Shepherd's Warning

Early morning tea in bed and Mrs M spotted a red glow through the skylight. I walked out into brisk wind and surprised a rabbit at the garden gate. We had already seen the forecast and resolved to stay put but, if confirmation were needed, this sky was it

Soon the rain came and the wind built up to gusts around 50mph. Howling wires and rattling doors. It's probably run-of-the-mill weather here but we soft Midlanders are daunted, and deemed it a good day for catching up on admin and updating spreadsheets

By mid-afternoon, the rain (but not the wind) relented and the heavy skies became broken and dramatic. We took our chance, added layers and headed for the coast. The herdwicks, making for higher ground, gave us puzzled looks that we should make such a fuss over a bit of a blow

Low light shone off wet surfaces. Water trickled and rushed, gurgled and splashed. The Treshnish Isles were silhouetted against the sea. The cloudscapes amplified the drama. A day that looked like being a photographic non-event suddenly acquired a portfolio.

The rain has come back; the wind has redoubled its effort. Curtains closed and fire lit, we are smug that we grabbed our chance of a spectacle. But it all began with this pre-dawn light and the old proverb