Windswept

We spent a jolly afternoon at Granny and Grandad's house in Reading.  The Man's brother and sister-in-law were also along for the fun.  It was good to see everyone.

And meanwhile, back in the States... 

For the last few days we've been anxiously tracking the progress of Hurricane Irene, which was apparently heading right towards our US house.  Yikes!  And after we'd just missed an earthquake last week, too. 

Well, of course, in the end the hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm.  And by the time it reached our area it seems to have been much depleted in force.  At any rate, the friend who is looking after our house reports that, though there was a lot of rain and a power outage at one point, all seems to be well.  We are much relieved.  It'll be interesting to find out how our car has fared, last seen parked under a tree near Newark Airport...

New York in general seems to have been spared the anticipated worst, but nevertheless this storm really has wreaked havoc and claimed lives.  We've been lucky this time.  The power of Nature should never be underestimated.