going down to the beach just now.    16.00   You can see from the photo what kind of weather we had when I went out this morning.   I had a quick run up to Chapel Green before going to Elie to hand in my prescription, and for the paper.   It was raining at that time, with hardly any breeze:  this meant that traffic fumes were lingering in the air... as I discovered when I left the car to go to the shops. ...

5th December 2025 (Friday)    09.45 ..... We have a nice quiet start to Friday, but 'light rain with a moderate breeze' is the weather forecast for today.   That's a bit of a bummer, because I was thinking of going for a turn round the villages on the bike:  and I have a small washing going through the machine.   It can hang on a claes horse in front of a radiator so there's no problem with the washing.   We had some red in the sunrise sky and that's not a good sign.    Bonnie, but not good,    At the moment there's only a light breeze, but the wind is to freshen to  frisky later in the afternoon. 19.00    Although the weather has been mixed I've had an enjoyable day.    I ended up having a run up to Chapel Green in the car, rather than the bike, because of the cool air... and the treat of light showers.   This is of course a funny time of year;  everything is, sort of 'waiting' for ...

4th December 2025 (Thursday)      11.00 .... It's a lovely morning;   light cloud and sunny spells, with a cool breeze;  and  there is the chance of a shower.   I'm organised for 'The Shot Inn'.   I actually toyed with taking 'The Buggy' down but the chance of showers changed that plan.   We have had a few spots of rain but not a proper shower so far:   it's back to the original 'plan'.... Kirsty picking me up.   Anne has brought round a goodie for me to have with my morrrrrrrrrrrrning coffee so I shall have that after this update.   Let's enjoy what looks like being a lovely, albeit cool, day! 19.00    'The Team' enjoyed lunch, and a blether, at 'The Ship Inn' .   We had Fish n' Chips (I'm glad I had the small portion), followed by ice cream.   I didn't have the camera with me so didn't take any photographs.    It was an interesting enough day for the ...

3rd December 2025 (Wednesday)     09.00 ..... We can look forward to "sunny intervals with a light southerly breeze', for the whole of today;  no mention of showers.   This means it could be a good drying day for the downie cover going through the machine just now.  However, in spite of the wind direction, there's a chilly air;  at the moment it's 5.4C.    A nice day ahead, but with a bit of wind chill. 14.30    The 'drying day I hoped for has been a bit of a bummer;  a whole  an hour and half of a  heavy rain 'shower' put paid to that.   Unfortunately I had gone to 'The Store' so wasn't in a position to bring in  the downie: there's still a bit of a drying breeze so I'll bring it in last thing in the afternoon.   'The Store' mission was successful, so I'm a 'happy boy'.    That said, the busy day I had yesterday caught up with me, and I've spent most of the afternoon sleeping....