Intermingle.

At first light there's a group of thirty or so folk standing lined up facing the sea. They're here for the scattering of the ashes of the very small and very old lady with the Westie. We used to see her wandering slowly around town, followed three paces behind by her devoted companion. For the last six months she's been in the modern ( and supposedly very good ) care home out in the new development. The presence of a number of enthusiastic labradors who are keen to participate does not make the scattering of ashes as easy as it sounds. What more joyous or magical place can there be for farewells than the beach on a calm, sunny, October morning ? 

The sky may be bright but the wind is chilly. 6 degrees this morning. Those long padded coats have been brought out of storage and are now being worn by many beach walkers.

Others cope with the cold by doing hearty exercises. What is hearty exercise for humans barely registers with their dogs.

The walk back to the car via Waterstones reminds us that Scottish childhoods .....

.... are served by literature that deals with local issues.

The town is suddenly inundated with golfers. I'd assumed that after the Dunhill tournament that was it for the year. Seems the Collegiate championship is about to hit town. It is a much bigger deal than you'd expect. This year teams from Texas and Washington are joined by Pennsylvania  ( and of course St Andrews )  which may explain the large numbers of middle aged alumni who are happily wandering around waiting for the bars to open.

The English were once considered to be the most 'Catholic' of all nations. For those who know Rome you can still find the English College :https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/what-are-medieval-english-coins-doing-in-rome-they-could-be-rare-evidence-of-a-little-england-enclave-that-received-special-papal-privileges-180989625/

A question I've never asked myself :https://www.sciencenorway.no/culture-food-milk/why-dont-we-drink-pigs-milk/2718018

Reptilian language :https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/living-world/2026/the-surprising-sounds-made-by-reptiles

Swedish bee  research :https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/honey-bee-colony-can-be-viewed-superorganism