Halloween is everywhere...

...at a beach party in La Gomera last night

...and at home in Ireland  (this image © Kenmare News)

A beautiful morning

This morning in Valle Gran Rey, La Gomera: Blue skies, calm seas and sunshine

Rainbow

There was just one light short shower in Valle Gran Rey yesterday evening which brought this rainbow. The weather generally is settling and even though there still could be the odd shower today it will be mostly sunny and warm.

First rain after the long dry summer

Image taken around 9am this morning after a heavy shower

This morning Valle Gran Rey had the first good showers of rain after the long dry summer season. During the last couple of days the present weather situation (see 'Weathe News on top left of home page) had only brought a few lighter showers here. Now as I write a band of heavy thunderstorms is approaching from the south, thunder can be heard in the distance and the sky is very grey, promising more badly needed rain. Of course, if you're holidaying in the Canaries you don't want rain, but you can have your morning shower now without feeling guilty.

The outlook is for the weather to improve gradually and by the weekend it should be mostly fine.

A note of caution: As always after rain there is an increased risk of rockfalls and minor landslides, especially after a long dry spell. If you must drive please be very cautious on the roads in mountainous areas. Anyway, walking and hiking is not recommended today.

Even when the sun is shining again after the rain the risk is still there as the sun will heat any wet and unstable rocks and soil which then will expand and could come tumbling down.

Rockfall in Valle Gran Rey

Short video of dust plumes taken at the end of a rockfall in Valle Gran Rey between Lomo del Riego and Borbalan (see images of another nearby: A spectacular landslide and rockfall ). These rockfalls and landslides happen every now and then as a result of loosening material due to temperature changes, erosion and especially after rain. In most cases, as in this one which happened about three weeks ago, no harm is done as houses are usually built well away from areas where rocks may fall, preferably on the top of ridges, called 'lomos'.

Ferry problems

The damaged ramp in the bow of the ferry 'Volcan de Taburiente'  (Image: Felipe San Luis )

The ferry 'Volcan de Taburiente' which is owned and operated by the Canarian ferry company Naviera Armas and presently serves the islands of La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma from Tenererife's Los Cristianos port sustained damage to the bow ramp last night. It had arrived fro the island of El Hierro last night when during the berthing in Los Cristianos one of the hydraulic arms lowering the ramp collapsed leaving the cars and trucks trapped aboard until the roll-on/roll-off ferry was allowed to turn around and to allow the vehicles to disembark through the stern ramp.

If you intend to travel to La Gomera or the other two western Canary islands on this service you should check with the Armas ferry company as there's bound to be disruption until the vessel has been repaired, bearing in mind that another of the company's vessel which serves these islands is currently out of service due to annual maintenance.