EDITORIAL

Since buying a secondhand wind generator a few years ago I no longer measure force in terms of the Beaufort Scale. Just now we have a 4.6 amp breeze gusting 5.7, (at a guess, force 6 gusting 7-8, or 25 to 35 knots). Drawing an only slightly farfetched analogy, that's how this issue of Flying Fish has progressed -- continued high pressure with occasional gusts, to really mix my meteorological metaphors.

As always, thank you to everyone who has written -- without you there'd be no Flying Fish. However to cut down on last minute panics and allow some editorial balance, could you try to warn me if you plan to send a twelve page article (plus photos) hard against the deadline. This time two of the most interesting -- and longest - accounts arrived on 30 and 31 March respectively. Flying Fish is richer for them, and fatter, but I'm sure you see my problem. And while I'm risking alienating the entire membership, could I also add that though I'm very happy to transcribe handwriting, please send the original and not a photocopy! I'll return it, along with a computer printout, if requested.

My particular thanks to those members who responded to my plea for help with book reviews. Unfortunately, several of the titles on my list were delayed at the publication stage (not an unusual event in my experience), so I wasn't able to take all you volunteers up on your offers. Next time, next time ...

Changing the subject, could I apologise in advance -- about six months in advance -- for the fact that Flying Fish 1994/2 may be out a few days late. I shall be down in the Iberian peninsula in September researching a new edition of Atlantic Spain and Portugal, and allowing ten days or so to get Flying Fish on disk after my return there's no way I can catch up with our usual schedule. The ABSOLUTE DEADLINE for Flying Fish 1994/2 is 30 SEPTEMBER, but needless to say anything arriving before the end of August will be welcomed with open arms.

Two final points: Firstly, Wrestler will once again be moving out of her snug marina berth onto a harbour mooring at the end of May, so no phone contact until early September (by which time I won't be there, but the answerphone will). Secondly, I'm sent the German magazine TRANS-OCEAN on a reciprocal basis, but though I enjoy flicking through it am somewhat hampered by not understanding German. Would any UK member like it forwarded to them, on the understanding that I might occasionally ask for a bit of rough translation?