7 to severe gale 9, increasing storm 10

"The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, on Monday 24 September 2012 at 1625 UTC

There are warnings of gales in Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Forties, Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, Dogger, Fisher, German Bight, Humber, Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland, Biscay, FitzRoy, Irish Sea, Shannon, Rockall, Malin, Hebrides, Bailey, Fair Isle, Faeroes.

South Utsire, Forties, Cromarty, Forth

Easterly or northeasterly, but cyclonic for a time in Forties, 7 to severe gale 9, increasing storm 10 for a time except in South Utsire. Rough or very rough, occasionally high for a time. Rain. Moderate or poor."

 Forecasts like that are best listened to at home with your feet up having a cuppa.

The above picture was at lunchtime as the sea started to build. The wind was freshening from the east and the swell was gathering. When I went back down at 19.00 to check the Heron I struggled to get a photo with the wind and lashing rain/ sea spray. It's the sort of weather that reminds you that your alive.

In the Victoria harbour the "Lady Angela" had broken her bow mooring. Eight tonnes of boat was trying to go for a wander!

A quick call to the harbourmaster and with a few volunteers a line was secured that will hopefully hold her off the wall tonight.

Due to a lack of opposable thumbs Fly wasn't of much help and hid in the Lifeboat container.

Back home and the rain is lashing off the windows and I can hear the roar of the sea. I'll be back down to check on the Heron tomorrow morning and then I'm off to buy a jockey wheel so I can get the trailer sorted and get the boat onto dry land. I'm a fair-weather sailor and proud of it!