Tag: weather

Remembering


Yesterday,  9th August, would have been Steves birthday. It was the first since his passing earlier this year.

We thought we would honour his name by having a meal and raising a glass at one of his favourite destinations.

And so it was that we found ourselves heading up to Mindari to visit The Boat. Mindari is about 60km north of Perth, normally an easy drive of an hour or so.

The Boat @ Mindari, WA

However, yesterday was very wet, and the drive took a bit longer. The conditions on the highways were diabolical. The wipers were going at their max rate for most of the journey, and the road spray was severely reducing visibility.

Having safely arrived at The Boat, we grabbed a table and ordered our drinks and meals. Obviously, given the weather conditions, we opted to sit inside.

Chilli Mussels for Gerry, Garlic Prawns, and Rice for Denise and Battered Barramundi with Chips for me. Oh, and a sharing platter of cheesy garlic bread. All the food was, as usual, very well cooked and tasty.

We raised a glass to Steve and wished him a happy celestial birthday, The Boat, being  one of his favourite eateries, he would have approved.

While having our meal, I noticed that we had an observer, keeping tabs on us.

The drive home was much better, dry and sunny.

Late News ?


Our local rag, seem, on the face of it, to be dragging their heels with today’s article on our summer weather.

https://app.portsmouth.co.uk/full_page_image/page-19-1815/content.html

The News is not renowned for proofreading prior to publication, but come on, a headline!!!

St. Swithuns Day ?


Well, after yesterday’s rain drenched day, today is dry. But it is blowing a hooley with the British forecasters issuing a yellow alert.

What then are we to make of the St. Swithuns day prediction ?

It makes no mention of wind. Hopefully, the next forty days will be dry but free from the wind that is expected to gust up to 50 mph today.

Still Bloody Cold


Despite the dire warnings of the forecasters, we still don’t have any snow. Well, not strictly true, I guess, as my car does look like it has a bit of a dandruff problem.

My Car Has Dandruff
My Car Has Dandruff

The wind blew a hooley most of last night, so I was expecting snow drifts this morning. Boy was I disappointed and I know my great-granddaughter, Summer, is too. She was hoping for a “snow-day” or two off from school. To be fair the school is closing at lunchtime.

How do I know this ?

The school, much to my surprise, sent me a text message early this morning. Unbeknownst to me, my granddaughter had provided my number as one of the emergency contact numbers. They, exercising due diligence, had informed the parents and emergency contacts.

Anyway, the forecasters are still warning of imminent snowmageddon so, Summer may still get her wish.

So, until “The Beast From The East” puts in an appearance this is what I’ll have to put up with, looking out of my lounge window …..

Snow - No Show
The Beast from the East still hasn’t put in an appearance

Although we haven’t been inundated with snow it is still cold, bloody cold. It is -4 outside and there is still that biting wind to contend with. Not sure what the windchill factor is but all I know is, I am staying inside to keep nice and cosy.

My thoughts are with all those in the UK who are having to contend with conditions much worse than we are experiencing down here in southern Hampshire.

 

It’s Cold


Sitting in the car waiting for the girls to come out of the bingo hall.

The heater is struggling to keep the interior warm as Britain falls under the grip of “The Beast From The East”, media’s name for the weather front scheduled to dump snow on us over the next 48 hours.

My phone tells me it’s -4, the car thinks it’s -3.

Whatever, it’s cold. Too bloody cold.

No snow…… yet !!!

Typical !!


It must be a conspiracy. Our conservatory re-build has stalled this week. Two days, Tuesday and Wednesday were non work days while the mortar in the brickwork was allowed to go-off and the guys worked on another job.

Thursday and Friday were awful from a weather perspective and although some construction progress was made we are not where we are supposed to be due to the torrential rain scaring off our workers.

Conservatory - The sun is shining, where are the workers ?
Conservatory – The sun is shining, where are the workers ?

Typical of the British weather system, today, Saturday, is bright sunshine and dry.

Conservatory Re-Build – Day 11


Here we are, Thursday and Day 11 of the re-build. The guys turned up and unloaded their van.

The first of the new frames were installed ….

Conservatory - Utility Room door and window frames are in
Conservatory – Utility Room door and window frames are in

Conservatory - windoww sills in place awaiting the windo frames
Conservatory – window sills in place awaiting the window frames

Unfortunately, the weather was against us and rain stopped play, or rather, build.

So the guys finished unloading their van and departed for a job where they could work under cover. They’ll be back tomorrow to try to turn this pile of miscellaneous metal plastic parts into a conservatory…….

Conservatory - The kit (puzzle) lays ready for assembly
Conservatory – The kit (puzzle) lays ready for assembly

Conservatory Re-Build – Day 8


5J7A0474_1
Conservatory – Wall Starter Ties, being used where the new conservatory wall butts up to the house wall.

5J7A0475_1
Conservatory – Showing the progress of the end wall pillars, including the internal blockwork and insulation.

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Conservatory – Wot No Window. Good job the floor level is going to be raised too.

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Conservatory – Looking through the bi-fold aperture towards the end wall pillars.

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Conservatory – Looking through the bi-fold aperture towards the end wall showing the newly laid blockwork.

La Porcherie, France – Sunrise & Sunset


La Porcherie, France - A misty morning as viewed from the gite
La Porcherie, France – A misty morning as viewed from the gite

La Porcherie, France - A glorious sunset.
La Porcherie, France – A glorious sunset.

Dark Skies


Dark Skies
Weird cloud formations as seen over Queen Alexandra Hospital yesterday afternoon

Weird cloud formations as seen over Queen Alexandra Hospital yesterday afternoon.

Update: Apparently this kind of formation is known as Mammatus, also known as mammatocumulus (meaning “mammary cloud” or “breast cloud”), is a meteorological term applied to a cellular pattern of pouches hanging underneath the base of a cloud. The name mammatus is derived from the Latin mamma (meaning “udder” or “breast”).