Monday, September 06, 2010

A WHIZZING TRIUMPH


There is nothing to post about, said the blank sleepy half of my mind. .... Oh yes there is, said the busy more energetic half. ..... Right clever clogs, what should I blog about then?  The wind of course, what else?.....Lots of places have wind, people know what wind is like .....yes, they do. You have your experience and they have theirs.   I couldn't argue with that logic.  Here is my experience of today's windy conditions.

I fought with the high winds today to get washing onto the line. Having been slapped around the face a few times by wet washing I succeeded in getting the items triple pegged up, then chased after the wash basket and the peg bag as they whizzed down the garden at a rate of knots. 

The wind had got fiercer when the last lot of washing was pegged out on the line. This time, I tried to keep one foot in the wash basket to hold it in place. With one hand I grabbed at the circular washing line; it needed all my strength to hold it. I felt myself being pulled round. The foot in the basket rose, like I was about to do a leg stretch fly-past. I let go of the line and got my two feet placed firmly on the ground. Finding it safer to pick up a garment first with pegs in teeth, I grabbed again at the washing line. Thus, by this method, the job was completed and I chased yet again, at some speed, after the errant wash basket and the peg bag which were making another dash elsewhere.

The problem is, the winds are still very fierce, sounds like gale force has really loudly set in, and I've got to reverse the process, unpeg the washing from the line, make sure it doesn't fly off, and all the while keep myself upright. 

See, said busy mind, I told you so, there's your post. Now go and fight again with the elements. ....... Right, I begrudgingly think, but after that, I am going to let my sleepy mind take over.
:yes:

9 comments:

Vincent said...

That was so vivid, ZACL, that no video was necessary, though it would have been fun to watch! Glad to read your adventures again - it's been a while.

ZACL said...

Hello Vincent,

It's good to hear from you.

Yeah, anyone watching my antics with the wind, washing line etc. would have got a giggle, except me. I am just so amazed I didn't let forth with expletives. I probably didn't have that much extra energy to spare to do so.

The wind has really got up to high speeds, definitely gale force. So much for weather forecasters 'blustery'.

Anonymous said...

i thought you'd gone a bit quiet lately!

your evocative description makes me think one could use those bedsheets as a sail and set off marauding on the high seas, Viking style.

ZACL said...

Hello Ax,

Couldn't send my comment to you, service unavailable the message said. I'll see if the disappeared response gets to you. if not, I will tap out another reply.

TG said...

Great post. Reminded me of the winds I had pleasure to fight, be it in Koper, or Mediterranean town or in Taiwan's northern coast. The winds always leave a lingering memory. How many times have I seen them shaking the crowns of our trees near our house and wondering, how long will those old spruces be able to dance on wind's command.

ZACL said...

Hello MKL,

We have very few trees in the zone I live in, those we have don't grow as solidly as elsehwere. The weather conditions are not conducive to trees. The few we have are mostly twisted or bowed from wind battering. Leylandii don't seem to have major problems, though their branches grow more outward than upward and do need controlling. Of course, there is the Scots pine, which, elsewhere might be a thicker tree.

I look out and watch the trees and branches pulled hither and thither by the high winds, and like you, wonder for how long?

ZACL said...

Morning Ax!

It's still gale force outside and my original reply to you has not appeared. I can only surmise it got lifted by the speeds of optics on the web and hasn't, and probably won't, descend to earth.

Reply:

who said anything about sheets being pegged on the line? That is where I would have drawn a line, to coin a phrase. S-i-L was too frightened to put out her sheets and pillowcases in case they twisted and tore.

I like the image you evoke of Viking Long ships rigged with pink, yellow, blue, purple, rose patterned and green sails made from poly-cotton and sateen cloths. Presumable all flat sheets or duvet covers. Unfortunately, with such gale force winds, the sails would have to be trimmed back - if that's the term - tied tight to the mast. I don't think even a pillow case would have been allowed to 'bluster' in the wind. It probably would have been ripped to shreds in no time. In calmer waters, there's no knowing what colourful sail would be let loose.

;)

Anonymous said...

it was your imagery which prompted the bedsheets and pillowcases to my minds eye...i don't know where the Vikings came into it but they'd have looked absolutely glorious sailing along with floral bedwear for sails...a sight truly worth beholding!

ZACL said...

I can behold, in my mind's eye festive bed wear for eye-catching sails, with the lace trim and frills waving along the edges, hopefully, not catching in a Viking helmet and pulling it off. I could also imagine how much like cow bells the additional metal decorated sails would sound, as the Long ships rose and fell, knocking together their headless attachments. The element of surprise attack would be lost even if other surprises were gained.