Drizzle

Some light drizzly rain this morning. The farmer will be pleased as will the fire service. There's been a fire in the dry heather up on the hills by Aviemore. The village is getting ready for something called The Rat Race being run the hundred miles between Edinburgh and Glamis Castles:https://www.ratrace.com/rr100-edinburgh-to-glamis-2026-eei/#eei-overview  We know little about it but professional looking orange signs have appeared by the doocot pointing runners down to the field where the cows are. A table dispensing Barley Water has been put up in front of the potato barns. There is a general feeling of expectancy amongst the villagers who are unsure whether to expect tens or hundreds of visitors. The scout hut in the next village down the coast has been turned into an overnight pit stop with warm food and a doctor on duty for those intent on doing the full 100 miles. It's all very professional.

Down where the golf courses meet the sea the groundskeepers have planted a wild flower meadow. It attracts swarms of bees and flocks of butterflies. It also looks good so can be counted a great success.

Sanderlings charging in and out of the incoming waves. They are the most comical of all waders.

This mornings rain gives the air a decidedly autumnal accent. We do our 10,000- steps and then head off to the warmth of Starbucks.

A late birthday delivery of birthday chocolates by the delivery man who has moved into the cottage by the Y junction. It still seems odd to have a delivery first thing on a Sunday morning. These chocolates come from a maker in the Highlands. They are as well wrapped as chocolates can be.

They are very French in their presentation.

They are also very Scottish in design.

A little poem with a big heart: https://substack.com/@joysullivan/note/c-295880282

Excitement in Greenland :https://x.com/OJoelsen/status/2081013859695956350

Why electronics are about to get more expensive :https://www.chinatalk.media/p/the-chemistry-of-chips

What German children do during their summer holidays :https://www.cato.org/blog/friday-feature-mini-cities

I fund this on Youtube but am still none the wiser about what to expect :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNQJtZQOXe4