The rain lashed down and then there was thunder and lightning too, which, for us, is very unusal.

Obviously I felt so sorry for the ponies and shouted for them to come up to the shelter but they refused – so I left them, thinking “your choice”.

However, I did go outside in full wet-weather-survival-suit gear and let the sheep out of their field (they didn’t need any encouragement) so they could shelter in their shed.

While I was outside there was a lightning strike which made me cry.  I have no idea why I did this. I was howling, tears dripping, snot, the full works, with a huge amount of throat-rising anxiety.  It has taken me all day to come off this particular mountain.  So not like me.  I am not scared of thunder and lightning and in fact was looking forward to photographing it but failed. I have no idea what happened.  Perhaps it was a delayed reaction to when BeAnne (my dearest darling Patterdale who is no more) ran away many years back in a thunderstorm and was lost for 24 hours – that feeling of worry and utter dispair when a beloved has not come home.

So, once everything weather-wise had calmed down, I took the dogs for a walk so I could get some perspective and breathe again.

Eventually the Shetland ponies came up and I gave them some haynet so they could feel full and happy.

This was gratefully received and helped to make me feel better.

Althought not BeAnne, Pepper was a good subsitute and has been with me all day.

Even offering a sympathetic ear to my silliness.

Later, poo-picking, I realised everyone was fine and we have all weathered this particular storm.