Saturday, January 27, 2024

Installation art.

 

The Burns Night festivities ended late but this hasn't deterred 'Puppy' who is up early and waiting for us in the courtyard. Her two sisters are presumably curled up by the AGA in the farmhouse kitchen. 'Puppy' leads us along the track that leads to the sea where we watch the cormorants drying their wings on the jagged rocks. Puppy then disappears in search of more adventure than we can provide.


A beautiful, mild morning . 


In a densely populated country how surprising it is to be able to walk for an hour on the sand and only see three other people.


Overnight, some students have been partying in the dunes by the bird sanctuary. They've gone and left behind a driftwood  'boat'. It's a rather fine piece of installation art. We are suitably  impressed.


Work at the Royal and Ancient ( which has been underway and disturbing traffic ever since we arrived ) now seems to be approaching completion. A large crane is positioned on the road that runs onto the beach. The crane isn't actually doing anything but its presence hints that something big is about to happen. I'm guessing that the club house may be operational by Easter. 'The Font' is less hopeful and points out that the blue Portacabins have a semi-permanent look that says they'll be around for some time . Underground changing facilities have been excavated into the bedrock ( at exorbitant expense )  and are likely to require a lengthy fit out.

So starts a beautiful Saturday morning in a small North Sea town where a large portion of the population are nursing Burns Night hangovers.

14 comments:

Coppa's girl said...

One hopes that you had a spare oatcake ready for puppy.

Lisa in France said...

Puppy has figured out you are early risers who do fun things and also have oat cakes. It's nice you can help her get her day off to a happy start. Beautiful photos today - I don't think I would like your weather, but the idea of walking on that beach . . . Interesting story about the cicadas. I remember the emergence of the 17-year locusts in when I was a child in New Jersey - at least in my memory, they covered every tree. There have also been cicadas in Japan, where they are an integral part of the summer sonic landscape, and here in France, but I've never again experienced anything like that.

Lisa in France said...

Maybe you and Puppy can give this a try? https://twitter.com/Yoda4ever/status/1750873761333883120

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
I like the spontaneous beach art... and Puppy's choosing -or not- to accompany you! YAM xx

jabblog said...

Thew driftwood boat is delightful. The Polish chickens are very flamboyant.

WFT Nobby said...

Just love the driftwood boat. How long will it last?

Travel said...

A wonderful walk, thanks for taking us along. The tourist board should sponsor your blog.

Diaday said...

Creativity fueled by alcohol...the driftwood boat is a work of art! Your beach walks are a delightful way to start your and your readers' day. Thank you.

rottrover said...

Polish Lowland Chickens?

Jake of Florida said...

I enjoyed the article about a national tongue for Scotland. Kind of a Darwinian spin on linguistic survival of the fittest. The Polish chickens got me too. But Angus, what about sharing a few of your always interesting observations about the Burns supper with us?

Gemma's person said...

Nice of puppy to make sure you are up and starting the day at the proper time.

The Life of Riley said...

Currently I hear masses of New Zealand cicadas making lots of noise in our hot and humid Auckland summer, and see empty cicada skins on trees. It is "the sound of summer" I grew up with, and something so familiar when to me when I returend from the UK. The article you posted made me want to learn more about the types here...I found out there are 42 unique NZ species and subspecies, only the males get to sing, and the adults (after taking years from egg to being able to fly) only live 2-4 weeks during which time they hopefully mate. I would love to know if there is a cycle of NZ cicadas about to emerge every x number of years. For now I go to sleep every night and wake up with the sound of cicadas outside my house.

Angus said...

Travel - The 'dog' issue crops up in the conversation four or five times a day. The big questions are a) a rescue dog or a puppy ( puppies ) and b ) PONs or a change ?

The Life of R - Thank you. I'd never have thought cicadas were a New Zealand thing.

Fi from Four Paws and Whiskers said...

Definitely, cicadas here in NZ, even way down in Christchurch, but the Auckland ones were a noise to be reckoned with. Just spent a scorching weekend on Banks Peninsula and there were certainly plenty of cicadas there...

The eternal dog owner's issue - it will be interesting to see which way you are led...I am sure we will all be thrilled with any choices you eventually make.