'Twas a Stormy Night
Weather Warnings
FLORA AND FAUNA AND THE FOREST WORLDSEASONS
11/6/20263 min read
You could say that , weather wise, we have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous this year . After months of incessant sunshine, during which we longed for lower temperatures and refreshing rain, our wishes have at last been granted. Now, of course, we have too much of it. In early autumn we were travelling , but nonetheless we were aware that flood warnings had been issued for the Montpellier region. On our return we learned that Le Corum, our modern concert hall, had been damaged by heavy rains. It remains closed for the foreseeable future. Fortunately we also have tickets booked for performances at the older opera house, La Comédie. These will definitely take place. (Demonstrations notwithstanding.) What does that tell us about modern building standards? La Comédie was inaugurated in 1888; Le Corum, exactly one hundred years later.
Le Corum
La Comédie
Yesterday we woke up to yet more weather warnings. The France Météo site had issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall and floods throughout Hérault. Our Insurance agent also warned us of a more localised threat of heavy rainfall in Sète. Would we escape at Domaine des Rochers? Alas no! Last night, as darkness fell, there were rumbles of thunder. Then rain began to fall which became very heavy indeed. There were flashes of lightning. Then came an enormous flash, followed immediately by a huge crack of thunder that reverberated around the house. The lights went out, as did our neighbour's. Fortunately, we are well prepared for such events , and so we were able to light candles until B. could restore the circuit breaker in the garage. The storms continued. A second very loud crack and the lights went out again, but sadly, on this occasion our first solution didn't work. B. would have to go down to the gate, some distance away, to restore the power. I decided to accompany him with an extra torch. The rain was bucketing down, but I am so glad I went, for crawling before me across the rain drenched road, I spotted a fire salamander. Unfortunately my phone camera was being used to light our way so the photograph below was one I took a few years ago. I hope you agree with me that fire salamanders are beautiful ,striking creatures.
