There was a mini-tornado here in Cyprus last week, and not over the sea. It destroyed a few villas and uprooted trees in the nearby villages of Fyti and Milia.
We've had some good rain, too. In my newly cleared and terraced NE corner, that enabled me to 'see' and refine the slopes on my inter-terrace paths, which I designed to act as drainage guides. Several parts of the 'terraces' are still sloping. Now that's done and the main irrigation pipes are installed, I can insert cuttings (from some overdue pruning). I'll be trying prostrate rosemary on the steepest slope. Since its pioneer shoots follow the soil surface well, and it later roots well from them, I hope it will stabilize the slope well. Its gradually developing bulk of woody stems should also provide lateral strength. Next year, with a little trepidation, I plan to try sifting soil over the top gradually as it develops - to make-up the volume of soil that the storms will still wash out, and maybe build-up the bank a little. I am trepidacious because we know that the plant is susceptible to fungal dieback from the soil level creeping up on its stem. But I am hoping I might get away with it because the soil is sloping - so there won't be any water or excess dampness persisting at the stem(s). Also, the small patches of dieback I noticed earlier this year on the parent plants have disappeared; the plants are vigorous again.
...Picks up secateurs, opens back door, warm sunlight streams in, strides out, taking-in a deep breath of the fresh earthy-smelling air...