Many years ago, early '70's I think, during the 6 o'clock news the BBC's weather forecaster turned to his chart of the Atlantic, looked at the isobars forming a bit of an onion ring out west and said something like, "There's a bit of a depression out there, mid Atlantic, but it won't come to anything".

24 hours later, chimneys were lying in the streets of Britains cities, woodlands were combed flat, trees lying in neat downwind lines like Elton John's newly sown hair and our garage was blown 12 inches off its base.

Here in Opua there's a rally of 35 boats and at least the same again of "independents" all poised, ready, or not quite but trying hard, waiting on a weather window to leave New Zealand and make it up to the islands. And the warmth.

However, there's a bit of a depression out there. It may even have a name by this morning so everyone's a-dither. "Do we go or do we stay?"

The Michael Fish(es) are saying it will come to nothing. The prudent are saying it's as near a cyclone as you'll get so stay put until its whizzed past. The bold are leaving!!

REAL TIME NEWS FLASH!!!!!Typing this lying here in bed until the Webasto has made it safe to get up, the rally Net has just announced the wee depression has developed overnight and was christened Donna in the early hours. She, or it currently has or is forecast to soon have winds of 110 knots, waves of 6 metres and a also wee friend developing over Tonga. Poor old Vanuatu is getting it in the teeth again. The rally fleet of 35 boats has just cancelled their planned departure tomorrow.

Half the fleet are in the marina. The other half at anchor with us in the 360 degree sheltered estuary, flat calm with early morning smoke on the water (name that group).

If Donna swirls her way down here to blow the smoke away, let's hope the popemobile but can take it.