Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Peak quiet.

Iran leads dominates the morning news bulletin. Jeanine Piro, a woman completely unknown to the British public two days ago, is mentioned in one, brief, segment.

The farmers wife stops by to thank us for the wine that's going into the Burns Night raffle. We let slip that we're going to the university Burns Night event before coming back to join the dancing in the village. " If you must " she says. At the university event black ties are worn with the kilt. Out here in the village the dress sense is altogether less formal and the music more 'spirited'. I shall take along a bottle of Macallan to soothe any local egos that think we're 'standoffish'. 

There is a 1970's era student dorm of  singular ugliness down by the ruins of the old cathedral. This morning one of those small retro Japanese cars of the type much beloved by a certain type of female student is parked in the dorm parking lot. Another sign that 'they' are drifting back into town. By the weekend I'd expect the trickle of returnees to turn into a rush. 


Many of the shops have closed for two weeks. Others are open but are empty of people browsing. Shop assistants look extremely bored.

Down by the golf club we find ourselves completely alone. This really is peak quiet. On the beach we stop to greet the owner of Archie the arthritic labrador. His sister is enjoying a morning walk but he's opted to stay at home dozing on his bed in front of the AGA. " Maybe he'll come out when it gets warmer " we're told in a tone of voice that says it all. 

Ambling along in the sunrise we note that the top of many of the buildings are  decorated with some rather fine carving.


6 comments:

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
Ghost town! I am all in favour of peak quiet. YAM xx

Diaday said...

I had a couple Labs who were arthritic in their later years. They were the sweetest boys who always had a love of life, even when it was hard to move.

Travel said...

I'd look good in the little blue car, if I could get in and out of it.

Lesley in Chicago said...

There was mention last year of a new pup, and then those plans were foiled ... any news you can share? Love love love this blog. It's been part of the routine that keeps me "sane" for years and years. Thank you, thank you.

Stephanie said...

May Archie have many more comfortable and peaceful days.

Jim Davis said...

Thank you for the piece on the situation in Iran. It's becoming clear that the Mullahs are the ones driving the support of various terrorist organizations and increasing the isolation of their country. It's also clear that the Iranian people are getting tired of the repressive regime and would welcome change. But further repression by the Mullahs and threats of airstrikes by trump are certainly not the answer.