Thursday 21/09/06

Very wet day, with the rain persisting until 3.30pm. Very strong winds, up to force 11, are expected at Land's End and St David's Head, resulting from the passage of the remnant of Hurricane Gordon. Hurricane Helene will be here next Wednesday; typhoon Yagi will thrash Iwo Jima with 160 mph winds. A tropical storm has brewed up 300 miles south of Karachi. Up here, not much wind, just rain. And it was the rain that forced the abandonment of the search on Rum. The worst is feared. Am amazed at the volume of emails these days: in excess of 100 alerts today. The Galson Trust has managed to accumulate all the money needed to buy the estate. The John Muir Trust, which looks after Ben Nevis, has pledged support and a grant. The grant will become a loan if the windfarm gets built. About 190 windturbines, each standing 450 ft tall, will be built across 50 miles in Lewis. Sun is out after 4pm. The Greek dish (see Recipe Book) will be tried out using pork. The evening remains calm and warm - 15C / 60F at 7.30pm.