Stormy Weather

[EdgeleyRob]

An update. The new typhoon missed us, although we had stormy weather for a week. I've heard one or two comments (from neighbours) that we should thank God for sparing us - but he seemed not to be so keen on sparing those in northern Mindanao who got the typhoon instead.

Anyway, it's rather pleasant today - 26°C (people are still complaining of the cold of course) - and a nice light breeze. It's our barangay fiesta (parish knees-up) on Saturday and we're expecting about 50 guests at our home. I have to cook (by request) chicken curry, jambalaya and a large focaccia, which is an intriguing mix of cultural styles. We still have no phone or internet, so I'm restricted to occasional wi-fi hotspots in town.

Best wishes to everyone.

Glad you are safe Pabmusic.

Chilly,damp and miserable here.

[mercia]

lots of rain on the way - is that naughty arctic vortex still in operation ?

[BBMmk2]

I hope not, mercia~!! Well should be a good day today weather wise! I am off to hove shortly to pick my tuba up from brass doctor. £93!!

[Serial_Apologist]

lots of rain on the way - is that naughty arctic vortex still in operation ?

Yes I'm afraid it is back for Round Two, clobbering our poor friends across the Pond with yet more way below zero temperatures, whether (no pun) of the Fahrenheit or Celsius kinds. While whatever it is keeps this repeating dip of exceptionally cold air repeating, I'm afraid we on this side are likely to see more depressions of the exceptionally wound up kind hitting our coasts and flooding our rivers.

We're all being recommended to turn down our heating thermostats to 15 C while this mild winter persists - apparently the resultant shivering will expend energy and burn off excess calories!

The rain belt seemt to have split into two as it crosses London - that caught me out.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

several lashings of stormy rain last night and this morning; blue skies now but more forecast for later
... with no utility room or airing cupboard and minus a tumble drier washing machine laundry drying has become a major problem after the seasonal hiatus [left it to pile up] ... oh mea culpa , not mention wet clothes!

[Serial_Apologist]

several lashings of stormy rain last night and this morning; blue skies now but more forecast for later
... with no utility room or airing cupboard and minus a tumble drier washing machine laundry drying has become a major problem after the seasonal hiatus [left it to pile up] ... oh mea culpa , not mention wet clothes!

I hang my sheets and shirts etc over doors after ironing, and draping the rest over radiators means everything's dry and ready for putting away next day. My heated tumble dryer burned out last year and, being on my jack, I've always handwashed, but I do have a spin dryer.

[Anna]

We're all being recommended to turn down our heating thermostats to 15 C while this mild winter persists - apparently the resultant shivering will expend energy and burn off excess calories!

When I had the new central heating installed last year they recommended the thermostat be set to 15° - which it is. Seems ok to me but I've always tended to layer up and find other peoples houses far too warm. On the BBC website there is an article that central heating may make you fat. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25849628
S_A. you really handwash sheets and towels? Surely you have room for a washing machine?

OT: After a clear starry night, very heavy rain pre-dawn, then sunny spells. We were promised a dreadful day tomorrow but they are now saying Sunday will be dire, torrential rain.

[DracoM]

One o'clock weather forecast says UK largely dry with blustery showers.
HERE, we have had gale-whipped blizzards on and off for the last two hours.
And the forecast as Anna says for tomorrow is dire.
Can't wait.

[Serial_Apologist]

S_A. you really handwash sheets and towels?

Yes Anna, I really do! There's only one of me, and I can get my washing done on a Sunday morning in an hour, including ironing, usually amounting to two sheets, two pillow cases and a couple of shirts.

Surely you have room for a washing machine?

Yes, the previous flat owner bequeathed a very good one, for which I paid her about £100, included in the price of the flat, but never used so far. Maybe, one day, if arthritis takes hold.

[marthe]

It's a picture post card day here in Newport complete with bright sun and glittery snow. No wind at the moment so very pleasant outside even though the temps are in the low twenties F. Higher temps and rain/snow predicted for the weekend. BTW our radiators are draped with drying hats, mittens and wooly socks. Our laundry room is out of commission at the moment so some handwashing is part of the routine; also trips to the laundromat at the weekend.

I hope that nasty vortex is less severe on your side of the water.

[mangerton]

It's been a lovely day here too, though cold - c 7ºC max. Clear skies tonight, and temp when I came in half an hour ago 2º. Snow forecast in the mountains to the north.

[Serial_Apologist]

Channel 4's news tonight was from a housing estate near Stoke on Trent; I was very surprised to see it was snowing there.

[Anna]

Firstly, best wishes for a Happy Burns Night to all our Scottish friends and may your tatties an' neeps be plentiful and your drams larger rather than smaller!!

Ye Pow'rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies:
But, if ye wish her gratefu prayer,
Gie her a Haggis

Ontopic: The awful forecast for yesterday didn’t happen, it rained but not in huge quantities, very thick overnight mist, woke to blue sky and fluffy clouds. Tomorrow looks bad for SW, S.Wales, S. Coast, Highlands & Islands, Central, Tayside & Fife (the latter won’t worry as they’ll be sleeping off their excesses!)

Reminder that this weekend is the RSPB Birdwatch, so get a coffee, turn on R3, and sit by the window for an hour counting birds. https://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/

[Petrushka]

The awful forecast for yesterday didn’t happen, it rained but not in huge quantities]

It was the same story here. The heavy rain forecast to arrive here yesterday noon-time never happened though it did rain in the evening. Poor forecasting yet again. Now sunny and mild with a light wind.

[mangerton]

Firstly, best wishes for a Happy Burns Night to all our Scottish friends and may your tatties an' neeps be plentiful and your drams larger rather than smaller!!

Ye Pow'rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies:
But, if ye wish her gratefu prayer,
Gie her a Haggis

Ontopic: The awful forecast for yesterday didn’t happen, it rained but not in huge quantities, very thick overnight mist, woke to blue sky and fluffy clouds. Tomorrow looks bad for SW, S.Wales, S. Coast, Highlands & Islands, Central, Tayside & Fife (the latter won’t worry as they’ll be sleeping off their excesses!)

Reminder that this weekend is the RSPB Birdwatch, so get a coffee, turn on R3, and sit by the window for an hour counting birds. https://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/

Thank you for your good wishes. There's a brief report of my haggis-related activities in saly's get-well-soon thread.

Weatherwise, yesterday night was dreadfully wet. Today it's dry but overcast - in a word, depressing. I'm almost wishing for snow, because at least it's usually followed by sunshine.