Hailstorm

Hail filled flower pot

Tortoise in hailstorm

Two days of hail. The weather was stormy. Up north there was heavy snow but down south we had hail. Though the hail was small, the constant shower was heavy and left the roads very slippery.  It bounces off you and one of our poor tortoises got caught in the midst of the hailstorm. Must have frightened it. Anyway it was so cold - one degree I think - the tortoise probably slept it away.

hail on my sleeve

I took the usual Sunday walk with Buscemi - got caught in the hailstorm and blustery winds. It was very cold. Then later in the afternoon I had to go out to finish a job at Ratisbonne. Got caught again the storm. Decided to take a taxi there instead of walking the 2km uphill. There was very light snow for a few minutes ... the type that melts before it lands. And we had alot of graupel.

Damascus Gate this morning

There was trouble in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound this morning. Heard that some Jews tried to enter the mosque and tensions arose. It's the usual hotspot when Jews annually try to tear down the mosque and rebuild the Temple - a token action of course, but very provocative. Police and soldiers everywhere in the City as a result. Damascus Gate was partially closed and soldiers stationed there were checking everyone entering it.

So between the hailstorm and the tension in the City, I think everyone felt best to stay indoors, keep warm and get out of trouble.