"Col" wrote in message
...
Conditions today in and around Bolton town centre at lunchtime
were truely horrendous. My estimate of gusts of around 80mph
seem to correlate well with those recorded in NW England
on Weatheronline. Certainly some of the strongest winds I've
ever personally exprerienced. A wind to take your breath away,
almost impossible to walk against and then knocking you
sideways, the air full of swirling leaves and twigs.
It remains to be seen whether my umbrella is repairable

Bolton town centre was just surreal. The wind howling around
and one of those wheeled bins breaking free and gliding
across the street. At one point I had to return a pushchair
(complete with small child) to it's owner as it too made a bid
for freedom and ran into my path

Fortunately the only damage at home appears to be a small
fence panel down.

What a day!
--
Col

Bolton, Lancashire
160m asl


Horrendous in Macclesfield Cheshire, aprox 14 miles south of Manchester too,
lots of trees down, wheelie bins all over the roads and pavements
Thank goodness it has calmed down as I am high up, infact I can see the mast
at Winter Hill clearly, nice pretty red lights on it, so I should be able to
wave at you Col!
5 people sadly killed in this region accoeding to the local news

Regards
Lockzie