We have something other than covid to think about this week, and, as is typical for us Brits, it is the weather.
Actually, not typically British weather (or Spanish for the matter) as the weather service is predicting ten inches of rain for us over the next four days, coupled with easterly winds of up to 70kph. Now that is the general forecast for the area, but as I may have mentioned before, our little area has a micro-weather system, largely as a result of living part-way up a mountain. Thus we tend to get what everyone else gets, but in spades.
Accordingly, I went out at sparrows´this morning and checked that the drain holes in the walls were unblocked, that there was a stone by the gate to deflect any major stream way from the garden and finally. to move the carpets and equipment away from a line in the north part of the basement to the side door. We had already put the towels by the doors on the west side last night, as that is usually where the water tries to get in. SWMBO is out on caring duty this a.m., so it will be interesting to hear her views on my added precautions. There are of course areas where we can do nothing, as really heavy rain causes chaos on the smaller roads with landslips and wash-aways. A couple of years ago, I found a bloke shetering in his car at the top of the road - he was trapped by landslips either side of his route (ie past our house) and was waiting for the council diggers to clear the way. I gave him shelter and tea (aah, nice) and eventually he was able to go on his way.
It may well be the wind is a bigger problem than the rain, as it is going to be from the east, pretty much the opposite of normal, so my regular precautions are not quite so sound - but luckily we only have one door on the east side and that has a roll-down shutter on it. (Just remembered I have a rubber roll that goes across the bottom of the garage door, which is also east-facing).
It may all be a waste of effort, as the weather forecasting app has a somewhat varied success rate with rain. At this time of year, it regularly predicts really heavy rain about a week ahead, then weakens the forecast on a daily basis until we get a light drizzzle. This time, though, it is committed. 5 consecutive days of heavy rain can´t be magic´d away (unless a large Atlantic storm decides to completely change course faster than a tanker can turn around).
Survivors will may report in on a regular basis .
+ well, we had 2 inches on Wednesday night, then just drizzle yesterday. Took a delivery of leña (firewood) and the guy was telling me that they had been deluged with rain in AlHaurin, about 5 miles west. However, last night it hit us and rained steadily all night and all this morning. The pool is now full, so that´s about 5" so far. I think that is enough.
++ but Saturday dawned clear and bright and the pool overflow tube has already cleared the excess and the patios are dry enough to be brushed down (and that usually has to wait for two days at least)
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