No, Im not talking about the hot sunny weekend just past but the incredible weather we had here last night.
Around 0300 this morning about 3 (possibly 4) thunderstorms converged on our part of the world. The result was a spectacular natural light show, as lightning flashed about almost constantly, at times lighting the sky up like day.
Highly dangerous i know, but impressive nonetheless.
How do I know about this. Well I cant sleep during such storms, so rather than try shutting it out and geting hot I decided to break the habit of a lifetime, watch the show and keep cool at the same time.
Just out of interest, who 'likes'/enjoys such storms?, who cant stand them (like me usualy)?. Who has had a storm recently?
Richard, I LOVE storms! We all get up and sit and watch it and drink cocoa! Quite a family do! (Plus my children have never been scared of them and think of them as a fun thing!)
Haven't had any here this year, would love to see one.
Mother nature is a clever gal, and fills me with awe and respect on such occasions.
You could be in luck soon, Doris. Some might be coming your way this week perhaps
Have to say I'm a fan, though watching one from Shotley Graveyard was a bit spookey, too good to miss though.
Jeremy
Quote from: derbex on August 03, 2004, 12:30:10
Have to say I'm a fan, though watching one from Shotley Graveyard was a bit spookey, too good to miss though.
Jeremy
Ooo-er, Jeremy. Now that DOES sound spooky!
We all adore storms, the louder and flashier the better! As a sprog, my bedroom window had a huge bay window with a very deep ledge which I could sit on, and I would open the windows and sit there in my nightie watching it in awe. Even a very windy night would have me sitting there watching the trees swaying. Just spoken to mum in not very sunny Surrey, and she is in the midst of a storm with thunder and lightening. Can't wait!! ;D
We all love storms ... As a kid in swansea we used to watch the storms coming down the valley and then across the bay - wonderful.
But I must spare a though this week though for my daughter who is camping in Swanage (Dorset). She doesn't mind storms but she is sharing with someone who does mind - guess that might be loads of fun!
I love em ;D
But there's one happening right now in Oxford, and I'm not looking forward to cycling home in it :-\ I like to be inside and dry whilst watching :)
hit here this arvo.....bang crash big time and tons of wet stuff. The light went down in Chipping Norton! But we were safe inside..Wonder what the morn will bring?
CL x
PS Spooky storms? While ago but got caught in storm in Highgate Cemetery....now that WAS spooky!!
I like to watch them from the safety of my home but wouldn't venture out that's like waving a red flag to bull. ???
So sad to hear the news of that poor teenager in Walsall camping in his garden yesterday morning and being killed by a bolt of lightning, a wicked waste of a young life.
Roy
Yup, I love storms too --- first time driving at night in Yemen, on the main road Sanaa to Taiz. The road's at about 7000 feet (?) - and at points runs along a ridge.
Imagine looking DOWN on a thunderstorm in the valley below!
All best - Gavin
Crikey CL, Highgate cemetery?
That must be one of the spookiest places in the country - WITHOUT a thunderstorm!
Storms abroad are the worst/most intense (though we get a few of our own). Only happened once to me when in Spain. Again at night when trying to sleep. Some storm THAT was!
I love thunder storms and am hoping that my daughter will be the same. We have a lovely story about thunder being made by dinosoars dancing in the clouds. She got really excited yesterday morning, but it wasn't a hum dinger of a storm. A good start for her though!
The best storm I ever experienced was in Spain. The rain was warm and it was such a lovely experience walking in the rain along the beach.
By the way Richard - how come you are now a "former deity"?
Quote from: Plocket on August 04, 2004, 10:31:50
By the way Richard - how come you are now a "former deity"?
I think i've been deposed. No i think it was some light hearted comment made by Tim, I decided to step down from my lofty perch and join the mortals again.
And I thought "Gardening God" sounded pretty cool! Nice to know you are back amongst the mere mortals though!!! So the lightning didn't knock you off your silver cloud then?
maybe it helped me on my way. Once i saw the awsome power of nature, I thought 'how can i still call myself God after that?
Ha ha!!!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v286/plocket/Smilies/Grab.gif)
I hope there's not another storm tonight! I'm off to see an outdoor production of a shakespeare play. But if this sun keeps it up it's going to be fantastic ;D ;D ;D
Where's that then Moggle?
Storms? Don't we know it. Son-in-law was called out yesterday to resucitate a girl who was stunned by lightning in Hyde Park, while his house was being flooded!! No justice? But great satisfaction. = Tim
No storms where I am in West Sussex, just hot hot hot and not a drop of rain yet.
I love electric storms provided I'm safe at home. A very different matter if you're out in the thick of it. When I was a teenager I was riding my horse home from an event when a storm broke out. I was on my own as I had left early due to damaging my ankle and wasn't able to walk, only hop! When the storm broke out my horse decided that she wanted to take refuge under a tree and wouldn't move an inch. I was terrified as under a tree is the worst possible place to be. Was very lucky that a friend of my father was driving home and spotted me, he was really sweet, he led my horse all the way home(about 2 miles) as I had refused to leave her standing under the tree. Now when I see black clouds looming I head for safety and don't go anywhere until it's all over.
Glad you got home safe Jess. Hope not too much damage done.
Plocket, the play was in Oxford. They do a couple every year. We've had tickets booked for about 2 months, and I don't think the weather could have been more perfect. Romeo and Juliet, and it was fantastic! :) Shame about the student in front of me who decided to belch his way through the dramatic ending >:(
Fantastic. I love outdoor plays. I went to one at Hever Castle once - they did it down by the lake which was used as a backdrop - totally brilliant. Glad the weather held off for you - shame about the ignoramus!
Oh Jess that didn't sound good. At least the horse didn't panic. I stood under a tree during a torrential rain shower (no thunder and lightning) whilst on a walk with my other half, then boyfriend. It was very romantic!!!
We had loads of thunder and lightning down here in Devon and Cornwall last Tuesday when I was on my hols.
I was competing in an 8 day field archery challenge so standing in the middle of the woods holding a big pointy stick was probally not the best idea when there is lots of thunder and lightning - must be flaming mad ::)
Sam
Come sailing in a thunderstorm if you want insanity -40 + ft metal mast, biggest thing for miles around.
There's the apocryphal story of an australian with a steel boat who packied his bilges with tinnies (that's beer cans under the floor). He got hit by lightening and had to remove them with a pickaxe and chisel as they were all welded to the boat ;D
Jeremy
I've sailed in grim weather but never a thunderstorm.
And the Auzzie sounds like a right thingy. He should have towed the tinnies behind the boat!
Blimey and I thought I was mad!
Sam
That last good storm - our local measurer quotes 40mm - that's a lot of water! But it STILL hasn't sunk throught the potato ridges. = Tim
Didn't have a thunder storm last night but it is still raining and the garden is flooded in two places this time. Can't say the garden isn't getting watered this year! And I don't even have to use the hose!
Though I fel sorry for those who have endured the worst of the weather recently, I am happy to report that we seem to have missed the worst of it down here.
WE did have storms last monday night, but then no more until Sunday when it was wet nearly all day. Showers yesterday, but nice warm sunny morning this morning.