Weather

THE WEATHER in Alstonefield is said by those who have lived there for a long time to consist of six months of Winter and six months of bad weather. This is not completely accurate but the weather is certainly more full of contrast than that of the Vale of Trent even if the elevation is seldom above 1,000 feet. It is less protected against the wind but the rain is no heavier than in the plains.

Sunshine is unimpeded by haze and smog and so is more intense, equally the frosts can strike more abruptly covering the tops of the dry stone walls like sugar icing and dusting the evergreen leaves in the early morning.

In Spring the earth slowly awakes and the sycamore buds change colour to look like magnolia blossom before the pale new leaves burst forth, the Hawthorn flowers open showing tiny pink spots on their petals and the the blackboard black Ash buds open with a spray of leaves like a conjurer's production of a bouquet. All is fresh and clean and the colours are bright.

In Summer the lambs start to put on some flesh and become less inclined to gambol. Harvesting begins and the fields are separated into great swathes of colour like a series of post-impressionist paintings. The bright yellow flags, contrasting with their dark green leaves provide a startling splash of colour in the village pond.

In Autumn the hay is harvested and the enshrouded stacks of hay stand guard over the newly mown fields like statues in Easter Island. As the season wears on the colours brighten again and the bright red hips stand in stark contrast to the heavy sky before the birds peck them or the frosts soften and darken them. Even the Willow herb changes from its pale green and barbie pink, the seed heads whiten and split spreading seeds to the gardener's irritation while its leaves colour up, brightening to the fiery red of late Autumn.

If you would like an accurate forecast you should go to the meteorological office web site for the area.

Click here to obtain an up to date forecast.

Last updated 14:38 05/10/03