Day 35 – 365 / February 4th 2015

Surely you know what this is, don’t you?

This is a picture of part that hangs in our orangery and was a gift from our daughter. She bought it for us simply because she knows we enjoy the words it carries.

Many of you will recognise the names as those from The Shipping Forecast, broadcast every day of the year on BBBC Radio 4. If you don’t know what it is, The Shipping Forecast is prepared by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and is responsible for the provision of Maritime Safety Information (MSI) to ships at sea, which includes the broadcast of warnings and forecasts,

I love The Shipping Forecast and, most nights, it is on my radio as I go to sleep. There is something wonderfully reassuring about listening to it; the instantly recognisable tune “Sailing By” that introduces it and the calm, measured cadence of its delivery. The names of the areas it covers are simply fabulous too; German Bight, Dogger, Viking, Fitzroy and co are a delight to hear.

Around 10 years back, Sarah and I genuinely considered moving to Cromarty when we spotted a small-holding for sale on the Internet. We didn’t end up moving there, but the prospect was tantalising, romantic and inspired by The Shipping Forecast.

I’d recommend you all to tune in to it. 0045 every morning, BBC Radio 4. 97.3 FM