Emptying out.

The potato plants in the field by the gate are now all of two feet high and home to a dozen or so larks who rise, singing lustily, into the sky as we head down the farm track to the shore. Relative to their body size larks make a remarkable amount of noise. The goldfinches are also out in force again this morning. The young ones launch themselves from the stone field walls and scatter, inelegantly, as we drift into sight. They flutter all of fifteen yards before tumbling exhausted into the safety of the barley field. Anxious mothers chivvy these small un-aerodynamic bundles of feathers along. For these chicks a day of intense flying instruction lies ahead. By tonight they'll be proficient. The sound of the morning bird song always surprises us.

Graduation week is finally over. Friday afternoon saw the last of the ceremonies and the last of this years processions of new graduands. The piper and the mace carriers lead them out of the exam hall and down the street to the marquees where they are greeted by proud families. These are amongst those rarest of occasions when literally everyone is smiling.

A small mountain of champagne bottles piled up on the pavement outside chapel tells us that last nights  celebrations went on for some time. Tonight is the night of the Graduation Ball which is always a 'memorable' affair for those taking part.

For the last week the weather has been well behaved. Dry but blustery by day, rainy at night.

The youngsters as always have enjoyed themselves.

This morning the last of the parents are heading home and the town is now emptying out. Tonights party goers will linger for a few more days and then hand over their flats in town to a new generation of students. Soon, very soon, those leaving will be starting work and new chapters will start to be written.

Someone has left a cigarette smouldering in a trash can outside the library. An observant passer by has reported some smoke and the fire brigade are out to deal with it. They, thankfully, resist the temptation to sound their sirens.

Here's some music for an American holiday :https://youtu.be/hc-v8CFJzu4?t=38

The hidden side to tattoos :https://www.sciencealert.com/were-only-just-beginning-to-understand-how-tattoos-affect-the-immune-system

It's going to be hot in America :https://www.theclimatebrink.com/p/how-climate-change-influences-extreme

The book of Kells :https://x.com/patrickc/status/2072431833699267047

The courtesies that set Scotland ( or at least this corner of it ) apart :https://youtu.be/qj6tZS-Tv10?t=7032

Dreaming while awake :https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/mind-and-brain/you-can-dream-awake/