Doris

Storm Doris hit yesterday. We were surprised to see the windows of the golf club restaurant all shuttered up. When we got inside we learnt why. The wind had been so severe, that the double glazing had ended up rattling in the frames, wind whistling in all around the edges, so they’d put the shutters down to help protect the glass. They feared it would all come crashing in on diners.

We couldn’t help being grateful for the double glazing we put in a couple of years ago. It wasn’t the cheapest lot but it is good. Despite the force of Doris I had sat completing my jigsaw with none of the draught on my hands I used to feel.

Admittedly the golf club does get the full brunt of the gales as they hurtle up the Bay. The clubhouse is set on a rising just on the landside of the coastal road. There is nothing in between to break the force. Indeed as the winds come off the water, they rise to come on the land straight into the clubhouse. It’s often breezy there when nothing else moves. Our home, on the other hand, is in a dip with high cliffs between us & the water so much of the force of the wind is dissipated.

After our afternoon session, chatting to our cruise-loving friends, we set off home, along the prom. The sight before us was awesome. The sky above the water was a dark air force blue. Higher up was the usual bright blue colour of the sky. This was just the thick bank of threatening cloud. Across the darkness floated the odd white wisps of clouds, just emphasising the darkness, & blueness, of the clouds that dominated the scene. It seemed quite unworldly.

Today I’m relieved to say the weather seems far calmer. The sky is bright blue. The sun is shining. All seems peaceful as though nothing had happened yesterday. All that remains is the drop in temperature, & my is it cold.