'Canyon'.

What a week. In the UK the Epstein files have defenestrated a Prince, an ambassador who is being called traitorous and now, quite possibly, a decent but unexciting Prime Minister. In the US the consequences for the elite and discussion of  the involvement of the Russian security services seem to have been rather more muted.

Another day of rain and wind. This morning the sea has worked itself into a fury and is pounding against the castle ruins. Usually we manage 15-20 thousand steps a day. Yesterday, in the brief gaps between downpours we clocked up a miserly 9 thousand and today doesn't look as if we'll manage many more. The rain is of the schizoid sort that really wants to be sleet. It artfully manages to squeeze through  that small open space between the zipper on your jacket and your neck. Tonight, no matter what the weather has in store,  all the bars will be packed watching Ireland play France in the opening match of the Rugby Six Nations.

Behind us the waves are breaking over the pier. Usually, you can expect a couple of students to be out braving the elements and dodging the walls of water but this morning any daredevils are thinking better of it.

A notice in Starbucks promises a university gift for participating pooches. While we're waiting for our espressos one of the students waiting in line has his name called out by the barista. 'Canyon' is a name neither of us has ever heard before. It  only goes to show the richness of American English. 'The Font' wonders if ravine and gulch were considered before settling on canyon. Gulch would make a great name for a dog - possibly less so for a male child.

The farm shop has freshly made Brownies. They're £1.80 each which seems pricey to me but I've lost all sense of  what's pricey and what isn't since Covid.

Groups of Chinese wannabe students touring the university. Facing weather like this I'd opt to stay in Harbin and study surgery there. What must they be thinking as the easterly wind brings in another band of freezing rain ?

Music from Denmark :https://youtu.be/s7AcPrzTvto?t=193

Special Norwegian forests :https://www.sciencenorway.no/forest-plants/why-is-this-rare-norwegian-forest-so-special/2611192

A Finnish painter at the Met until Easter :https://finland.fi/arts-culture/new-yorks-met-museum-showcases-beloved-finnish-painter-helene-schjerfbeck/

Iran :https://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/january/in-tehran?dm_i=7NIQ,2I800,3EISZS,5D3KG,1,0,0,0