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Hurricane Bertha meets British defiance on south-west coast Hurricane Bertha meets British defiance on south-west coast
(about 1 hour later)
There was an air of defiance among holidaymakers and residents in Weston-super-Mare as the remnants of hurricane Bertha brought rain and wind to the coast of south-west Britain.There was an air of defiance among holidaymakers and residents in Weston-super-Mare as the remnants of hurricane Bertha brought rain and wind to the coast of south-west Britain.
“It’s only a bit of sogginess. What harm can it do?” said Jim Parks from Manchester, as he made his way towards the weather-battered beach with his 6-year-old son, Stan. “We’ve got our bucket and spade. We’re gong to go and make some sandcastles whatever the weather does.”“It’s only a bit of sogginess. What harm can it do?” said Jim Parks from Manchester, as he made his way towards the weather-battered beach with his 6-year-old son, Stan. “We’ve got our bucket and spade. We’re gong to go and make some sandcastles whatever the weather does.”
Claire Trapnell was doggedly putting out the chairs and tables outside the beachside Cove West cafe and restaurant. “People will still come out. Look at those joggers – it doesn’t put them off. We’re English, we’re used to a bit of rain and wind. Anyway I like it when the tide is high and the waves come bashing in. It makes me feel as if I’m on a boat. I like boats.”Claire Trapnell was doggedly putting out the chairs and tables outside the beachside Cove West cafe and restaurant. “People will still come out. Look at those joggers – it doesn’t put them off. We’re English, we’re used to a bit of rain and wind. Anyway I like it when the tide is high and the waves come bashing in. It makes me feel as if I’m on a boat. I like boats.”
Locals sitting out the storm under the omelette bar awning in Bertha-battered Weston-super-Mare pic.twitter.com/PszHzJXlBGLocals sitting out the storm under the omelette bar awning in Bertha-battered Weston-super-Mare pic.twitter.com/PszHzJXlBG
It has been a glorious summer on the Somerset coast. But Sunday morning was certainly a day for the brollies, anoraks and wellies rather than the flip-flops and sun cream.It has been a glorious summer on the Somerset coast. But Sunday morning was certainly a day for the brollies, anoraks and wellies rather than the flip-flops and sun cream.
Across the south-west of England and Wales, forecasters were warning of possible flash floods and high winds that could bring down trees, which are more susceptible because they are in full leaf. Winds of up to 40mph were being recorded in some parts of the south-west and 2.5cm (1in) of rain fell in areas of Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales.Across the south-west of England and Wales, forecasters were warning of possible flash floods and high winds that could bring down trees, which are more susceptible because they are in full leaf. Winds of up to 40mph were being recorded in some parts of the south-west and 2.5cm (1in) of rain fell in areas of Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales.
There were tough driving conditions, especially for the many caravan-towers on their way to resorts in the south-west and some ferry services were cancelled.There were tough driving conditions, especially for the many caravan-towers on their way to resorts in the south-west and some ferry services were cancelled.
The Environment Agency said: “Rain moving north-eastwards across England and Wales during Sunday may be heavy enough to cause some surface water flooding in places. Flooding of properties and parts of communities as well as travel disruption may occur in places.The Environment Agency said: “Rain moving north-eastwards across England and Wales during Sunday may be heavy enough to cause some surface water flooding in places. Flooding of properties and parts of communities as well as travel disruption may occur in places.
Jogger and dog bracing the weather in Weston-super-Mare pic.twitter.com/xMKWf6nEZjJogger and dog bracing the weather in Weston-super-Mare pic.twitter.com/xMKWf6nEZj
“Some coastal flooding is also possible on Sunday and Monday around the coasts of south Wales and south-west England. Spray and wave overtopping may occur due to high tides coinciding with the stormy conditions and perhaps some large waves.”“Some coastal flooding is also possible on Sunday and Monday around the coasts of south Wales and south-west England. Spray and wave overtopping may occur due to high tides coinciding with the stormy conditions and perhaps some large waves.”
The storm meant a change of direction for the Sevenstar round Britain and Ireland race. The fleet was due to start off from the Isle of Wight and sail clockwise – into the storm. The race organises have decided that the competitors, including the great sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston should head off anti-clockwise to avoid the worst of Bertha. Back in Weston, Gloria Jones, on holiday from the East Midlands, had braved the rain to nip out to grab a paper. “We can’t complain. I’ve got a lovely tan and I haven’t been abroad at all this year. It’s actually nice to have a bit of a change. We got up, had a leisurely full English and I think I might go back to bed now and watch some rubbish on the telly.” The storm meant a change of direction for the Sevenstar round Britain and Ireland race. The fleet was due to start off from the Isle of Wight and sail clockwise – into the storm. The race organises have decided that the competitors, including Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, should head off anti-clockwise to avoid the worst of Bertha. Back in Weston, Gloria Jones, on holiday from the east Midlands, had braved the rain to nip out to grab a paper. “We can’t complain. I’ve got a lovely tan and I haven’t been abroad at all this year. It’s actually nice to have a bit of a change. We got up, had a leisurely full English and I think I might go back to bed now and watch some rubbish on the telly.”
Storm watching - washed-out grey morning in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. pic.twitter.com/ZR8rJKWv41Storm watching - washed-out grey morning in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. pic.twitter.com/ZR8rJKWv41
Windsurfer Bill Enwright was actually disappointed that the gusts were not quite as strong as had been predicted earlier in the week. “It’s actually a bit tamer than I wanted,” he said. Windsurfer Bill Enwright was disappointed that the gusts were not quite as strong as had been predicted earlier in the week. “It’s actually a bit tamer than I wanted,” he said.
Beneath the awning of the Regent Omelette Bar and Restaurant, a group of residents were enjoying their daily cup of coffee and gazing out at the greyness. “It’s just rain and wind,” said Min Noszkay. “It’s quite nice looking out at the people battling through it all. It’s quite cosy here.” Beneath the awning of the Regent Omelette Bar and Restaurant, a group of locals were enjoying their daily cup of coffee and gazing out at the greyness. “It’s just rain and wind,” said Min Noszkay. “It’s quite nice looking out at the people battling through it all. It’s quite cosy here.”