Springing up.

At the village bus stop unhappy youngsters in their new, two sizes too large, school uniforms peer at their phones. Overly long sleeves and jackets that come down to the knees a sign that they are at that age where ' they're springing up ' . 

We're at the cheese shop early. The shop has been written up in a continental travel magazine and by mid-morning it becomes thronged with tourists ordering 50 grams of this and 50 grams of that . This makes getting served a 'leisurely' process. We also have to go to the house in town and see the builders who are replacing the street front sash windows. A visit from the planning officer to ensure the replacements are ' historically compliant ' is scheduled.

It's still 30 degrees in Madrid which may explain why there are so many Spanish tourists around. They, and visiting golfers from the mid-west, are keeping the hotels and restaurants busy if not full. Everyone seems to be enjoying the cool morning air. The manager of one of the new hotels stops to tell us that there are many more Chinese tourists booking rooms. They used to travel in big groups but in the last year or two they've begun to travel in smaller groups or as couples. They come to look at the home of golf, marvel at the Harry Potterish architecture and marvel at the exoticism of fish and chips. York is apparently their favourite UK destination . 

The refuse men and seagulls remain locked in battle. Large waste bins are provided for the local restaurants along with strong rejoinders to close the lids firmly. Lids that are not firmly closed allow the gulls to scavenge to their hearts delight . You then end up with situations like this. I'll bet this doesn't make its way onto TikTok.

A French company brings clients to Scotland on cycling trips. They stay in the best 5 star hotel and then drive off to scenic spots in the Highlands for a days adventure on two wheels before returning for dinner at the hotel. At lunchtime a suitably French meal, with wine, is provided. This is a very French , and sensible, way of doing things.

Into the bookstore to pick up a copy of this book which has been well reviewed. Many of the names mentioned have moved seamlessly onto the national stage.

In the village the farmers wife tends  a sheltered but disorganized garden that continues to remain gloriously in bloom. Acanthus is slowly but surely self seeding and taking over the flower beds which gives it a Mediterranean air. .By contrast our plot by the sea is pummeled by the wind and is now, bar the lavender,  pretty much over.

Old remedies for dealing with heat :https://theconversation.com/six-tips-from-the-middle-ages-on-how-to-beat-the-summer-heat-263290

A sensible way to collect garbage Indian style :https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20250818-the-indian-garbage-cafes-giving-out-food-in-exchange-for-plastic-waste

The old US embassy in London has been reborn as a Chinese hotel :https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/the-chancery-rosewood

In a straight line this restaurant is just a quick hop across the water :https://under.no/slik-kommer-du-hit/