NT - Energy efficient light bulbs

I lived at Tintinhull House in Somerset for 10 years - it belongs to the National Trust. I'm delighted that they've finally come round to using energy efficient light bulbs. I'd say 'about time too' and 'what's next?'.

See article I've written for Telegraph online....

Washing lines in Dubrovnik

Where bombs and missiles fell in the early 1990s, I stood looking at washing lines and cats. Swallows were diving over the rooftops of Dubrovnik in the evening sun - it was a magical experience, perhaps all the more so because I was there for such a short time.

My trip to Croatia was arranged by AISE - the European Soaps and Detergents Manufacturing trade association. They invited me to speak at their annual conference for executives in the industry. I wanted to convince them that it was no longer good enough to go on doing business and just be a bit greener. They need to care about the environment and even be prepared to stop selling products that have an impact but no real benefit to society.

I think some of the audience were a little shocked to hear that I think the world would be a better place without air fresheners and fabric conditioners... Looking at the clothes drying in the sun I could have added that we'd be better off without dryers too - even in wetter climates when washing racks may have to compete for space in bathrooms and kitchens.

Arriving at my hotel in a coastal village outside Dubrovnik, I was told that my room wasn't yet ready. This prompted me to look at a map and discover that a I could make a trip to the old city on a 45 minute boat ride across the Aegean. As I sat on the bow of the boat I felt a million miles away from my hectic life at home.

I was back at my hotel in time for dinner on a terrace over-looking the village with delegates from the conference. The balmy night meant there was no need for a cardigan - perhaps a sailor would have sniffed the air and predicted the huge and dramatic thunder storm that followed. I was woken at 2am by crashing and rolling with lightning flashing and striking over the sea. I loved it.

Before breakfast I was able to swim in the warm sea water off the rocks - and calm had returned. Unfortunately, after I'd made my speech in the morning I had to head home. I'd like to have stayed longer.

Flash floods in Somerset

My local town of Crewkerne doesn't often hit the headlines. Last Thursday it did. I saw the flash floods first hand.

My sister-in-law had invited me - along with my mother and sister - to a birthday supper for my brother. It was rather a last minute event because she had forgotten about his birthday, which had actually happened the day before.

I picked the children up from school at around 6pm and came back our normal route - which in times of flooding is impassable. Having watched the children do the Haka (New Zealand rugby war song) on the trampoline in the torrential rain, I set off for Devon at about 7pm.

Was slightly suprised to be queuing as I headed down the hill to Crewkerne. But as I neared the Market Square the cause for the hold up was clear. Water was gushing down the street, the pub had sandbags to stop it coming in and cars were having to weave around deep gullies of water.

Heading out towards Chard was even more dramatic. The water was coming at such a pace it looked like rapids - and stones were strewn across the road.

I managed to get to my sister's house but my mother and her husband had phoned to say they were stranded. After some delay they arrived and I manage to persuade them all into my car to share a lift. We didn't get very far. Fallen electric pylons blocked the road and the A303 was reported as closed as well.

My brother and sister-in-law dined alone, whist the rest of us stayed at my sister's house. The following morning I discovered that my car had not gone unscathed - I had a puncture. Rather bizarrely it was the second one of the week. The most exciting thing was that I managed to change the wheel on my own - normally I manage to find a man to help!

Is flooding more common now than in the past? I don't know. But there does seem to be a problem with so much land being paved over - for parking, terraces, new houses or whatever.

Climate change scientists predict more storms. If that's the case they'll be more flooding. And not everyone will find it as exciting as I did - or be so lucky in not getting stranded anywhere problematic.