Clouds over the North Sea

Ah, another crisp, cold morning with a blue sky. The sun, though, seemed to be having a leisurely lie-in. The reason all became clear atop Capt. Cook’s Monument. A bank of cumulus cloud hovered menacingly over the North Sea—not the friendly fair weather sort, mind you, but cumulus congestus, puffed up and self-important, like galleons scudding the skies. A storm brewing out there — but someone else’s problem.

The shipping forecast had painted a cheerful picture for sea-area Tyne: “Cyclonic, becoming north west, 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first, except in Fisher, backing south, 3 to 5 later in Tyne and Dogger, wintry showers, good, occasionally poor.” Not that I’d heard it myself mind you, but delightful news for anyone bobbing about offshore.

Meanwhile, on Easby Moor, gazing north towards Ayton Bank, there was barely a whisper of wind. Bitterly cold, though. Winter’s charm in full force.