Exhaust problems keep Ravensdale in the marina and Ruby celebrates her first birthday😊

Phil removing the exhaust from Ravensdale's starboard engine

Ruby with one of her birthday presents

Phil completed the oil change for Ravensdale’s starboard engine but has yet to tackle her port engine after discovering two problems that required urgent attention.

An exhaust elbow seam on our 43ft Neptunus 133 motor cruiser’s starboard engine was rusty and leaking.

And the exhaust cover that runs along the outside of her hull on the same side had sprung a leak.

So, we turned Ravensdale around to enable Phil to fix the exhaust cover problem and ended up moored up facing the wrong way for four days until the work was done and the weather was calm enough to turn her again.

He then removed the exhaust elbow and a local man repaired it for us.

Meanwhile, it’s three years since we sold our house in the Scottish Highland and bought our floating home, we celebrated Ruby’s first birthday and I started a new job.


Oil change

Phil pouring oil into Ravensdale's starboard engine

Phil finished off draining the oil from Ravensdale’s starboard engine.

New oil filter

He also changed the oil filter on this engine after filling it with oil.

Phil then refilled the engine with new oil, which wasn’t easy when the boat was rocking because the marina gate had just been opened.

After he’d finished, he ran the engine and the oil pressure was fine.

The plan was to move straight on to draining the oil from Ravensdale’s port engine.

However, when Phil started up the starboard engine, he discovered another job that needed more urgent attention.

He heard a sound that he didn’t recognise, went outside to check where it was coming from and discovered water spraying out from the underside of the external exhaust cover that runs along the side of Ravensdale’s hull.



Exhaust problems

We turned Ravensdale around on Sunday (October 20) after Phil discovered water leaking from the underside of the exhaust cover on the starboard side of her hull.

She’s usually moored up on her port side facing into the prevailing winds, which are either southerlies or westerlies, but we moored up the other way around so Phil could get to her starboard side.

Ravensdale moored up the other way around at Maryport Marina in Cumbria, UK

Water pouring from the underside of the exhaust cover

Mooring up the wrong way around wasn’t a problem as the wind was blowing from the north and northeast on Sunday and Monday and it was relatively calm.

However, it veered around to the south and south-west on Tuesday and continued blowing from that direction for the next couple of days when it was considerably stronger than it had been on the preceding days.

Thankfully, Phil managed to do the work to the exhaust cover before the wind got up.

He had to lay on the pontoon and use my handbag make-up mirror to inspect the problem.

He discovered that the sealant had come away under the exhaust cover in the area that was leaking.

Phil laying on the pontoon and using my make-up mirror to look under the exhaust cover

A closer view of Phil looking under the exhaust cover

Phil scraped off the old sealant with a small screwdriver and cleaned up the area of the hull that had been behind the sealant with a chisel before sanding it with wet and dry sandpaper.

He then resealed it using a sealant that can be applied and goes off underwater as he was using it very close to the waterline.

The sealant had to be left for at least 24 hours before he could start the engine to see if the leak had been stopped.

And, while Ravensdale was back to front, Phil took the opportunity to thoroughly clean her starboard side.

Phil cleaning the starboard side of  Ravensdale's hull

The split seam on the exhaust elbow

We turned her around to face into the prevailing wind on Thursday evening when I got home from work.

This week, Phil removed the damaged exhaust elbow from Ravensdale’s starboard engine and took it to the local engineer who has previously done welding work for us.

He was busy but another local man did the job straight away.

Phil is hoping to refit the elbow today (Friday).

All that remains now – as far as we know – is to change the oil in the port engine and then Ravensdale will be ready to go out on the water again.



Boat purchase anniversary

Ravensdale - then Candlelight - with her "for sale" board when we first saw her in August 2016

On Sunday, October 20, it was three years since we took ownership of Ravensdale, but we don’t really celebrate the anniversary until two weeks later when we moved on board.

In some ways, it’s difficult to believe it’s that long since I left my job as a journalist on a daily newpaper and we sold our house to buy a boat.

But, in other ways, it feels as though we’ve always lived on board.


Charity calendar

Some of the charity calendars that arrived this week

August's photo

Orders for the calendar of my Maryport photos that I decided to get printed to raise money for our local, independent inshore rescue service have far outstripped my expectations.

I originally planned to order 25 and maybe order more if I managed to sell them all.

However, as soon as I posted an advert for my calendar, using photos of the proof, on a local Facebook group the orders came flooding in.

I upped my initial order to 35 when I placed it on Saturday.

However, by the end of the weekend, it was obvious I would need more so I called the printer on Monday and increased my order to 100 as I had orders for about 85.

By Wednesday evening, I had orders for all of them and more coming in, so I ended up ordering another 30 calendars last weekend.

People are still asking if they can order calendars so I may have to order more, but not until I’ve collected the money for those that I have already ordered.

I’m totally amazed and equally delighted that so many people want to buy them 😊

Me packing up the calendars ready for collection

The first batch arrived earlier this week and I sent out messages to all the folk who'd ordered them asking them to arrange collection or send payment and details for posting them out.

I spent most of yesterday (Thursday) running up and down to the gate to meet people who'd come to collect the.

There were more people coming for them today (Friday) and over the weekend.

And I’m being asked for more so I’m keeping a list of folk who still want them saying I may order more when I’ve collected the money for the ones I’ve ordered so far.

As long as everyone who's said they want calendars pays for them, it looks as though they’re going to raise a useful sum for Maryport Inshore Rescue 😊



New job

Me working at Chimney Sheep making a chimney draught excluder

I’ve been considering getting a part-time job for a while and started doing three-days a week in a local factory this week.

Initially, it’s just until the end of the year.

I love how I came by this job. It really was the weirdest way to get a job ever.

Regular readers of my blog may remember when a parcel addressed to us on our boat at Maryport Marina was bizarrely delivered to Chimney Sheep on the Solway Industrial Estate.

Fortunately, a Facebook friend, who I’d never met, worked there and messaged me to let me know it was there.

I went along to pick it up and, while chatting to my Facebook friend, just happened to mention that I was considering looking for a part-time job.

She told me to speak to her boss who told me to send her my CV, which I did.

And last Tuesday afternoon, I got an email offering me three days a week in production and packing until the end of this year.

I started at 9am the following day and worked Wednesday to Friday, which is why I didn’t get a chance to write my blog last week, and Monday to Wednesday this week.

The company makes draught excluders for chimneys out of sheep’s wool (amongst other things) – hence the name Chimney Sheep.

Felt arrives in Maryport ready to be made into chimney draught excluders and other items

It’s certainly strange to be going out to work again, but they’re a good bunch so it’s a great environment to work in.

And it’s good to feel I’m contributing to the family finances again, even if it is only for a couple of months 😊


Ruby of Ravensdale

Ruby sunbathing on Ravensdale this week

Ruby at around six weeks

It seems impossible to believe that Ruby turned one on Monday of this week.

It only seems like yesterday that we picked up our beautiful little staffie puppy and brought her home to Ravensdale.

And I reckon it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. She’s a little monkey but she is so much fun and I love her to bits.

I bought her a purple hippo toy and a new stag antler as birthday presents, but neither lasted very long.

Ruby tearing chunks off her new toy hippo

She pulled the hippo’s tail off in a matter of seconds, its ears lasted a minute or two longer and she had bitten a hole in its rear end and was pulling the stuffing out within about 10 minutes, so I had to take it away.

Her new stag antler lasted a little longer, but not a lot 😊

Ruby tossing her antler, as she does with all new chew toys

I gave it to her at about 6pm and before we went to bed she’d chewed it down from about seven inches to a small stump so I had to throw it away as I was worried she would choke on it.

Ruby happily chewing her new antler

Meanwhile, we’re hoping her allergy problems are improving.

We dropped her allergy tablets from half a tablet twice a day to once a day on Friday (October 18) and she started chewing her feet again the following morning.

The sad face I have to say goodbye to when I leave for work

We waited a fortnight, as advised by the vet, to see if it improved and she does seem to be chewing her feet and scratching her ears less often so we’re hoping she may stabilise on half a tablet.

Ruby was totally confused by us turning Ravensdale around to work on her starboard side.

She kept barking at the views out of the windows because she was seeing the wrong things on the wrong sides of the boat.

Every time she jumped onto Ravensdale from our boarding steps, she went forward instead of onto the aft deck to get indoors. She then had to turn around and head back towards the stern.

She isn't very impressed when I have to leave her to go to work in the morning and I get a very enthusiastic greeting when I get home.

And she really doesn’t like going out in the rain. We have to persuade her to leave the boat but once she’s out she’s fine.

As soon as she gets back inside and warm and dry, she curls up and sleeps for most of the day – either that or she’s pretending to be asleep, so we don’t drag her out again any sooner😊

Ruby on one of our walks along the River Ellen last week

She’s had lots of good walks, with Phil while I was working and me, or both of us, when I was off work.

Ruby helping Phil wash the windows on Ravensdale

And Ruby had a lot of fun trying to bite the water through the windows when Phil was washing them last week. I’m sure she thought she was helping.

It was totally hilarious to watch 😊


Photography

I haven't managed to get out with my camera as much as usual over the past couple of weeks, mainly due to work, but also the amount of time involved in sorting out calendar orders and arranging for them to be collected.

However, I took some photos with my phone while out walking Ruby by the River Ellen at Maryport  on Saturday, October 19.

Looking along the River Ellen towards Maryport - phone photo

Looking in the opposite direction along the footpath next to the River Ellen - phone photo

The sun going down over the River Ellen - phone photo

Another view along the River Ellen with Christ Church in the distance - phone photo

I took my camera along on one of Ruby's walks on Tuesday, October 22.

Grasslot shore at Maryport looking towards Flimby

Maryport Marina

A closer view of Maryport Marina

Maryport beach with the Scottish hills in the distance

A closer view of the beach

I also went out for a walk around the harbour last Saturday.

Fishing boats in Maryport Harbour

A colourful fishing boat in Maryport Harbour

More boats in the harbour

And I managed to get out for the sunset on Saturday and Sunday evening.

The sun going down over the Solway Firth on Saturday

Bait diggers on the shore at Maryport at sunset

Saturday's sunset at Maryport

A closer view of the sunset

Saturday's Solway sunset

Sunday's sunset from Maryport shore

An upright view of Sunday's sunset

A panoramic view of sunset over Maryport shore

Weather watch

Rain was a recurring theme during last week

We had a lot of wind and rain last week, but the weather this week has been a lot nicer, even though it's getting cooler.

Saturday (October 19) started cloudy and wet but relatively calm, with light rain during the morning followed by heavier rain during the afternoon, which stopped around teatime. The top temperature was 10C (50F) and the top average wind speed at St Bees Head – our nearest weather station - was 23mph, but it was definitely less windy here.

Rain on Saturday (October 19) at Maryport Marina

On Sunday (October 20) it was spitting with rain in the morning, then dry for the rest of the day with clouds, sunny intervals and a good breeze. The top temperature was 10C (50F) and the top average wind speed was 22mph, gusting 32mph.

Monday (October 21) was dry, bright and relatively calm. The temperature reached 10C (50F) and the top average wind speed was 8mph.

Tuesday (October 22) was dry, bright and breezy with a top temperature of 10C (50F) and top average wind speed of 18mph.

Wednesday (October 23) was bright and cloudy but thankfully stayed dry. The top temperature was 11C (52F) and the top average wind speed was 24mph, gusting 34mph.

The miserable view through Ravensdale's windscreen on Thursday (October 24)

We had heavy rain overnight and Thursday (October 24) was mainly dry with a heavy shower in the evening. The top temperature was 12C (54F) and the top average wind speed was 24, gusting 32mph.

Overnight Thursday into Friday (October 25) was a cold night with the temperature dropping to 4C (39F). It was dry first thing on Friday with heavy rain until late afternoon followed by drizzle during the evening. The top temperature was 8C (46F) and the average wind speed was 14mph.

Saturday (October 26) was dry, sunny and breezy.

Sunday (October 27) was another dry, sunny and breezy day with a top temperature of 10C (50F) and a top average wind speed of 25mph, gusting 36mph.

Calm conditions at Maryport Marina on Sunday afternoon

Overnight Sunday into Monday was a cold night followed by a frosty start to the day with the temperature dropping to 2C (36F) at 7am. The pontoons were a bit slippery in places and there was ice on car windscreens.

There was a clear sky and it stayed dry and sunny but cool throughout the day. The top temperature was 7C (45F) and the top average wind speed at St Bees Head was 14mph, but it was less than that here.

Tuesday was another chilly morning with the temperature falling to 2.5C (36.5F) at 5am. It was a dry, calm and sunny day with a top temperature of 9.4C and a top average wind speed of 14mph.

Wednesday was another dry, sunny and relatively calm day.

Calm, sunny weather at Maryport Marina yesterday (Thursday)

Yesterday (Thursday) it was dry, bright, sunny and calm with more cloud developing late afternoon. The top temperature was 9.7C (49.5F) and the top average wind speed at St Bees Head was 22mph, gusting 30mph, but it was nothing like that in Maryport.

We had heavy rain overnight and the weather today (Friday) has been cloudy and breezy with showers at times and heavy rain this evening. The top temperature was 11.6C (53F) and the top average wind speed at St Bees Head was 23mph, gusting 33mph, but again it was less windy than that here.

Engine maintenance stops us taking Ravensdale out on the water and my latest “little project” 😊

Phil pumping oil out of Ravensdale's starboard engine

Planned engine maintenance really hasn’t gone as planned over the last couple of weeks.

We decided Ravensdale’s two 300hp Volvo Penta engines were overdue an oil change and set about getting it done asap but, as usual, the task took much longer than we’d expected.

Once we’ve decided something needs doing, we prefer not to take Ravensdale out on the water until whatever maintenance we’re planning has been done. It just feels a little bit like tempting providence 😊

But hopefully, we’ll be able to get back out on the Solway Firth here in Cumbria, UK, very soon.

Meanwhile, I’ve been working on a little project that I’m hoping will raise much-needed funds for our local inshore rescue boat.


Oil change

Ravensdale's engine room

We decided to get on and change the oil in Ravensdale’s engines the week before last as there was no chance to take her out on the water due to wet and windy weather.

We went and bought 40 litres of oil as each of her engines takes 20 litres of oil.

We were disappointed that the motor spares supplier we use at nearby Workington couldn't get the oil filters we needed as we really wanted to get on with the job asap.

Phil ordered the filters online. He also ordered a pump to remove the old oil from the engines as he couldn’t get underneath them to drain the oil.

Phil using our new oil pump

The pump arrived fairly quickly but the filters were not due to arrive until yesterday (Thursday).

We accepted the delay, even though it meant that we missed a few opportunities to take Ravensdale out on the water at the start of this week.

We also knew the forecast for today (Friday) was good so we’d hoped to have the job done yesterday so we could go out today.

However, yesterday morning Phil got an email from the company that was supposed to be sending the filters to say they could get one to us straight away, but they couldn’t send the second one for 7-8 weeks.

That really wasn’t any good to us.

Having decided to do the job, we wanted to do it now, not in a couple of months’ time.

So, Phil cancelled that order, asked for a refund and started ringing around other suppliers.

He found another company that could send them out by next day delivery, and they arrived this afternoon (Friday).

Phil started draining the oil from Ravensdale’s starboard engine this morning hoping to get the oil in both engines changed and the new filters fitted by close of play today.

However, it turned out that removing the oil with the pump is a long job due to the narrowness of the pipe that fits into the hole that holds the dipstick.

So, he’s going to have to finish the job tomorrow – that’s not me instructing him to finish changing the oil tomorrow. He wants to do it. Honest! 😊

Charity calendar

The front cover of my charity calendar

This is the “little project” that took up so much of my time last week, which meant I would’ve been pushed for time to write my blog so I decided to give it a miss – especially as we hadn’t done anything exciting during the week.

I’ve been putting together a 2020 calendar of my photos of Maryport to sell to raise money for Maryport Inshore Rescue.

When you spend time at sea on a boat, it really brings home to you the huge importance of the service these volunteers provide.

Maryport Inshore Rescue is not part of the RNLI. It’s an independent lifeboat and swift water rescue organisation that relies on donations for funding.

The back of the calendar showing the photos for each month of the year

I stupidly started working on the calendars on Thursday of last week – the very day I usually write my blog so it’s ready to update and post on a Friday.

I really thought it would be a fairly quick job, but it proved to be anything but ☹

April's photo was taken from Ravensdale on the Solway Firth

It should’ve been a simple task, but I had so many photos to choose from that picking just 12 – one for each month – plus one to go on the cover was really difficult.

I changed my mind many times before settling for the ones I used.

I then encountered two other problems – firstly I couldn’t seem to get them to save at the correct size when I added the coloured frames in Photoshop.

I saved them at the size stipulated minus 2cm on their height and width so I could add a 1cm frame. However, every time I added the frame, they ended up 0.02mm too large in one direction and the same amount too small in the other.

I repeated the process over and over again but just couldn’t get it to work.

Eventually, I opted for increasing the short side of the images by 0.02mm before adding the frames and that seems to have done the trick.

When I thought I’d actually finished, I suddenly realised my images were all saved as RGB and they needed to be CMYK to ensure the colours were accurate, so I had to take all the images off the template and start all over again.

The proofs arrived yesterday (Thursday) and I’m very happy with the result so I’m glad I kept at it until I got it right.

As I have to pay for the calendars when I order them, I won’t be able to get too many printed initially.

However, if there’s enough interest, I’ll be able to get more printed after the initial print run.

And every penny of the profit will go to Maryport Inshore Rescue.

I just hope I can sell them now to make some money for this worthwhile charity.



Router box and the search for the missing varnish

Phil cutting timber to make the mobile Wi-Fi box

Phil has made a small wooden box to hold the router for our mobile Wi-Fi.

We’ve found one spot on Ravensdale where it works better than anywhere else on the boat – close to the ceiling above the steps from the saloon into the galley.

While experimenting with different locations, it has been hanging in a plastic food bag, but it doesn’t look good and was never meant to be a permanent solution.

So, Phil decided to make a box for it along the lines of the one he recently made for our handheld VHF radio.

Phil sanding the box before staining it

After making the box, he stained it to match the radio handset box, which was as close in colour as possible to the post to which it was fixed.

He then started searching for the small amount of varnish that he knew he had left after varnishing the previous box.

Phil carried out a thorough search of the aft lockers, which is where he expected it to be, then looked through almost every locker on the boat, including places that we really didn’t think it could possibly be, and, as usual, it was nowhere to be found.

We needed to buy more varnish anyway as there is a lot – and I mean A LOT – of varnishing that needs to be done on Ravensdale, so he gave up on the job and started packing his stuff away until we went out to get varnish.

The finished Wi-Fi box in situ

He then went into the heads to clean the stain off his hands, dipped his hands in a Swarfega (heavy-duty hand cleanser) pot to discover it was full of varnish. He’d used the empty container (after it had been washed, of course) to store the last of the old tin of varnish then put it away thinking it contained hand cleanser.

I found it really funny that he should find it right then and in such a dramatic way. Not sure if he was quite as amused 😊

But at least it meant he could get this job finished.


Ruby of Ravensdale

Ruby relaxing on Ravensdale

A phone selfie of Ruby and I on Ravensdale

Ruby’s allergy problems seem to have subsided at the moment but that’s probably because she’s back on two doses a day of her allergy tablets.

She started scratching and chewing her feet again when we tried to drop the dose to half a tablet once a day.

The vet said to put her back up to half a tablet twice a day for another two weeks and then try reducing it again.

When she first started treating Ruby for allergies, she said she hoped they may be summer allergies, but she now thinks that unlikely as they’re showing no sign of letting up, so it looks as though she’s going to have allergies all year.

The next step was to try her on a very restricted, wheat and grain-free diet, which we started this week with absolutely no extras.

And, if anyone we meet while out asks if they can give her a treat, the answer is always no.

I’m not risking another severe allergic reaction like the one she suffered a couple of weeks ago.

Phil washing Ruby's ball in a pool after it got covered in sand

On Saturday, Ruby enjoyed her first walk on the beach since she started her last season or at least the first time that she was able to run off lead without us having to worry about her attracting male dogs.

Ruby fetching her ball on the beach at Maryport

She’s getting better than ever at waiting while I take photos while walking her. I still tie her up if there are railings around and she sits and waits patiently until I’m ready to move on.

But I’ve also been able to take photos by just telling her to wait when there's nothing suitable to tie her to, so that’s definitely an improvement.

Ruby waiting on Maryport Promenade while I was taking a photo

She was really good when I took her for a walk along The Promenade here in Maryport on Wednesday afternoon.

It was one of the longest walks she’d done and included walking on the hard surface of the prom, the grass on the landward side of the prom and down on the shore.

I think she enjoyed it but she was very tired when we got back.

Ruby checking out one of the new signs

Nothing annoys me more than dog owners who don’t pick up after their pets.

On Tuesday morning, I saw what looked from a distance to be a man watching his dog make a mess. He then looked in my direction and walked off without making any attempt to pick it up.

When I got to the spot, I could see that I had been correct. If I’d been closer, I would definitely have reminded him that he should clean it up.

Later the same day, we walked the same path to discover that someone had painted “Clean it up!” signs on the pathway. I just hope people take notice of them.

Ruby seemed very interested in the strange yellow paint that she seemed to think shouldn’t be there and stopped at every sign we came across.

Although she hates going out in the rain, she seems to enjoy being dried when she gets home. We took her for a walk in the rain on Sunday afternoon and Phil gave her a good rub down with her towel when we got back.

Phil drying Ruby after her walk in the rain

Meanwhile, when the sun streams in through Ravensdale’s windows, Ruby always seeks out the hotspots and stretches out in them to top up her tan.

Ruby sunbathing on Ravensdale

Ruby watching Phil prepare food in the galley

Another of her favourite pastimes is sitting at the top of the steps from the saloon into the galley while anyone is preparing food.

Ruby goes in for a closer look

Sometimes she sits at our feet waiting in the hope something will drop but, if it’s really interesting like when Phil is cutting up raw chicken, she stands up with her feet on the bench 😊



Ravensdale gets a big sister 😊

Carna at Maryport Marina

A new boat has arrived at Maryport Marina that looks like Ravensdale’s big sister.

A Horizon Ranger 47, called Carna, arrived on Tuesday and is moored at the opposite end of the marina to Ravensdale.

She's a very similar looking boat but a bit bigger than ours.

Ravensdale at Maryport Marina

We understand Carna will be staying in Maryport but have yet to meet her owners.


Wildlife

The cygnet that was rescued from Maryport Marina and his new partner. Photo: AniMel Haven

I was delighted to hear that the injured cygnet that was rescued from the marina slipway earlier this year stayed at AniMel Haven after it recovered.

This cygnet, who was one of last year's Maryport brood, has now paired up with a cygnet that was rescued from nearby Allonby.

I’m a sucker for a happy ending 😊

Meanwhile, this year’s swan family has visited the marina quite often this week looking for food.

The adult swans and this year's young waiting to be fed this week

I guess this is because the cooler weather is making it more difficult for them to find food in the wild.

The adult swans asking for more food

And we were surprised to see a barn owl hunting on the grass verge near the marina on Saturday evening while we were walking back towards Ravensdale.

Sadly, I was unable to get a photo of it because it was pretty dark and I only had my phone with me, which isn’t great when it comes to low light photography.


Photography

Reflections at Maryport Marina

I didn’t get to take many photos during the first week after my last blog post but did get some nice shots of the boats reflected on the still water at the marina on Sunday evening (October 6).

Marina reflections

Marina reflections

Marina reflections

And I took my camera over to the shore to capture the sunset on Thursday evening (October 10).

Solway Firth sunset

Closer view of the Solway Firth Sunset

Maryport Lighthouse at sunset

Solway Firth sunset

I also took photos of the sunset over the Solway Firth on Saturday evening (October 12). There were a lot of fishermen out digging bait at low tide and I liked the way they were silhouetted against the water with the colourful sky in the background.

Bait diggers on the shore at Maryport at sunset

The sun going down over the Solway Firth

Bait diggers on the shore

A wider view of the bait diggers at sunset

Fishermen on the shore at Maryport

I took my camera for a walk around the harbour on Monday to capture the reflections of the fishing boats on the still water at high tide.

Reflections on the still water at Maryport Harbour

Ellenfoot Bridge at Maryport Harbour

Fishing boats reflected in the still water at Maryport Harbour

Repainting a fishing boat in Maryport Harbour

We had another beautiful sunset on Monday evening (October 14) and this time I chose to take photos across the basin towards the lighthouse and across the marina.

Sunset over Maryport Basin

Sunset over Maryport Basin

Sunset over Maryport Marina

Sunset over Maryport Marina

Another view of sunset over Maryport Marina

And I took lots of photos when I took Ruby for a walk along the Promenade on Wednesday afternoon (October 16).

Looking along Maryport Promenade towards the town

The Scottish hills across the Solway Firth

Looking towards Maryport from the shore by the Promenade

Another view of the Scottish hills from the Promenade

The afternoon sun dropping down over Maryport Lighthouse

Weather watch 

Drying my hair in the windy weather on Tuesday (October 8)

The first week was pretty wet and windy. Thankfully, the past week has been calmer with less rain, but the weather is definitely getting cooler.

Saturday (October 5) was dry, bright and calm becoming windier as the day went on. The top temperature was 14C (57F) and the top average wind speed was 11mph.

Sunday (October 6) was cloudy but it stayed dry for most of the day with light rain for a while in the afternoon. It was breezy during the morning, getting calmer in the late afternoon and evening.

The sun came out late afternoon and the temperature reached 12C (54F), with a top average wind speed of 24mph, gusting 33mph, recorded at our nearest weather station at St Bees Head but it was definitely less windy here.

We had heavy rain overnight and it was still raining when we got up on Monday (October 7). It stayed cloudy for most of the day but was a bit brighter later in the afternoon. The top temperature was14C (57F) and the top average wind speed was 19mph.

Monday night into Tuesday (October 8) was another very windy night and it stayed windy throughout the day on Tuesday.

The top average wind speed overnight was 28mph, gusting 38mph and the top average wind speed during the day was 33mph, gusting 46mph.

It was mainly dry and fairly bright with a little light rain mid-morning and heavy rain during the evening. The top temperature was 13C (55F).

The high winds continued overnight Tuesday into Wednesday (October 9) with a top average wind speed overnight of 31mph, gusting 44mph.

Rain at Maryport Marina during the afternoon of Wednesday (October 9)

Wednesday was cloudy but bright during the morning with rain late afternoon. The top temperature was 13C (55F) and the top average wind speed was 28mph, gusting 38mph.

Heavy clouds over Maryport Marina on Thursday (October 10)

Thursday (October 10) was overcast but mainly dry and still pretty windy but nowhere near as blustery and previous days. The top temperature was 13C (55F) and the top average wind speed was 22mph, gusting 34mph.

Friday (October 11) was mainly dry and bright with a little light rain during the late afternoon. The top temperature was 13C (55F) and the top average wind speed was 26mph, gusting 34mph.

The wind dropped down overnight from 23mph, gusting 32mph, at 10pm to 15mph at 7am.

We had rain first thing then on Saturday (October 12). It was then dry and bright with showers – some heavy – before the rain cleared late afternoon.

A sunny interval between the showers at Maryport Marina on Saturday morning

The top temperature was 13C (55F) and the top average wind speed was 15mph.

We had heavy rain overnight and it continued raining for most of the day on Sunday varying from heavy rain to light rain, with very little wind. The top temperature was 11C (52F) and the top average wind speed was 9mph.

Calm conditions at Maryport Marina on Monday

Monday was dry and calm with sunshine and light cloud. The top temperature was 13C (55F) and the top average wind speed was 14mph.

Maryport Marina on Tuesday afternoon

Tuesday was another dry, calm day. It was sunny first thing with the cloud cover increasing as the day went on. The top temperature was 11C (52F) and the top average wind speed was 14mph.

We had rain overnight and it was still raining first thing on Wednesday, but it cleared up to give a dry, bright and breezy day. The top temperature was 12C (54F) and the top average wind speed was 23mph, gusting 36mph.

Phone photo of the rain arriving at Maryport Marina yesterday (Thursday) afternoon

Yesterday (Thursday) was dry and bright with light cloud during the morning. It was fairly breezy with rain arriving late afternoon.

The top temperature was 12C (54F) and the top average wind speed was 25mph, gusting 36mph, at St Bees Head, but it was definitely less windy than that here.

Sun breaking through the clouds at Maryport Marina today (Friday)

And today (Friday) the weather has been fairly calm and dry with cloud, sunny intervals and a few light showers. The top temperature was 12C (54F) and the top average wind speed was 15mph.