Dramatic Activity Sur La River

Well, we are happy to report that the river had gone down and is almost back to normal and that The Towers now has a very ample supply of sandbags waiting in the sidelines should there be any risk of flooding in the future, heaven forbid.

However, over the weekend there had been much activity in our communal garden and ont' river as there appeared to be some question as to the safety of the railway bridge that lies to the side of us and the back garden proved to be a most excellent vantage point for network rail from which to make their observations, we felt so proud!

Darrell found out, through a conversation via the kitchen window that it was something to do with them keeping a close watch on a gauge at the bottom of the middle pillar, and if it went over said mark it could be serious ..... and as such the bridge was closed over the weekend, therefore there were no trains to London or Worcester, thus causing chaos at the station with intermittent buses being laid on.

Then on Sunday morning the big guns were out, with the launch of a motorised dingy to face the tempest tossed torrents. Well, what can I say? We upped and ceased any housework that was going on and just stood at the window, mugs of tea and coffee in hand, watching the proceedings.

Darrell reckoned that they had some sort of complicated sonic laser radar device fitted to the back of the boat and were using it to detect any "invisible, to the human eye, cracks in the bridge or signs of any rampant water absorption in the bricks" 

Needless to say it was all very dramatic, but was probably too serious to be regarded as romantic ...... even though the dingy did perform some quite exhilarating tight turns with resultant spray and bow waves.

I am afraid we were all so gripped that the washing up, vacumming, dusting and laundry was left to be done another day.

However, all must have boded well, because about twenty four hours later the trains were running again.

........ Life, as we know it on the river, was slowly becoming more run of the mill again ...... and for that were were thankful.