And most of them leave you grateful that you don't have to be out on it.

It is at its most dangerous, I always feel, when it's the grey-brown colour of sludge and booms with the same bass note as a battering ram against a great gate.

The air crackles with salt, with sub-notes of oil, rotten wood and weed.

But though the horizon may boil and wind bring the roar of the waves up the street, we can at least close the windows and doors against it.

Not so, though, those who must go out and bring ships safely into harbour.

The Ups and Downs of a Tyne Pilot is the nicely – if that's the right word – evocative title of a talk being given in Shields next Tuesday, February 16.

The speaker is Captain Terry Took, who will be the guest of the Friends of the Museum in Ocean Road, at 2pm.

All are welcome, so why not pop in. I think you'll find lots to enjoy in his recollections.