The Bank Holiday.

Monday was a UK bank holiday and the town was teeming with visitors. Seems that instead of heading abroad for a few days a lot of folk have opted to vacation at home. It's cheaper and you're not hostage to the availability of aviation fuel.  The golf courses have been busy but not hectic. This morning there's a dozen or so American golfers waiting for the seven am slot. Usually, there'd be twenty or so standing in line.

Lion's Mane Mushrooms on sale at a market stall. I'm guessing this is targeted at students needing all the brain power they can get in the last few days before exams kick off on Saturday.

The last mobile phone outlet has closed down. There are now no less than eight shop premises standing empty in town. This is highly unusual in a tourist destination like St Andrews. Is this a sign that retailing is shifting fully online ? Or, is it a sign that the economy is rapidly slowing ?

The ducks on the pavement outside the Shawarma House continue to act as if they own the place.

Bluebells on the clifftops. Down in the bay the post storm repair work on the Aquarium is nearly done.

On the beach our eyes are drawn to a small green plaque that someone has carefully positioned in a sand dune by the cafe.

Closer examination shows it to be a small memorial for a dog that's 'run ahead'. The spelling is charmingly incorrect. That old story of a dog that was loved and loved back. What simpler and happier story can there be ? This morning the beach is full of mutts cashing gulls, sniffing seaweed and generally living the life. 

The Swedish King gets given flowers on his 80th birthday. Formality is not always a Swedish thing  :https://youtu.be/Wm70hEwmQRc?t=423

Sugar and cavities :https://www.popsci.com/health/does-sugar-cause-cavities/

Things I never knew :https://www.mundane.beauty/p/how-britain-lost-its-dye-empire

Well I never. A forgotten breed of  dog :https://x.com/VisionaryVoid/status/2050893884801310894