Daylight enables us to see what damage the storm caused. The French teacher has had an oak tree fall on her house. As we pass on our morning walk the local fire brigade are hard at work throwing a plastic sheet over what's left of her roof. Due to blocked roads and wind damage the schools which were due to open on Tuesday won't start until Thursday. Beyond the crossroads the school secretary's new Renault has been squashed by a wayward acacia. Down by the river the oaks, heavy with acorns , seem to have suffered most. Heartbreaking to see so many of these two hundred year old giants felled.
Our farm lad was fortunate to escape from his run in with a tree unscathed. Two others, from neighbouring villages, weren't so lucky
A quick check of the garden. The lawn strewn with branches, a few broken umbrellas, a smashed wooden chair. Inside, the water seeping through the ceiling has slowed to a gentle trickle. The builder promises to come and repair the roof tiles ' as soon as I can '. When pressed he adds '' probably this week but I can't guarantee it ". 50,000 folks to the west remain without power. We count our blessings.
By eight the first of the council clean up teams are hard at work cutting up branches that have fallen onto the little lane. Bob monitors their progress from his stump seat.
Sophie sits amidst the detritus of the previous nights storm exuding happiness. Mud, an irritated brother and a demonic tweeting bird. What more could a girl ask for ?
27 comments:
That was quite a storm! At least it's September and you have a better chance at getting tradesmen to do repairs.
That must have been a frightening storm. How terrible for the French teacher and her family, and those who have suffered serious damage.
In spite of everything, Sophie looks very happy - hasn't someone shut that demonic bird up yet? "Encourage" Bob to drop it in the pool !
Well, I have just read about the unfortunate incident of the dog in the frog pond. I am cracking up. All is well, teen boy ok, roof tiles will be replaced and Bob is no longer just dog.
So sorry to hear how bad the storm was around your way. It will take quite a while to get everything put right, especially the damaged houses. It must have blown itself out by the time it reached us near Bergerac as we just had heavy rain , for which we are grateful. Just think of all that free entertainment as the PONs watch all the activity around the village.
That was some storm, glad to hear all are safe at the ROF
That was quite a storm! It is always sad and such a loss to see trees with such history felled. I do not envy the clean up afterwards. I hope there were no serious injuries, and am glad that all is (mostly) OK at the ROF.
Here we'd been fearng a hurricane -- Erika -- which fizzled; while you had the serious consequences of an almost unannounced storm. From past encounters, however, I know the sad impact of seeing beautiful trees felled and lives lost.
Quite a storm. And so sad about the ancient oak trees.
Best of luck with the builder...
I had a tree fall in front of my car while driving one stormy night. Coverd the car with its leafy branches. I can remember just sitting there in the dark not believing what had just happened. Not being able to open a door, and seeing downed lines in the headlights, I put the car in reverse, and slowly backed away. I drove home in shock, and shaking. The next morning I inspected my car. Not a scratch or dent on it. Other people not as fortunate. Clean up for days in our area. This happened decades ago. I still remember every emotion. So very grateful all of you are unharmed.
200 year old oaks felled. It must have been rough. My sympathies go out to all those that have been affected.
Very keen to get home to check on things.
Sad to hear about the mighty oaks - that's tragic. And the neighboring village lads. Storms are getting greater...
Venerable old oaks lost, so sad. And their replacements, will they ever make it to that great age with the climate changes? Acacias seem to fall over in the breeze of a dog's tail wagging. Luckily your village was spared any human tragedy.
So sorry about the venerable oaks, and the teacher's house. How awful for her, but glad the people are OK.
Bob always looks so cute on his stump seat, as if he's trying to be majestic but just a bit off.
A similar story in Vancouver, Canada a few days ago. Lots of trees down and the damage is still being estimated. The cleanup continues.
We're number 3 on the builders list. Whatever that means.
Demonic bird is indestructible - and waterproof !
Never believe it when someones says that dogs calm down after two and a half years. Expect the unexpected !
Winds of 153 km/h recorded here. The highest speeds on record. Montauban looks like a battle ground.
All is well and the dogs didn't even notice what was going on.
Oaks laden with acorns are particularly susceptible to gales.
In Scotland a wind of 100 mph would be a typical winter occurrence. Here it's unheard of and unprepared for.
I'm sure he'll show up.
You had a guardian angel looking after you that night !
Strange how the landscape looks different with so many trees down.
They've never known winds like this. It only lasted three or four minutes but was like a miniature tornado. Unheard of in France.
The winds that used to sweep up the coast now seem to be heading inland away from the Bay of Biscay.
Bob would like to think he's both ferocious and majestic. He may not score highly on either count.
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