Barbara

I'd been watching Storm Barbara on Magic Seaweed, the surfer's site. At one point it looked like Force 12 winds would sweep into the Butt of Lewis but they spiralled away up towards the Faeroe Islands which looked like they would be run over by the wind and massive ocean swells.

The wind picked up here around 10.30 and the rain came down. I cancelled a walk and spent more time searching the Italian house sales sites and taking little trips up quiet sunlit lanes with Streetview.

The hockey pitches have been little used in the last week and it was strangely reassuring seeing them having a little flood given the care and attention they get.