Tuesday 26/09/06

Fairly reasonable day weatherwise, although it's mostly cloudy and breezy. Mrs B's son and guest are heading back to Glasgow on the ferry. They have a hot lunch at 12.30, and mrs B and myself walk them to the terminal at 1pm. The MV Isle of Lewis arrives on time at 1.15, and departs spot-on at 1.45. Accompany mrs B back to her house, where we have a hamroll for lunch. Typhoon Xangsane is threatening the Philippines. The groups of teenagers from the local secondary school are still hanging around Somerfields. They also do so at the ferry terminal and in An Lanntair. Not so much a bother, but they don't clear up after themselves, judging by the piles of rubbish left behind every day. Supper tonight chili con carne with peach slices. Night falls at 7.30, over a decidedly dreich and grey day.

The sinking of the SS Norge in 1904 was one of the worst losses of life at sea in peacetime. Only the Titanic saw a greater loss of life. Nine passengers lie buried in Sandwick Cemetery; nearly 800 lost their lives. The Norge was en route from Scandinavia to America, when she struck rocks at Rockall Island, 250 miles west of Scotland. When the ship was put into reverse, she slid off the rocks, but the gash in her hull quickly led to her sinking. Read this article for more details.