Friday 7th September 2001 – 8.45am
Rain in the sky, the first drops coming in like an advance warning: stay indoors. The day is filled with thick voluminous grey cloud, changing the shape of Black Combe, and flattening the light all around. Behind me traffic is thundering across the bridge, a constant roar and thump as it passes. The bridge is full of people incapable of getting out of their cars. Finally, as I’m leaving a bus - full of kids still in shock at their new school-term – passes west to Walney.