View across the Outer Harbour of Stornoway

Wednesday 9 November 2011

Wednesday 9 November

Completely overcast today, although the sun did glimpse through the clouds in the morning. Just as I went out the door at 2.30, it started to rain. And it has not stopped yet - and it's 10pm now. Anyway, it's pretty mild, with the mercury at 11C / 52F, even now.

What is it about Big Brother, Strictly Come Dancing, the X-Factor and I'm a Celebrity... that gets everybody so worked up? It is headline news in the papers, on the radio, on the television. I haven't watched Big Brother for 6 years, "Strictly" I translate into Strictly Come Vomiting, the X-Factor tends to be X-rated and "I'm a Celebrity" turns into "I'm no Celebrity".

Reports are coming in of a 5.7 earthquake in eastern Turkey, not far from the epicentre of a quake a few weeks ago. Apparently, a hotel has toppled and several other buildings have collapsed in the city of Van, near the Iranian border.
Talking of natural disasters, tropical storm Sean is set to pass close to Bermuda tomorrow and could well be at hurricane strength. The coast of the USA is being affected by life-threatening surf and rip-currents. The hurricane season closes in 3 weeks' time, but that does not mean that it is all over by then. The 2005 season overran into 2006!