Tajik quality control.

A nip in the air this morning. We remain resolute in our determination not to turn on the heating until mid September. However, that mid September target may be adjusted to 'beginning of '.

The farmer is back to harvest the potatoes in the small triangular field that runs down to the sea. This small plot was 'overlooked' by the boys when they were here on Saturday. It seems that after darkness fell they were keen to head home for their dinner and 'forgot. this corner.

On our morning walk from the courtyard to the shore we stop to see what's going on. A group of cheerful Tajiks sit on a bench in a covered area at the back of the harvester. Here they can check for any damaged potatoes on a conveyor belt linked to a plough at the front of the machine . Approved potatoes then pass onto a hoist that disgorges them into boxes . The whole process busy but efficient. Youngest son races a small electric 4x4 across the field to see how fast it will go. His elder brother cheers him on. The Tajiks laugh.

A rather jazzy tartan kilt on a model in an outfitters window. There is a pashmina in the same tartan next to it. Ideal for couples who wish to their coordinate their outfits. The crimson bow tie does not improve matters. The tout ensemble has something of a popular stage and screen feel to it.

End of the month  music on the radio this morning :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS1Xx1whEKc

Egypt travelog :https://chandhana.substack.com/p/notes-on-egypt

If this appeared in anything other than Foreign Policy I'd think it was a joke :https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/08/28/american-oligarchy-geopolitics-dictators-democracy-jared-kushner-trump/?tpcc=fp_weekend

The role of the garage :https://www.coolidgereview.com/articles/garage-silicon-valley

Someone writes something sensible on AI :https://rogermyerson.substack.com/p/potential-challenges-of-artificial