Nature teaches us all a lesson

Brian Donaldson • Published 22 Apr 2010 10:12 0 Comments

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Not even strikes by workers could ground planes in the way they were forced to in the past week as the ash emitted from Iceland's volcanic eruption was blown into airspace above the British Isles and northern Europe.

It was a quirk of nature that the event happened at all and affected us here largely because we have been enjoying the fine spring weather of the past few weeks. The high pressure weather system was introducing north and north-easterly winds over us, perfect to take the ash in our direction. The normally volatile Atlantic cold fronts which we are more accustomed to, would have sent it steadily northwards away from areas of population.

The ban on commercial flights has had a catastrophic effect on the travelling public's lives. Coming so soon after Easter resulted in many people already abroad and others still at home, waiting patiently to get away.

But for those determined to get to their final destination, there was always a means to be found. The ferries have come to the rescue of many people as they carried record numbers of passengers for this time of year between all the ports in Ireland and Britain and the continent. Some intrepid adventurers even booked taxis to drive them lengthy journeys to a port, sometimes paying exorbitant prices in the process.

It might appear to many that being stranded in a sunny clime might not be too hard to deal with, but if the cost of such delays have to be borne by the holidaymaker, then that's another matter.

While the unexpected nature of this episode could never have been predicted, it has shown that Mother Nature has to be respected. We have increasingly experienced more freak weather patterns in recent times and the natural phenomenon that occurred in Iceland is just another warning.

Of course the volcanic eruption was of such magnitude that it had the effect of pushing the Westminster election coverage further down the agenda for the broadcast and print media.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 22 Apr 10

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May 12, 10:45
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