Monday started off calm enough, but it was rumoured that it could get very windy. We got on with the grub control around our little farm and busied ourselves whilst avoiding tumbling, twirling ash leaves as they sallied down like little yellow whirligigs.
But as the afternoon arrived the sun was getting more shrouded by clouds and every time she managed to peek through, she got redder and redder. Then it became very dark as the sun could no longer compete - and we sent Tom and Dick up to the top of the barn to see what was happening.
"It is coming from the south," Tom announced.
"And it is rolling towards us and getting more rolley." Dick added.
But as the afternoon arrived the sun was getting more shrouded by clouds and every time she managed to peek through, she got redder and redder. Then it became very dark as the sun could no longer compete - and we sent Tom and Dick up to the top of the barn to see what was happening.
"It is coming from the south," Tom announced.
"And it is rolling towards us and getting more rolley." Dick added.
As the grey became orange and day became night we retired to our roosts.
"Bedtime!" I proclaimed. Night had come early today.
"Bedtime!" I proclaimed. Night had come early today.
But after 30 minutes it brightened up and we hopped back down from our perches and ventured back outside. Only a few drops of rain had fallen and had bizarrely splattered mud as they had landed.
Stella Stargazer explained to the inquisitive young Sebrights at school yesterday that the orange skies and red sun on Monday were down to Hurricane Ophelia. She originated in the Azores and as it tracked its way northwards it dragged in tropical air from the Sahara. This meant dust from the desert was brought with it. The dust got picked up in the air and went high into the atmosphere, as it did across the UK. The particles in the air caused blue light to scatter, leaving longer-wavelength red light to shine through. Good gracious!
"And Mrs Stargazer said that there is another area of low pressure that will have some strong winds associated with it. Severe gales are expected which will affect the south and west of the UK on Friday and Saturday!" Dandy stopped momentarily for breath.
"Although there is no weather warning in place yet, the Weathermen are expected to put a yellow warning out, but if that is upgraded to orange then they will name the storm.”
"What will it be called?" piped up Pauly.
"Brian!" said Dandy with great aplomb.
Stella Stargazer explained to the inquisitive young Sebrights at school yesterday that the orange skies and red sun on Monday were down to Hurricane Ophelia. She originated in the Azores and as it tracked its way northwards it dragged in tropical air from the Sahara. This meant dust from the desert was brought with it. The dust got picked up in the air and went high into the atmosphere, as it did across the UK. The particles in the air caused blue light to scatter, leaving longer-wavelength red light to shine through. Good gracious!
"And Mrs Stargazer said that there is another area of low pressure that will have some strong winds associated with it. Severe gales are expected which will affect the south and west of the UK on Friday and Saturday!" Dandy stopped momentarily for breath.
"Although there is no weather warning in place yet, the Weathermen are expected to put a yellow warning out, but if that is upgraded to orange then they will name the storm.”
"What will it be called?" piped up Pauly.
"Brian!" said Dandy with great aplomb.