14th December 2018

Not a day passes by these days when you don’t hear the words “climate change” and “global warming”.

This year has been an example and indication of things to come. The winter season went on and on right up to April. Then a wet spring followed by a very hot summer. Initially the glorious sunshine was so welcome after such a dreary winter with grey skies, frost and constant rain. The gardens started to bloom but the heat meant the flowers bloomed early. The absence of any moisture in the air scorched the grass and the lawns looked dreadful.

Autumn came with so much colour and grandeur. Every location burst into all different hues of orange, yellow and red. We just could not get enough of the spectacle. Walks in the woods under the beautiful trees with yellow leaves on the path was magical.

Now December comes with heavy rain again. Storm Deirdre came with heavy rain and unbelievably strong winds. Within a short period of 20 minutes the deluge was so much that there was water even on the motorway and the winds brought down trees and the sands from the beach was blown in causing havoc on coastal golf courses.