Storm arriving soon! Batten down the hatches.

It's been a bright sunny day here in Cheshire but it's starting to get rather blustery with spits and spots of rain now. Hate being in the house on my own when it's stormy.

I haven’t done anything either oopsminty what is there to do? Well I have got a wind up torch so that’s something I suppose

I only know that the BBC forecast predicted it would hit the SE worst, winterwhite

Don't worry, we in the West will shield you

Same here, Bluebelle and Oopsminty. I guess I should check that the torch has got batteries in it.

We’ve had blue skies all day here on the edge of the Pennines but it’s getting a bit breezy now.
I’ve done no preparing but I might find a couple of candles from the Christmas table decorations.
I’ve got a gas fire and gas hob so that’s something.

I am in the South East but nearer London, Its been lovely here today.
I wonder if any female babies born tonight or tommorow will be called Ciara, it's a lovely name.

We are on the SWelsh coast. This morning was sunny and blue skies, it has got cloudier and windier as the afternoon wore on.
We have a small log burner which was great when the Beast from the East hit us and the power went off.
Currently watching the rugby from Murrayfield, it is very wet and windy there.

We are just watching the rugby from Scotland. The weather is taking the ball in all directions.

Still a lovely calm evening here on South east coast

After seeing this thread I just had a rummage in a drawer to see if I could find a torch just in case it's needed - to no avail.

Bristol is supposed to be ok though (I think.) Hope everyone is ok.

In Dublin it's wild, wet and windy now.
We are sitting here beside the fire, listening to the wind howling down the chimney, and we are feeling lovely and cosy.

glad I read this, I forgot about torches and thermos. Makita torches in the garage and a makita radio, will also bring the batteries in. Got to be able to listen to listen to local news

I adore the descriptions of your life in Norfolk Mommawolf I find them totally wonderful. I love that the alpacas are tucked in for the night - cosy! Bet all your animals as SO looked after - especially as your husband was a vet. Medical help on hand if needed.

The wind is whipping up here now in South Manchester and there is rain on the windows. Here she blows ....

Don’t be scared Chewbacca we will all be popping in and out on this thread tonight. x

Weather was lovely and calm down near Salisbury earlier.
Just as well. I was booked to leap from a plane at 15,000ft.
Free-falling at 120mph through icy air before gently descending on a parachute, (All while strapped to a fit young man,) was absolutely amazing.
If you get the chance, do it!
P.S. Added bonus, I raised over £500 for a local Cancer support group

BlueBelle and MaggieMaybe!

Together we shall be the unprepared trio!

We do actually have torches though and the dog has a light up collar

Fingers crossed we'll be here in the morning!

I’m thinking of how the Dawlish rail track in Devon will fare tomorrow

There must be something wrong with me, I love a good storm?

Though might regret saying that if I lose the roof?

grannybiker congratulations you are far braver than me
Kent here and not looking forward to storm Ciara at all

As a new wife and a new mum living in Hong Kong far away from everybody and as green as grass one day we had a warning of a hurricane coming
We were told to keep our radios on and we would get information as to what to do in preparation. They did it in numbers so number five for instance would be get your shopping in number four tie all outside stuff down et cetera et cetera and the last one was DO NOT GO OUT as that came over my then husband got his coat on and said I’m off for a drink I was absolutely petrified I was in a flat with a young baby on my own with no way of knowing what was happening or where he was I could hear trees falling crashes and bangs I had no idea what a hurricane was like or when it would end we had no phones in those days not even a landline and I didn’t know where he was anyway That fear has stayed in my head all these years and as soon as I hear heavy wind I’m back there holding my baby all on my own and scared to death

I’ve already told the dog he won’t get a walk tomorrow.

Jennifer haha, yes so many nautical sayings aren’t there?
I have now got the house and garden ship shape and Bristol fashion, have swabbed the decks ( well, kitchen floor) swung the cat ? and am now splicing the mainbrace .
In case of electricity cuts, have brought logs in for the fire for tomorrow, so at least we would stay warm ( eating cold food)
And maybe a stiff brandy.
Hope we all stay safe with no gale damage to property.

Wow grannybiker What an amazing , terrifying thing to do!

I can just about imagine coping when the parachute opens and I glide down, but the first bit, jumping out of the plane and that sickeningly fast descent sounds horrific to me, so well done to you!

Great that you raised all that money for charity too.

I shall think of what you did if the storm scares me tonight!!

My lovely DS & his family were due to visit today, but have cancelled due to this storm. Disappointed but prefer them to stay safe. Not the weather for travelling.

swabbed the decks?

Well done, I haven't, just in case The Admiral treads in mud/debris on Monday

I am having a not-very-pink gin. Bottoms up!

However, I am sparing a thought for those who may be at sea and hope our lifeboatmen don't get called out.