Scotland 'enjoys' a heatwave.

The southern heatwave has arrived on this side of the border. 25C yesterday and the same expected today. After sitting idle for the better part of a month the farmer has turned on the irrigation system again. Out here the garden continues to be awash with the sound of young goldfinch and corn buntings. The braver among them are now hunting for grubs on the lawn. 

Who knows what is going on in the Middle East ? Just in case this is a serious escalation I stop off at the petrol station to top up the fuel tank. I manage to squeeze in  £20 worth. The BBC six am news also seems uncertain about events. " Having marched to the top of the hill neither side seems keen to march all the way down again " is their 'security' correspondents gloriously imprecise, but somewhat  reassuring, take on events. 

Down by the first tee there's a group of Americans from Chicago waiting for seven am and the start of play. They discuss their game plan for each hole with their caddies. Beside them another group from the Hirono Golf Club in Japan are patiently waiting. We know where they're from because the women are wearing caps with Hirono Gold Club written in large letters across them. Both groups can't believe how good the weather is. The Japanese all have electric golf carts which golf purists ( ie the local caddies ) are somewhat snooty about .

The beach is pretty much empty. One of the joy of being early risers is having the place to ourselves. By lunch time the sand will be packed solid with mothers and toddlers enjoying themselves in the shallow water.

Two horses have been for a long walk in the water. I guess they'll be hosed down to get the salt off when they're back at the stables. We both agree there's something elemental and satisfying about seeing horses cooling themselves down in the waves.

They thunder past us on their way back to the farm. We meet a woman who's walking what appears to be a PON on stilts. Turns out it's a very lively Sheepadoodle puppy. This it seems is an Old English/Poodle mix. This is the young dogs first ever trip to the beach and it's coming to terms with this strange environment.

5 very narrow cottages by the cinema. How do you survive in a house this narrow ? On a hot night those bedrooms must get claggy.

How in heavens name did this become the Scots fans signature song in America ?. This version sung by a herring fisherman from Ullapool is popular  :https://youtu.be/xCW6863H9us?t=77  I wonder if the farmers youngest wooed 'Mia' from Daytona Beach with a personal rendition ?

The test of time :https://www.snexplores.org/article/egypt-great-pyramid-resist-earthquake

Cultural differences :https://x.com/paulnovosad/status/2073134052681679306

A young reporter asking a question no one else dare ask :https://x.com/atrupar/status/2074860362373980266

Virginia wine :https://lostmountainvineyards.com/