The first was anon, the second Corrie, the third was named Dudley. The fourth Eunice. And the one today?
Who cares what their names are? The sad fact is there were 5 huge storms within the space of one week. And if this is what will be our new normal the coming years, I don't think I will be able to fulfill all my gardening dreams but will have to rethink some of them.
Eunice especially was horrendous!
At home in my new built flat, all specifications ticked, everything moaned, creacked, clattered and I could not sleep due to the gusts of over 140 km/h screaming past my balcony. I could not sleep full stop! My greenhouse, my greenhouse, damn me for building that shoddy pallet gazebo in front of it, was all I could think about.
In 1990 I experienced from up close what a South-Westerly gale can do. I lived right on the Haringvliet then, close to where it ends up in the North Sea, and below the dyke were old poplars on a lawn, with trunks of at least a meter in diameter. Dogs need walkies, even during gales, so I was out with my old dog (who was then a very young dog), but could not keep to my feet on the dyke, so had walked down to shelter below it, and even there I had trouble keeping upright. Suddenly I heard a loud sound like a whip splintering wood, and to my consternation I saw that 5 of the poplars had been sheared off like match-sticks at three meters above ground level. Doggie and I ran back to the house, certain we would feel the next tree hitting us any minute. Needless to say we lived to tell the tale. But I have great respect for and not a little fear of the strength of wind since then.
So. There was a lot of damage on the allotments this morning, I saw entire greenhouses blown to smithereens, including that of my next door neighbour on the South side. Whilst I was fishing the shards of glass from my pond and garden, I decided that the gazebo has to go. I do not want another sleepless night worrying about it.
And this evening I will light a candle to the Greenhouse Angel who protected mine!
Although...yet another storm today...Sunday. I am quite sick and tired of them by now. Hope my greenhouse is okay, here we go again!
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