Xynthia, the perfect storm.

The Pyrenees were hit by a big storm on Saturday, called Xynthia it brought death and destruction to much of western Europe especially the west coast of France, 50 people are reported dead. In the Pyrenees a number of people died from falling trees and many roads are blocked by trees and rock falls. We were without electricity for most of Saturday evening, our satellite dish was first to go, which was in the middle of the Ireland England rugby game. Later our front door was blown in by a big gust which smashed the lock and brought down some branches of trees in the garden, we had it easy. There are houses without roofs and chimneys and some lucky escapes at the ski stations. All the buildings at Hautacam are wrecked and will not reopen this season, one worker up there told of how he jumped from his car as it was lifted from the car park and hurled over the edge. On the Pic du Midi wind speed was recorded at 234kph. The wind was from the south and carried very warm air which resulted in a big rise in temperatures. This has caused the snow to become unstable and many roads have been blocked by avalanches. In the aftermath of the storm there are very high temperatures, up to 23°c and bright sunshine, we have had the heating turned off for the past 3 days so every cloud has a silver lining.