Friday notes

Pretty dreadful weather, with gales blowing and heavy rain. A warning is outstanding for rainfall totals between 25 and 50 mm, 1 to 2 inches. This severe weather is linked to a former tropical storm by the name of Chantal. As per usual, this system brings mild air along, although I cannot wax lyrical over today's values of 14C / 57F. The Highlands are not troubled by much wind, and have much less rain the further east you go. They can expect 19C / 66F.


Just wanted to share a picture of cruiseliner Kristina Regina, which was in port yesterday until 3pm. It departed for Londonderry. Passengers will have had a bumpy crossing, latterly. Which reminds me of the Italian cruisepassenger, who was on board a liner near Cape Wrath, 60 miles northeast of here, in a gale. Boat was fairly jumping up and down, and she thought they were about to sink. So, she rang her sister in Rome, saying "We're on this cruiseliner and we're going down!". Sister rang the Coastguard in Rome, which in turn contacted their counterparts in Aberdeen. They radioed the ship, which replied: "It's a bit choppy here, but we're quite safe. No reason for panic".