Alberto's Hutte

24th July 2026 (Friday)     10.15 .... There's an even mix of clouds and blue sky just now, so loads of sunny spells.... and they would be hot sunny spells if it wasn't for the fresh breeze.  I have the feeling that it will be too hot in the middle of the day.    A good drying day for any washing!    I'm thinking of preparing the outside of the 'gless' door for painting.   I'll see how active I feel after 'morning coffee'.

23rd July 2026 (Thursday)     10.45 ..... I was browsing the Living Room (sometimes Lounge) when  my eye fell on the Hoover that was 'stood staunin' in the middle o' the floor ready for action;  (but I'd finish my cuppa first)!   Anyway my eye was on something written on the side of the container that the dust goes in.   On closer inspection it was the word 'MAX';  and the dust was only 5 mm below the mark.  'Immediate Flap on'.   It looked like it would be an easy enough job;  but where was the book of 'rools' that came with the vacuum?     Funnily enough I found it where I thought it should be;  but didn't expect it to actually be there!    Vacuum emptied;  'Flap Off', and kettle 'on' again! .... we have a happy boy at Ivy.    Oh and I've done the 'ooverin'.    19.00    It has been another hot day;  absolutely perfect holiday weather.  ...

22nd July 2026 (Wednesday) .... 09.00    It's a nice, quiet morning;  apart from the Wood Pigeon trying hard to attract a female.   Not the birdsong(?) I really want to hear!   Forget him (the 'Woodie') I had a wee bit of excitement this morning as I was going for a shower:  a butterfly on the inside of the ff the back door. trying to get out.    It's a glass door.   I immediately went for the camera;  and got a reasonable photograph of it.... a 'Meadow Brown'.    A common butterfly on the golf course, but a first inside Ivy Cottage.  It was when I caught the butterfly, and and put him outside I realised that the camera was all I was wearing!  Not a pretty sight (oh the camera was OK, it was what it was hanging on that wasn't a pretty sight);  no wonder the butterfly was trying to escape!   Anyway;  the top photograph is of a Meadow Brown butterfly:  and, yes! .... I am going t...

21st July 2026 (Tuesday)     09.15 ..... It was really quiet, and peaceful, when I had a short daunder up to the Phone box, then down to Ferry Corner with the camera.   The only sound breaking the peace was a 'boy' Wood Pigeon trying to impress a 'girl'.    Not the most interesting of sounds on a nice morning like this.   She wasn't that impressed either!    Anyway it's a lovely morning, albeit not a very romantic one for our Boy!   Not me ....The Wood Pigeon!    20.00   It has been another bonnie, sunny and warm, day.    Perfect for the holiday makers;  but nor for me.    From midday until 17.00 I'm only good for watching TV and dropping off the sleep now and again. However I did have a busy morning.   When I set off to Elie (in the car), to hand in my prescription at the Chemist, and my BP list at the Surgery; that was the 'plan'.     But, on leaving t...

20th July 2026 (Monday)     10.00 .... It looks, and feels like  this could be a hot day;  I noticed the Photo Courtesy BBC News Channel warm air as soon as I stepped outside this morning.   There is a light NW breeze, to dry any washing .... and take the edge off the heat from the midday sun. Today we have the 'changeover' of Prime Minister's at  "No 10": Sir Keir Starmer moving 'out', and 'Andy' Burnham moving 'in    It will  be an interesting day;  in fact we could be in for a few 'interesting days' over the next couple of  years. 16.30    It has been a bonnie sunny day, but too hot outside for me in the afternoon.   However the washing dried perfectly;  in fact I'm wondering if I need to iron  the sheets!    I forgot the pillow cases, but I'll put them through the machine after this update.   They might even be dry by sunset time. Photo Courtesy BBC News Channel. With t...

19th July 2026 (Sunday)     10.00 ..... It's a nice fresh morning;  sunny with a light, slightly cooler, breeze.   And, for the first time in more than a week, I can see the 'Glenfuir' Union Flag;  this means that the breeze is from the SW just now.   However, the wind direction is to be variable today, and go back to the Easterly direction later.  After another long, unbroken, night's sleep, I'm not 'iggzactly' feeling frolicsome, but I might take the camera for a short walk after morning coffee.  I need to do a wee bit of Hooverin' first. 19.30     I went into 'slight flap on' mode this morning, when I realised that the end of July is nigh;  and that's when Emily John, and the great grandson's Henry and Austen, are coming for three nights.   Anyway I stripped the double bed and have washed the duvet cover.   The sheets are in the machine and will be going on the line tomorrow morning; early...

18th July 2026 (Saturday)    09.00 .....  It had been a quiet morning; so all is good at the Ferry end of the villages.   A group of brightly dressed joggers pattered their way down Ferry Road, .... but not much else happening.    I had a  a night of 8 hours, unbroken sleep last night;  I knew I was tired when I went to bed, but I didn't think I was that tired.   I'm going to Methil to annoy Alice (before she goes off on a weeks Coach Tour to Wales) and Leven this morning;  got some bits and pieces to buy.   20.30    It has been another sunny, warm (hot in the middle of the day), day:  too hot for me, but perfect for the holidaymakers. I went to Leven as planned, visited Alice to see if she had packed her case ("not yet;  got all day tomorrow"), had a cuppa then went to the the Bargain Store and Sainsbury's.   Both shops were busy;  with some well filled a trolleys in Sainsbury's....

17th July 2026 (Friday)     09.00 .... The sun is beginning to break through the light cloud, that came in from the North Sea overnight:  it should be sunny and warm by midday.   Bonnie holiday weather.  The villages are busy with holidaymakers, and day trippers;  the East Neuk is a proper holiday place now. 17.30    Unsurprisingly, there was a big turnout at George's funeral.   George was a popular. and much liked figure in the local Community, and will be remembered for his happy, beaming smile and willingness to help.   His contribution(s) to the local pantomime is legend, and will long be remembered by young, youngish, and the not so young!    "Our George" will be sadly missed!  From the Crematorium (Brewesterwells) we went back to Elie Kirk Hall for ad 'After Service' cuppa, sandwiches,... and sweet.   Kirsty and I had a wee run along the Crail road;  we missed the opening to the Cr...

16th July 2026   (Thursday)    10.15 .... The sun is already threatening to break through the light cloud to give us the "sunny intervals, with a gentle Easterly breeze" that is forecast.  The garden thermometer is at 20C;  a nice day for the beach and other holiday pursuits.    Me? ..... I'm having another quiet day at Ivy, but might get 'The Buggy' out, if the roads aren't too busy and have a turn round The Ferry later.   11.30     I've just seen the Argentine Football Team with the 'Malvinas Banner';  that demeans their win, and brings it down to the same level as the person that painted the banner.   It's very disappointing; football, in fact all sport, and politics should be kept apart! 22.00    I've had a fairly active day;  in fact I've just finished watering the flower tubs.    It's actually one of those balmy evenings, when Maggie and I would sit outside with our coffee, listenin...

15th July 2026 (Wednesday)     10.00 .... We have low cloud this morning, but it's not as heavy yesterday's cloud;  in fact it looks like the sun could break through by morning coffee time.  This would be a welcome improvement on yesterday's 'sunny spells':  if I remember correctly we only had one sunny spell yesterday, and that was late in the afternoon!       My morning began with a migraine, which is a bit o' a nuisance;  but I've taken the pills, and will spend today doing what I'm good at ....pottering around Ivy.   The first thing I'm going to do after this update, is do a BP reading. 16.30     We have 'wall to wall' blue sky just now;   I imagine the beach will be busy this afternoon, though there is a cool NE breeze.    The garden thermometer was at 22,5C when I checked it 10 minutes ago.    I've been sitting it The Hutte, but it's too hot now so I've put the kettle 'on...

14th July (Tuesday) 2026      09.30.... A cool NE breeze has brought a bank of low cloud in, from the North Sea;  but the sun should burn the cloud off by the afternoon.    At the moment the air is chilly, but will warm up when the sun does break through.    That said, it here will be a cool onshore breeze on the beach. I have my appointment with Laurie (Nurse) this morning;  but, do I have have time for another cuppa before I go? ..... of course I do!   'Slight Flap on' .... got the kettle to switch 'on'. 15.15     My BP appointment went well;  but the reading was high.   'White coat' (in Laurie's case 'blue coat syndrome')  would contribute.    I have to do a weeks worth of readings at home, to eliminate the 'blue coat' syndrome, and see where my BP is at in normal conditions.    The sun has let us down today;  it has yet to break through the cloud.   Actually i...

13th July 2026 (Monday)      09.15 .... We have fluffy clouds meandering across the sky, giving us sunny intervals just now:  however the sun should burn the cloud off to give us another hot day.     It is 17C on the patio at present.    There's a moderate (cool), ENE breeze;  but there's something in the air that is disagreeable (probably traffic fumes);   pollen levels are  Medium, pollution Low.    20.00   There has been a cool breeze off the North Sea that kept the air cooler, so we've had a lovely, sunny day, albeit hot on the patio..   Taking advantage of this spell of 'drying days' weather, I did a woollen wash;  and detached a few weeds from Mother Earth. Shona arrive about 11.30, so we made a cuppa, hen went out and sat in The Hutte,  chatting and putting the World to rights.    She had parked her car on Park Place (Elie) then went down to the beach to walk along ...

12th July 2026 (Sunday)     08.30 .... It'a a quiet, peaceful, kind of morning;  there's a layer of light cloud but it is starting to break up, so I'm expecting 'sunny spells' later.     I got 'up' early this morning  to watch a recording of the England v Norway World Cup Quarter Final, on BBC2 ..... it was on too late last night for me to stay up and watch 'live'.   An evenly matched game; England eventually won 2 - 1.      I have no 'plan' for today: after after a busy day yesterday, I think a 'rest day', pottering around the garden,  is a good idea. 22.45    It has been a lovely, sunny and warm day;  and an eventful day!    My Great Grandson,  Austen (Rushton), was christened  in Somerset, and Michael sent photos (25) of Austen's christening, to my Frameo.     The Frameo is set to random, so taking photographs off the Frameo is a restful kind of 'job'.  It wor...

11th July 2026 (Saturday)     09.30 .... It's foggy just now, but the sun should break through to giveus a sunny, and warm, afternoon.    This is a quick update before I go to Alice HQ, have a cuppa, then go down to Leven to so some shopping.  20.00     Everything went as near enough as planned today!   The Temporary traffic lights in upper Largo  caused some delay, but that was all.   Sainsbury's was busy;  with some heavily laden trolleys at the tills.  We were lucky;  the till we used had, what I'd call 'normal trolley loads.   I imagine that the heaped up trolleys were folk starting (and stocking up for) their holidays.    The lady in front of us was in a Mobility Scooter, so Alice gave her a hand to pack her shopping in the scooter basket and pannier bag.   Alice's friend, Barbara, fell and broke her arm in two places, so we went over to cheer her up.  Unfortunat...

10th July 2026 (Friday)     11.00 .... We have another sunny and hot start to the weekend;  there is  bit of a change on.... the breeze is from the Easterly direction so fog/haar could drift in from the North sea later in the wvwning.  Today's plan?..... it's another day of 'hiding from the heat' for me.   Luckily we have the tennis (Wimbledon)  on BBC, so I'll watch that;  Arthur Fery is playing Alexander Sverev, for a place in the Final!    16.15    Arthur Fery lost his semi final match with Alexander Sverev;  I think that this is the first time he has been this far in The Championship.    He (Fery) is young, and should make it to the Championship Final in the next year or so. I got The Buggy out of it's 'nest' this morning and charged  the battery, but, by the time I'd done that and cleared the 'runway' the 'heat of the day was on'  (and the tennis) so I decided not to go out today.  ...

9th July 2026 (Thursday)     11.00 ..... The patio thermometer was at 19C this morning (at 08.00);  and that was before patio was in the sun.  I've already had a litre of water, and a cuppa, because I have the feeling this is going to be a 'long siesta' day:  watching the Tennis and pottering around inside.   It will be too hot to sit in The Hutte. The temporary traffic lights on Ferry Road have been moved, to cover a new site up at the phone box;  I'm assuming it's to protect workers at the Junction Box next to the phone box.   12.45    There's fresh breeze now so I am thinking of going out to 'The Hutte';  after an active morning doing housework.   The patio temperature was 22C an hour ago.   The Hutte will be comfortable with the door wide open. 15.15   The temporary traffic lights were working for about three hours, then taken away;  Ferry Road is clear, and operating smoothly....

9th July 2026 (Wednesday)     09.45 .... It's sunny and warm, but there's a cooling SW breeze so not too not out in the open:   the patio? ... er... cosy!    In fact I might have my morning coffee  out there.   It's a perfect drying day, so the washing is on the line:  and there's a cat in the garden!    The local Crow is not happy.  20.00    My word;  it has been a bonnie, sunny and hot day; it was still 25C on the patio thermometer at 18.00.    Up till about 13.00 it was comfortably warm, but the afternoon was hot.   I went inside and watched the tennis.    It must have been horrendously hot for the competitors;   and uncomfortable for the spectators sitting in the sun. I went down to get a few photos of the progress re the new telegraph pole;  there has been a lot going on there since morning time.   And we have lovely, freshly painted Lines all ...

7th July 2027 (Thursday)     08.45  .... This morning we have light cloud, with a moderate breeze from the SW.... and it's cool for this time of year.    Jackie is busy in the garden, re-potting some flowers she bought at Cupar Garden Centre yesterday.   Jackie moves to Sr Andrews today to her Classical Guitar 'get thegither';  staying in the Students residence.    Me? ..... I'll do a some 'ousework but this is mostly a 'rest' day. Oh Dear! .....Belgium beat the USA  4 - 1 to knock America out of the World Cup!    I hope this doesn't lead to Belgium being hit by 100% Tariffs! 21.00    Jackie is off to St Andrew to her Classical Guitar week;  so I am i/c at Ivy.   Jackie did a load of work in the garden when she was here;  so I've recording with the camera.    It has been a nice day, but cooler than it should be:  however I ventured as far as The Hutte and did another hard ...

6th July 2026 (Monday)     09.45 .... It's cloudy with a cool breeze;  but it's dry and Jackie is thinning out the wee... er ... wild flowers in the garden.    Me? ..... I'm having a rest day after the 'Flap on' day I had yesterday!     The temporary traffic lights are 'operational';  protection the workmen at the new telephone pole at Rotten Row.   I've moved my car to the 'Disabled' space at the Town Hall.   I'll put the kettle 'on' then see how Jackie is getting on.   Oh .... England beat Mexico 3 - 2, and are through to the last eight. 18.30    Jackie spent the morning, removing a 'few' the weeds  from the garden;  the broon bucket is full, so the 'few' must have been big weeds!   She ii visiting a friend up near Cupar in the afternoon. After watching the England v Mexico game on BBC2, I sis a wee bit of house work, the went out to The Hutte to do a 'Soduko';  and it w...