High winds, torrential rain and crashing waves killed two people and temporarily shut a Spanish opera house, while blustery weather elsewhere in Europe delayed trains and caused severe flooding.

THE Canary Islands are universally associated with sun, sea and sand but they have many other attractions and the sheer diversity of the islands is striking.

ON this sunny September day, the flowers on the sedum plants in the garden have, I think, reddened more since I visited them this morning, and the insects visiting them have increased three-fold.

LATE April in Ireland and the woods are carpeted in bluebells, a sight to behold.