Wardle Willie
Named Storms
Willie Giles
I’M walking up Graham Street in Stanhope, on my way to the path that leads up to the Ashes Quarry.
Storm Darragh has hit the west country and its tail is wagging in County Durham, showing itself as
a very wet and windy day. I tighten my hood as I walk up the path and look to the skies to ensure
that there is no danger from falling branches. I am beneath an oak tree, but not a Black Oak, which
is the meaning of “Darragh”.
The previous named storm was “Conal”, which means strong wolf and my mind is cast back to
walking in the Cantabrian Mountains in North-West Spain, where the wolves make their presence
known and the Spanish Mastiffs guard the horses and cattle from their deprivations. Alas, there are
no longer any wolves in Weardale, unless the rewilding lobby comes to life in this area.
Our next named storm will be Eowyn, who has been named after a strong female character from
the Lord of the Rings and who had a bit of a crush on Arragorn. Perhaps on my next windswept
walk, I will have Elves as my companions, or maybe even find myself surrounded by Hobbits.
