Storm Goretti: The Great Fence Upgrade of 2026
If you were anywhere near Cornwall recently, you may have noticed the weather having what can only be described as a full-scale tantrum. Storm Goretti rolled in with a red weather warning, the first of its kind here since Storm Eunice (I think) and decided to thoroughly test fences, trees, nerves, and chickens.
A Proper Red Warning (The Serious Bit… Briefly)
A red warning is the Met Office’s way of saying “please stop pretending this is just a bit windy…i.e. please don’t just ignore us like you usually do”. Gusts were strong enough to knock down trees, block roads across the county and leave much of West Cornwall without power, in some cases for days.
At the height of the storm, tens of thousands of homes across the South West lost electricity, with engineers battling some very Cornish conditions to get things back online.
What Happened Here?
We can report that Storm Goretti paid us a visit too (we were on the edge of the red warning) and left a few souvenirs behind:
Lots of fences down, some of which were heirlooms!
Trees down locally, blocking roads and keeping chainsaws very busy; even to this day
A shaky lodges, just enough to make you pause your cuppa mid Love island…Jess wasn’t pleased
Chickens who made an executive decision to remain inside their coop and not participate
The Cosiest Place to Be? The Pods.
While the wind howled outside like it was auditioning for a horror film, the pods quietly became the most desirable real estate in Cornwall, with their strong arches roofs and thick insulation, they made light work of the wind. I went up to check them and when inside realised they were a veritable paradise compared to being outside or in our lodge.
Warm, snug, dry and with no power cut (unlike much of the county), they proved that sometimes the best seat in a storm is a small, well insulated one facing the ends head on with a kettle…or in this case, the Nespresso machine in South Caradon pod!
The following days: Because Cornwall
As if nothing had happened, the Saturday arrived with glorious sunshine. Guests staying in the South Caradon hot tub pod arrived to be treated by blue skies, calm air and that slightly smug feeling you get when the storm misses your stay and you can make full use of the tub! Classic Cornish weather behaviour.
What Will Guests Notice Next Season?
Apart from the scenery still being stunning, the pitches being freshly cut and the pods still being cosy, the biggest visible legacy of Storm Goretti will be… fences.
Lots of them (well a few anyway!)
New ones
Straight ones (ish)
Very pretty ones (if you’re into that kind of thing!)
Yes, thanks to Goretti’s enthusiasm for fence removal, next season, instead of being treated by a spanking new multi screen cinema that was planned (not really), you’ll be greeted by some lovely new fencing around the site. Silver linings and all that.
Final Thoughts
Storm Goretti reminded us that Cornwall is wild, dramatic, and occasionally tries to rearrange itself, but also that being tucked up somewhere cosy makes all the difference.
We survived.
The chickens survived.
The pods passed with flying colours.
The fences…well, they’re coming back stronger and better looking than ever.
See you next season and don’t forget to spot the new fencing.
Andrew and Jess