We are in direct line from The Needles off the Isle of Wight. The heaviest gust of wind overnight sweeping through these iconic rocks was recorded at 109 miles per hour. Even this morning rains continued and the wind speeds were in excess of 70 m.p.h.
This was definitely a day for staying indoors and watching the Rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa.
Jackie braved the elements with her camera while I sat tensely on the TV sofa. After the match I made my contribution to the damp photography.
The weeping birch whipped across the sky in the direction of the crouching Cryptomeria.
The kitchen window wept.
Numerous flower pots had been thrown aside.
We had lain down all the patio furniture as a precaution. The white metal table, having been placed face to the ground had been picked up and tossed across the space.
In the Rose Garden the firmly fixed corner arch had toppled over.
Both Crown Princess Margareta
and Zefirini Drouhin still cling to their support, which we think in will be possible to right.
Even the compost bins have been wrecked.
Today it was an ill wind…… except for South Africa.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s spicy lamb jalfrezi and pilau rice with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank Patrick Chodot Fleurie 2018.