Storm Eowyn, blowing a gale

We decided last night not to put the recycling out as it was forecast to be high winds today and the recycling could wait another week. I woke about 07:30 with the winds and although I tried to get back to sleep it wouldn't happen.
It might have been foolhardy but we went doing our weekly shop this morning. Terry had to go to Tesco pharmacy for his prescription anyway as he would have run out of some medication if he didn't. I didn't like going really but I didn't want to stay in and he said he'd do the shopping but I checked the blustery weather out and decided to accompany him. 
His car was covered in dust which was like sand which we presume blew in with the storm. The winds didn't seem too bad when we set off and it was blustery when we were coming home but nothing to scare you. Apart from an empty wheelie bin on  its side not far from home, we saw no damage. We had a pot plant (small) blow over in the back garden but no damage done. The constant wind wasn't too bad but the gusts were very strong.
We pegged two lots of washing out on the lines - it dried in no time! We did have a slight concern that it might blow away though - thank goodness for strong pegs ha ha.
The winds calmed at one stage before coming back fiercer than before and then I saw posts on facebook of trees being down, roads closed due to building damage and a whole wall collapsed in Standish Street near the town centre.
It's much calmer this evening and now it's chucking down.