Sunday 16 August
Today has shown me how the weather can really affect how we go about our lives.
It has been very ‘close’ today. I have never properly understood what that means but I do get it, I think. When the cloud is thick and relatively low it can feel oppressive. It gives me a sense of being in a small room with a low ceiling and little to no ventilation.
The air has been still, humid and very mild. I have used my blue asthma pump for the first time in months today. It’s been hard to grab enough dry, particle free air.
It got me looking into other words we used to describe the weather. One East Anglian term is ‘shreep’ which traditionally describes a layer of slowly disappearing mist. Another for this region is ‘ungive’ which is when a thaw occurs on frosty mornings (not a word for the current season). Or ‘shivelight’ to describe lances of sunlight piercing through the tree canopies in woodland.
But I think my favourite, and one that is apt for the weather we are experiencing at the moment is a ‘pirr’. It’s a highland word used to describe a very light breeze. Basically referring to a wind so light, that it would be like a cat’s paw on the surface of water.
I did referee a pre-season football match today. My first game in over five months, the last one was just before lockdown. It felt great to be on the pitch again; the game was high quality and competitive between two talented U18 sides. I really hope Stan does the course before he goes to university.
The Bald Birder 