High Tide 03:49 (2.40m)
Low Tide 10:38 (0.70m)
High Tide 17:35 (2.30m)
Low Tide 22:51 (1.20m)
Sea temperature: 10.4/9.6 yesterday
Sea conditions: "Twirly" according to DK and The Poet who were the only ones to go in
Weather: very windy, warmer than the weekend - stunning sunrise
Joined by: The Poet and The Bridge Captain
Topics of conversation:
Concern for The Ellies, and Asia in general - they are currently in Cambodia, due to travel to Vietnam at the end of the week. The news from The Philippines is dire, the storm is on its way to Vietnam and concern about the stability of the border following the disputes with Thailand mean their choice of country is perilous. The reports from news agencies have been horrendous and standing on the beach this morning, leaning into strong Suffolk winds, it is impossible to imagine the strength of those battering the other side of the world. The most terrifying thing being the lack of shelter for those who lived in makeshift homes, exposed to the elements. 
Our conversations were consistently black this morning, even before the others arrived and we began to discuss the situation in The Philippines The Poet and I had had a long conversation about death. He had been profoundly affected by a poem describing a mother's death in minute and domestic detail and we mused upon whether writing, or indeed thinking about death in this way excluded spiritual thoughts about transcendence. It seems possible that the two can exist side by side and yet The Poet had had his foundations shaken by this work, making him question his own work and its validity. We also recalled the reading on the radio of Chris Hadfield's An Astronaut's Guide to Life, which we'd both heard, where he discussed the way in which they have to have drills to prepare for a death in space. It was fascinating to think of being totally prepared.
Abs had been in touch over the weekend on the same theme, since The Incident she has been having recurring dreams about drowning, and we explained what had happened to The Bridge Captain, who had been away at the time. Surprising then, considering our conversations so far and the state of the the water that DK and The Poet went in. They didn't swim, just got wet and stayed safe.