There was a short clip about this weather forecasting site on the radio this morning. Apparently, this is a forecasting service which gets it right when all the others get it wrong, which is a bit of a disappointment really, because it seems that we are in for another hard winter, particularly in February, although at least by then we will be able to look forward to spring.
After last winter, I rather thought we might deserve a milder one this year, but I suppose it doesn't really work like that. Mind you, there is a degree of satisfaction in pitting oneself against the challenges of the snow and ice, but it is an occupation which soon palls, especially when the crisp white snow turns to grey sludge and, however much I try to view the winter months positively, I don't easily succeed. I was born in the summer and my favourite time of year is late spring, when there is warmth in the air and a promise of hot, sunny days. Well, that's the theory, anyway.
Still, when all is said and done, we have to deal with whatever comes but, this time, we could do without the snow.
Watch this space...
Seventies fashion for men?
Seventies fashions, if you can call them that, are making a comeback according to this article in the Independent.
My memories of female seventies fashion is of muddy, sludgy browns and greens and ill-fitting clothes made in cheap, tatty materials. To my mind, it beat the eighties shoulder pads hands down for bad taste and I can't actually think of anything I liked about it. So please tell me, male fashion gurus who are forecasting the return of seventies style for men, that it does not include flat-fronted viscose trousers, skin-tight fitted shirts with large, pointy collars and white, faux leather moccasins.
Mind you, I probably don't need to worry about Keith. I think this latest trend will almost certainly pass him by, but if he shows any signs of wanting to grow sideburns again, I shall certainly do my best to guide him in another direction.
My memories of female seventies fashion is of muddy, sludgy browns and greens and ill-fitting clothes made in cheap, tatty materials. To my mind, it beat the eighties shoulder pads hands down for bad taste and I can't actually think of anything I liked about it. So please tell me, male fashion gurus who are forecasting the return of seventies style for men, that it does not include flat-fronted viscose trousers, skin-tight fitted shirts with large, pointy collars and white, faux leather moccasins.
Mind you, I probably don't need to worry about Keith. I think this latest trend will almost certainly pass him by, but if he shows any signs of wanting to grow sideburns again, I shall certainly do my best to guide him in another direction.
Go west, young man!
So he did; Keith I mean. And Paddy and I went with him.
Keith had a job to do on a car in Benllech, over on Anglesey and as the day promised to be fine and dry and Benllech is by the sea, I rashly accepted his invitation to go with him, the idea being that the job would not take very long and then we could go for a walk/cycle in the area.
Wrong!
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The job took for ever, although thankfully, was eventually completed successfully. Paddy and I took ourselves off for a walk by the sea for an hour, expecting that, when we got back, the job would be finished, but it wasn't and, by the time it was, it was time to head home,
Still, at least it wasn't raining and even today, when it is, it's not as bad as in Newport.
Keith had a job to do on a car in Benllech, over on Anglesey and as the day promised to be fine and dry and Benllech is by the sea, I rashly accepted his invitation to go with him, the idea being that the job would not take very long and then we could go for a walk/cycle in the area.
Wrong!
.JPG)
Still, at least it wasn't raining and even today, when it is, it's not as bad as in Newport.
New hobby
Here, chez Jennyta, the latest hobby is weather-watching. Not that it is a very new hobby for me, though. For years in my other life as a teacher, and especially as deputy head, when it was my job to decide if the weather was too bad for the children to go out to play at lunch-time, (no contest of course, unless there was a raging hurricane outside!) I have hung on to every word of the weather forecaster on TV, morning, and evening, the farming forecast on Radio 4 early on Sunday morning - you name it, I listened to it. As a result, the dinner ladies (sorry, lunch-time assistants) at my school soon became similarly addicted and often recounted tales of puzzled husbands asking why on earth they had suddenly become fascinated by the weather when they had never shown any interest before.
However, that's by the by. These days, Keith and I are keeping a close eye for caravan-related purposes. We compare different forecasts and discuss in great detail which one to believe and finally make our decision. Are we likely to have a reasonable weekend in the wilds of Wales or could we end up marooned in a soggy field overlooking a grey sea and even greyer skies?
Last weekend, we believed the forecast and didn't go but, as we have all discovered over the last two years, weather forecasting in the UK has been conspicuous by its inaccuracy, and so it proved last weekend. This weekend, the forecast is for sunny weather this afternoon and tomorrow, lasting into Sunday. So now we have another dilemma.
Should be believe that the forecast is accurate and take the plunge or is 'sunny weather during the weekend' really code for hail, thunder, floods and hurricanes? Decisions, decisions!
It's a serious business, this caravan-holidaying.
However, that's by the by. These days, Keith and I are keeping a close eye for caravan-related purposes. We compare different forecasts and discuss in great detail which one to believe and finally make our decision. Are we likely to have a reasonable weekend in the wilds of Wales or could we end up marooned in a soggy field overlooking a grey sea and even greyer skies?
Last weekend, we believed the forecast and didn't go but, as we have all discovered over the last two years, weather forecasting in the UK has been conspicuous by its inaccuracy, and so it proved last weekend. This weekend, the forecast is for sunny weather this afternoon and tomorrow, lasting into Sunday. So now we have another dilemma.
Should be believe that the forecast is accurate and take the plunge or is 'sunny weather during the weekend' really code for hail, thunder, floods and hurricanes? Decisions, decisions!
It's a serious business, this caravan-holidaying.
Weather forecasts
We could have gone away in the caravan this weekend. In fact, when we came back from our last trip a fortnight ago, we agreed that we would try and get away again this weekend. So what stopped us?
Probably the weather forecast which, during the week, unfolded a picture of wind and rain all weekend.
"Plans for the weekend? Don't even bother," said the local weathergirl on Thursday.
So, we decided to be sensible and stay at home, smug in the knowledge that we were not about to be drowned at sea or blown over the nearest cliff.
And that would have been that, except for the fact that the BBC weather forecasters these days seem to be congenitally unable to get the damn forecasts right!
So, had we been able to see into the future, 'Don't bother going anywhere' would have translated as 'Wall to wall sunshine and a light breeze' which is what we had yesterday and today and probably will again tomorrow.
Infuriating!
Probably the weather forecast which, during the week, unfolded a picture of wind and rain all weekend.
"Plans for the weekend? Don't even bother," said the local weathergirl on Thursday.
So, we decided to be sensible and stay at home, smug in the knowledge that we were not about to be drowned at sea or blown over the nearest cliff.
And that would have been that, except for the fact that the BBC weather forecasters these days seem to be congenitally unable to get the damn forecasts right!
So, had we been able to see into the future, 'Don't bother going anywhere' would have translated as 'Wall to wall sunshine and a light breeze' which is what we had yesterday and today and probably will again tomorrow.
Infuriating!
Knight in shining armour
Well, there I was, after the journey home from Bristol, relaxing and blog-surfing when Keith suddenly stiffened and peered under the coffee table, which has a bottom shelf so is not easy to look under.
"Just go outside," he said, "Hurry up, there's - er - something under the table."
Needing no further urging, I took myself off into the hall to await further information and Paddy slid off the sofa and took himself off to his cushion (No help at all, that dog!).
There was a few moments of scuffling and moving of furniture before Keith emerged triumphant, tightly crushed tissue in hand.
"I take it that was a spider?" I said.
"Yes, a big one too," was the reply.
Having ascertained several times that he really had killed the monster, I gingerly sat down again and then got up and sprayed the whole of the ground floor with 'SpiderStop'. That should keep the wretched creatures out for a few days.
Meanwhile Keith was awaiting congratulations and expressions of admiration at the calm, efficient way he had conducted the whole episode. A real kight in shining armour!
"Just go outside," he said, "Hurry up, there's - er - something under the table."
Needing no further urging, I took myself off into the hall to await further information and Paddy slid off the sofa and took himself off to his cushion (No help at all, that dog!).
There was a few moments of scuffling and moving of furniture before Keith emerged triumphant, tightly crushed tissue in hand.
"I take it that was a spider?" I said.
"Yes, a big one too," was the reply.
Having ascertained several times that he really had killed the monster, I gingerly sat down again and then got up and sprayed the whole of the ground floor with 'SpiderStop'. That should keep the wretched creatures out for a few days.
Meanwhile Keith was awaiting congratulations and expressions of admiration at the calm, efficient way he had conducted the whole episode. A real kight in shining armour!
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