The porpoise.

It's rained quite heavily overnight. This will delight the farmer who has been praying for a downpour to kick start his potato crop. We stop to chat to two village ladies who are repairing the fencing around the apple tress in the communal orchard. This year the deer have developed a liking passion for apples . The ladies are repairing the wire mesh to deter them from grazing on the low lying branches. They don't hold out great hopes for success. From them we learn that the Water Board has discovered that one of the feed pipes to the village is made of lead. It must have been laid down at least a century ago. Heath and Safety regulations mean that the lead pipe will need to be replaced which also means that the road through the village will need to be dug up so a new pipe can be laid. This , it can be assumed, will be a lengthy and disruptive process. 

The high tide has washed up a dead porpoise. It's surprisingly small. The usual cast of dog owners are taking it in turn to warn other owners to keep their dogs away. The waters around here can be treacherous for weak swimmers.

Heading back in the car we see four vans out collecting student belongings. The companies wrap and store  things until their owners return in September. This is a service industry that didn't exist in our day. It is , as you might expect, a highly competitive and highly seasonal market. With each passing day the exodus of youngsters picks up pace. Local cab drivers are busy with bookings to Edinburgh airport. In a weeks time there will only be post-grads and heavy party goers who are left.

Down by the busy golf course we pass the Jake and Edie bench. On a morning like this we can quite understand why it was their favourite place. 'Golf, Bridge and a view of the Sea' is a succinct summary of lifes charms.

At the garden store two metal lions. They're the better part of £800 each. Someone might like them. 

This Parisian cafe has the most French advert ever ? :https://serpentaplume.com/

Careful preparation pays dividends :https://uvamillercenter.substack.com/p/lessons-from-the-osama-bin-laden

A place to stay in New Orleans :https://ash.world/hotels/peter-and-paul