Cakie

In De pijp. lots of flashes and rain

Just heard thunder in Amsterdam. Looking at the radar we may be in for a bit more later

Some good strikes nearby and lots of thunder and rain in Darlington might get some more later looking at the radar

rain and thunder in Darlington

Unexpected rain shower just passing through

For me it has to be the Ottery St Mary storm. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/learn-about-the-weather/weather-phenomena/case-studies/ottery-hail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1081758/Hailstorm-swamps-small-town-6ft-drifts--October.html I lived nearby about 15 miles away. We spent the night with constant lightening so bright we didn't need to put the light on to calm my daughter The following morning I set off for work (at the Met Office) and was listening to the local BBC news interviewing a farmer in Ottery St Mary saying he had 'snow' in his farmyard feet deep. I was confused as I was now about 3 miles away and no sign and this was October and not that cold. Went to go over the river and a guy was stopping everyone saying the bridge was flooded. Long alternative trip to work. When I got there I was gobsmacked at the data (see above) I do remember the day before there was a huge wall cloud straight outside the Met Office and Mammatus cloud on the way home but this caught everyone by surprise

Just skirted North of me. Looks like you had a good shower in Aycliffe

Having experience technical wobbles in the Middle East we always had a bit of back up cash for down time be it planned (but not always communicated) or just a random "your card has been stopped" Why??????? I hated bartering though. I got ripped off big time as I was too polite to barter. One time I was truly to tired, hot etc to buy a rug and walked out. They cut the price from 5000 AED to 1200 AED. I still said no (they would have gone lower) Always have a bit of cash handy

Having lived out in the Middle East for a few years I can concur that it never gets below 40c in the 3 summer months. I watch with interest to see if this year is likely to be a record setting year

Not in my car they didn't and won't until Autumn

From reports from friends down in the South West I would check if schools are open in the morning

Whiteout in Darlington. Supposed to be taking my daughter to ice skating lessons but might pass on that today

"Did any of you see the video on Sky News from Darlington "coming down like Prawn Crackers"

Ah, bit further North than me. Hope there's only sleet for my return journey. Been I while since driving in snow, although it's similar to driving in a sandstorm, just the temperature is different

Where's that NickR?