Back in February we had the biggest snowfall in these here parts in over 18 years. We loved every minute of it!
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Friday, 7 November 2008
Adventures in Flying
My flight to France was absolute torment. I really must give up flying or figure out how to procure drugs strong enough to knock me out so as to prevent me from experiencing the intense anxiety associated with my air travel. I feel like I am turning into my father and within the next few years I will be unable to muster the courage to board a plane.
I boarded the flight at Heathrow on time. At the gate the ticketing agent told me that British Airways had to change me seat due to "operational reasons". I asked what kind of reasons were operational? She informed me that it probably meant the seat was broken.
Given that I fly a lot I know the real answer was more likely to be that they had oversold the business class tickets and had to move the boundary back into the economy class part of the plane. I was horrified when I learned I was at the back of the plane; not just further back, but in the very LAST row, behind a group of 50 French school children returning from a trip abroad. I suppose I would have been even more incensed if I had purchased a business class ticket only to find that I was allocated an economy class seat.
Not to worry. I was letting this annoyance roll off my shoulders and let it go into the universe. I had more important things to focus on. Like catching up on my reading. About halfway into the 2 hour flight, the plane suddenly starting bumping and jumping about. Seat belt signs were lit. Drinks went flying off the trays and into the air. Lightning burst in the sky outside the aircraft window.
I bent over, hugged my knees as tears fell from the corners of my eyes and I began to hum "Tomorrow". You know the one from the musical Annie - The sun'll come out tomorrow. Betchour bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun......Just thinking about - OK you get the idea. I tried to remember if I had kissed and cuddle my husband as well as my children. I remembered that my will is probably out of date. I tried to remember what the precise value is of my life insurance policy.
Above the din of my screaching was an Italian or maybe Spanish or some sort of Latin language prayer being recited at high volume by a gorgeous young woman sitting across the aisle from me. She was repeatedly crossing herself.
I reached across the aisle, determined not to die alone and grabbed hold of her hand.
In the midst of all this chaos, the French school children didn't even blink an eye. They kept reading their Teen Magazines and playing with their Nintendo DS Lites and listening to their iPods.
I've had these experiences before but they tend to be short lived: 10 minutes out of 3 hour flight. But this time it lasted for nearly 40 minutes. The pilots announced at one point they were going to fly out of our scheduled flight path to get us out of harm's way. Oh good god, did I really need to know that I was in harm's way?
We landed 40 minutes late. I let go of the woman's hand only when I applauded the succesfull landing of the aircraft. I couldn't get off of there quickly enough (but keeping in mind I was in the very last row, it wasn't very quick).
I got my luggage and started what turned out to be an epic journey by public transport (bus) from the Nice airport to my hotel in Cannes. (That's another post!) But in my haste, I forgot to say goodbye and thank you to the stranger across the aisle who shared my fear, who held my hand, who hopefully prayed for me in a language I couldn't understand at break neck speed and who showed supreme compassion. I'm glad it was her sitting next to me and not those school children.
Tonight I board my return flight. The weather has improved considerably and I am hoping (and praying) for a much less eventful but ever so much more important journey home.
I boarded the flight at Heathrow on time. At the gate the ticketing agent told me that British Airways had to change me seat due to "operational reasons". I asked what kind of reasons were operational? She informed me that it probably meant the seat was broken.
Given that I fly a lot I know the real answer was more likely to be that they had oversold the business class tickets and had to move the boundary back into the economy class part of the plane. I was horrified when I learned I was at the back of the plane; not just further back, but in the very LAST row, behind a group of 50 French school children returning from a trip abroad. I suppose I would have been even more incensed if I had purchased a business class ticket only to find that I was allocated an economy class seat.
Not to worry. I was letting this annoyance roll off my shoulders and let it go into the universe. I had more important things to focus on. Like catching up on my reading. About halfway into the 2 hour flight, the plane suddenly starting bumping and jumping about. Seat belt signs were lit. Drinks went flying off the trays and into the air. Lightning burst in the sky outside the aircraft window.
I bent over, hugged my knees as tears fell from the corners of my eyes and I began to hum "Tomorrow". You know the one from the musical Annie - The sun'll come out tomorrow. Betchour bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun......Just thinking about - OK you get the idea. I tried to remember if I had kissed and cuddle my husband as well as my children. I remembered that my will is probably out of date. I tried to remember what the precise value is of my life insurance policy.
Above the din of my screaching was an Italian or maybe Spanish or some sort of Latin language prayer being recited at high volume by a gorgeous young woman sitting across the aisle from me. She was repeatedly crossing herself.
I reached across the aisle, determined not to die alone and grabbed hold of her hand.
In the midst of all this chaos, the French school children didn't even blink an eye. They kept reading their Teen Magazines and playing with their Nintendo DS Lites and listening to their iPods.
I've had these experiences before but they tend to be short lived: 10 minutes out of 3 hour flight. But this time it lasted for nearly 40 minutes. The pilots announced at one point they were going to fly out of our scheduled flight path to get us out of harm's way. Oh good god, did I really need to know that I was in harm's way?
We landed 40 minutes late. I let go of the woman's hand only when I applauded the succesfull landing of the aircraft. I couldn't get off of there quickly enough (but keeping in mind I was in the very last row, it wasn't very quick).
I got my luggage and started what turned out to be an epic journey by public transport (bus) from the Nice airport to my hotel in Cannes. (That's another post!) But in my haste, I forgot to say goodbye and thank you to the stranger across the aisle who shared my fear, who held my hand, who hopefully prayed for me in a language I couldn't understand at break neck speed and who showed supreme compassion. I'm glad it was her sitting next to me and not those school children.
Tonight I board my return flight. The weather has improved considerably and I am hoping (and praying) for a much less eventful but ever so much more important journey home.
Thursday, 6 November 2008
No Sunshine in Cannes
It has been raining for 4 solid days in Cannes. Not drizzly annoying rain. Sheets of water fall and the wind whips the umbrellas inside out all day and all night.
Most of the day is spent inside the conference centre so you can forget about the miserable weather outside but you can't escape it when you make the mad dash back to your hotel room. Or attend a session outside the main Palais de Festival.
Upon arrival your feet and shoes are soaked. The bottoms of your trousers can be wrung out. There is no standing on the promenade enjoying the view of the Med washing up on the sand and the warmth of the sun on your face. Your hair which looked great when you left your room in the morning has taken on the look of a drowned dog and your mascara is running down your cheek.
I will be glad to return home to my children and husband tomorrow afternoon.
Most of the day is spent inside the conference centre so you can forget about the miserable weather outside but you can't escape it when you make the mad dash back to your hotel room. Or attend a session outside the main Palais de Festival.
Upon arrival your feet and shoes are soaked. The bottoms of your trousers can be wrung out. There is no standing on the promenade enjoying the view of the Med washing up on the sand and the warmth of the sun on your face. Your hair which looked great when you left your room in the morning has taken on the look of a drowned dog and your mascara is running down your cheek.
I will be glad to return home to my children and husband tomorrow afternoon.
Friday, 21 March 2008
Wind
I used to love a powerful wind. The sensation of the wind blowing my hair was exhilarating. Being a sailor I loved the wind even more. Sticks and stones could break my bones but a Gale Force 8 excited me.
And then I moved to England. Wind is as common here as sunshine is in Colorado. The wind and rain don't seem to bother the natives but it is wearing me down. I dont' like the wind so much anymore.
Today an arctic gale is blowing. The temperature is 6.7 C (44 F). Taking into account the wind chill factor I feel like I am living in the antarctic. I reckon it is well below freezing.
We are supposed to be enjoying our Easter Weekend. Good Friday and Easter Monday are holidays here in the UK so we've got a 4 day weekend looming. This is typically a time to get the garden in order and enjoy some walks, maybe even entertain thoughts of a BBQ.
There ain't no way I am going outside to enjoy any fresh air. My children would certainly get blown away unless I tethered them to me. The only thing keeping me from being picked up off my feet is all this excess weight I am carrying around.
The forecast for the weekend was rain, sleet, and hail. Right now the sun is shining and there is blue sky but that don't mean it isn't bone chilling.
We are digging into the DVD collection as we speak.
And then I moved to England. Wind is as common here as sunshine is in Colorado. The wind and rain don't seem to bother the natives but it is wearing me down. I dont' like the wind so much anymore.
Today an arctic gale is blowing. The temperature is 6.7 C (44 F). Taking into account the wind chill factor I feel like I am living in the antarctic. I reckon it is well below freezing.
We are supposed to be enjoying our Easter Weekend. Good Friday and Easter Monday are holidays here in the UK so we've got a 4 day weekend looming. This is typically a time to get the garden in order and enjoy some walks, maybe even entertain thoughts of a BBQ.
There ain't no way I am going outside to enjoy any fresh air. My children would certainly get blown away unless I tethered them to me. The only thing keeping me from being picked up off my feet is all this excess weight I am carrying around.
The forecast for the weekend was rain, sleet, and hail. Right now the sun is shining and there is blue sky but that don't mean it isn't bone chilling.
We are digging into the DVD collection as we speak.
Friday, 1 February 2008
Lights Out
Yesterday, the UK suffered from a brief (about 1 hour) of really horrendous weather. Gale force winds blew in from the arctic and tried to kill us all.
When we got home it was obvious that we had lost electricity at some point during the day as all the clocks were blinking except for the battery powered ones (obviously, doh!). And the computer needed rebooting. At least, that was my original assessment.
In fact our network card had been fried. Not entirely sure how that happens. Entirely sure that I don't care.
Marc was able to replace it last night and we are now back on line. So that's my excuse for no post yesterday. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
There is more bad weather predicted. Might miss a couple more. Stay tuned.
When we got home it was obvious that we had lost electricity at some point during the day as all the clocks were blinking except for the battery powered ones (obviously, doh!). And the computer needed rebooting. At least, that was my original assessment.
In fact our network card had been fried. Not entirely sure how that happens. Entirely sure that I don't care.
Marc was able to replace it last night and we are now back on line. So that's my excuse for no post yesterday. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
There is more bad weather predicted. Might miss a couple more. Stay tuned.
Monday, 26 November 2007
Rumours of a Hurricane by Tim Lott
As a American expatriate I am always on a mission to understand the native inhabitants of this fair island. I am in equal measure delighted and befuddled by their behaviour.
My husband finds my behaviour amusing but is uncertain if my actions are uniquely me or something endemic to the the entire population of the US of A. Hard to say, really.
Part of my daily life is spent trying to navigate the waters of the cultural differences between the Americans and British.
A while back a member of the Thames Valley American Women's Club (of which I was on the board as their newsletter editor), gave me this book. I finally found it at the top of my pile and decided to see if I could fit it in before I had to get started on the next book group selection.
Rumours of a Hurricane is set in the tumultuous period between 1979 and 1990 in southern England, specifically London. Margaret Thatcher is being elected to Prime Minister as the novel begins.
The main characters are Charlie Buck and his wife Maureen. They are climbing the social ladder and navigating the rocky seas of the massive cultural change that occurred in Great Britain during the 1980s including the destruction of the labour unions, the rise and devastating fall of the property market, the effects of the implementation of feminism and the emergence of a belief in the dream that any man/woman could run their own business. The decade is easily one of tumultuous change.
But Charlie and Maureen are just trying to make it through. They start the decade in their early 50s. Their marriage is flawed to begin with leaving the couple to turn away from each other in the face of the changes . Charlie brings a suitcase of family history and a drinking problem to the journey which impairs his ability to cope with the changes. Maureen regains her power too late to repair her marriage having made too many bad choices. Their son Robert is lost in the chaos.
The title refers to an hilarious (although only in hindsight) event when a BBC weather man reported that rumours of hurricane in southern England were highly exaggerated which turned out to be unequivocally untrue. In fact, the hurricanes wrecked widesprea havoc. This is used in the book as a metaphor for the tendency during that decade to underestimate impact on people's lives of the events happening all around.
This book delivers a searing and insightful look into the psyche of the British people, particularly the inhabitants of the southern half of the island. I had tremendous sympathy for the characters and found their struggle to be real, horrifying and incredibly sad.
The novel is funny and heartbreaking. Lott is a talented writer who captures characters in a humane and vulnerable way without descending into sickly sweet sentimentality.
I couldn't put the book down. I read it morning and night in every moment of free time. My Facebook addiction suffered. My blogging suffered. My family suffered (not really - just seeing if you're paying attention)!
If you seek an understanding of the British, read this book. If you want a funny look at the 1980s in Great Britain this is the book for you. I highly recommend it! I am now going to go away and find more novels by Tim Lott.
My husband finds my behaviour amusing but is uncertain if my actions are uniquely me or something endemic to the the entire population of the US of A. Hard to say, really.
Part of my daily life is spent trying to navigate the waters of the cultural differences between the Americans and British.
A while back a member of the Thames Valley American Women's Club (of which I was on the board as their newsletter editor), gave me this book. I finally found it at the top of my pile and decided to see if I could fit it in before I had to get started on the next book group selection.
Rumours of a Hurricane is set in the tumultuous period between 1979 and 1990 in southern England, specifically London. Margaret Thatcher is being elected to Prime Minister as the novel begins.
The main characters are Charlie Buck and his wife Maureen. They are climbing the social ladder and navigating the rocky seas of the massive cultural change that occurred in Great Britain during the 1980s including the destruction of the labour unions, the rise and devastating fall of the property market, the effects of the implementation of feminism and the emergence of a belief in the dream that any man/woman could run their own business. The decade is easily one of tumultuous change.
But Charlie and Maureen are just trying to make it through. They start the decade in their early 50s. Their marriage is flawed to begin with leaving the couple to turn away from each other in the face of the changes . Charlie brings a suitcase of family history and a drinking problem to the journey which impairs his ability to cope with the changes. Maureen regains her power too late to repair her marriage having made too many bad choices. Their son Robert is lost in the chaos.
The title refers to an hilarious (although only in hindsight) event when a BBC weather man reported that rumours of hurricane in southern England were highly exaggerated which turned out to be unequivocally untrue. In fact, the hurricanes wrecked widesprea havoc. This is used in the book as a metaphor for the tendency during that decade to underestimate impact on people's lives of the events happening all around.
This book delivers a searing and insightful look into the psyche of the British people, particularly the inhabitants of the southern half of the island. I had tremendous sympathy for the characters and found their struggle to be real, horrifying and incredibly sad.
The novel is funny and heartbreaking. Lott is a talented writer who captures characters in a humane and vulnerable way without descending into sickly sweet sentimentality.
I couldn't put the book down. I read it morning and night in every moment of free time. My Facebook addiction suffered. My blogging suffered. My family suffered (not really - just seeing if you're paying attention)!
If you seek an understanding of the British, read this book. If you want a funny look at the 1980s in Great Britain this is the book for you. I highly recommend it! I am now going to go away and find more novels by Tim Lott.
Thursday, 25 October 2007
Snow
I love snow. Lots of snow. I'm from Colorado. What do you expect? Blizzards excite me! The sound of the outdoors changes dramatically when it is covered in snow.
Only once in the 11 years I've been living in the UK has there been enough snow on the ground to make a snowman. And I was in Colorado.
Marc & I were pregnant with Sebastian and I had taken him home to meet my family and enjoy the Christmas festivities at the Grandmother's house. We had a light dusting of snow on Christmas Eve so technically it was a white Christmas but by Colorado standards it hardly qualified.
When we flew over London on our trip back and looked down the ground was blanketed in white. There were even piles of snow on the sides of roads where the snow had been cleared. It melted in a few days. We missed the fun entirely.
A few years later when Abigail was a few months old we returned to Colorado for Easter. We took Marc's mum with us. We all had the flu and were sick for much of the celebrations early in the week. But it snowed. Every morning we woke up to masses of snow despite the fact that it was April. The grandchildren built a snowman in the front garden at my Grandmother's home. I've got a picture of it somewhere! The snow would melt by the end of the day and new snow would fall overnight. It was glorious!
It snowed in Denver on Sunday night. It didn't here in Old Windsor. It will be the same story throughout the winter. I wish it would snow here instead of all that dreary rain of winter!
I loved snow days when I was in school. I love seeing children all bundled up in snow suits. I love their little red drippy noses. I love going sledding. I envy my sister's children who have a steep hill in their back garden and can go sledding any time there is snow!
We don't own snow suits. Haven't got the need. We've got some very nice big coats courtesy of Grandma (my mother in Colorado). My children love wearing them. They think they are arctic explorers when they put them on.
Bring on the Snow!
Only once in the 11 years I've been living in the UK has there been enough snow on the ground to make a snowman. And I was in Colorado.
Marc & I were pregnant with Sebastian and I had taken him home to meet my family and enjoy the Christmas festivities at the Grandmother's house. We had a light dusting of snow on Christmas Eve so technically it was a white Christmas but by Colorado standards it hardly qualified.
When we flew over London on our trip back and looked down the ground was blanketed in white. There were even piles of snow on the sides of roads where the snow had been cleared. It melted in a few days. We missed the fun entirely.
A few years later when Abigail was a few months old we returned to Colorado for Easter. We took Marc's mum with us. We all had the flu and were sick for much of the celebrations early in the week. But it snowed. Every morning we woke up to masses of snow despite the fact that it was April. The grandchildren built a snowman in the front garden at my Grandmother's home. I've got a picture of it somewhere! The snow would melt by the end of the day and new snow would fall overnight. It was glorious!
It snowed in Denver on Sunday night. It didn't here in Old Windsor. It will be the same story throughout the winter. I wish it would snow here instead of all that dreary rain of winter!
I loved snow days when I was in school. I love seeing children all bundled up in snow suits. I love their little red drippy noses. I love going sledding. I envy my sister's children who have a steep hill in their back garden and can go sledding any time there is snow!
We don't own snow suits. Haven't got the need. We've got some very nice big coats courtesy of Grandma (my mother in Colorado). My children love wearing them. They think they are arctic explorers when they put them on.
Bring on the Snow!
Saturday, 25 August 2007
Home Sweet Home
We have arrived home safe and sound from our camping adventures. We were thrilled to experience beautiful British seaside weather aside from the first evening which was VERY windy. The remainder of our time was bathed in glorious sunshine. The beaches were great. The children had a brilliant time and loved camping! Stay tuned for details of our adventures.
Friday, 27 July 2007
Obsession
I'm obsessed with the weather. And so is the rest of the world. Everywhere I look, there are reports of strange weather. Is this a strange coincidence?
Thursday, 26 July 2007
Out of Danger
The river surge has hit Reading this morning at about 4 am and there was no flooding of property. Whilst the river remains high, it appears that the worse has passed and we are no longer in imminent danger. We are expecting the Environment Agency to lift the Flood Warning later this afternoon for our area.
Rain is forecast for the next couple of days but it shouldn't be in sufficient quantities to affect the river level.
I've rarely felt so powerless to stop anything from happening. Once I had taken all the recommended actions all we could do was sit back and wait. In a way that feeling was liberating. Being the supreme control freak that I am, I was acutely aware that there was little more I could do. If the water decided to visit, it was visiting!
But it didn't/hasn't. And now I can stop talking about the dang weather. And bring on sunnier climates.
An amusing side affect of all this wet weather is the British desire to escape this soggy island and head for balmier shores. Normally, you can pick up last minute travel deals at any travel website or high street shop. Yesterday it was reported that the last minute deals are sold out.
Just last summer, the media was reporting that last minute deals were on the decline and that families were simply no longer interested in cheap package holiday deals. What a difference 1 year makes.
Families obviously fed up with the grey skies and too fed up to do the organising of flights, car hire, and accommodation themselves have snapped up all the cheapest deals without really applying much more criteria than is it sunny? Yes? OK, I'll take it.
Sounds sensible to me!
Rain is forecast for the next couple of days but it shouldn't be in sufficient quantities to affect the river level.
I've rarely felt so powerless to stop anything from happening. Once I had taken all the recommended actions all we could do was sit back and wait. In a way that feeling was liberating. Being the supreme control freak that I am, I was acutely aware that there was little more I could do. If the water decided to visit, it was visiting!
But it didn't/hasn't. And now I can stop talking about the dang weather. And bring on sunnier climates.
An amusing side affect of all this wet weather is the British desire to escape this soggy island and head for balmier shores. Normally, you can pick up last minute travel deals at any travel website or high street shop. Yesterday it was reported that the last minute deals are sold out.
Just last summer, the media was reporting that last minute deals were on the decline and that families were simply no longer interested in cheap package holiday deals. What a difference 1 year makes.
Families obviously fed up with the grey skies and too fed up to do the organising of flights, car hire, and accommodation themselves have snapped up all the cheapest deals without really applying much more criteria than is it sunny? Yes? OK, I'll take it.
Sounds sensible to me!
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Flood Warning Fatigue
We are still on high alert for flooding. Bu we are no longer the top news story. This is extremely frustrating. We have been getting constant updates from the news about the progress of the river water but now it seems the world has continued spinning on its axis and the time moves on.
But so do the river waters. We are being told that the surge is continuing and should reach us in the next 12-24 hours. There is still a flood warning in place and the waters around our home continue to rise. The water they are pumping out of areas upriver are being pumped back into the river and are headed for us. I will continue to keep you updated.
But for now I'm going to a leaving doo for one of my colleagues who has decided to follow his heart (and girlfriend) to the warm, balmy (and dry) lands of Spain. Sounds like a sensible plan to me!
But so do the river waters. We are being told that the surge is continuing and should reach us in the next 12-24 hours. There is still a flood warning in place and the waters around our home continue to rise. The water they are pumping out of areas upriver are being pumped back into the river and are headed for us. I will continue to keep you updated.
But for now I'm going to a leaving doo for one of my colleagues who has decided to follow his heart (and girlfriend) to the warm, balmy (and dry) lands of Spain. Sounds like a sensible plan to me!
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Night on Notice
We are not flooded this morning. Marc went and checked out the river in the other direction last night before going to bed and it is a bit higher. Sorry the photos are dark. He took them just after 9 pm.
I didn't sleep well last night and kept waking up every couple of hours to look out the window. Luckily it remained dry. The are loads of different reports and I'm confused about what to expect. I understand that a further surge is expected later this morning in Oxfordshire, Reading should peak tomorrow morning and that here in Old Windsor (search on Old Windsor when you get the google map) we will get a surge on Thursday.
Today the sun is shining but more rain is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday. I suppose we keep everything on higher ground and don't travel too far from home. Luckily I just work down the road and Marc will be working from home to monitor the situation.
Today the sun is shining but more rain is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday. I suppose we keep everything on higher ground and don't travel too far from home. Luckily I just work down the road and Marc will be working from home to monitor the situation.
Monday, 23 July 2007
Flood Pictures
I left work this morning when I realised that my home had been identified as being in the flood warning catchment. I had done very little to agree a plan with the childminder and Sebastian was at his Get Up & Go camp. The house was not secure and the dog was in his cage in the kitchen. When I got home I quickly went into action and made a plan with the child minder. I confirmed evacuation procedures with the camp and moved our valuables to higher ground. We got our important papers and insurance documents moved to higher ground as well.
These photos are of the River Thames just by our house. As you can see the flood defenses are wide open and in fact are almost over run by the increasing water levels. We are being warned that the worse is yet to come in the next 24 hours. But we have a plan. All the important stuff is on high ground. We will move one of our cars to higher ground tonight. We have bottled water and provisions for a couple days if required. In case of evacuation we will go to the hall in Englefield Green, I believe but are waiting for confirmation from the police. Sand bags have not been distributed yet so Marc is trying to determine if we can purchase some or make our own.
These are photos from Windsor at Eton Bridge which is upstream from us. There are two locks between here and us but they are wide open currently. Doesn't look good.
We are under a flood warning. According to the experts, the plan is to wait until low tide (the Thames River is a tidal river) and then open up all the barriers to let as much water out as possible. This should relieve some of the pressure up river which is already under water. Low tide is at approximately 1 am this morning. It is currently raining and has been for the last hour although not nearly as heavily as it did on Friday when all this trouble started. If I can I will keep you updated. I doubt I will be sleeping very soundly tonight.
These photos are of the River Thames just by our house. As you can see the flood defenses are wide open and in fact are almost over run by the increasing water levels. We are being warned that the worse is yet to come in the next 24 hours. But we have a plan. All the important stuff is on high ground. We will move one of our cars to higher ground tonight. We have bottled water and provisions for a couple days if required. In case of evacuation we will go to the hall in Englefield Green, I believe but are waiting for confirmation from the police. Sand bags have not been distributed yet so Marc is trying to determine if we can purchase some or make our own.
These are photos from Windsor at Eton Bridge which is upstream from us. There are two locks between here and us but they are wide open currently. Doesn't look good.We are under a flood warning. According to the experts, the plan is to wait until low tide (the Thames River is a tidal river) and then open up all the barriers to let as much water out as possible. This should relieve some of the pressure up river which is already under water. Low tide is at approximately 1 am this morning. It is currently raining and has been for the last hour although not nearly as heavily as it did on Friday when all this trouble started. If I can I will keep you updated. I doubt I will be sleeping very soundly tonight.
Flood Warning
There is a flood warning for Old Windsor so I am busy moving irreplaceable items off the ground to the 1st floor. If you don't hear from me......it's because the computer is on the ground floor!
Friday, 20 July 2007
It's Raining Again
We are having a miserable summer and this morning brought the rain to our doorsteps. We live in Berkshire and the village just 10 miles away is flooded. So far the house is dry. The forecast is for more rain tonight and tomorrow. Right now the sun is shining. Pray for more sun!
Monday, 16 July 2007
School Report
On the last day of term we received the class list for next autumn and Sebastian's school report for Year 1. He received an excellent report card. It showed how hard he has tried all year!
Well Done, Sebastian!
Next year he will be joining Mrs. Saunders class and will have some new classmates. They are mixing up the classes this year. He is very excited and would have been happy with either teacher. He is looking forward to having some children in his class that have always been in "the other" class.
We have had a couple of overcast, very humid but mostly dry days. This morning it rains again! Oh I need a holiday from this wet soggy island......
Well Done, Sebastian!
Next year he will be joining Mrs. Saunders class and will have some new classmates. They are mixing up the classes this year. He is very excited and would have been happy with either teacher. He is looking forward to having some children in his class that have always been in "the other" class.
We have had a couple of overcast, very humid but mostly dry days. This morning it rains again! Oh I need a holiday from this wet soggy island......
Monday, 25 June 2007
Serious Rain
It has been raining here for about 5 days straight. In the last 24 hours we've had some seriously heavy rain which is causing some life threatening flood conditions. Our home is roughly in the center of this map. Currently, the only flood threat to the River Thames (which is about 1/4 mile from our home) is north of us by roughly 40 miles or so. Fingers crossed. But I'm taking the photographs upstairs.
Monday, 28 May 2007
Science Museum
OK, first of all, let me say if you are trying to access my blog using http://www.ladawn.co.uk/ you are probably experiencing some difficulties. I apologise for this. We are in discussion with my domain hosting service and will be making a change shortly. If you have been able to g
et here you might want to book mark http://clare-panton.blogspot.com/. That proves a bit more reliable in the short term.
et here you might want to book mark http://clare-panton.blogspot.com/. That proves a bit more reliable in the short term.Secondly, here in the UK we are drowning. It has been raining cats and dogs since midday Saturday. there are several flood warnings and watches although the River Thames does not currently have any warnings and we are not at present in any threat of danger.
Thirdl
y, the weather is causing havoc for our 3 day weekend. We had plans to go camping but saw the weather forecast and abandoned that plan. Quite sensibly. We had hoped for at least some long walks. But unless we want to get soaked and chilled to the bone we have decided to give that a miss as well.
y, the weather is causing havoc for our 3 day weekend. We had plans to go camping but saw the weather forecast and abandoned that plan. Quite sensibly. We had hoped for at least some long walks. But unless we want to get soaked and chilled to the bone we have decided to give that a miss as well.Yesterday we decided to go to the Science Museum in London. Along with a gazillion ot
her people with children all descending on the capital city for a bit of diversion.
her people with children all descending on the capital city for a bit of diversion. There was a queue to get in. We stood there in the rain with all of our brollies (umbrellas). the queue moved quickly. then we stood in another line for the SpyMaster exhibit. We paid an exorbitant fee of £28 (~$50) for the 4 of us. The exhibit was so crowded we couldn't really participate in any of the computer games. Most of the exhibit was targeted at older children so Seb and Abby were not impressed. We walked round the rest of the crowded museum and tried to enjoy ourselves.
Seb liked the old
est Steam Locomotive. Abigail was not impressed with the space rockets. We then found a patterns exhibit targeted for 3-8 year olds and this was nirvana. Seb spent his entire time trying out the solving puzzles with magnetic shapes. Abigail rain from place to place. She especially liked the dancing bit that showed your form with lights on a screen. I was amazed at how quickly she learned to operate the touch screen exhibits to make shapes and patterns on a big screen in front of her. Marc and I sat on a bench and just let her wear herself out running around!
est Steam Locomotive. Abigail was not impressed with the space rockets. We then found a patterns exhibit targeted for 3-8 year olds and this was nirvana. Seb spent his entire time trying out the solving puzzles with magnetic shapes. Abigail rain from place to place. She especially liked the dancing bit that showed your form with lights on a screen. I was amazed at how quickly she learned to operate the touch screen exhibits to make shapes and patterns on a big screen in front of her. Marc and I sat on a bench and just let her wear herself out running around!
We left exhausted and stopped for some sushi at Yo Sushi at Fulham Broadway (a groovy part of London). Abigail fe
ll asleep in the car. Seb was shattered so we skipped bath time and they went straight to bed about 1/2 hour past normal bedtime.
ll asleep in the car. Seb was shattered so we skipped bath time and they went straight to bed about 1/2 hour past normal bedtime.This morning we awoke to more rain and gale force winds ripping through the garden. God only knows what we will do to keep from driving each other crazy!
Thursday, 1 March 2007
Springtime
For my convenience and peace of mind, I get through these horrible, grey, dreary English winters by focusing on the arrival of March! March means springtime which is brilliantly beautiful in England.
Spring has sprung,
the grass has riz,
I wonder where all the birdies iz....
Not exactly ee cummings but I like it!
The sun is shining, there are no grey clouds in the sky and I'm hoping my day at the office will be better than the last 2 days!
Spring has sprung,
the grass has riz,
I wonder where all the birdies iz....
Not exactly ee cummings but I like it!
The sun is shining, there are no grey clouds in the sky and I'm hoping my day at the office will be better than the last 2 days!
Friday, 9 February 2007
Dispatches from the Edge by Andersen Cooper
At the urging of my sister I have just finished Dispatches from the Edge. She was deeply moved by the book. Read her Review
I had picked the book up a while back on our last visit to the states and hadn't quite gotten round to reading it. I must confess it was towards the bottom of the pile. I mean honestly, what possessed me to buy a book written by the spoilt little rich son of Gloria Vanderbilt? But I trust my sister. I really trust her book recommendations .
The book moved me but not in the same way that it did Stephanie. For me it was more thought provoking causing me to reflect on how my life has forked from my family and my country. I haven't lived in the USA for years and years. People ask me questions and I have to say I don't know. It has changed so much over the last 15 years. And the book brought home the cold hard reality of how much the media influences what we know and don't know.
I was deeply disturbed by the events of the 2005 tsunami which was widely covered here on television news. It is a big tourist destination from this part of the world. We had even momentarily toyed with the idea of going that New Year's Eve.
I was less disturbed by the events of Hurricane Katrina. Not because it was any less tragic. But because I just didn't see the huge media coverage. After reading Dispatches I realised what a huge failure this was. On every level.
Anderson writes in a matter of fact style but you can see him mature as a human being and a reporter as his perception and perspective changes with each different war, genocide, ethnic cleansing, natural disaster.
I'm glad I read it and recommend it to anyone. But be warned, it is sad. Good one, Steph.
I had picked the book up a while back on our last visit to the states and hadn't quite gotten round to reading it. I must confess it was towards the bottom of the pile. I mean honestly, what possessed me to buy a book written by the spoilt little rich son of Gloria Vanderbilt? But I trust my sister. I really trust her book recommendations .
The book moved me but not in the same way that it did Stephanie. For me it was more thought provoking causing me to reflect on how my life has forked from my family and my country. I haven't lived in the USA for years and years. People ask me questions and I have to say I don't know. It has changed so much over the last 15 years. And the book brought home the cold hard reality of how much the media influences what we know and don't know.
I was deeply disturbed by the events of the 2005 tsunami which was widely covered here on television news. It is a big tourist destination from this part of the world. We had even momentarily toyed with the idea of going that New Year's Eve.
I was less disturbed by the events of Hurricane Katrina. Not because it was any less tragic. But because I just didn't see the huge media coverage. After reading Dispatches I realised what a huge failure this was. On every level.
Anderson writes in a matter of fact style but you can see him mature as a human being and a reporter as his perception and perspective changes with each different war, genocide, ethnic cleansing, natural disaster.
I'm glad I read it and recommend it to anyone. But be warned, it is sad. Good one, Steph.
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