Sunday 26 January 2014

Everything Can Change In A Week!


Last time I posted about sunshine and Spring but everything can change in a week.
This morning I found my heavy wheelie bin had blown backwards on to my neighbours low wall during the night and there was a foot of water in it. That must have been a heavy storm and it went on till lunch time and there's more of the same forecast.
I was amazed that I didn't hear the wheelie bin go over in the night as it must have made quite a clatter.
I suppose we are very lucky where we live because not so far away, much of the Somerset Levels are flooded and the only way some of the residents can get to and from their homes, which are now surrounded by water, is by boat. They have been stranded like this since before Christmas and some homes are still filled with stagnant water. Help seems to be very slow coming. What does one do about a situation like this? Can't sell up. Who would buy? As it's happened the second year running, could anyone afford insurance?

This weekend was the RSPB Bird Watch and I usually take part in it. Over the last few weeks we've had sparrows and blue-tits, blackbirds other species who have frequented my bird feeders. However, without question, during any of my bird watch weekends, they are never about. With Millie's help yesterday, we only spotted one lone magpie and today there were only two wood pigeons who visited within any hour of watching. 
Maybe this post will jinx the weather into changing again. In the meantime, there are tips of spring bulbs showing through the wet soil. Looking for the sun, like all of us.



17 comments:

Rose said...

As much as I have been complaining about the cold and snow here, I wouldn't want to experience floods. My sympathy goes out to all those who've had their homes flooded. Our basement got a few inches of water in it last year during a bad storm, and it took me weeks to get it all cleaned up, and that was with some professional help. Thank goodness insurance paid for much of it! I can only imagine how much worse a real flood could be.

It seems like this year has been a series of extremes in weather. How nice to see some green shoots in the garden--let's hope for an early, and uneventful, spring!

dianefaith said...

I live in the Southeastern United States, and we've had freezing weather. Single digits, Fahrenheit, wind chills way below zero. Many homeowners have had water pipes freeze, and when they burst there is water damage, often significant. My house is old with a crawl space underneath. I've kept water dripping from the faucets, and so far that has worked. It's been an unusual winter. I'm glad you've escaped some of the worst aspects, and my concern goes to those people who have experienced flooding and other awful problems during this unusual winter.

mrsnesbitt said...

We had a fluttering of snow here this morning so nipped out to the shop for supplies should the weather get worse - wine and bread! lol! Made a wonderful pie this week - have put recipe on my blog - you will LOVE it! Keep warm.
Dxx

Celia said...

Glad your relatively dry and safe. Flooding is a nightmare.

sgreerpitt said...

it shocked me to hear about the floods, in the United States our news is so parochial and so focused on celebrity, we don't hear about problems like this in other countries.

I live in the Appalachian mountains, and we've had a see-saw winter of mild days (like today) followed by snow and deep cold and back to really mild.

Expat mum said...

Most people in Chicago have basements and I know only too well how bad flooding can be. I've never experienced having to row to my house, thank goodness. It must be awful to have such a thing happen.

Mimi said...

That is a terrible situation for those people to be in, and stagnant flood water carries so many germs, you'd be concerned for their future health.
Weather has been similar here, cold alternating with rain, and a touch of snow today.
Keep warm Maggie! Spring won't be far away!

Irene said...

We've got you same weather now after some of it was very nice just like yours. It is raining cats and dogs as I write this, but I don't have to worry about getting flooded being up high enough. Bad weather never wakes me up either because my apartment is tucked in neatly between other ones. I only hear it a bit if I am awake already.

I hope those flooded towns fall dry soon.

Coey said...

Isn't the weather funny.

Secret Agent Woman said...

If posting about it could make the weather change, I'd be writing tons of winter weather posts!

Akelamalu said...

It's definitely colder, though the daffs are coming up. I feel so sorry for those poor people that are flooded out, again.

Suldog said...

I'll forgo my usual comment about blue tits and just wish you some better weather and warmer/drier days!

Formerly known as Frau said...

I feel for the homeowners in the flooded areas...it's been brutally cold here....I'm dreaming of spring! Have a wonderful day!

Hilary said...

The flooding sounds nasty. I feel for those folks but am relieved that it's not directly affecting you. It must be nice to see new growth poking out of the ground. We have thigh-deep snow that will have to melt before that process begins.. and that's not going to happen until we warm up from -32C (-35F) wind chills.

MARY G said...

We are having a leaden grey sky day with blowing snow. It is preferable, for sure, to the kind of rain you have been having. Hope things improve, soonest.
Our birds are sparse, too. But we have lots of blue jays, unmelodious bunch that they are, and a small flock of wild turkeys eating at the deer feeding station.
Dreaming, like you, of spring bird song and the tips of the bulbs emerging. Three months to go. Two and a half, if we are lucky.
Hope you and hubby are both in reasonable health and that your cellar remains dry!

Gone Back South said...

Yeah the flooding must be hideous - and what a mess and stink when the water finally subsides! I think they're going to start dredging some river beds, which might help in future.

Sally Wessely said...

I am always amazed on how different our weather is from one place to another. We are having snow here. I would take that over all that rain and flooding. I am sorry for those who are flooded out. We are not seeing any signs of spring here. We can't see the ground for the snow.