Succinct

For the first time in a week America's once and future President has to share column space with another story. The resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury brings home grown news onto the front pages of the papers.  The C of E is an institution that has evolved over millenia but has struggled to respond to social media that judges in hours. There may be some in DC - and elsewhere - who are wondering if there are other institutions that will suffer the same fate. Information age iconoclasm is quick, nuance free and unforgiving.

Something about the cold air that supercharges the russet tones in this mornings sunrise. Even hardened dog owners stop in their tracks and watch the swirl of colours rise over the skyline of the old town. If the phrase ' Red sky in the morning, Shepherds warning' has any truth to it then we're in for a day of exciting weather.

Down to the fishmongers for some freshly landed prawns. We also pick up some lemon sole and a salmon tail. No Monkfish today.

The supermarket is either still setting up its Christmas display or is taking minimalism to entirely new levels.

The wreath that was laid on the flagstones outside the chapel has been carefully picked up and hung on the  railings. After a week it is still beautiful but has lost that first bloom of youth and is starting to 'curl'. A father walking his young daughter stops to look at it and tells her ' It's from a time when people were burnt for their religion '. This is perhaps an overly succinct way of describing Scottish history. Thank God our Taliban moments are long gone. There is something to be said for living in a country where the storms of passion have largely passed. Is it an age thing to think dull self control is a virtue in government ?

We've probably walked by these old railings ten thousand times but never noticed that they're decorated with small circle encased Saltires. There was a time when civic architecture was a marvelous, built to last, thing.

So starts a quiet ( and decidedly chilly ) roseate Sunday morning in a small Scottish town where weather, history and happenstance join seamlessly - and mostly happily - together.

Go for broke. The UK's former ambassador to the US shares his thoughts on last weeks events.... or at least some of them. The guy, as you might expect,  is a smart cookie. He had to be recalled when one of his more critical  dispatches 'leaked' :https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/inside-briefing/donald-trumps-team-calls

Chocolate and cinnamon :https://floramanson.substack.com/p/recipe-chocolate-and-cinnamon-pavlova

A calming car radio start to the day :https://youtu.be/XtIw5AkUEsE

Art work by the staff at The Met. Open until the start of the New Year :https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/art-work-artists-working-at-the-met-2024