Friday 30/09/05

A very dark and dreich morning greets us round the breakfast table. The lighthouse at Arnish is on, and there is a heavy drizzle. As per usual, the weather changes round through the day, with sunshine and showers through the afternoon. At lunchtime, mrs B's second son turns up with his new partner. He has come to attend the opening of the new arts centre, An Lanntair (The Lantern), located at the corner of Kenneth Street and Francis Street. It has taken 30 years for Stornoway to get a dedicated arts venue. Before that, it was the old council chamber in the Town Hall. There was a huge outcry when the decision was taken to build An Lanntair in its current position. It deprived SY of a carpark. Aww. The public will be able to view it tomorrow. As we're enjoying a pastabake, the lifeboat races out. When we have a look out of the window, at 7.30, a helicopter is hovering somewhere behind the coastguard station. I can also discern a boat, which seems to vanish. Either it's gone down, or it's the next shower. Mrs B and I walk to the coastguard station to have a look. The failing light makes it difficult to see, but the chopper is out there with its searchlight trained on the area. The scene of the incident appears to be around Holm Point, about 2 miles to the south. At 8.20, after dark, the lifeboat returns with a boat strapped alongside. It's cold outside with a strong southwesterly. Temperature 12C. The evening closes with a convivial evening until about 12.45.