What was that roar?
The last few days have been on and off weather wise, warm with the odd shower of rain. Wwell things changed late yesterday afternoon arouns 5:30pm when there was this sudden roar which sounded like the ocean really heaving. We can often hear the ocean when the wind strengthens and turns to the north west. It didn’t feel too good when the temperature suddenly dropped significantly to around 9 - 10C.
Caddie knew something was up as she jumped and scratched at the office door asking to come in. She was off her head.
My worst fears were confirmed - hail!!! The roar was the hail storm moving up through the valley. It hailed for about two minutes with the stones being 8 - 10mm in diameter. My first thought was the damage this would do to the young emerging shoots, possibly stem pitting and torn leaves - great sites for fungal disease to start.
The extent can be seen on our back lawn. In fact it was so cold that the hail had not melted some half an hour later.
Tomorrow moring I will inspect the damage and report back. Who really wants to be a farmer????????????
Vineman