Tuesday 11/07/06

Nice sunny morning, but quite windy. The windspeed is force 5. Cloud bubbles up and showers look likely. A new tropical storm has formed in the Pacific, Bud. He is at position 13N 111W, well out at sea. Later in the day, it looks likely that this system will turn into a hurricane. On the other side of the Pacific, Bilis heads for Taiwan and Shanghai. Mrs B's son and his friend drive out to Tolsta. I go into town, but Woolworths have not got what I want. Also took a short stroll along the Cromwell Street quayside. Had to lift the camera above the fences to take above pictures. Cloud increases further as the afternoon progresses and the rain comes in at 5.30. We have pancakes with our afternoon cup of tea. Supper is fish and chips, laced with arguments surrounding the local health board. A fishing boat limps into port, towed by another one. The propellor of the first boat is fouled in its own nets, which still hang over its stern. The two boats come into port, lashed together side by side. This week we're having the summer springtides, with high tides up to 4.9 m, and low tides at 0.5 m. The usual amplitude is 2.0 to 3.7m. Ferry comes in at 8, bringing another two guests related to mrs B's son. Coastguard were doing an exercise on the ferry. Heavy rain commences after 8.30.