Wednesday 18/01/06

It's a very dreich morning, with heavy drizzle and limited visibility. The Arnish Lighthouse is barely discernible, although it's barely a mile away across the basin. The murk lifts just before midday. Receive an interesting email about project Timbertown, from a lady whose relative made a jewellery box whilst at the camp. She now has it in her possessions. Go into town at midday to send off some mail through the PO. Reports come through that a fisherman has fallen overboard from his boat, 65 miles north of the Butt of Lewis, at 5.30 this morning. A major sea and air rescue swung into action, with the Coastguard helicopter Mike Uniform and an RAF Nimrod plane engaged in the search. Conditions were said to be fair with light winds. Poor visibility hampered the search, which was finally abandoned at dusk, 5 pm. The man was not thought to have worn buoyancy aids. As the temperature of the sea is only 8C, and he would have been wearing oilskins, his chances of survival for any length of time would have been minimal. This has happened before during the last 12 months. After supper, the sound of a noisy ship's engine can be heard from the harbour. A number of boats, including the lifeboat, are going in or out. One fishing boat is followed by a flock of gulls. Wind appears to be increasing after 7pm. Heavy rain is subject of a Met Office severe weather warning. Upto 50 mm of rain, 80 mm on upslopes, are forecast. It's been mild today, 11C. Compare that to Moscow's temperature, -30C / -22F. A large area of high pressure sits over Finland and propels all this cold air towards Europe. We've got Atlantic murk. Spend the evening revamping my webpages.