Day 3163 (Wednesday) 4th February 2026
We had some severe weather here yesterday, well not in Villefranche but from Nice heading towards Antibes. We just had grey sky and a few drops of rain but Antibes was battered.
This was taken from the beach in Nice heading towards Antibes - what a great picture.
This is Antibes
This is hail in Antibes
I think these were also in Antibes.
Côte d'Azur streets flooded as storm brings a month's worth of rainfall
Cars drive along a flooded street in Antibes. Image: Mairie d'Antibes Juan les Pins / Facebook
An unexpectedly powerful storm dumped the equivalent of a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours in popular holiday resorts on the French Riviera on Tuesday night.
The Alpes-Maritimes département had been under ‘yellow’ warning for rain, flooding, and thunderstorms, but forecasters had not predicted a weather event of such intensity, as the storm — fuelled by very warm, humid air rising from the Mediterranean — stalled overhead.
No casualties were reported after the period of intense rainfall that struck the coastal Antibes-Golfe-Juan area, causing flash flooding.
Local authorities set up a municipal crisis centre at Fort Carré, to co-ordinate the emergency response to the storm, which struck at around 8pm. Within 90 minutes, some 50mm rain had fallen.
In a post on social media, storm monitor Keraunos said that 86mm of rainfall per square metre was recorded in six hours in Antibes. Days after the wettest January since 1964 ended, this was one of the five wettest nights in the area in the past 60 years, according to official figures.
Antibes’ officials said that the hardest-hit areas were “the west of the town, particularly around Les Eucalyptus, on the border with Vallauris, but also in the town centre of Juan-les-Pins and Cap d'Antibes.”
Firefighters responded to 10 incidents as basements flooded, but “no rescues were necessary, only safety measures were required”, and no major damage has been reported.
Several weather radars in the area indicated that some areas experienced rainfall totals of up to 130 litres per square metre.
Hail also fell ‘non-stop for 80 minutes’, according to residents, coating the streets in a thick layer of ice, while powerful lightning strikes caused temporary power outages in some areas.
Traffic lights also briefly stopped working.
One woman was trapped in her vehicle on a flooded section of Route Nationale 7, which connects Isola to Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée, according to reports.
“Severe thunderstorms will continue to affect the PACA coastline,” national forecaster Météo-France said in its Wednesday morning weather bulletin, maintaining its yellow weather warning for the département.
And now for something very different…
Yesterday afternoon Badger had a huge surge of energy and was running up and down the flat like a lunatic. He does this at least once a day and I asked Huw to Google it and he found this very amusing article, enjoy.
I wish I had some photos to show you Badger’s Zoomies but it’s impossible to capture them.
Why Do Cats Get the Zoomies After Pooping?
If you’ve ever witnessed your cat blast out of the litter box and tear down the hallway like they’re being chased by an invisible monster, you’re not alone. This odd yet common behaviour—affectionately known as the “poop zoomies”—is one of those classic feline mysteries.
But why do cats do it? Is it just a funny quirk, or is there science behind the sprint? In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about why cats zoom after pooping, when it’s normal, when it could be a red flag, and how you can handle those late-night litter box marathons.
What Exactly Are Cat Zoomies?
Before diving into the bathroom connection, let’s clarify what zoomies are. The official term is Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs). Cats of all ages (but especially kittens and young adults) will suddenly burst into high-speed sprints, leap onto furniture, or dart in circles for no apparent reason.
Zoomies can happen any time of day—after naps, during playtime, or at 3 a.m. when you’re trying to sleep. But for many cat parents, the strangest kind of zoomies are the ones that happen right after their cat uses the litter box.
1. The Biological Rush: Vagus Nerve Stimulation
One scientific explanation for poop zoomies involves the vagus nerve, a long nerve that runs from the brain to the colon. When stimulated—like during or after a bowel movement—it can trigger a mild wave of relief, excitement, or even euphoria.
Humans experience this too. Some people feel a little energised or light after going to the bathroom. Cats, being naturally high-energy creatures, may translate that feeling into a literal victory lap.
In short: Your cat might just be celebrating how good they feel after a successful trip to the litter box.
2. Survival Instincts: Run From the Scene
In the wild, leaving poop behind could attract predators. To stay safe, cats may instinctively want to get away from the smell quickly. Even though your housecat has no lions or coyotes lurking nearby, this ancient survival instinct can still kick in.
That’s why some cats bolt out of the litter box immediately after finishing—it’s their way of saying: “Mission complete, now scram!”
3. Territory Marking and Energy Release
Pooping isn’t just a bodily function for cats—it’s also a form of communication. Cat faeces carry strong scents, which mark territory. In multi-cat households, litter box usage can be part of subtle power dynamics.
After leaving their “signature,” cats may feel an energy surge, almost like punctuating the act with movement. Think of it as a dramatic mic drop: “This is my turf—peace out!”
4. Discomfort or “Get Me Out of Here” Energy
Sometimes, poop zoomies are less about celebration and more about discomfort. Cats can be sensitive to litter texture, smell, or cleanliness. If something feels off, they may dash away to escape the unpleasant sensation.
Check your setup:
Keep the litter box scooped daily
Choose unscented litter (many cats dislike perfumes)
Make sure the box is large enough (1.5x the cat’s body length)
Place it in a quiet, low-traffic area
If zoomies are paired with scratching outside the box, hesitation to enter, or avoiding the litter box altogether, it might be a litter preference issue.
5. The Joy Factor: Cats Are Just Weird
Finally, let’s not forget—cats are simply quirky little beings. Sometimes, poop zoomies don’t need a big scientific explanation. Cats might sprint just because it’s fun, it feels good, or it’s part of their playful personality.
This is especially true in kittens and young cats, who have endless energy and love finding random excuses to run.
This is Badger, taken from a very strange angle.
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