An electoral surprise.

The man with anger management issues telephones from France with the news that the current mayor has been voted out and a new one voted in.  This was one of those 52-48 electoral surprises that no one expected.  The outgoing mayor is not happy and has been less than gracious. In his concession speech he observed  how apt it was that the new mayor owned the local septic tank company. He then went on to describe why. 

The ploughing in the fields around the last wee house before Denmark is finished. Yesterday the farmer unearthed another bronze age cist and what he thinks may be a fallen standing stone . The local policeman will be called to come out and certify that the unearthed bones are not 'recent'. 

We stop off at the Botanic Gardens for some plants for the rockery. The cheapest ( but not cheap ) and healthiest plants can be found in the Botanic Gardens. The plants here also seem to have a higher survival rate than the ones imported from Holland. 

We also pick up half a dozen primulas for the garden table.

Since we were last here they've invested in a large wooden pergola. On a chilly morning this proves to be remarkably warm and wind free. We order two cups of coffee.  There was a time when you only found blankets in Austrian and German ski resorts. Now they've made an appearance here. They are most welcome.

Alongside their Easter offerings the bakers have a full range of sugar heavy  'old faithfuls ' on display. 

A half lobster roll on sale at the fast food shack facing the chapel for £22. I no longer have any idea whether that's a lot or a little. By the time this current bout of inflation kicks in I'll wager it'll seem like good value.

Only humans have white eyes :https://www.forbes.com/sites/scotttravers/2026/03/22/why-are-humans-the-only-primates-with-white-eyes-an-evolutionary-biologist-explains/

The things you learn :https://thedebrief.org/rujm-el-hiri-israels-mysterious-stonehenge-of-the-east-is-not-alone-new-research-reveals/

French humour :https://x.com/VarlanOlivier/status/2036124039022797309/photo/1

Radio Scotlands morning breakfast music reaches a new level of obtuseness:https://youtu.be/VCrpUsLd5kE

Things do get better :https://x.com/GermanEmbassy/status/2036025543653499317