The sounds of Wind Speed

I woke up today to an orchestra. It began with a drum roll of rain on the steel roof and shakers of droplets against the windows. There was a gentle hum from the mushroom vents and crackle of wind through the willow trees at the bank. Delia's morning cries for food were drowned out by the sloshing of canal water against the hull as the boat swayed to the rhythm of the wind.

Today it feels like things are on the move. I cast open the curtains to let the indoor plants breathe and the tiny knot of anxiety was dispelled. I saw that we are still moored where we should be, with both ends of the boat secured against the bank as it had been yesterday, the water level was a reasonable depth, however choppy, and we were not at an unusual angle. Phew.

I made the burner glow and got some porridge cooking.

It feels right today to publish my poem about Wind Speed in full. In accordance with the scale, today I would say is 28 knots...

And without further ado...

Wind Speed from a Narrowboat
after The Beaufort Scale of Wind Speed
by Amanda Young


≼1 knots. Calm - Like dry ground. Very little draw up chimney.
Canal still.

1-3 knots. Light air - Quiver of canal water. A whisper of wind.

4-6 knots. Light breeze - Towpath hedgerow rustles. Breeze
brushes face.

7-10 knots. Gentle breeze - Small leaves blown off roof.
Chimney smoke drifts.

11-16 knots. Moderate breeze - Faint whistling wind. Slight
groan of taught ropes. Tiny wavelets on canal.

17-21 knots. Fresh breeze - Tall grasses sway. Water sloshes
against hull. Cat scampers along towpath.

22-27 knots. Strong breeze - Rolling water at bank. More
throttle needed when moving. A librarians Shushsh!

28-33 knots. Near gale - Firewood burns rapidly. Mushroom
vents sigh. Ducks blown along canal. Avoid moving.

34-40 knots. Gale - Hanging lanterns violently sway. Rubber
fenders moan enduringly. Outside bungies metronomically
bounce. Bad day to move.

41-47 knots. Strong gale - Figure-of-eight movements felt
onboard. Screeching wind. Back-breaking work carting goods
along towpath.

48-55 knots. Storm - Difficult to walk length of boat. Ears
popping. Great waves towards gunwhale. Chimney rain-hat
will blow away.

56-63 knots. Violent storm - Do not pour boiling water.
Remove delicate items to safety. Severe spray and waves.
Keep a strong stomach.

≽64 knots. Hurricane - Never moor underneath trees. Drop
anchor. Seek alternative shelter.