On Sunday night the island enjoyed a particularly impressive thunderstorm.
Although I couldn't hear the thunder, which P informed me was very loud, the brilliant flashes of lightning woke me around 4 a.m.
The lightning was extremely bright, even with the Velux blinds closed.
I lay there thinking about what would happen if the bell tower was struck. Could we escape through the rooflight windows. How far was the drop down onto the garden.
Eventually I dozed off and slept through to 7:30.
The local radio breakfast news was all about the four houses in the south and east of the island that had the misfortune to have been struck by lightning. One had a hole punched through the roof, causing extensive damage, and all the electrical sockets had exploded. The family were unhurt but now need to find temporary accommodation until the damage can be repaired. Sounds expensive.
I was very thankful that we had escaped any storm damage up here but I may not sleep quite so well the next time.
I suspect that your bell tower will have a lightning conductor fitted. Please check with your noble caretaker (Lord Peregrine of Trumpton).
ReplyDeleteP.S. A lightning conductor is not a man who stands in front of an orchestra waving his baton at top speed.
I hope so, although we can't see one.
DeleteGet it checked out. Maybe a member of the fire brigade could inspect and advise. Worth a phone call anyway.
DeleteI shall get my caretaker to look into it, thanks YP.
DeleteSurely your tower will have a lightning conductor - it must be compulsory, particularly when you consider the former use of the building.
ReplyDeleteWe had some spectacular thunder and lightning here on Saturday and Sunday, too. The first night the lightning woke me, and as the house is all on one level, I thought it was burglars shining their torch through the window! The rumble of thunder was a long time coming, and being hard of hearing, it took me time to connect the two. It was somewhat worrying until I realised the dog hadn't stirred and was still happily snoring away!
On Sunday the storm was earlier in the evening, so we went into the porch to enjoy the spectacle. I actually ran outside when I realised it was raining - all half a dozen spots!
We had a good deluge of rain with our thunderstorm but the garden is still quite dry. We are expecting visitors to stay with us from this weekend so guaranteed to rain every day next week!.
DeleteGoodness, glad you were safe, JayCee! I am amazed that a person captured that strike on camera! I have never seen that before.
ReplyDeleteI think they were surprised too!
DeleteA house not far from us was hit by lightning last summer, and unfortunately, it was completely destroyed by fire. Luckily, all the family was able to escape, even though it was late at night. It was a single story house made of all brick and that is the only thing that remains--the outside walls. Still haven't rebuilt it. Probably still dealing with the insurance company and/or lack of building materials or builders. Though they still maintain the property (an acre) by mowing and keeping the landscape immaculately. Very sad.
ReplyDeleteDid make me think about getting a lightning conductor, but then our neighbor's 20 meter tree, near our property line, took a hit from lightning. Now we just have to worry about the tree dying and falling on our house. ):
Oh crikey. Now I shall worry!
DeleteOh dear, that sounds like quite a storm. Thank good you and Lord P are safe, and such horrendous news about the other four families.
ReplyDeleteWe’re due one tomorrow 🤞.
Mary xxx.
Hope yours passes you by very quickly Mary xxx
DeleteYe gods and little fishes. That really was an electrical storm. Sockets exploding, I've never heard of that before. Thank goodness you and the belltower escaped unhurt.
ReplyDeleteI need to practice your special spit, spit, spit!
DeleteLightnings are a scary phenomenon. Nevertheless, I don't recall damage or casualties, except occasional stories about farmers outside the town, being injured while on the field.
ReplyDeleteNow, with climate change, I suppose we are in for unpleasant surprises.
It never seems to get better does it.
DeleteOur recent storms have been very mild. Many years ago I was struck, I lost several spot bulbs, a music centre, and a Fax machine. The force had been quite selective. We did also once have a Cow killed out front.
ReplyDeleteOh, poor cow.
DeleteCrikey - that family must have done something to upset the thunder gods - or (if you think about it) been so lucky because it is an extremely rare thing to actually be struck when you think about the amount of lightening around. Maybe they should go out and buy a lottery ticket too.
ReplyDeletePerhaps they shouldn't tempt fate.
DeleteI used to love to sit on my back porch and watch a thunder and lightning storm move in. The way the wind picked up, the sky got darker and darker, the thunder got louder and eventually, the rain came and I'd move inside. Once, as I sat there, watching and waiting, a huge crack of thunder combined with a bright flash, made me decide that it was time to move inside. I was in the military at the time. Lightning had struck the soccer field a quarter mile from my house. One person was killed, several injured.
ReplyDeleteIt is exciting to watch..but from a safe distance, if there is such a thing.
DeleteHas P yet worked out a way to generate your power from a lightning conductor?
ReplyDeleteOh no, don't give him ideas!
DeleteThe deluge of rain we had today was very welcome and a storm is always dramatic but, our garden is battered !!! Oh well, I'm typically English when it comes to the weather ..... never satisfied !!! XXXX
ReplyDeleteToo cold...too hot...too windy...won't stop raining. Typical English sayings.
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