λασποβροχή or Yes we had a Mud Rain last night...

So there's a geographic phenomenon that we have here in Corfu usually between April and July, but it came early this year...

Mud Rain: Rain containing particles of sand or dust. These particles may originate in very distant regions. Source: European Union.

This has been documented since ancient times.  

African Sahara dust storms whip up clouds of sand and they go to high altitudes.  Then when the clouds mix up and make friends with the other clouds (particularly the wet ones) the wind moves it all over the Mediterranean, and splat- we get mud rain. (OK. I didn't major in Geography in school.) 

Every year we experience it and every year we are totally surprised at how much mud actually comes down! 

Ironically, we've always felt that rain was something that rinsed mud OFF the car... this rain really took a perfectly clean car and made a mess of it!

As it came early this year I won't worry about washing the windows quite yet. There's still another couple of months of rain to speculate over.


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Whether the weather - it's that kind of day

Big clue first thing this morning... anytime you see those little cloud wispy things under the big dark cloud, it's a sign.


But the storm didn't come in the morning, though of course the heavy air and the headache did.

The sun even came out for a while this afternoon, and I thought maybe it would clear up!

But then the clouds came and it started to get overcast, still no rain.

Finally, the sky started trying to make up it's mind. Not just overcast!

Lightening flashed. Thunder boomed. (The dog cowered, whimpered and lay on my feet, if it would have been possible she would have climbed into my lap.) That went on for about an hour and a half!

All of a sudden the wind whipped up a glorious gustiness and blew everything every which way in the yard. I was chasing after chair cushions and hats left on the terrace.

I couldn't help but laugh out loud as I was buffeted around whilst scavenging after things the wind decided to play with... the dog regarded me through the screen door with worried eyes. The cats dashed past me towards the house knowing that any second the sky would open up!

And of course the sky opened up, with the rain flying sideways and the wind changing directions to catch me no matter where I stood outside.

Fresh cool rain, fresh earth smell.

It came down solidly for about 2 hours.

Then I took the dog out in the sprinkles for a little walk-about. She was pleased. She LIKES rain.

She just doesn't like thunder.

For now, it's still raining a little bit, but it's that sweet rain that makes the hush-hush sound as it falls on the bushes outside the window where I'm sitting.

My headache is finally fading - just as it's time to go to bed. Well, I suppose I'll sleep well tonight- as will the dog if the thunder stays away!

Yes. I can't believe I wrote a post about the weather.

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It's September!

What a change! The heat and humidity have dropped to below tropical proportions and the evenings are finally cool enough for a shoulder covering!


The storm was pretty spectacular With the sky swirling and thunder rumbling, we knew we were in for a good show.

It lasted a long time, and it was fascinating to watch all the amazing cloud "building". The dog of course suffered. Poor beast, I think she must be affected by the dropping barometer as much as by the thunder.

We dashed around and battened all the hatches we could think of, while at the same time being amazed at the sky above us!

Living on an island gives you a whole different perspective on weather!

Finally it got very dark with clouds and we had a spectacular lightening show. Then the rain hit and came down like a monsoon! It came down with the wind whipping around til nightfall. It was a surprisingly cold rain and when it hit the pool (of nice and warm 30 C/86 F temperature water) clouds of mist swirled up!

All in all it was a wild evening - weather wise. T and I played cards (cribbage) to keep the dog company, and finally decided to go to sleep to the sound of rain falling.

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There is of course, some bad news, as the rain washed off the pectin on all the grapes, so we'll have to hope that they ripen a bit more and get that pectin back before we have to pick them to make the wine! As it now stands we have no idea when they'll be ready.

The purchase of the big blue plastic wine stomping tubs has come in very handy however for all sorts of things (including washing old blankets and curtains!). With the weather change, there seems to be a need building to turn the house inside out and make it all fresh before winter. (also before my mother comes!)

T's birthday is a week from today. (This will be the real test to see if my sons actually READ this blog or merely SAY they do...!) He'll be officially retired and collecting U.S. social security! Finally! I've merely been living with an "unemployed statistic" for the last nine years!!! Still, all's well that ends well, I think going to visit the family in the U.S., is a nice prezzie!