During the previous month we had a Red Storm Warning which covered the entire island of Ireland. The storm reached from the south of Spain to the top of Ireland.
We had two storms one after the other. The first was a sunny day wind storm and brought record breaking wind speeds. New terms are being used by the weather staff, such as a sting jet of particularly powerful localised winds. This was compared to the ‘Night of the Big Wind,’ a historic storm.
Two days later a rain storm arrived. Half a million premises were without power, mainly due to fallen trees. These included trees down over roads, forty trees in a shelter belt, and swathes of forestry timber trees. I shopped before the storms and fed the small birds throughout. My garden has shelter and shrubs, so they were able to huddle and feed through the worst weather. I had thirty starlings and seven sparrows.

Volunteering with Age Action went well. My student turned 80 years of age. However, a book launch I’d planned to attend was cancelled, due to the entire island being under a red storm warning. With constant cold, sullen skies and frequent rain, we just had about two fine days. During past years, January – February might bring snow, but it definitely brought hard frost, with clear sunny days and white fields. Not any more. A storm a week is the order today.

So, what have I been up to? I'm writing. I’ve used the fine days to take photos locally. I’ve been decluttering regularly. Part of the decluttering has involved the computer and the e-mail. The TBR (to be read) review book mountain has diminished greatly, and a few of the paper books around the house have been read. My inbox content has shrunk. I’ve been getting on with a lot of admin jobs so as to have them out of the way – when the rest of the year starts, I will have a free run. However, this makes me wonder when the rest of the year will start. Last year we had a few fine days around May, or June, and there was no real summer.

While it may seem trivial for the Irish people to complain about rain, when California has been beset by extensive wildfires and Australia is currently experiencing a violent storm over the northwest, for people in a rural Irish house with no power or water for eighteen wintry days, and children studying for exams, our weather is definitely relevant. This is all linked. We are experiencing weather disasters and weather extremes on a massive, global scale, unprecedented in recorded history. Take any steps you can take to reduce fuel use and draw down carbon. Reduce plastic use and clear off any debts. A storm is coming.

This month I am making Dining Out With The Ice Giants free. Download 20 – 23 February.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MW8IQXG

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MW8IQXG

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