From The East Neuk

We're here.

Or there.... whatevah!

We arrived to cold, wet weather, and were soaked through by the time the car was loaded....  But, an on-time arrival and easy 90-minute drive to St. Monans made up for that inconvenience.  And, most importantly, the house lives up to it's billing, clean and comfortable, with lovely views of the harbor.

I had no sooner lugger our two bags up to our second-floor bedroom, than the benefits of the climb revealed themselves:

Jewelle obviously agreed:

Either that, or she's auditioning for the East Neuk summer stock performance of the French Lieutenant's Woman.

 Most of you will, of course, know the drill for that first day on the ground... Stay awake and avoid the biological imperative to nap.  It's not fun, but make it through that day, and one' body takes care of the rest.... Towards that end, the key is to keep moving.  With the weather turning variable, we headed out to explore our new home town.

This gent is out neighbor:

The logic of this business model escapes me.... Joinery, think carpentry and/or cabinetry, and funerals reminds me of a sign on the ferry we took to Balyliffen way back when, advertising a funeral home that also offered matchmaking service.... Now that's an add-on business I understand.

The town and its harbor are quite delightful:

That bottom photo is looking north towards Pittenweem.

Hardy folks were enjoying food and drink at the local smokehouse:

We then headed East, first to the neighboring Pittenweem:

An obviously more serious fishing village, Pittenweem is where I wanted to base ourselves, though we started looking for houses on the late side.  Mostly, I just like saying Pittenweem....

Then, a drive through the equally picturesque Anstruther, though no convenient parking revealed itself.  We'll have many opportunities to explore there for sure...

Then to Crail, to retrieve the ladies' golf bags:

Notice a change?  Yup, the clouds cleared out and the sun presented, and all was right with the world.  Except, of course, that my sunglasses were left behind in the house.

The benefits of combining forces with Jewelle were evident, as she introduced us to the Balgove Larder, a market offer all sorts of fresh fruit, veggies (not for me, of course) and meats just on the far side of St. Andrews.  We, on the other hand, introduced Jewelle to the joys of peri-peri chicken at Nandos...  OK, technically it's fast food, but fast food of a fresh and delicious ilk.  

Both parties, it turns out, are acquainted with Luvian's ice cream, and I grabbed a takeaway container for later.  While the young lady was packing my ice cream, an Asian father brought his young son in for a treat.  After exiting, I turned to Jewelle, and started with "OK, I know this has to be racist, but..." and she burst into laughter knowing that which I was about to say.  We both found his Asian features with the Scottish accent an unexpected, though delightful contrast.

Back home to St. Monans, and it is already feeling like home.... An early evening stroll down to the harbor to enjoy the evening light:

That blue building above is the aforementioned smokehouse. 

Then, mercifully, off to bed.... To sleep, perchance, to dream.....

We're off to play the new course at Crail this morning.  The morning weather looks quite promising, though the Met. Office send this warning shot across our bow:

That black cloud indicates an actual thunderstorm, rare but not completely unheard of in these parts.  So, how does one dress and what does one pack in the bag?  Who knows, mostly I throw everything I own into the car and defer until the last moment.  But, whatever we take will be wrong, at least at times....

The girls are ready to go, and anxious to get going.  I'm traveling with tow ladies, and they're waiting on me.... a very promising beginning.