Partying.

This has arguably been the first year things have returned fully to normal after the dislocation of Covid. Old traditions are again running like clockwork. The piper leads the procession out of the graduation hall with the decidedly jaunty tune  'Campbeltown Loch I wish you were Whisky I would drink you dry ' : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb_P46gNf_k . The Principal has a wry smile on her face that may indicate she's quietly in agreement with the choice of music.

Each of the graduation ceremonies is small enough to keep it personal. I'm guessing two hundred or so youngsters every morning and the same number again in the afternoon. Anything larger and the town would be swamped. As it is the hotels and restaurants are kept more than busy with the confluence of golfers and parents. After today all  two thousand eligible students will have graduated and be readying for the off .What adventures await. Town will be very quiet.

This is our favourite time of the year here. It's a joy to see a Clackmannanshire cab driver holding a bottle of Coke chatting to a Singaporean surgeon as they wait for their  offspring to appear. Education is a great leveller. 

On the beach this morning twenty or so surfers. There's not really a swell but this doesn't seem to be dampening their enjoyment.

Six black Volvos parked in a line. 'The Font' tries to get in one that isn't ours. It would seem that the entire rental fleet at Edinburgh airport is made up of shiny black Volvos. We see two American golfers arguing over a parking spot. One is driving a black rental Volvo another a huge gold metallic Mercedes. The Volvo man has done a neat 90 degree turn in front of the Mercedes to secure the spot and isn't going to relinquish it. " Think ! Of !! Others !!!' shouts the aggrieved and apoplectic loser. He also says some other things.

We have chosen a new car but more of that next week. I can promise you it won't be black.

Tartan plus fours continue to sell well at the golf shop by the traffic lights. I guess if you see someone wearing these at a golf club in France or America you'd know that they've been to St.Andrews.

Attention is moving to the European soccer championships. It's a long, long time since the national team last qualified for these. Tonight Scotland is playing Germany in Munich. Between students, golfers and locals the bars here are going to be mega busy. This self deprecating piece of music has somehow become popular and started playing everywhere. It is very annoying  :https://youtu.be/gvi0GtQCEcQ?t=1 Whether the bar goers end up celebrating or ( more probably ) commiserating with the Scots team there will be much partying.