Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2013 | Page 78

COUNTRY LIFE

Countryliving
Spring sunshine or relentless rain?
The weather impacts on us on the Island more

been hampered by the weather; also those

than most. With 2012 one of the wettest years

in the tourist trade as visitor numbers have

on record, it has caused farmers problems

been squeezed once more. This in turn has

and resulted in coastal landslips and springs

impacted on the ferry companies and while it is

appearing in places that have not seen them

fashionable to bash them, if numbers are down

for years.

at a time of high fuel costs then perhaps they

The roads are pock-marked with potholes and

Sam Biles looks at
how the weather
has impacted on
the Island and
its countryside in
recent months

have no option but to look at reducing sailings.

strewn with gravel washed from neighbouring

Snow caused disruption in January with

fields. Many crops failed to germinate due to

virtually all schools closed as the first flakes

low spring temperatures and had to be re-sown;

hit the ground despite the fact that main roads

a challenging harvest was then followed by

remained open. Why? If the schools are closed

difficult conditions for sowing winter crops.

then countless parents have to take time off

Dairy farmers have struggled to contain

work with massive effects on the economy.

effluent and slurry as the rains continue to pour

Surely ‘get in if and when you can’ should be

down. Livestock have been housed for more

the mantra.

weeks than usual– requiring more labour and
expensive feed.
Gardeners similarly battled to get vegetables

The example that it sets for young people
is dreadful and sets such a bad precedent for
their working lives. The argument often used is

established and were stricken with more

‘Health and Safety’ but I bet more children get

slugs than ever before. Estate agents have

minor injuries sledging than getting to school.

suffered as demand for holiday homes has

Disruption and a shorter school day perhaps,
but no need to throw the towel in.
Undoubtedly the weath er of the last few
months has caused problems for many;
unhelpful at a time of recession. Thankfully
however the evenings are now drawing out
and the first signs of spring awakening are
beginning to show with bulbs emerging. Let
us all hope that the weather in 2013 is a little
kinder; we could all do with a bit of sunshine to
warm the green shoots of economic recovery.

78

www.visitislandlife.com