Incidentally if you were wondering what to do if you get caught in a thunderstorm, I’ve done some reading and apparently you shouldn’t do what I did, shelter under a tree and ring a friend for advice.

If you get caught outside in a thunderstorm things you SHOULD NOT do are:

• Use a mobile phone or radio
• Put up an umbrella
• Stand near trees, fences and poles
• Stand in high lying places or in open fields.
• Lie on the ground.
• Hide under tents or outdoor pavilions

If your skin tingles and your hair stands on end, lightning is about to strike so you SHOULD:

• Crouch down
• Balance on balls of your feet
• Place hands on knees with your head between them
• Make yourself the smallest target possible
• Minimise contact with the ground
• If in a group spread at least 20 feet apart
• Avoid water such as swimming pools or lakes
• Remove jewellery , watches or metal belts
• Stand on plastic sheet or rucksack to minimise conductivity

It is also advised to stay in your shelter for 30 minutes after the last flash before going outside as half of lightning deaths occur after the thunderstorm has passed. Apparently it is also a myth that lightning never strikes in the same place twice. The first rule of advice from all the official sources are to plan ahead and avoid being outside if a storm is expected, but if you get caught out like I did today at least we know now what we should do.