May Day.

 

Good morning from Sophie who has come face to face with two deer asleep in the field outside the courtyard fence. The deer clearly weren't expecting to be disturbed this early in the morning. They leap to their feet and move like wraiths into the morning sea mist. Sophie gives chase for 50 yards or so then thinks better of it. She gives me a look that makes it quite clear she could have caught them if only they hadn't had such a commanding lead. 

We return home through the heather which is already alive with big fat happy bees. Who ever knew bees adore heather ?

This is the morning of the May Dip. A time when the students get up before dawn and go swimming in the North Sea. Some folks claim that this is a tradition that goes back to the middle ages when pilgrims used to wash themselves on the shore  after their long journeys. Angus thinks it more likely that students have always been on the lookout for a good reason to have a party. There was a time when skinny dipping was a thing but this is now seen as macro-aggressive behaviour. Angus quietly wonders whether anyone skinny dipping in the North Sea needs a medal or counselling. The cafes and restaurants are already overflowing with revelers trying to deal with latent hypothermia over a plate of  bacon and eggs. The streets echo with happy laughter. ' The Font ' thinks swimming en masse in the North Sea at five thirty in the morning is the sort of thing a cult might do.

We leave the students enjoying themselves and head to our usual stomping ground. This morning Sophie greets the deaf Pit Bull which, despite its looks,  is as gentle as a mouse. The poor thing was about to be put down but was rescued at the last minute by a South African professor and his wife. The dog seems to have settled into its new life with an aura of relaxed ' there but for the grace of God' gratitude. Sophie has befriended the Pit Bull but draws the line at its enthusiasm for standing in the sea. The family diva ignores a Jack Russell that shows up to join in the fun. 

So starts a new month with a Polish Lowland Sheepdog lady who finds that each day just keeps on getting better and better.

Last night the remaining students went through this old pre May morning tradition. Another excuse for a party ?  :https://www.facebook.com/uniofsta/videos/uosta-gaudie-2019-from-the-air-bmmp4/164820914840811/