I’m conscious it often sounds like I’m obsessed with the weather. I blame this on my upbringing on the moor and the fact that weather is the most British of preoccupations - after all what else would we chat to strangers about? My fascination might well have predisposed me to a career in meteorology but this wasn't to be.
A good understanding of weather systems is essential in sailing as demonstrated on my recent trip to Croatia. We arrived at the beginning of the week to temperatures in the high twenties and bright blue skies which was brilliant unless you were competing in a regatta as there was next to no wind. The racing could not be postponed as this was the National Championships so we set off across the millpond relying on the current to take us in the direction of the finish. A couple of boats had to turn on their engines to avoid running aground on one of the many islands and were subsequently disqualified. Thankfully we made it safely but slowly to the finish line.
The next day there was a decent breeze and good sailing conditions before the arrival of the notorious Bora, bringing with it ferocious winds for which the region is renowned. All movements in and out of the marinas were cancelled and boats had to have extra tethering to secure them in place. Racing was most certainly cancelled. I couldn't believe that just a few days earlier we had been praying for wind.
It seems Hungarians also enjoy talking about the weather. On my way to the airport in Budapest the taxi driver insisted we spoke about nothing else in a quest to improve his English - we got on splendidly.
