Couldn't resist this little piece of video.!
Friday, 6 June 2008
Across the Atlantic
We sailed long days
Long dark nights
Bathed in star light
Careering through the midnight sea
Lit by the phosphorescent glow
Of ocean life
In sunlight, blue sea dreams
Sung by a lone whale
Echo through the hull
Heavy water surges apart
Split by the cutting edge
Three thousand miles run
Across the planet
We five ride each contour
Lurching in unison
Each wave rise
Each sudden drop
Imprinted on the brain.
Ahead lie volcanoes
Dead, dying or alive
Around each a coral ring
Flocked with rainbow shoals
Blue, yellow, red parrot fish
Grinding out white sands
Rasta boatmen stream to greet us
Bearing bread, fruit and lobsters
Red green yellow Ethiopian head rugs
Cajoling with slow eloquent tongues
Parting with complex handshakes
We touch Knuckled fists for RespectWednesday, 4 June 2008
Planning Ahead
Our plan is to sail Round Britain this summer - that is to say late July - early August. But there is also a strong vote to avoid cold wet northern areas and turn left to Brittany again to warm weather and wonderful food. Critical to this will be the weather, which will make the difference between a wonderful cruise and a vile battle with the elements. So I have started to keep a forward eye on the long range forecasts. here's the first that I have found from TheWeatherOutlook http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/twoother/twocontent2.aspx?type=for_d90uk
Rather like a horoscope it covers every eventuality, but does stick its neck out to say that the summer will be warm and fairly good;
Rather like a horoscope it covers every eventuality, but does stick its neck out to say that the summer will be warm and fairly good;
UK Seasonal Outlook
Overview
The seasonal outlook is updated every three months. Forecast availability is: Spring - March 1st, Summer - June 1st, Autumn - September 1st, Winter - December 1st.
Summer 2008 UK headline: Rather warm, fairly good
Summer summary
Overview
A reasonable summer with rather warm conditions, and possibly slightly below average rainfall.
A reasonable summer with rather warm conditions, and possibly slightly below average rainfall.
Temperature
A warmer than average summer is expected. The aggregated Central England Temperature (CET) for June, July and August is expected to be 0.5C to 1.5C above the 1961-90 average.
Precipitation
Generally close to or slightly below average levels of rainfall are likely, although significant local variations are expected. Overall we expect levels to reach around 80% to 110% across the UK.
June
Temperature: Above average
Precipitation: Slightly below average
The first half of the month looks likely to be rather mixed with some rain or showers at times. Through this period we expect conditions in southern and central areas to progressively improve. Temperatures are expected to trend above average, with the chance of warm conditions at times.
The second half of June may well bring a good deal of fine and very warm weather to much of the UK. Less settled conditions further north and west are likely at times, and these may briefly extend to other parts of the UK at times.. Temperature: Slightly above average
Precipitation: Close to average
The first half of the month is likely to bring rather changeable conditions with some rain or showers affecting all areas at times. Fairly typical conditions are likely, with southern areas seeing less rain and higher temperatures than the north.
During the second half of the month high pressure is increasingly likely to be in control of the weather across the UK, and this should give a good deal of fine and settled weather, especially in southern areas. Northern areas are likely to be less settled with rain or showers at times.
Precipitation: Slightly below average
The first half of the month looks likely to be rather mixed with some rain or showers at times. Through this period we expect conditions in southern and central areas to progressively improve. Temperatures are expected to trend above average, with the chance of warm conditions at times.
The second half of June may well bring a good deal of fine and very warm weather to much of the UK. Less settled conditions further north and west are likely at times, and these may briefly extend to other parts of the UK at times.. Temperature: Slightly above average
Precipitation: Close to average
The first half of the month is likely to bring rather changeable conditions with some rain or showers affecting all areas at times. Fairly typical conditions are likely, with southern areas seeing less rain and higher temperatures than the north.
During the second half of the month high pressure is increasingly likely to be in control of the weather across the UK, and this should give a good deal of fine and settled weather, especially in southern areas. Northern areas are likely to be less settled with rain or showers at times.
August
Temperature: Slightly above average
Precipitation: Close to or slightly below average
During the first half of the month there should be plenty of fine and sunny weather. Temperatures are likely to be close to or slightly above average for much of the period in southern and central parts. Northern areas maybe cooler and less settled with some rain at times
The second half of the month should see some fine spells, but less settled conditions are likely to develop at times. Temperatures are likely to be close to average.
Precipitation: Close to or slightly below average
During the first half of the month there should be plenty of fine and sunny weather. Temperatures are likely to be close to or slightly above average for much of the period in southern and central parts. Northern areas maybe cooler and less settled with some rain at times
The second half of the month should see some fine spells, but less settled conditions are likely to develop at times. Temperatures are likely to be close to average.
Forecast Issued 31/05/2008
Key
Temperature
Much above average - the Central England Temperature (CET) is expected to be more than 2C above the 1961-90 average
Above average – the Central England Temperature (CET) is expected to be 1C to 2C above the 1961-90 average
Close to average – the Central England Temperature (CET) is expected to be between 1C below and 1C above the 1961-90 average
Below average – the Central England Temperature (CET) is expected to be 1C to 2C below the 1961-90 average
Much below average - the Central England Temperature (CET) is expected to be more than 2C below the 1961-90 average
Rainfall
Much above average - expected to be more than 150% of the England & Wales Rainfall Series
Above average - expected to be between 125% and 150% of the England & Wales Rainfall Series
Close to average - expected to be between 75% and 125% of the England & Wales Rainfall Series
Below average – expected to be between 75% and 50% of the England & Wales Rainfall Series
Much below average - expected to be below than 50% of the England & Wales Rainfall Series
Key
Temperature
Much above average - the Central England Temperature (CET) is expected to be more than 2C above the 1961-90 average
Above average – the Central England Temperature (CET) is expected to be 1C to 2C above the 1961-90 average
Close to average – the Central England Temperature (CET) is expected to be between 1C below and 1C above the 1961-90 average
Below average – the Central England Temperature (CET) is expected to be 1C to 2C below the 1961-90 average
Much below average - the Central England Temperature (CET) is expected to be more than 2C below the 1961-90 average
Rainfall
Much above average - expected to be more than 150% of the England & Wales Rainfall Series
Above average - expected to be between 125% and 150% of the England & Wales Rainfall Series
Close to average - expected to be between 75% and 125% of the England & Wales Rainfall Series
Below average – expected to be between 75% and 50% of the England & Wales Rainfall Series
Much below average - expected to be below than 50% of the England & Wales Rainfall Series
Sunday, 1 June 2008
Taxis and Trains
An early taxi picked us up on the quayside,and dropped us at Truro station. We had a lovely relaxed train ride, upgraded for a tenner to First Class seats, albeit with a quick flurry of excitement at W where we were due to catch a train to Fratton. However having lugged everything onto the platform we found that this was delayed so we hopped back on with all our bags, and went on to Reading, and then cross country to Guildford.
Unfortunately the last bit of the journey from Guildford was marred by screaming children with a single mother failing to cope, followed by a gang of young bully boys who were behaving abominably. To my shame I didn't stand up to stop them- I was pathetically mindful of the apparent propensity of aggressive yobs to knife anyone who gets in their way. They got off at Godalming to go and terrorise people there instead.
Finally home by taxi, where everything felt Alice-in-Wonderland huge and a little strange - I always feel so much more careful about running taps, after days being careful about water.
To recuperate I spent the next three hours giving the grass a much needed cut in the sunshine, and felt much more grounded as a result. Back to work tomorrow!
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