View across the Outer Harbour of Stornoway

Sunday 16 January 2011

Sunday 16 January

Quite a nice day, but breezy and feeling cold in the wind. There were a few showers out and about earlier, but it has turned dry through the afternoon.

The weather remains the main topic, as I continue to monitor the one tropical cyclone currently left in the southern hemisphere: Zelia is racing southeast across the Pacific at a breathtaking 24 knots (nearly 30 mph), with winds near its centre of 105 mph. The storm will cease to be a TC within about 48 hours, before it reaches New Zealand. As I type, Zelia is west of New Caledonia, which will experience strong winds and heavy rains in the north.

I intend to gather some more information on some of the WW1 casualties from Lewis, by taking a look at the croft histories for parts of the islands. These show the people that lived on each croft since it was established as such - usually in the late 18th century. There are about 80-90 names that I have too little information on, and I hope to get some clarity for about half of that number.