Monday 22/08/05

In contrast to yesterday, Monday dawns sunny with some cloud. The cruiseliner Astoria lies anchored in the Glumag, off Arnish and tenders ferry passengers ashore for tours of town and island. A fleet of coaches is waiting on pier no 3 to take everybody round. This boat carries a whiff of notoriety. Two years ago, she was inspected for hygiene during a visit to Greenwich, near London. The galleys for passengers and crew were found to be infested with cockroaches. Although the captain pledged to quarantine his ship, he hightailed it down the river the next morning at 3 o'clock and turned up in Bremerhaven, Germany, later that day. Go into town at lunchtime for a haircut, a new pair of trousers and to scan a load of piccies in the computer. I've got to buy another pen, catching up with the old journal. As evening falls, the wind picks up strongly and heavy rain starts. That gale is not expected until Wednesday.