The January storm.

50 mph winds coupled to a high tide have whipped the sea into a fury. Waves crash theatrically over the end of the pier. The fishermen and their boats have opted to remain in the safety of the harbour for the duration.  An engineer in bright red oilskins is nervously monitoring the temporary repairs that were done after last years storms. He tells us that the high tide  has done serious damage to the flood defences on the other beach. Later on today we'll head down there to see the state of play. This serves as a little reminder that rising sea levels are indeed a thing.

Even the fulmars - usually dismissive of the elements - have opted to remain land bound. 

The front door of the exam hall is open The sound of a full fiddle and accordion band can be heard. The chairs have all been cleared away and a hundred or so youngsters are perfecting their dancing techniques for Burns Night. Although it's barely eight am they are having a whale of a time. Their laughter is infectious and we find ourselves chuckling as we head back to the car. A day that starts with dancing is by definition a 'good' day.

This is the weather for staying at home and catching up with 'paperwork'.  On the radio the Chair of the Danish Parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee says his country has been treated with 'contempt'. That's pretty strong language for a undemonstrative Scandi. We're left wondering what has practically been gained by recent drum beating. Trust , that most vital but under rated of diplomatic virtues, has certainly been lost.

This is the song the students are dancing to.  You can perhaps understand why anyone who hears it chuckles. This clip also gives a pretty good feel for what the village celebrations will be like :https://youtu.be/KPERf-9shf0?list=RDKPERf-9shf0&t=123

This seems to summarize thinking here pretty well :https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/2026/01/trump-davos-speech-world-economic-forum/685692/?lctg=6050e2b7f98ec7553cab3a85