Monitored

Some rain overnight but it's bright and sunny by the time we head out of the courtyard. The farmers 20 year old is off to check on the barley crop but stops for a wee blether. His trip to America was exciting and 'grand'. People were friendly, the afternoons chronically hot, the beers 'dynamically' priced ( ie expensive ) and the Harvard campus a great place to meet girls other football fans. They spent much of their time in just kilt and shoes playing the pipes and trying to keep cool. Bostonians seemed to think pipes were an Irish thing and were surprised to discover 'Scotch' folk played them. Nothing but nothing starts up a conversation like a kilt wearing piper. The train to the stadium cost an eye watering $80 which was four times more than usual. It was always packed to the gunnels and boarding was a 'jovial farce'. Good natured policemen joked with them. Unbidden, waitresses piled extra fries on their plates ( 'you boys look like you need feeding up ' ) and bar staff ( despite their smooth faces ) accepted their ID's with only a hint of incredulity. The hotel receptionist gave them 'upgrades' to rooms on a higher floor which they thought was 'fantastic'. They had 55" tv screens to watch the football on. They went to a baseball game. Almost everywhere (the touristy Cheers bar in Boston excepted ) rounds of drinks were offered and accepted. The six village lads experienced nothing other than unfettered kindness which is, when you think about it, the most reassuring thing anyone can say about America ( and the world ) today. They can hardly wait to go back.

Breakfast time. On our way down to the beach we pass one of the golf club caddies sitting on a bench eating his bacon roll. He seems unaware that every mouthful is being carefully monitored by a crowd of hungry crows and gulls.

Peonies in the window of the house that always sports a vase of fresh flowers . People heading off to one of the graduation ceremonies stop to peer inside.

The hotels and restaurants continue to be booked solid with families visiting for graduation. A line of taxis with Edinburgh registration decals suggests that some folks are having to commute up from the big city. 

Visiting golfers out for an afternoon walk are surprised to discover there's more to the town than the golf course.

Tourist buses en  route to the highlands continue to disgorge their passengers into the town. What do they make of it ? Do the day trippers think the place is always full of youngsters in kilts and that bagpipers can always be found on every street corner ?

An honorary doctorate speech for the students with ( at the 1 hour 33 minute mark )  an accent to die for :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=setHE3kdNd4

The Italian countryside :https://www.lelappe.com/

More easily said than done ? :https://worksinprogress.co/issue/why-we-should-vaccinate-wild-animals/

Unusual advice :https://pradyuprasad.com/writings/how-to-ask-for-help/