The Tide Is High ……… Yet Again

February 1st already and I don’t think, for the moment, we need any more rain, or snow for that matter, no matter how wonderfully romantic (the snow, not the rain) …………

……… as we currently have a rampantly flowing, chocolate coloured river that resembles something from a scene from Willy Wonka. We’ve also lost our picturesque walk along the river into town under at least two feet of turgid water, so no dog walkers, ramblers, fishermen or joggers for the next  few days I don’t suppose. 

We have sandbags at the ready but thus far, thankfully,  it’s nothing compared to a couple of years back when the river came half way up our bank and steps and where our park was transformed into what Nigel described  as a temporary, but never the less, potential boating lake if we had a boat.

So far the water has only come up to the path and benches, much beloved by Iris and Bertie on our Midnight walks as the place where all the local ghosts and ghoulies like to hang out, so they might find themselves a trifle damp and seeking higher ground to haunt for the next little while.

We have also noticed the return of the fluorescently apparelled gentlemen of a Network Rail type nature at regular periods throughout the day taking photos of “our” bridge …….

…….. which we are informed, by very reliable source i.e Kata our lovely neighbour across the hall, that they (Network Rail) are watching carefully to see if the water reaches the white sign on said bridge ……

……. she tells us that should this occur, the island under the arch having already disappeared under the swelling waters, the trains will be instructed to slow down when going over it ……..

Needless to say, Nigel has now mounted his own “Water Watch” from the comfort of his (Christmas) deckchair in front of our kitchen window.

We will endeavour to keep you informed as to his observations, as and when he reports them.