We have been having some severe gales here this past week with winds gusting to 60 miles per hour. A few days ago I awoke expecting to find the polytunnel gone. Fortunately there was only some minor damage. Last night there was another horrific wind storm with gusts shaking the house and all kinds of teeth gritting, jarring sounds coming from outside. I was afraid to look this morning lest I the tunnel be gone.

Wow! It was still there! Nevertheless, there was quite a bit of damage–4 more broken rib joints.Windtunnel_10030206Windtunnel_07030206Windtunnel_09030206 I was able to patch them with some materials here on the farm, but I think I will have to leave the island soon to pick up more supplies as I don’t think these winds are done for the season. I will probably end up making this repair a standard for all the ribs.

Fortunately the tunnel is flexible enough to take quite a bit of movement from the wind, but I hope we don’t have much more gale force wind this Spring. We’ve already had more than I can remember there ever being.

Windtunnel_02030206 Nevertheless, the tunnel seems to be doing its job and while I was in working I noticed several sprouts coming up in the portion I have already planted.

You can find more pictures here, and a short film here.

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