The Calm ...

... Before Storm Bert.

It would have been good to have another blip from North Wales but we decided that with Friday being such a busy day on the M6, M5 that we'd make an early start to get ahead of the game. Breakfast started at 6.30 am so we were in there on the dot and were in the car on our way at 10 past 7. Within ten miles we were at a standstill as a collisionblocked the inside lane of the A55. It was easy to see the reason - people travelling too fast for the conditions: low temperatures, hail and darkness. Fortunately for us, we were not too far back and we passed through before the traffic built up too much. The weather remained pretty foul for much of the time until we reached Birmingham when the sun broke through.

My plan was to stop at Clevedon Pier which I'd seen in lots of pictures but never visited. It was very close to our route, just south of Bristol. As you can see, we got some nice weather and although ideal for a sunset shoot, the delicate pier looks elegant against the midday blue sky.

I hope it's not as delicate as it looks with Storm Bert coming in tomorrow but it has stood there since 1869 so I'm sure it'll be OK.

I think it was just about 2pm when I dropped John off at his house and I was home 30 minutes later. It was a short trip but very enjoyable and we got some good photos too. Thank you very much for all your comments, stars and the good scattering of hearts too.