A Change in the Weather

I woke at 6ish this morning to the crashes and flashes of a thunder storm. It was dark and I flicked the torch on my phone to find my slippers. My husband was already awake too. I went downstairs and made tea. The rain was lashing down and I could hear it bouncing off our outhouse.

I awoke again about 9ish, the thunder was still rumbling around although I don't know if it was the same storm or a sequel. I pulled the curtains back and saw water gushing passed our house. The same thing had happened a few years ago, when a sluice on the top road became blocked. We tried to phone Wessex Water but all lines were engaged.

Morrisons phoned, asking if we would be able to get to them to pick up our click and collect order (for some reason they had given us a £12 voucher if we ordered on line 🤷‍♀️. We said we could and found our boots and long raincoats. Checking outside again, we saw that the drain covers in the road had started to lift and we thought it best to go then, rather than hang about.

Nearing Morrisons the road was completely under water, covering the kerbs and the edge of the roundabouts. Why do they continue to build on flood plains! An elderly neighbour told us years ago that he and his brothers rowed boats where homes and businesses now stand. Roads are name Marshfield, Marsh Gardens, the clue is surely in the names. The water has to go somewhere. I hope the hospital is safe.

We collected our shopping and went straight home. The sluice had been cleared, maintenance men were working their way around the town. The torrent outside our house had abated, leaving cracked tarmac and more potholes.

Today has been an upside down sort of day. Rain throughout most of the day, misty still, brightening up enough to walk in the evening. I'm falling behind with my steps and the miles on the End to End Virtual Artic Walk. A good walk this evening is just what was needed.

Red sky at night, shepherd's delight. But more rain is forecast.

Tomorrow is blood test day. It comes around quickly. I always wonder if they can tell if I've exercised and know what I've eaten from the tests. It spurs me on.

Can't help thinking of all the people affected far more seriously by climate change. My heart goes out to them.

Comments

31st October 2024, I'm A Halloween Grinch 🎃

I don't like Halloween. It's origins or the 21st Century version. Right from it's beginnings it has been about death and spirits of the dead. I always say I'm not superstitious, but somethings shouldn't be messed with. Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, has been turned from a Celtic tradition to ward off evil and spirits, to a commercial nightmare. I know that many will say that nowadays it's just a bit of fun, but like my fear of spiders, its maybe instinct. Maybe its the near death experiences that TTP survivors have, a little too close to home. Winter in this part of the world brings darkness and cold, something that the Celtic people took seriously. If any misfortune befell them in the winter, they likely didn't survive. For a while the Christian form of All Hallows Eve became a time when the poorest folk would beg at more wealthy folk’s doors for food, in return for offering prayers. Now children are encouraged to trick ...

23rd September 2024 Apple Pies, Not Quite How Grandma Made Them 😉

I get a lot of recipe videos on my social media feeds. Many claim to be just how someone's Grandmother showed them. I often doubt it's true. I'm older, of course, so possibly I'm thinking of days from long ago. My Grandma, Nanny we called her, was born more than 100 years ago. She had a large family and undoubtedly did make pies, but I don't think they had desserts. She would have made pastry, she didn't have a fridge, and I have seen her cooker in a museum 🥰. Nanny had access to fresh veg because Grandad had an allotment and she kept her own hens and rabbits. She didn't leave a recipe book, but she left a healthy brood of children. The old apple tree in our garden has withered this year. Although it had buds, it didn't produce any blossom so no apples. We couldn't bring ourselves to remove it, and we'll give it another chance next spring. I do know it will be something of a miracle if it fruits again. My nei...

21st October 2024, Newcastle, Gateshead, Angel of the North

This weekend away was not my choice but my husband's. To be fair I've had my weekends away and it was his turn. Of course, it involved football. BHA v Newcastle. It's on his list of dreams. What would my grandfather, a supporter, think of us flying to Newcastle to watch a match? We flew with Easyjet, cabin bags under our seats, and limited amount of cloths. I've never travelled for a weekend before knowing that I would need to wash undies. My meds (not TTP related) took up more space than my toiletries! We arrived exhausted, but driving would have been so much worse. We ignored our own travel tip and landed after sunset. It's disorienting to land in the dark when you have no idea where you are. Flight delayed at both ends, we took the Metro from the airport to the city centre, it was delayed en route, and then we left the station by the wrong exit. It resulted in us walking more t...

Porridge for Breakfast, The Ordinary Life of a TTP Survivor

Search This Blog