Longer days.

His Majestys Chief Inspector of Prisons is on the radio this morning with a  report that drones are being used to smuggle drugs and mobile phones to Category A prisoners in maximum security gaols. Drones are now so sophisticated that they can deliver contraband direct to designated cells: https://news.sky.com/story/use-of-drones-to-fly-weapons-into-prisons-has-become-a-threat-to-national-security-watchdog-warns-13288237  We listen to the report in 'whatever will they think of next ?' silence. 

The days getting noticeably longer now.  A month ago it was pitch dark at seven thirty in the morning. Now it's light - or at least an approximation of it -  when we head out of the front door at seven.  We're greeted by quite a sunrise this morning. From the depth of the colours swirling above us I'd guess that high overhead a warm front and a cold front are battling it out.

The Hebridean sheep grazing on the shore seem to be unbothered by the weather. By their standards the climate here must be absolutely balmy.

One of the shop fronts in town is being repainted. They've chosen a rather old fashioned green for the paintwork ... which works rather well. The shop still has those old fashioned window blinds that can be pulled down. I wonder if they'll renovate them ? Not so long ago all the shops had them. Now many have been ripped out.

A heron stands on the silt in the harbour and watches the world go by. A few ducks keep it company. Without the students  the place seems deserted. A fair proportion of the shops and cafes sensibly take their annual holidays between Christmas and the end of January when the new semester starts and the  youngsters return. This makes 'dining out' a challenge. Later today we shall drive back into town and pick up the copy of Kevin Rudds new book on Xi Jinping :https://thediplomat.com/2024/10/kevin-rudd-on-xi-jinping/

What an amazing voice. Tuesday mornings music on the car radio :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AK2-f_H3rY

This explanation pf what's happening in LA was concise :https://www.city-journal.org/article/la-wildfires-cause-california-risk

A Canadian thinks about Canada :https://jaymartin.substack.com/p/has-canada-become-a-jamaican-bobsled