mullethunter Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Wow it was rough today! Thankfully my work made everyone work from home so I spent the day looking out every 10 minutes to make sure the chickens were OK. They were, but I went out and sat in their run for a bit and it was SOOO noisy. The wind kept lifting their tarpaulin cover up and then slamming it back down again. Everything was moving but thankfully everything stayed in one piece and the tree didn’t fall on it. Elsewhere in the county (including my mums house) there are trees down and power cuts all over the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 School ended early today, which was a good thing as I could at least get home on my motorcycle before it got too bad. Loads of tipped lorries, fallen trees and blown off roofs all around. I weighed down the bottom bars of my run with a large paving slab. But so far the tarp is still holding up and the coop and Omlet run are mostly behind the shed, so not too much wind there. Chickens didn’t seem too bothered and still digging around for stuff in their woodchip. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 (edited) No my chickens didn’t seem bothered really either and nor did my mums even though their scaffolding shelter was on its side!! Edited February 18, 2022 by mullethunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 @mullethunter your mums house still okay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 On 2/18/2022 at 8:47 PM, Cat tails said: @mullethunter your mums house still okay? Yes - Thankyou Cattails. Luckily the trees fell in the lane and the orchard and none on the house. And the house is in a little hollow so sheltered a bit from the worst of the wind. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 I'm glad you are all safe. My chickens weren't that bothered by the wind today either, usually they hide. It was definitely the worst wind I've seen and heard and I'm surprised the trees either side of us haven't fallen down. It was terrifying taking Bonnie out for the toilet and a couple of times I did just grab her because it just felt like the wind would take us both. So glad it is a little bit calmer now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 Actually not much calmer here this afternoon / evening. Absolutely howling again. Stop now please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 We are back on amber alert here too. I’m done with all these storms now too. I’m about 15 km inland from the sea, but my windows are covered in sea salt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebell1985 Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 My chickens do not seem that phased by this extreme weather we are having in Essex. It baffles me but they all still decide to sleep outside (in a secure run) on a perch rather than in the comfort of the very wind proof coop. I'll be building a new run as I move homes soon. Definitely going to be putting more wind shield areas in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 That's not normal @Bluebell1985. Check for red mite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Watched the BBC forecast this morning and was very surprised to see a yellow warning over Scotland for snow and frequent lightning!! Can't ever remember those two being forecast together before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Going to Scotland tomorrow to visit OHs daughter and granddaughter but I’m also hoping to ski on Monday so fingers crossed for just the right amount of snow 🤞🏻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Have fun! That's a long journey for you, I hope all goes well. Desperately awaiting rain here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 There was a news report last week @Daphne which showed a reservoir in central Portugal at 41% capacity, whereas at the same time last year it was about 80%. So I suppose if it doesn't rain there, Summer will be a problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 Indeed, they are reporting that much of the country is facing drought, and there have already been forest fires. However, it is still possible that March and April will rain incessantly, it often happens, particularly in March. This year has been virtually all sun. Its been baking hot for winter some days, 20 plus. However, I will be in Normandy visiting my MIL from next week - therefore I am expecting rain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 20, 2022 Share Posted April 20, 2022 Apart from the late frosts, this Spring has been lovely so far although perhaps a bit windy. One thing we have noticed is the change in wind direction during the year. Four years ago and it was 90% West, but it has now changed to 50:50 East:West, perhaps even 60:40? According to our local agricultural weather site we are 55% short on last months rainfall, but that's about to change. It's one of those rare occasions when the temperatures are higher in the North and it's dry, whereas down here it's much cooler and is forecast rain for the next 6 days. All work outside has stopped, but unfortunately the grass and weeds are still growing! Watched a UK TV programme last night where an English couple were looking for a holiday home in the Limousin, which is slightly Southwest of central France. Less than £80,000 for a nice large detached house with barn and large garden. Now that's a third of the prices here and I can see a lot of Brits giving a similar purchase consideration. It even had central heating (presumably installed because of the very cold Winters there). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted April 20, 2022 Share Posted April 20, 2022 I’d be very tempted! The 90 day rule seems to be putting a lot of people off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 The thunderstorms forecast for yesterday didn't arrive. We had just enough rain to wipe off my garden chair. It's now 9C above the seasonal average and will remain so for the next week with no rain forecast either. Summer here is our least favourite season because it's so hot; seems it's going to be extended into late Spring this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted May 17, 2022 Share Posted May 17, 2022 We had rain at the weekend, enough to properly wet the ground, now we are at 27 in the day, 14 at night, so there is a heavy dew. In common with all of western Europe we are about to enter a heatwave, its forecast to be 36 on Saturday! My least favourite season is now Spring as its very wet. I love the fact it is wet because I know its essential for life, but day to day its very cold and we are often confined indoors. We live in a stone house which is designed to keep cool, its often warmer outside! In addition, we are often lost in the mists as we are at 500m elevation and that brings a clammy wetness, as well as a lack of light, as well. I don't feel the joy that Spring brings after a hard winter because our autumn and sometimes Jan is usually bright and sunny, and things still grow, and you can be outside all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted May 18, 2022 Share Posted May 18, 2022 It's been 30C here for nearly a week now @Daphne and set to be 35C on Sunday. No rain so we're using tap water left for 4 days to let the Chlorine out; already clocked up 1400 litres and it's only May! Earthing up the potatoes was impossible, but yesterday evening I soaked one potato bed and have been able to earth it up this morning. Now adding leaf mulch to the South face for heat protection. Had to re-home a very large toad in the process. We're at just over 200m and are working to keep the house cool. We open the windows and doors first thing in the morning and close them about 8.30. No cooking in the house now. We have an area outside with electricity, BBQ and a gas hob. Normally only used mid-Summer, but not this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted May 18, 2022 Share Posted May 18, 2022 Meanwhile in Cornwall…..it’s 11 degrees and raining 🙄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted May 18, 2022 Share Posted May 18, 2022 On 5/18/2022 at 10:06 PM, mullethunter said: Meanwhile in Cornwall…..it’s 11 degrees and raining 🙄 Send us some! Haven’t had proper rain in 2 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted May 19, 2022 Share Posted May 19, 2022 Had THE most amazing storm last night. Thunder started just gone 11pm followed by heavy (and I mean heavy) rain then the lightening kicked in. 20 minutes of natures sound and light show! Worth getting out of bed for but OH and the boys slept through the whole thing. Due more heavy rain tomorrow morning so no doubt the lawn will respond accordingly - so much for No Mow May, I can hardly see the bird bath as it is! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted May 19, 2022 Share Posted May 19, 2022 They keep talking about 'no mow May' here, to give the bees and butterflies time to feed and reproduce. The only fields around here that are not mown now are ours and we are full of bees and butterflies. Problem is this is the best time to cut hay for the Winter, so the farmers haven't the time for the townies ideals and they couldn't care less about the wildlife if there is no profit in it (they shoot as much of it as they can). Welcome to France! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted May 19, 2022 Share Posted May 19, 2022 On 5/18/2022 at 10:15 PM, Cat tails said: Send us some! Haven’t had proper rain in 2 months. Never mind! We had thunderstorms last night and today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
