Fresh

The farmer tells us that what we thought were Siskins are actually Yellowhammers. These are much rarer and are on the 'red' endangered list. The High Court judge , who has heard about their arrival , wanders down the track with his labrador to see if he can catch a glimpse of them. He brings with him the sad news that Squirrelpox has now appeared north of the Central Lowlands: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-68740155 . The first confirmed victim has been reported in Dunfermline - thirty miles away. This does not auger well for our local red squirrel population. 

The sunshine has brought  out the students. They sit outside the coffee shops enjoying the warmth and sun bathing to top up on vitamin D levels after the long winter. A slow but steady stream head off to the library for the early am pre-exam opening.

The four American golfers we saw yesterday are also up and about.  They're in town looking to find somewhere for breakfast. Let's hope they've moved their rental car from its pay by the hour parking spot. Ryland continues to lead the way.

This morning Angus accompanies 'The Font' to the farm shop where he finds they have caviar flavoured crisps. Is there anything else as decadent ?

They also have 'fresh' chocolates. This terminology could be a variety of interpretations but Angus takes  it to mean that they should be bought and eaten asap. 'The Font' prosaically points out that all chocolates are, at some stage in their lives, 'fresh'. Each packet has a hand written use by date on it. How artisanal is that ? 2 packets are purchased.

The sheep are firmly established in the cauliflower field. They seem very content with their sea view and ample supply of cauliflower stalks.

Decaf :https://www.acsh.org/news/2024/04/15/cnns-toxic-take-danger-methylene-chloride-decaf-coffee-17774

22% say they go to church but only 5% do :https://www.nber.org/papers/w32334#fromrss