That expanding foam used for house insulation expands at a 60:1 ratio. Sprayed on at 1/16" thickness, it expands to 3½". No fooling around with that stuff when applying it.
later as you move towards the south coast where frost is extremely rare and palm trees even grow [not kidding!])
Same in parts of Cornwall (southwest extremity of England). Falmouth is quite well-known for the palm-trees which seem to flourish there. It's a result of the same Gulf Stream which keeps southwest Ireland mild, although in either case if you arrive expecting a sub-tropical, Florida-like climate, you're in for a BIG disappointment!
