LINDSAY SELBY: Nessie and Weather

It is interesting that Nessie has been seen twice this year as we have had a bad winter. I started correlating the weather reports for the region and sightings of the Loch Ness creature some time ago; a yet unfinished project. Weather records going back years can be found quite easily these days with the Internet and Met Office help. I discovered that whenever there had been a bad winter, the creature was seen more often the following spring and summer. Could it be it was looking for food as the bad weather had made food scarce? Or maybe it just wanted the warmth of the sunshine? An interesting question, I think. It may of course be simply that after a bad winter more people are out and about on fine days so see the creature more often. Too many variables, I am afraid, and it would take a lot to put the study together. If I have the time left to me I will get it finished and see what the results look like. Not world-shattering, I know, but interesting all the same.