The Aftermath...

As you have probably seen from the news reports, there were very real consequences from the big storm on Thursday. In the Netherlands, six deaths were directly attributed to the storm, and estimates of the cost of the damage range up to 200 million euros.

Being the Netherlands and living below sea level in many places, water surging was also a question, and although the levels did rise to 'dangerous', there was no serious flooding.

Heading out yesterday, the damage is pretty evident, with trees blown down across the city. Running through the Vondelpark this morning, a number of big trees lay broken, snapped from the ground, laying helplessly, such contrast from their former magnificance.

And around many of the trees still standing, there are large cracks in the ground, signs that these ones only just made it through the storm, the ground holding just long enough to prevent them toppling.

And it continues to be unseasonably mild, with strong and gusting winds, although the temperatures are forecast to drop substantially this week, so the winter clothes will definitely get a run!

Shane