Rain on an old white roof

I have just spent the last week in sunny rainy Bermuda working as well as enjoying the Christmas spirit, quite literally.

Rain on the island nearly all of last Wednesday pushed 2023 over the line to make it the wettest year since 1902.

Records of a sort go back to the 1850’s and with 76.25 inches of rain already fallen on this fair island it has two weeks left to beat that 1902 record of 89.24 inches, and although it was pouring when I left today that does look like a bit of a stretch especially as traditionally Christmas is nice.

October 13th was the wettest day of the year, and the fifth wettest day on record, with 5.51 inches of rainfall recorded in a 24-hour period.

For those that don’t know, rainwater is really important to Bermuda as the island has no fresh-water springs, rivers or lakes so houses are built with white-washed limestone stepped roofs that collect rainwater in intricate guttering that then is stored in huge tanks underground.

The reflecting UV rays are meant to help purify the water on the roof, but although the locals do, I have always done my best to avoid drinking it.

There are also six desalination plants on the island that support hotels and businesses as well as an endless supply of the most expensive bottled water in the world!

Even though Bermudians literally pray for rain, there has been plenty enough to go around this year.