Storm Katie particularly selected our corner of Hampshire to belabour throughout the night with winds of up to 105 m.p.h. Having heeded the forecast our intrepid Head Gardener brought down many of her pots and protected other parts of the garden. Nevertheless, tears sprang to her eyes when she witnessed the devastation this morning.
The cold frames built last autumn had been smashed to pieces and scattered around the side and front of the house.
One pot of daffodils had been blown from its perch on the front Gardener’s Rest.
Two arches have been uprooted;
that in the front has destroyed a solar lamp.
Other breakages include plant pots that can no doubt be replaced from Efford Recycling Centre.
Chairs
and planters also took a dive.
The wind continued throughout the day, and rain interrupted the sunshine, so we decided to defer the recovery process until tomorrow, and drive out to see how the forest had fared.
This scene near Bolderwood demonstrated that the recent falls of forest giants will eventually merge into the landscape, just as their ancestors have done. Perhaps this rotting stump had been shattered by a wind as strong as that which had ripped the trunk off its neighbour.
Many other such corpses, recent, and ancient, litter the terrain.
The last of these trees had been cleared from the road that it had crossed.
Variable traffic,
and a cheerful runner who had just seen a wonderful rainbow, enjoyed the bright light once the rain had stopped pelting down.
In Newtown, near Minstead, the dappled coats of donkeys blended with the sunlit tarmac.
When living there, we had watched the house in the centre of this picture being built.
These two had left their basking baby while they wandered off.
Further on, we were obliged to stop and watch another trio able across the road they own.
I have often photographed this tree, when whole, on Seamans Corner green;
or this scene, further down the road, before Katie struck.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s choice chilli con carne and savoury rice. I drank more of the madiran, and The Cook didn’t.
So sad when trees break and fall.
Thanks, Brenda
Oh Derrick and Jackie, I’m so sorry to seethe destruction – amazing strength winds have. All the time and effort you guys put into your amazing garden, here’s hoping that in no time she’ll be back to bringing you nothing but cheerful happiness.
Thanks, Mary. We will sort it
Devastating! I have read the news, so very sorry. We had a windy day yesterday, I was struggling to get out of my car in the morning, but it wasn’t anything close to what you have got. So sorry for the lost lives.
Many thanks, Inese. In comparison, we got off lightly
How lucky that you brought down some pots and protected parts of the garden. So sad to see fallen trees. Here’s to wishing you a speedy repair of your garden. Sometimes new energies breathe a different kind of life into gardens. Lovely drive in the countryside and beautiful pictures as always despite the devastation
Many thanks, Geetha
Welcome Derrick 🙂
I am so sorry about your damaged garden and all the love in it that got whipped by the storm. I so hope your haven will recover soon. The scenes of devastation near you are amazing. We missed it here.Take care X
Thank you, Gill
That looks like quite a storm. I’m glad no one was hurt, but it’s sad about the trees and plants.
Sounds like a hurricane. So sorry for the damage. Glad that the house and you and Jackie are intact! I wonder where the ponies hide out in storms like that?
Thanks, Lisa. I think they must go deep into the forest and hope for the best
Such a mess. Sorry about your garden, sounds like it was a particularly nasty storm. Take care and good luck with the clean up.
Thanks, Miriam
Thankfully no major damage to the garden, nor to yourselves or the house – but I felt Jackie’s pain!! We too have had some major wind strikes recently that have torn up old trees. It’s awful to see. On the plus side there will have to be several trips to the dump now to retrieve some useful items 🙂
Many thanks, Pauline
So very sorry to read about the destruction in your garden. Knowing how much work goes into building and maintaining a garden, I winced when I looked at your pictures. There! Let’s hope the weather has gotten that of its system and the rest of the season will be calm.
Thanks, Laurie. It is recoverable
So glad to read this!
All that work! Rotten weather. Knowing you two, though, you’ll have it spruced up in no time.
Thanks, Susanne. We will
Ah, Jackie, I’m so sorry! All your lovely work. I do hope most of the damage is salvageable. All we sustained here in Surrey was a couple of wonky fence panels. You definitely caught the worst of Storm Kate.?
Thanks, Jenny. We will be able to sort it
I want to weep with you, Jackie…so.oooo frustrating!!
Thanks, Cynthia
When I read your title I thought someone died but it was a different kind of wake…I feel for you. So much work there to restore the garden before the main event. I’m sure that any changes you make will be for the better, and you do have those photographs to make the story of your garden more interesting.
Many thanks, Mary. I have left blank pages in the albums, but not for this!
There is definitely more evidence that the weather is becoming more extreme. In Oz we have had some of the hottest days and strongest storms for many years.
By the way I haven’t been getting notifications of your posts lately so I have hit the follow button again; I hope that fixes things.
Thanks, John. I hope that is fixed, too. For several days I was being blocked access to posts I follow
So sad for Jackie about the damage done.I hope it can all be repaired without too much expense and labour. The baby donkey is so cute. i hope his parents came back for him. 🙂
Thanks, Sylvia. It will be fine
Oh, I’m so sorry, Derrick and Jackie. So much destruction, but I’m happy you both are okay. I have faith that the two of you will restore the garden to its original beauty.
Thanks, Jill. We will
🙁 Ouch, know that feeling. Hope the repairs go smoothly and easily! 🙂
Thanks, Bianca. They will
Woof; we had a few trees down here too. I recall 1987 and my dad certain he must have lost his chimney. When it was there in the morning he almost believed in divine intervention.Hope the clean up isn’t too painful.
It’ll soon be fine, Geoff. Thanks.
Heartbreaking for sure. Nothing like nature to keep everyone on their toes!!
Those Donkeys are just delightful, what a hoot!
Best wishes for the clean up and restoration work.
Thanks, Danella. We’ll get cracking today
So sorry for the chaos the weather has wracked upon you. We have those crazy winds here a couple of times a year now, too.
Thanks, Jodie
Quite the storm!
Yep. Thanks Leslie
I heard about the havoc Katie made! I’m sorry for your poor garden but am glad you and your family are well. ?
Thanks, Rose. At least the garden was all that was damaged
Such a sad setback Derrick, I know how much you love your garden and the pleasures it brings, try to look at it as a minor setback by Mother Nature, your pleasures will return as well as your enthusiasm.
Keep smiling Mate.
🙂 Thanks, Ian
I read about that storm and thought about y’all. Wasn’t sure if you were in its path and sorry to hear that you were.
Thanks for your thoughts and your comments, Weekly
The strongest gust in the whole country was recorded on The Needles (an image familiar to all who follow this post) the night of 26th into 27th. So that’s how near it was.
I was so sorry to see all the hard work you both did come to a crushing mess, especially cold frames, shelves and broken pots, Derrick. 🙁 Tell Jackie I am sorry about this disaster.
I hope getting out in nature calmed your spirits. Trees that fall usually were dying anyway, cycle of life. I liked the donkeys, especially sweet baby soaking in the sunshine!
Thanks very much, Robin. Will pass it on
Jolly storm… I’ve given up purchasing greenhouses, and archways, and trellises. They don’t make them the way they used to…
They certainly don’t, Bruce. Thanks
Bad girl Katie 🙁 She destroyed your work. I read about this storm which brings violent start to Easter, as newspapers wrote.
I hope you are OK, because I know you will work hard and will re-build the garden.
Say “Hello” to Jackie!
Where’s Michael Fish when you need him? He would have provided the calm before the storm!
I do hope you can get things back to normal soon, Derrick. It’s awful after all the work you’ve both done in your garden.
Thanks, Keith. We’ll get onto it today
Sorry to you both. Katie was wild wasn’t she? I think she’s gone now. Sad about Boldrewood too – thanks for the report.
Thanks, Sol
Trees being blown down are part of the natural cycle. It’s a pity they don’t leave more of them in situ so that woodpeckers and nuthatches could increase in number. Are the donkeys somebody’s pets or are they semi-wild like the horses? A lovely picture to capture their camouflage!
Thanks, John. Like those of the ponies, the donkeys, pigs, and cattle owners have grazing rights, and let their animals roam. It is now illegal to remove fallen trees, except, I blieve, for some that are sold.
Oh my goodness!!! All that WORK – and those poor trees! I hope it’s not too discouraging, getting things in the garden back in order.
I did love to see how calm all the animals seemed…
Thanks, Clair Marie. The animals seemed oblivious. We’ll get things straight again soon
After all the hard work you two put into the garden!! Mother Nature makes her own rules I suppose. I certainly hope it will not take too much of an effort and cost to repair the damage.
We are getting there, thanks, GP
Oh my God, hope both of you are fine. Regards, Lakshmi
We are, thank you, Lakshmi
Oh dear, it does look rather ravaged. Our sympathies to you and the Head Gardener.
Many thanks, Mostly
So sorry to hear about the damage to the garden Derrick, I know how devastating it can be after so much tender care and hard work. Please pass along my condolences to the Head Gardener. <3
Many thanks, Julie. Will do
Looks pretty bad Derrick, but on the bright side, nature has provided you with another project and more for us to enjoy reading about:) No better couple to tackle it! Good luck and glad you’re ok. steVe
Many thanks, steVe 🙂
You caught it far worse than even we did, only 30 miles or so up the road. Can understand Jackie’s frustration (perhaps come Cointreau in her coffee when she visits later today will put things into perspective, or at least make her forget about it!!) A bit like Efford [“definitely not”-]dump, we may have some acrylic panels that may replace those damaged in the greenhouse.
Glad neither of you two were an the worse for wear.
Many thanks, Paul
Was this a very unusual storm, I hope? Sounds fearsome; I can imagine huddling in some snug corner until it passed. Ruinous thing. Glad you and Jackie are unharmed.
Thanks, Cynthia G. By our standards, yes. The worst I’ve known
Sorry to hear it
I am really sorry to see the damage done by Katy! I saw what she was up to. We missed it here in Ireland but i see we are getting rain on Friday that will bypass you which might make you feel better!
Thanks, Geoff
Oh how disheartening. After so much hard work. I am sure it will be put to rights again in due course, but what a shame for you both.
Many thanks, Gwen
Good heavens what a storm! I am so pleased that you and Jackie were able to bring some things inside before the destruction. Now that you’ve had all summer, I imagine the damage is long recovered. So glad you didn’t have any injuries or major damage to property.
Many thanks, Crystal. Had even forgotten about it 🙂