So quiet.

 

Complete silence this morning apart from the sound of a tractor working in a field by the sea. We can usually hear the waves throwing themselves against the rocks but this morning they're calm and well behaved. Puppy, who has been up for an hour, follows us down the track to the waters edge. She sees a flock of pigeons and hurries off after them. We bump into the farmer has been into town to buy the Sunday Times. " I'm afraid to open it and see what more bad news there might be " he says by way of greeting. We briefly discuss the Houthis and the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 before heading our separate ways.

There are a few clouds around but there's warmth in the sun. We're set for shirt sleeve weather.

Being a Sunday the streets are quiet. After their overnight revelries the students don't stir until late.

The woman behind the counter in the bakers is ambivalent about the St Patricks day biscuits. " Nae taste tae them ". This is not a holiday that has much resonance here. The woman also tells me that there will be special 'Irish events' in all the restaurants on Monday night. Her tone of voice hints at disapproval . 

 

I spot something called a 'Tipsy Cake'.  This it turns out is nothing to do with alcohol but is a kind of upside down trifle. " I dinnae like it " I'm told with a degree of conviction that makes me drop any idea of buying one. 

The university security people are setting out yellow bollards in front of the chapel to stop people parking there. In many places security teams worry about demonstrations or violence. In a small peaceful town like this making sure the bride can get a parking spot close to the chapel door is the #1 priority. We're now entering the long summer weekend wedding season. Todays lucky couples are set to enjoy blue skies of a hue and clarity that you'd expect to find on a Greek island.

An interesting insight into the psychology of using razor blades :https://www.econlib.org/averages-margins-and-memes/

The Beatles :https://www.cantgetmuchhigher.com/p/how-many-artists-did-the-beatles

Not a Scottish problem :https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/03/13/pizza-alligator-Bradenton-Florida/2671741881859/

Mesmerism :https://www.historytoday.com/archive/great-debates/pain-management-anaesthetics