The Rain Between the Storms
17th August 2014
17th August
The rain between the storms.
In the last two weeks there has been a complete change in the weather. Where it was warm and dry for almost two months, we are now experiencing the very opposite with very wet and windy conditions. The change has been caused by the tail end of hurricane Bertha which, after speeding its spiralling path across the Atlantic, she hit the west coast of the UK.
Bertha did not come empty handed, as she came with high winds and lots of rain. This rain, over a short 24hr period, broke records. Following this storm we have then experienced a number of Lows, that have lined up west of the country, like taxiing aircraft, waiting to land.
Over the weekend each storm has 'come to ground' creating extremely wet, and windy days. The conditions have been far worse to those Bertha could throw at the landscape (having spent her powers on Canadian shores). The latest storms have produced winds that have gusted to over 70mph on the tops, with consistent and very heavy rain falling between the stormy gusts.
I have seen desperate families, who have camped, struggling in these conditions. They had had originally set out eagerly with their tents, chairs and kids, with expectations of long sunny days, gentle, warm evenings where their children would play in the outdoors without a care. This weekend they can only fight against the inevitable leaks, mud and water being walked into living spaces and trying to calm and entertain bored, wet, cold and irritable offspring.
Though the weather is extraordinary for the time of year, there are more normal changes around that indicate that summer is nearing its end. Many of the hedgerows and roadsides are covered in the fiery red of Rosebay Willow Herb. However, many other wild flowers have gone, leaving bland, monochrome green, grass covered slopes.
However, waiting in the wings, it can be seen that apples, blackberries, pears, Cobs and other fruits and nuts are soon to be taking their place in the continual calendar of life. They are slowly, swelling and ripening, bringing with them the suggestion of autumn.
As if I am receiving some subliminal message my subconscious ness is picturing sweet, roasted root veg, fires, dark, smokey and robust beers and cold, dark nights filled with the sparkle of the Autumnal stars.
This is silly, I know, as there is still a lot of summer left, but just like the swallows (and the swifts that have now gone) we are readying ourselves for natures next phase. the wet weather conditions have just made this subtle, hidden instruction, more clear.
The rain between the storms.
In the last two weeks there has been a complete change in the weather. Where it was warm and dry for almost two months, we are now experiencing the very opposite with very wet and windy conditions. The change has been caused by the tail end of hurricane Bertha which, after speeding its spiralling path across the Atlantic, she hit the west coast of the UK.
Bertha did not come empty handed, as she came with high winds and lots of rain. This rain, over a short 24hr period, broke records. Following this storm we have then experienced a number of Lows, that have lined up west of the country, like taxiing aircraft, waiting to land.
Over the weekend each storm has 'come to ground' creating extremely wet, and windy days. The conditions have been far worse to those Bertha could throw at the landscape (having spent her powers on Canadian shores). The latest storms have produced winds that have gusted to over 70mph on the tops, with consistent and very heavy rain falling between the stormy gusts.
I have seen desperate families, who have camped, struggling in these conditions. They had had originally set out eagerly with their tents, chairs and kids, with expectations of long sunny days, gentle, warm evenings where their children would play in the outdoors without a care. This weekend they can only fight against the inevitable leaks, mud and water being walked into living spaces and trying to calm and entertain bored, wet, cold and irritable offspring.
Though the weather is extraordinary for the time of year, there are more normal changes around that indicate that summer is nearing its end. Many of the hedgerows and roadsides are covered in the fiery red of Rosebay Willow Herb. However, many other wild flowers have gone, leaving bland, monochrome green, grass covered slopes.
However, waiting in the wings, it can be seen that apples, blackberries, pears, Cobs and other fruits and nuts are soon to be taking their place in the continual calendar of life. They are slowly, swelling and ripening, bringing with them the suggestion of autumn.
As if I am receiving some subliminal message my subconscious ness is picturing sweet, roasted root veg, fires, dark, smokey and robust beers and cold, dark nights filled with the sparkle of the Autumnal stars.
This is silly, I know, as there is still a lot of summer left, but just like the swallows (and the swifts that have now gone) we are readying ourselves for natures next phase. the wet weather conditions have just made this subtle, hidden instruction, more clear.