Category Archives: Weather

Memories of Barbuda

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As hurricane Irma continues its devastation in the Caribbean, laying flat so much of Antigua, Barbuda, Saint Marten, Saba and so many other islands, and is now continuing its vengeance towards the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba before reaching Florida, our thoughts and hearts go to the people of these beautiful places, especially as we have passed some of our happiest times there.

The first Caribbean island we visited was Antigua back in 1995. In those days digital cameras weren’t current but video recorders were. So the majority of our holidays are on tape (which we must digitise before it’s too late).

However, from 1995 I’ve managed to digitise several photos:

Barbuda was an especially fascinating island. We arrived during the frigate bird nesting season.

 

I wrote this on these amazing birds.

 

FRIGATE BIRD

 

Our yacht sails through a mirror sea

towards the unseen isle,

sharp reefs defending its pink shores

with palms born to beguile.

 

Landing at the tumble-down pier

the headman drives us to

an enormous brackish lagoon

which the outboard skims through

 

to reach a half-submerged forest,

nest of the frigate bird.

Its vast wings span every tree,

anyhow its mews heard.

 

The little ones have not yet fled:

a big-throated courtship

has blossomed like deep red orchid

in life’s thalassic trip.

 

Motor silenced, the boat is pushed

through knee-deep rivulet,

children’s laughter on board mingled

with nature’s salt roulette.

 

Magnificent bird, sky’s corsair

uncontested you glide

across the southern ocean vasts,

steal my heart to your side.

 

 

We returned in 1998 and our visit included St. Marten, St Lucia and Saba.

We visited Cuba. And back again to Antigua in 2004. But those amazing stories will have to wait another time.

We all know there is a hurricane season in the Caribbean when September steps in but this, to all accounts, is the worst one that has happened in living memory with winds in excess of 200 miles per hour.  The only hurricanes I’ve experienced, have, fortunately been outside the Caribbean. They include the notorious UK great storm of October 1987 and the equally terrifying great storm which hit the Val di Lima in March 2015.  In both cases I was terrified most by the noise. It seemed as if I was inside a powerful jet engine which, in fact is a close analogy to the dynamics of a hurricane.

May God be close to these wonderful people who gave us so much happiness and joy during those ineffable summers and may Irma remember the true meaning of her name which signifies ‘whole’ or ‘universal’ and is closely allied to another name, ‘Emma’.

 

Autumnal Waterfalls?

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We returned yesterday to our favourite spot of the River Lima. In the late afternoon sun there seemed little hint of the raging night that had preceded the day except for the beautiful waterfalls created by the weir which has been well-restored (thankfully).

Summer had, indeed, returned, but already the atmosphere was tinged with the precursors of autumn. Today there is an energetic wind and a soft rainfall spreading throughout the landscape.

Will the concert to be given today at 5.30 p in the old protestant cemetery at Bagni di Lucca to celebrate the restoration of further tombs be rained off I wonder?

‘You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout Till you have drench’d our steeples,’

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Italy’s most torrid summer for almost fifteen years suddenly halted with a vengeance last night.  We’d spent the afternoon  by a placid stretch of our local river Lima, drolly named  ‘Miami Beach’  (actually ‘d rather spend my summer time by a river like this one that in any of regimented rows of sunbeds and umbrellas which characterise so much of the Italian seaside). It’s so lovely to be here and the fresh cold water remains pure, transparent and filled with a myriad of tiny fish.

All this placid memory changed just after last midnight. A thunderstorm broke out with intense ferocity and night sky was illuminated by innumerable lightning flashes, some of which seemed to break right over our heads. First thing to do in this situation is to disconnect the computer. I’ve had several friends who’ve woken up with burnt-out laptops as a result of these storms. Nothing could surely be more dismal. Most frightening for us might have been the intense amount of water falling which could have caused landslides behind our house.

Of course, rain was necessary but not many things occur in moderation in Italy especially with regard to the weather. The rain might have helped extinguish forest fires which have had quite a season here (three broke out near il Ciocco only last week). But lightning flashes can also start new fires.

Anyway here we are with a beautifully sodden lawn, happy ducks and the first rain we’ve had for over three weeks. And the sky is clearing too!

I wonder what the river look like this morning. Surely it will be full of amazing waterfalls. Let’s go and have a look at the Fiume Lima.

Rain, Rain Come Again!

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Italy’s hottest summer since 2003 shows little sign of easing up, at least in the central and southern part of the country. In northern Italy recent impetuous storm and flash floods have caused widespread destruction and some deaths too. Here in Bagni di Lucca, however, there are water shortages (although our fountains are still flowing) and the mayor has had to put up the following signs which basically state the importance of conserving water and avoiding any use of the precious liquid outside household use.

In some areas over seventy per cent of crops have been destroyed and, amazingly, the grape harvest or vendemmia which is not due for at least another month seems close at hand.

Today, however, skies are grey and we are even promised a couple of acquazzoni (showers). That’s a relief!