Merciful Rain

Woken at 4am by loud thunder and dramatic lightning - we sleep with the balcony windows open. Of course we got up to look out, and thrilled with the gentle rain that was falling. Not much sign of it this morning, but it's made a difference on the Land, everything feels so fresh and hopeful, and more is promised for about the same time tonight...

But of course, the main thing is that this rain has helped put out the fires raging in the north of Portugal - 41 confirmed deaths, that's over 100 in the last 4 months, and so much destroyed... but at least no fires are active now, thanks mainly to the rain.