Our first severe weather warning that actually meant something... Tornado Watch is a regular feature of life but their paths are not usually through Richmond. On this occasion, a microburst - feels like a tornado but isn't - crossed the region and came down our street...
Like a good English woman, when the wind picked up, I went out to get the washing in. This was a little tricky and I was swept back inside clasping a billowing sheet. At this point a large section of tree fell across our garden.Deciding we should move away from windows I was relieved to get a text from folks out in Mineral telling me get indoors and under the stairs - with an open plan, Brady-bunch style stairway this didn't feel that cozy. So the girls and I clasped each other at the top of the stairs in a corner. As I muttered stuff about getting to the neighbours if anything fell on me, another text arrived making the most sensible suggesting that we get in the laundry cupboard. I know how many spiders are in there and I resisted - next time, maybe.
The winds and rain abated and our neighbours appeared in our garden to check on us. In ten, brief minutes our side of the block was powerless and covered with debris, including live cables hanging in the street. P arrived from a hairy car drive home and surveyed the damage. Candle lit baths and a major ice-cream session was had. All quite romantic though we began to enjoy it less the next day as our food and the house got warmer and the laundry needed doing...The tree that had been on the power lines was left propped against our garage by the power company, so with a few margaritas for fuel, P and neighbour Jason, began a major chop down in the dark - H&S ?!?. However the back alley is now safe to traverse.
Some major garden clearance due this weekend! It's not over yet as the the cable company are due and one sheared trunk remains teetering... The blue sky was back out after a few minutes though.
