What doughty souls

The weather has turned colder and the wind has a distinct bite to it . That may explain why there's no sign of the surfers.

Two indomitable ladies are ignoring the weather and from the cliff top can be seen enjoying a lengthy post-swim chat on the small beach by the castle. What doughty souls.

This morning town is dreamily quiet. The Christmas visitors have gone and the Hogmanay revelers will only start to show up around lunchtime. Lob, the local fisherman, delivers lobster and shrimp ( and some lemon sole ) caught earlier this morning. How's that for fresh ? He tells us all the hotels are booked solid for the next three nights. This is good news for him ... and the price of his fish. In contrast with our provincial quiet big city Edinburgh is already well into Hogmanay season :https://youtu.be/UdX74xCpIRQ?t=46

The farmers artisinal Christmas decorations are still on display. They weren't a great success. The price point may have had something to do with it.

Preparations for the New Year now well underway. The shuttle from Edinburgh airport busy. Angus continues to believe a Grand Cru Chablis is the greatest bargain in the wine world but prices have climbed ( alarmingly )  over the last couple of years. There is the usual debate about who will want to drink a sturdy Bordeaux and who will want a lighter Burgundy.  The obvious solution is to take down plenty of each.

A well known modern composer is interviewed on the radio. He says this is the one piece of music he wishes he'd written. I'd never really listened to it before  :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gec7OUrj87M

Things to remind you that life progresses :https://www.scientificdiscovery.dev/p/medical-breakthroughs-in-2025

These also make me feel good particularly the one about Virginians eating at least one hotdog a day :https://probablyinteresting.substack.com/p/52-things-i-learned-in-2025

Jeans :https://nymag.com/strategist/article/cheap-vs-expensive-jeans.html

The #1 song on the local radio at this time of the year. It made a great 80's beer advert :https://youtu.be/TX9h558Tz1E