PiggiePalace

That's a great first "daily update" post Daniel - thank you and well done!Here in Sussex - A rainy start to the day which cleared early morning (errrm before I woke up ) .i then thought it would all go pear-shaped given all the floofy clouds developing early afternoon - but this evening the sky has been totally clear and cloud free. (so might put heating on for the piggies tonight if temperature is going to massively "dip").Errrm - No Jax - I didn;t crash the car...and sadly fell asleep 20mins into SW1!!Car developed a fault (Oil in the radiator) that, when checked in the BMW garage, became a "possible cylinder head gasket or worse" job which we now think is a small "oil coolant housing" fault. But because of the consequential damage (new radiator/thermostat etc) the insurance warranty company I have paid £62 pcm for the last 10 years to look after this gorgeous beast of a car (E46 BMW 330d Auto M sport) suddenly got cold feet. The garage/me now have to "prove" it was the oil coolant housing and I have to guarantee to underwrite all the expense (£3k plus!) in case the warranty company aren;t convinced.Hope Mrs Cockatiel is feeling better tonight. Mr Sambuca guinea pig is in the vets today with a prospective £300 bill to remove two bladder stones tomorrow and a 50/50 chance of making it through the operation. He's still such a boisterous boy - I have to give him that chance. Pets ehh?I am hoping this week we will still get some gorgeous weather (a half day here and there will do|) - as I really didn;t get all my weeding done over the bank holiday.Nite nite allxxxx

Hi AllSo glad we're back open for business - however short that may be. Firstly - I'm ever so sorry to everyone if my unfortunate faux pas last night contributed to earlier events this morning. I've put my contribution/thanks/apologies on the new discussion threadSecondly - Thank you Mr Pike for coming back and yet again providing an IMBY analysis of the next few days- (tomorrow I now plan to decimate the rest of the creeping buttercup/dock before it gets wet again)Another glorious day full of sunshine here (which surprised me as I was expecting it to be cloudy and much colder. today) It did get a bit chilly when the sun went behind a cloud later in the day owing to the breeze...and I have turned on the central heating this evening. My very young 3yr old wisteria has, for the first time since i planted it , decided to flower...and is doing so in profusion. Thinking back to berries and hard winters.......Does anyone know if this is anything significant weather-wise?xxx .

Thank your for re-considering and keeping the door open on ways forwards. I would like to contribute to the discussion by explaining how important the SE Regional thread has been to me personally as a more recently-joined forumite. I have been heavily reliant on the South East thread because it DOES concentrate on the weather In My Back Yard. During the last winter storms it was invaluable for helping me to determine the amount/timing of rainfall passing over my area and thus whether the stream would flood my property. It also enabled me to discuss with the Environment Agency when to issue flood warnings for the rest of our local residents in what is the first ever pilot programme for issuing warnings on a flash flood watercourse. To know that a squall line is expected to pass over at 3-5am on Xmas Eve delivering potentially xmm of rain which would push an already swollen stream "out of bank" and "into properties" meant residents could be alerted early enough to put up their flood defences and avoid a soggy Xmas. That would not have been possible prior to my finding Netweather. Yet the worst flood I ever experienced was in the summer - 20th July 2007 - it was unexpected, came out of nowhere and was frighteningly quick to suddenly find my house over 12" deep in water less than 45mins after the rain stopped. If I hadn't been on annual leave that day then the damage to possessions would have been a lot worse and all my guinea pigs would have drowned. I have spent the last 6 years slowly and painstakingly rebuilding my life which has been devastated financially, emotionally and professionally from coping with the aftermath of that day - insurance claims went wrong, cowboy builders tried to take me to court, I lost a two year battle with the Insurance Company/Financial Ombudsman so had to repeat the re-instatement of my house all over again at my own expense, the subsequent "flood blighting" of my property (which meant it could not sell so I lost the equity) and then spending many hours per day to get flood-risk modelling re-investigated and property protection installed by the EA for all residents to get our houses "de-risked". I would not wish this on my worst enemy (well maybe I would!) I know you can;t control the weather - but you can control how you mitigate against its damaging effects...and that also matters to your insurance company once you're tagged as a flood risk.. Since joining the forum I have found the regular updates from Coast, Mr Pike, Tamara, MK plus the observations during the day from other Regionnaires invaluable and they have utterly changed my life. Prior to finding the forum I found it difficult to work full time ...or spend weekends away (I would cut short my visit to friends) .....because I was terrified the house would flood again in my absence and I would have to go through the same 5-yr process again. Now, thanks to the clear, concise and friendly posts on the SE Regional thread, I feel much more in control, can plan ahead and am now looking for full time work. I do check the Convective thread regularly as well as the rainfall radar, I have found the model thread too overwhelming (I am looking for facts not speculation/discussion on what "might be"), and never managed to get on with how the Chatroom works. I also check the SW Regional thread regularly as this also helps to determine what "might be coming my way" as the weather unfolds. I have also looked at other weather forums and feel far more comfortable here with you guys, and specifically on the SE thread. So I have to say the most important information for me currently is the regular nightly updates from Mr Pike for our region for which I am incredibly grateful. I also enjoy the camaraderie and banter - I know sometimes we test the patience of the mods - but I have been amazed and encouraged by the helpful and friendly nature of the SE Regional thread that seems to have a great community spirit precisely because it is not "all about the weather". I'm sorry to hear that there has been some type of divide - i have not really been aware of it but maybe I have missed that - and if I have contributed to it in any way by some off-topic posts (particularly yesterday) then I apologise. You obviously need to do what you think is best for the forum and it's aims and objectives. If you feel it necessary to close down the Regionals, I'm wondering if there is an alternative way that the SE Regionnares can have a community thread say in The Lounge to get together please? .Whatever you decide - I would just like say a very big Thank you to Netweather and its Mods/Forum owners and to the SE Regionnaires (Past and present) for all your hospitality, information and friendship. Words are insufficient to convey the positive impact you have had on my recent life and the depth of gratitude I feel as a result.xxx

Good night Mr P.I will not offer to scrub your back as clearly this wouold get me into even more hot water.Hope the saucepans are now back in their proper placesxxxx

Ta JP!xxx

At this point I'd like to formally apologise to Mr Pike FOR ANY DISTRACTIONS - , The aforesaid said Mr Pike is doing his level best to appraise us of the weather forecast for our area and deserves our complete/humble attention, respect and gratitude.Carry on Mr Pike (please!) - and well done for your win!xxxxx

LOL - Too slow Knocker - things have moved on!

Oh dear - this is a bit like Alice down the Rabbit hole! Eeeek!Bl***y paparrazzi OK AJ chappie - I admit it's a rap. But are you implying there will be further Public Exposure "for moi?" (Cue Miss Piggy)...errrmmm.Thanx Lassie - .temperature has plunetted somewhat tonightWell I always wanted to be an entertainer...xxxx

Personally I blame it on my discovering the Human Extinction thread in The Lounge earlier today - it has a lot to answer for!

Oh dear - I've just realised there's so many different double entendres in the last post I'm not sure I can live down the emabrassment.Many years ago I passed my english lianguage O level ...honest! - however I'm afraid this is a clear case of the passage of years causing inhibition of the mental processes!xxxx

PMSL! Oh dear - also wine on keyboard alert! Wow - Am i right in thinking that, having been knocked up by Knocker, I'm now a fully fledged netweatherite??!SwoonLuv it K!xxxx

Wow - such a beautiful sunny day all day today - albeit a chilly start at 9degC. Have to admit I was surprised how much the temp ramped up by mid afternoon.New hire car picked up (Long story), grass all mown, creeping buttercup splatted with weedkiller, 3 lots of washing done and just enjoyed an excellent meal of Baked Cobbler river fish with Pommes Anna and fresh french beans cooked from first prinicples. (Errrm... there was a nice bottle of cut-price Languedoc white pinot courtesy of Tatco to go with it!). Tonight I'm settling down to ironing and Star Wars 1. Tomorrow doesn't look so good (much colder but thankfully still dry) but I hope to keep up the momentum of weeding the beds.Happy Bank holiday weekend everyonexxx

Evening everyoneOur adopted Northern Member, young Numpty, hass back down with me over Easter - his first visit since Xmas/New Year.Yet again his visit heralded a tumultuous week - (is he jinxed?????) - but this time it's not on the weather/flood/sewage front - in fact it's been much worse!This time last week me and a certain Numpty were twiddling our Good Friday Night thumbs (actually Numpty was suffering rather immensely more than I was!) in Haywards Heath A & E with poor Numpty restrained flat in head blocks for >9 hours (no food/drink/toilet breaks) before ending up 4 hours later in Brighton on the Saturday.A sudden braking whilst travellling to pick up a new guinea pig earlier in the day caused a trauma to his recent (very well-recovering) spinal surgery hence the A & E visit!!!! It was horrible at the time - but 7 days later he is now "good to go"We did manage a nice walk in the local bluebell woods on tuesday- always an uplifting pleasure...especially since they also have orchids.Then today - my trusty steed (BMW E46 2004 330d automatic with 150k on the clock) may have developed a possible terminal diagnosis - and I have to get said Numpty and his Tubby Tabby back up to Leeds this weekend for his post-op appointment following his spinal surgery (which is all the more important now given his unexpected visit to A & E down here)Thankfully, I have now "temporarily acquired" a nice white BMW 530d automatic courtesy car - so Numpty, his neck brace, and said Tubby Tabby can be safely transported.(along with a rescue cat and three rescue guinea pigs) this sunday.Was completely amazed that the whole of today until about 7.30pm was just grey/rain/mizzle in RH18....but then this evening we saw a break in the clouds.....and actually some blue sky!!!!Seemed to mirror our own circumstances. xxxxx

I'm fine thanks Mr PAll my leaky flood doors are now being replaced....and not with saucepans!Sincerely glad to hear you are nearly sorted with your repairs. Hope it is sooner rather than later.xxxx

Evening Mr PThank you, as ever, for your informative and fantastic updates.Hope the repairs are going.well?xxxx

Hmmmm.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XZWgHNcUeA ..............Cluck Cluck xxxx

PS. Would appreciate please Capt Shortwave if you would give extra consderation to your idioms in future ....... "hitting the hay" has a whole different meaning for the Netweather piggies........ who rely on aforesaid substance for 90% of their food intake. They are slightly upset at the moment about the possible abuse of their foodstuff and are wheeking in my ear. Hope you understand xxxx

Hi Jax Ooh goose egg = nom nom - love the mix but hope you got your egg-timer right otherwise you'll be in for a reet surprise tomorrow. On a serious note - please share your recipe for homemade mayo (weather permitting of course ) The nutty Piggies are sending you wheekies xxxx Edit - having serious tummy-rumbling designs on CS's tikka sandwich

Evening allNot sure where today went (or yesterday for that matter!)Seem to have spent my weekend on t'internet organising help and care for sick piggies and hoomans ...or washing!Bleah to possible cold and snow.....had a lot of rain last night, been dryish today but think it's going to ramp up on the wetty front again tonight.Car is still covered in Saharan dust, despite bombing up and down the M1 to Leeds earlier this week and the subsequent rain.Numpty is doing really well after the surgery.Off to feed the menagerieTTFNxxxx

Evening everyoneBeen AWOL as I have been doinjg one of my mammoth cross-country expeditions these last few days. This time N/S.Left Sussex at 10am on tuesday with beautiful weather at 19degC...only to run into the smog at M25/M3 junction. This lasted all the way round and up the M1 to northampton (temp 11degC) where the sun broke through. Then from Nottingham upwards til Sheffield it was smog again.Finally arrived in Leeds at 2pm ...sunny and up to 17deg C again..and popped in to see out adopted SE Regionnaire Numpty who was having some serious spinal surgery that day. His room gave a beautiful view across the Leeds skyline with lovey Cnb developing but no storms!!Pleased to say that Numpty's operation appears to have been a complete success...albeit he is off work for the next 6 weeks...but he is now home..Travelled back down today in dismal 11deg C murk apart from a brief interlude between Luton and Sussex this afternoon when we got up to 20degC on the M25!Very tired so going to bed now....amazing the spread of weather you see/travel trhough on long distance journeys.Back tomorrowxxxx

Evening everyone...I mowed the lawns today - first cut!!Nuff saidxxxx

Evening everyone Lazy day today enjoying the sunshine and inspecting the "remains" of the garden (and damage to the banks of the stream) following the flooding over the last two months. Lot of work to do/gaps to fill this year as many of the perennials and shrubs just haven't survived the heavy clay/wet/shady conditions. BB - sorry you are still restricted in getting out - I don;t know if you are a wildlife person but the live webcams of the peregrine and osprey nesting sites are now active and I have found them fascinating to watch. Ospreys on Rutland Water - female has just returned to the nesting site and awaiting arrival of their mate http://www.ospreys.org.uk/webcam/ Peregrine webcams in many places - many have already laid - Norwich has 4 eggs http://upp.hawkandowl.org/norwich-peregrines/live-norwich-cathedral-peregrine-web-cam-2014/ Temperature cooling now to 11deg - not sure what it peaked at as was too busy watching the birds of prey! xxx P.S. Very pleased to note a ring-tailed lemur has now been added to the South East Regionnaires menagerie

Thank you as ever Mr P for your diligent and comprehensive analysisxxxx

And there was i thinking it was about Old Blind Ginger Piggie meeting his two new ladies!! (Or maybe its the pair of shagging robins making a nest underneath my kitchen window?). No laundry to report......but spring cleaning is progressing well and, if Mr Pike's reports are in agreement, we will be trying to wield the lawnmower tomorrow!Today has been very grey and overcast, albeit less "perky" temperature wise than yesterday thank goodness, and sadly with none of the stormy excitement that the M40 corridor/WMids have experienced today. (Have to admit I've spent quite a lot of time on the 'puter today tracking it's progress via live webcams up the country). Happy Birthday to Tom's son - the piggies send whiskery kisses and have even offered to donate some of their carrots - (well maybe Eric the mascot would be a more appropriate beneficiary?) - but I guess it's the thought than counts.Finally - a warm welcome to Mr AJPS....so courageous in giving voice to those innermost feelings!A demain mes amies! xxxx

Evening everyoneUp at 6am this morning as couldn't sleep. Mist was gradually starting to lift as the Sussex 4x4's started hammering up the road to the local school.We grew some beautiful Cb towers over Sussex today but it appears they didn't mature until Egham/West London! So mainly sunshine with a few showers and cloudy patches....and the spring cleaning is progressing well (kitchen floor now done!)A perky (or should I say parky!) 7degC here today...although nights have been Joan Armatrading (down to zero) ...Heating back on low for the piggies but I'm still smiling as I haven't switched the underfloor heating on once this winter owing to the much milder temps so the monthly duel fuel DD can be reduced at the next (imminent) meter readingLooking forward to the weekend - especially the clocks going forwards and the warmer weather. I "might" even get my first cut on the lawn done.Sweet dreams all.xxxx