For island folk, discussing the weather is not a matter of small-talk, it is pivotal to our daily lives and the chat inevitably leads to whether or not the boat gets in. It must be a tad confusing for eavesdropping visitors who have not yet grasped the colour coding.

Whether or Not The Boat Gets In

Said I, ‘Well, what do you think?’ 

With a nod and wink,

Towards the pier.

‘Well, the sky is clear.’

‘I don’t mean the plane,

And I shouldn’t profane but

I mean the boat,

You silly, old goat!’

‘Well, the weather is orange,

And the boat is on green.

Whether or not,

Remains to be seen!