Holy Hailstones!

We had some inclement weather yesterday evening. It started off as rain, then heavy rain, then a bit hailstoney, and then nature let rip. For about ten minutes there were hailstones the size of golf balls coming down - I was enthralled. Being home at the time, I stood at the open kitchen door watching them. Anyone who had been out in the middle of this would have been stoned to death very quickly I reckon. My lodger came to look too, although he didn't look at all pleased with what he saw. When I asked him why, he said that wherever this storm goes, it will trash every vineyard in its path, taking out 2 years' worth of crops. Still the French farmers won't loose a penny, don't worry about that, but it will no doubt affect the paying public.

However, there was a downside to this fun. After it stopped I needed to pop to the shops, and then I noticed the damage to my car - it was now covered in dents! Lots and lots of little dents. Most were shallow, and only showed in a certain light, but a fair few were serious bloody hole type dents. Every single panel was affected. I had a quick look up and down the street; everyone else's car was the same.

It turns out that this storm had been quite narrow in width, but had basically traversed Toulouse, passing right over the centre, attacking every car in its path. It also turns out that the same thing happened last year at more or less this time, only then the 'stones were even bigger!

My car is 12 years old a probably worth little more than £2-3K now anyway, so my insurance company would probably right it off - if they'd pay at all, for I would expect them to describe it as an Act Of God. Elsewhere in Toulouse, cars had been more badly damaged than mine too. Many had broken windscreens, and many more had broken lights - I'm guessing these would have been driving at the time, and many would have been doing that, as it happened during the evening rush hour. The papers today are full of it and seem to be indicating that many will be able to claim on their insurance anyway. For this year at least - insurance companies aren't daft.


Update: 13th June
When I saw the damage to my car that I thought perhaps I had not been as badly treated as some could have been. At least my car was 12 years old, although immaculate. Others may well have been sporting brand new cars. Well it happens that one of my old colleagues, Fabrice, falls into this category - his new car was 3 days old. Poor bugger - it is now back in the garage being repaired.