Crowds

 

It's grey and cloudy but the golfers are happy to get out onto the Old Course while it's dry. 

Down by the starters hut a group in matching red outfits are recovering from their flight from Chicago by going on a long walk. Three of their party have gone missing. We know this because they ask passers by if they've seen three folks in red jackets.  We haven't. Their jet lag doesn't seem to be bothering them at all - or if it is they're hiding it well.

This must be the week when absolute peak  visitor influx is recorded. So far everyone seems to be in a convivial 'laid back' frame of mind. The number of visitors from mainland China has surged this year due to the introduction of direct flights from mainland China to Edinburgh. Some, most, arrive in tour groups but more and more hire a car at the airport and drive up with their famillies to spend three or four days here. This morning - if their matching caps are to be believed - there's a perfectly turned out foursome from Pine Valley  Beijing waiting to tee off . By lunchtime the pavement down here will be packed solid.

Badly parked tourists in enormous SUV's ( that stick out into the street ) and local farmers tractors do not make for happy bedfellows. Driving through town is like an obstacle course. The potato harvest is about to kick off. We now try to avoid town between nine thirty in the morning and five . Parking is literally impossible.

Transparent flower :https://x.com/Hana_b30/status/2085589560562459060

In a small place you recognize so many of the youngsters who graduated. This young lady seems to have enjoyed her time here and now deems herself an 'influencer' with a devoted following:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tom03mEVW5E

An American summer spot :https://www.farawaysagharbor.com/