Unshackled iniquity, stalking schnauzers and singing sparrows.

The effects of the shingles vaccine have now completely worn off and life has returned to normal. No one has been able to explain to me why this is the only shot I've ever had a bad reaction to. A few days pain for a lifetimes gain.

On our way down to the shore we pass the farmers wife. She spent yesterday in  Edinburgh shopping . New clothes were needed for her daughter who is heading off to America to spend post-graduation time with the tall floppy haired American lad. This sounds remarkably like a  'meet the parents ' trip. Some rites of passage are unchanging and terrifying.  Father farmer does not approve ( wardrobe makeovers are rarely cheap ) although he begrudgingly thought the boy 'alright'. A Scots farmers son who knows how to change the spark plugs on the John Deere might have been more to his liking. The farmers wife is now concerned that Jackson Hole is the murder/drug/terrorism capital of America. We wish we'd not told her to watch Bosch on Amazon Prime.

Life on the North Sea remains calm. The old medieval town is super quiet. Parking is a doddle. 'The Font' observes this is what was like when we were students here half a century ago. In those days Angus drove a SAAB 96 with a four cylinder engine and a strange freewheeling device that I never fully understood.  To get it to  work you pulled a handle under the dashboard but what it did remains a mystery to this day. 

Politics rarely intrude onto the streets here. This is one of the most equitable of places. However, today we notice a political poster taped onto a lamp post ahead of the World Cup finals. This mornings news has been full of overnight comments about Canada.

Hundreds, literally hundreds, of sparrows busy breakfasting on the grass seeds down by the old pier. The sound they make is deafening. Even more remarkable is the torsional forgiveness of the long grass stems that bend double under their weight.

They squabble constantly and disdainfully so they must be siblings.

By the harbour the rabbits are blissfully unaware of impending nemesis.....

..... which is heading towards them in the shape of a small Schnauzer. We stop and laugh as mayhem unfolds. It goes without saying that the rabbits are quicker than the Schnauzer.

How can this be 40 years old ? :https://vimeo.com/223442837

More money than sense :https://www.the-scientist.com/a-t-rex-leather-bag-is-up-for-auction-is-it-really-dinosaur-collagen-74744

Things astrophysicists want to talk about over breakfast :https://thedebrief.org/an-asteroid-tracked-since-1998-made-an-unexplained-orbital-shift-now-astronomers-say-its-something-far-more-mysterious/

A world that's gone :https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/thousands-intimate-photographs-reveal-the-everyday-lives-the-romanovs-russias-last-imperial-family-180989126/

Odd story of the day :https://www.sciencealert.com/this-chernobyl-fungus-seems-to-have-evolved-an-incredible-ability

Detour

The BBC weather forecast says it will be ' the 13th day in a row of 30 degree temperatures '. This might be true south of the border but does not apply to Scotland where temperatures in the high(ish) teens are expected. It is also expected to be another rain free day which means the farmer will have to have the irrigation on in the potato fields. There's an American political scientist on the radio talking about oil, an escalating war and how Donald Trump is set to be a second Herbert Hoover.  He doesn't explain why this comparison is bad but from his tone of voice ( which alternates between squeaky excitement and Presbyterian basso profundo gloom ) I'm guessing it is.

We have visitors at the front door. Breakfast at the farmhouse is over and Puppy and elder sister are on their way down to the shore in search of adventure. They detour past the last wee house before Denmark in the hope there may be some buttered toast on offer.

Younger sister now has a tracker . This enables the farmers wife to follow her movements. These invariably include a visit to the kitchen at the local five star hotel followed by a call from the golf course groundsmen to come and collect her. Puppy, despite the families best efforts to make the farmhouse garden secure, remains an expert escapologist.

At the garden centre a bronze sheep has been positioned by the sliding doors. The best that can be said about it is that there's a contented look on its face.

There's also a display of teddy bears for a service charity. We've never seen these before.

'The Font' pops in to buy a copy of  a book about dogs in paintings. The bookstore had ordered 20 copies and we manage to get the last one. This either means the book is good or it's the sort of volume that attracts the dog loving fraternity in town.

The golf shops - of which there are many - are now selling 'Scottish' club covers.

Life out here on the North Sea coast remains exceedingly peaceful. The hotels in town are having a bumper year. It would seem that a lot of folks who might have gone elsewhere have chosen to vacation here because it's safe. I'm sure there's a PhD waiting to be written about wars in the Gulf and tourist flows to quiet destinations.

The Dutch work 11 years longer than the Italians :https://x.com/StefanFSchubert/status/2077691176694476851

Unknown until now :https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/colobus-congoensis-congo

Rare intelligence :https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/social-instincts/202607/this-is-the-rarest-type-of-intelligence

Worth watching for the expression on the cellists face :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7auBhHgi7d8

The injection.

Wednesday morning. I show up at 8:29 for my 8:30 shingles injection. The efficient woman at reception takes my details and sends me off down a long , brightly lit, corridor to see a nurse. Angus notes that new luridly blue plastic chairs have been acquired since his last visit in January.  Within four minutes my identity is checked, my history updated and the second injection given by a proficient young woman wearing what appear to be purple pyjamas. I barely feel the needle go in and inform her that she's a skilled injection giver. She laughs politely at this but clearly thinks I'm from the same school of idiocy as the man on his Golfymoon. The NHS gets a well deserved 10/10 for efficiency.

While waiting for 'The Font' to drive back from Marks and Spencers to collect me - " You're bound to be waiting for at least half an hour so I'll go shopping " - I have a cup of tepid coffee from a machine next door to the renal unit. 

A nurse stops to check on me . " You ok Love ?" . She asks this in a matronly way that makes it clear anyone sitting on their own drinking a coffee in the cafe by the renal unit isn't at all ok. We have a wee blether during which she looks at me intently and asks me if I've come far. For a moment I have the uncomfortable feeling she's about to ask me how many fingers she's holding up. The nurse tells me that feeling absolutely drained for two or three days after a shingles vax isn't unusual . 

Normal service will resume tomorrow after a few more restorative naps and the consumption of lots of Paracetamol. 'The Font' returns from the morning walk on the beach with the news that both the lady with the Pomeranian and Archie the arthritic labradors owner have had their shingles vax with absolutely zero side effects.

Thundering herd

The morning weather bulletin starts off with the good news that sun and a high of 23C is forecast for much of Scotland . It goes on to add that the exception will be exposed North Sea coasts where sea fog and a high of 17C is likely.

I'm due at the cottage hospital for my second Shingles shot later this morning. The first one laid me low for a couple of days so 'The Font' is preparing for a replay of life with a grumpy ox. Here in the village the farmer has the irrigation on in the potato field and the local teenagers are getting everything set up for tonights England v Argentina match. This is what can best be described as a 'grudge' match par excellence.

Walking on the beach we're suddenly aware of a thundering sensation coming through the sand. As we turn to look behind us a herd of footballers come charging by. We, together with the local dog owners, quickly get out of their way.

One of their coaches stops for a chat. This, it seems, is the Everton under 21 team escaping the heat down south . They're out for a 2 miles down the beach and 2 miles back pre-breakfast run. I wonder where they'll be watching tonights England v Argentina World Cup match ? Will they be allowed a beer or two .... or three ?

Outside the bakers a rather fine Triumph.

I last had my haircut before going to Canada. It's time for a fresh trim. Although it's the regular barber his English and my Kurdish have not improved to a level where anything but the most basic communication is possible. I'm in and out in six minutes.

Wednesday morning Verdi :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiSSz0snWzA

The Norwegian team have a memorable welcome home. What a crowd ! :https://x.com/joserra_espn/status/2076789558092431410

The 1980's :https://grimoiremanor.substack.com/p/why-is-everybody-nostalgic-about

Low stress

It's not hot but the sun is out and there's no wind. The golf courses are thronged with happy players. As we pass the Royal and Ancient a bus disgorges a large group of chicly dressed Japanese. Usually the golfers are overjoyed at just being here but this group seem very business like and avoid small talk. They head straight towards the first tee in determined silence.

There's a bit of congestion around the 17th tee where three leisurely American foursomes are taking pictures of each other on the 'home' stretch. There is much high fiving and back slapping. 

The shopping street in town is closed off for the delivery of new refrigerated units to the supermarket. This, in high summer, is what passes for excitement in these parts.

Today looks like it's going to be one of those rare days when the street cafes put out their umbrellas and you can close your eyes and  ( almost ) believe you are in Spain. 

Brave and welcome visitors on July 14 :https://youtu.be/yV0oZ1mD9_g?t=119

Never heard of 'Interoception' until now - :https://www.sciencealert.com/a-sixth-sense-youve-probably-never-heard-of-in-humans-may-be-crucial-for-mental-health

The Odyssey :https://theconversation.com/can-we-map-the-odyssey-how-ancient-geographers-and-modern-researchers-have-traced-odysseuss-travels-287312

A discovery in Azerbaijan :https://thedebrief.org/mysterious-stone-sphere-unearthed-at-ancient-site-in-azerbaijan-baffles-archaeologists-raises-new-questions-about-neolithic-technology/

New worry of the day :https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-07-12/why-mirror-life-has-doomsday-clock-scientists-alarmed/106780618

The unsmiling Japanese golfers all have powered golf carts . Until today I'd never seen a golf cart like this grey one. It can be pulled or can tootle along ( amusingly ) on four small wheels and under its own power. What will they think of next ?: 

Golfymoon

The sea fog has gone. In its stead we're greeted by a layer of low cloud punctuated by spots of blue sky and stray beams of nervous sunshine. 15C expected today but at this time of the morning it's a decidedly bracing 11C. 

Golfers fresh off the overnight flights from the east coast are already out and about exploring the town. A young couple from Bloomington dressed in regulation 'slacks', caps and cardigans ask us to take their photo by the fountain. They  inform us that they're on a two week golfing honeymoon. The man calls this a ' Golfymoon ' which we laugh at politely although as attempts at humour go it's about as feeble as it gets. We can only assume anyone married to this 'wild and wacky' guy is very forgiving.

The wild flowers down on the sand dunes joined by this cheerful arrival.

Strawberry time at the bakers. It is their annual tribute festival to the fruit. This morning there are a variety of pies, tarts and Strawberry Danish to tempt the local gourmands.

The all purpose biscuit has been repurposed for the summer. The price has risen to £1.95 which hints that inflation will get it to the £2.00 level by the time the students return in September.

Blogger is having one of those mornings. My attempt to add links is proving to be a zero sum game. I'll try again tomorrow. Here however is a rather interesting link about memory  that unexpectedly seems to have made the cut :https://x.com/macrinephd/status/2075930249842266390?s=61. 

Tough it out.

Another day of sea fog. Out here on the coast it gets to a high of 16C by lunchtime before falling back into single figures. We debate whether we should turn the heating on again but decide to tough it out. I think of mowing the lawn but don't. A lot of the young families who work at the university are away but, judging by the mountain of empty beer cans outside the village hall, there was a good turnout for last nights England v Norway match.

A very serious man on the Sunday morning news programme says that things have kicked off again in the Gulf. He warns of an August shock to oil prices. This is followed by a very British and altogether more cheerful story about newts. The sports commentators go on about how well England did in the heat and humidity. I would have more sympathy with this view if someone remembered they were playing Norway who were suffering just as much ( if not more so ).

In the farm shop redcurrants are cheaper than blackcurrants. I would have thought it should be the other way round.

Despite the early hour the scones have nearly sold out. This is a sign that the tourist season has arrived. Edinburgh folk with their sophisticated palates are much in evidence. There's already a small queue of second home owners outside the cheesemongers.

A bird, perched on a rubbish bin, looks longingly in the window of Subway. It is completely transfixed by the wonders within. 

In town the sea fog has broken up and is a half hearted affair. Out here on the coast its dense and impenetrable and soaks up the sound of the birdsong. The BBC weather forecast tells us 'exposed sea coasts' can expect more of it. In France the old mayor phones to say it's 38C and he's waiting for a thunderstorm to clear the air. 

Amid the tourist places a restaurant that's worth visiting in Charleston :https://www.vernschs.com/samplemenu

An Indian take on Beethoven :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGnmZepyn3o

The best part of Hangzhou :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNcFyT1vsZI&t=44s

Very Norwegian says ' The Font' :https://www.nasjonalmuseet.no/en/exhibitions-and-events/national-museum/exhibitions/2026/dont-be-afraid.-an-exhibition-about-death

This is one of those  places that is very quiet and remote :https://www.historyextra.com/period/stone-age/ness-of-brodgar-new-excavation-update-mystery/