A fair breeze at Nigg Bay, nothing much in it until I stopped walking. The dog had found something worth a long inspection and I could feel the cold getting through the knees of my trousers while I waited. Coming back, she set a better pace and I warmed up, hands still stiff in my pockets though. At home I held the mug with both palms rather than by the handle. The heat took a while to get in. She was asleep before I had my boots off, one paw over her nose. I sat beside her and could feel the little movements of her breathing through the cushion. Nae bad way to finish a walk.

My daughter said she might come up with a friend and asked if the spare room would be a bother. I told her no, of course, and then said I could sleep on the sofa if they wanted separate beds. She laughed and said she wasn't asking me to move out of my own flat. I was pleased she'd thought of coming, more than I managed to say on the phone. Afterwards I went in and opened the window a crack, though it wasn't stuffy. No date settled yet. Mebbe I should leave the room alone until she knows, but I've already looked to see whether there's enough tea she likes.

The young coxswain asked how I know a line is going to snag before it does. I said you can see it, which was not much use to him. Been turning that over. It is the way it lies against the fitting, sometimes, or a bit of slack moving where it shouldn't. I could show him tomorrow if there is time alongside, without making it into a lecture. He listens well enough. I find it easier to put things right than explain what I noticed first, and then the chance is gone. Might ask him to talk through what he's looking at. We would at least know where the difference starts.