Howl at the heavens.

 

Out of the door as the sun is rising. Sophie is off like a rocket. A large flock of ducks are contentedly feeding among the stalks in the wheat field nearest to the gate. Sophie sniffs the air then transitions into her head back, howl at the heavens, hunting mode. She disappears over the crest of the hill, ears flying. Shortly after a hundred ducks rise, complaining, into the air. Sophie returns  with a 'thrill of the chase' spring in her step. After that excitement she wolfs down breakfast then stops on the lawn to recharge her batteries in readiness for the days next adventures.

A small cottage has found a way of keeping the North Sea wind at bay. Rowans have been trained as buttresses up the walls and between the windows. 15" of natural wall insulation. Don't think I've ever seen this before. It must require a lot of patience to keep it neat and tidy.

The lady behind the bakery counter looks up as I come in. " You're early " she says by way of greeting. Today, the baker has been busy with strawberries. We settle for a wholemeal loaf and a butterscotch finger which the lady behind the counter says is ' to die for '.

Gingerbread also much in evidence. Seems Friday is a day when young mothers are more likely to buy their Toddlers a treat. When was the last time you saw a gingerbread man in the bakers ?

We pass the Indian restaurant. It has an exotic looking mannequin in the window . There would have been a time when this would have seemed incongruous in a small sleepy Scottish coastal town. 

Today Sophie will be supervising the plumbers, the architect, and the team that are coming to quote on a new kitchen. Waiting lists before any work gets done seems to be in the 6 - 9 months range. Let's see if that timeframe comes back as interest rates rise and the economy slows.

Tweet of the day :https://twitter.com/Gabriele_Corno/status/1572618484881793025