Anvils in the Sky

Been in Mote Park in Maidstone with family for much of today. And what a pleasant afternoon, weatherwise. FAR less humidity than we've become accustomed to, sunshine and cumulus, and very refreshing breeze. A text-book English summer's day really! I notice a few members closer to London reported a shower earlier on. Could see it right out on the western horizon. It moved northwards - so no rushing for cover necessary for us park-goers! Back home it's currently 23.6°, and the remaining clouds are rapidly disintegrating. Long may this continue (with the odd thunderstorm thrown in, of course!)

Morning all. Yes, yesterday could have been much better. But at least I got to see something, so I'm not going to be too despondent about the end result. And more chances over the coming week, it would seem?? Keeping everything crossed. Currently 19.1°, with plenty of cumulus scudding across the sky. Feels a little fresher this morning, that's for sure. A very pleasant summer's day in prospect hopefully. Lee

Him, I bet:

Eeh bah goom, they did. Oop naath indeed!

Certainly seems to be, from my investigations! And who said us Southerners were unfriendly?!

It's one of my faves though. If it wasn't for the destruction of 'dramatic' weather there over the last 20 years or so, I'd happily relocate there.

Thanks AS. Enjoy your hols! (Though, didn't I say that earlier?!)

OK, not SE/EA weather-related, so I'm liable to get the cane, but.......I've now survived five days as a member on here. So would just like to say thanks to you all. I felt welcome immediately. I've always enjoyed reading the model thread.....but it can get a bit aggro in there, can't it? So my posts in there, I think, will be fairly few and far between. Convective/storms is OK, but this one is the best, I have to say. Feel at home in here already. Going forward, if I tease/rib anyone.....it's 100% in jest, I promise. I am as un-nasty and unconfrontational as you can imagine. I scare no-one, believe me! Thanks, weather fans.

Well...absolutely lashing it down again. (Garden says ta!) But absolutely no signs of electrification whatsoever...

So sorry. I remember, as a kiddie, being absolutely petrified of one particular night-time storm in Norwich one summer in the late 70's. The lightning was incredible. It was, in fact, one of the last ever thunderstorms I was scared of. (My brother taught me to love them, in the subsequent months.)

I know Norwich (in particular) very well. Up there a lot - and always have been. And I do remember it in the 70's and 80's are being much more dramatic, weatherwise, than it ever is nowadays. What on earth has changed?!

Blimey. The slugs are out already. (Glad I put pellets down yesterday. "Just in case.")

I do indeed. My father used to park the bus (he was a bus driver!) in the bus terminus right opposite. I was only a nipper at the time, but I remember him giving me 20p to go and get him a cup of tea from the caff - 'cos he'd forgotten the flask mum had made him! Rain/electricity is completely over, here. Glad I didn't get my hopes up for more!

Know exactly the chippy you mean. Used to be called The Briny. Not sure what it's called now (something imaginative like 'Leysdown Fish & Chips' no doubt.) Still good grub though. Oh well, if that's it, the garden is grateful I suppose.

Know it well. My mum lives there!! (And used to moan about the drunks and noise from Priory Hill campsite. Until they gave the residents of the surrounding roads passes to the on-site pub!) So, folks, is that it? Seems to be the case here anyway. Just plain old summer rain in my neck of the woods now.

Brighter now than it was half an hour ago. Yet the rain is heavier. Me confused!

Seen them on Margate beach! Usually looking for the Wetherspoons...

Kent contingent must've all seen the same flash? Edit: Essex too!

And just as I say that......pink lightning! Huge booming!

Gone dead as a dodo, hasn't it?

The ones that nick them......they got Croydon facelifts?

Gone eerily quiet here. Nothing but the sound of rain....and a few crows squawking. Where's me thunder?!

This time last night I was sitting outside the local in broad daylight. All the street lights are on in my road this evening.

A bit dark for this time of the evening in late July, innit?!

Can almost hear the garden slurping up all that lovely rainwater!