When day of splendour becomes one of conflict with nature

FRIDAY, June 30, was an exceptional day here on the southwest coast, a day of clear, bright sunlight and gales, writes Damien Enright

At lunchtime, I sat out on our sheltered balcony.

When I closed my eyes against the brightness, I thought that I could hear the sea breaking on the beach 200m away but then realised it was the wind gusting through the big beech trees that surround our garden.