Hurricane Erin is on its way

Hurricane Erin 

After Tropical Storm Erin became the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, it accelerated its development in an unprecedented manner, strengthening from TS to Category 5 Hurricane in just about 24 hours. It then decreased in strength but grew vastly bigger. It now occupies a good portion of the Atlantic as it barrels up the coast of North America, causing flooding along the way. 

The latest word is that Erin has three options: 1) to turn right and head for the British Isles as a post-tropical cyclone, 2) to turn right and head for the Iberian Peninsula, or 3) pass to the west of the British Isles toward Iceland. Regardless of the outcome, our weather and vines will be affected again around harvest time. Everyone is watching and waiting. 

We've had several visitors this week. Our cousins from Germany, Florian and Celine, stayed most of the week. OCC Member Garry Crothers and Marie stopped by for a short visit en route to Galway. It was great to meet the 'single-handed' sailor whom Alex helped cross the Atlantic during Covid. It turns out he is also a viticulturist with a vine in a polytunnel. Today, our friends Miriam Moore and Gilly Fogg will be spending the night. They, too, will want a tour of the vineyard. Let's go!

Florian, Alex and Celine

Daria, Garry, Marie and Alex

Alex and Garry talking vines

Meanwhile, everything everywhere all at once was taking place. We have a water mains break which has been plaguing our backyard for weeks. When did they finally decide to check it out? Of course, this week. Martin the diviner and John the executive from the Kilmeena water scheme have been conducting tests, and it is definitely a water mains break. To find the pipes was an ordeal since the builder moved them from the original setup. I walked with the diviner and was amazed at how it works. Martin said I should give it a try, and John said few people have the gift. John does not. I was overwhelmed when the metal rods Martin offered reacted when I walked over water. I'm a diviner! I always knew I was electric and could set off all kinds of equipment without touching it, but this is pure magic. 

So Alex immediately made me a pair of rods for divining. I've been walking the land determining where everything is. It's a bit supernatural, but I guess I have to accept it. New career in store? Nah. 

The digging starts on Monday, oh joy, just in time for a hurricane.