The Flooded Town

 Well, Storm Babet hit us much harder than it initially seemed it would. There was a day of strongish wind and a bit of rain, then a calm Thursday, but Friday it suddenly started raining and blowing a hoolie unexpectedly. 

Apparently, some sort of atmospheric block up north skewed the storm back down the east coast, and a month of rain fell in twenty four hours, blocking roads, cutting off villages and creating a lot of misery in places like Lowdham and Retford, that visits from a government minister - Teresa Coffey - did very little to alleviate, to say the least. 

Here, the Trent and Devon burst their banks, and also the vast housing developments on the edge of town caused hitherto non flood plain areas finding themselves underwater as the water ran off the estates. 

The cricket club is underwater, of course, as is the rugby club. Devon Pastures in the park was turned into a lake. A charity duck race has been cancelled, as it was feared the ducks would end up in the North Sea rather than the lock as they were supposed to. 

All that rain gave me a cold too. 

Si

All text and images copyright Cream Crackered Nature 25.10.23

Watertown

 I've had an active weekend, lots of pics I'll show you over the next few days.

This is despite the fact that some of my normal walking routes have been blocked off by the flooding from the Rivers Trent and Devon. They went high with snow melt from the Derbyshire hills initially, and then the heavy rains of the end of last week sent them well over the banks.

Riverside Park opposite the castle was flooded, most of the land beyond Mill Lane bridge is a lake, and finally our poor cricket ground finds itself completely underwater again. 

I really hope that the water clears quickly and the new grass we had after last years flood isn't destroyed. 

It's been a horrible week. More virulent and deadlier strains of covid got me down rather; it all felt endless again. 

Just got to hang on in.

Si

A Muddy Trek to Winthorpe Village

 Decent weather this afternoon meant I felt like taking myself out for a couple of hours, and wondered where I could walk that I haven't visited in a while, and wouldn't be a mud bath.

It was always optimistic thinking anywhere would be an easy walk today, and so it proved, although to be fair my trip to Winthorpe wasn't all that bad, and rather better than Clay Lane, say, would be at this time of the year. 

It isn't an attractive walk at all, it's rather featureless, in common with anywhere maintained for serious angling, I find. It also takes you under various road and rail bridges, and alongside a sewage works. 

Lovely.

However, saw some interesting birds; colourful deep pink bullfinches in the hawthorn heshes, and a lovely group of reed buntings. In Winthorpe village, there were long tailed tits and chaffinches and above isolated gulls rode the breezes. 

Not such a bad trek, occupied a couple of hours, had a nice listen to the radio, and got my 15000 steps in!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 29.12.20

Today the Bees are out Hooray!

I went for a walk to the park this morning, as is my habit, and when I made my way along the bright yellow lock gardens, photographing the cowslips there, I came across a golden flash, and lo and behold a bee landed on the cowslips and began to feed!

First honeybee of the year, and a bee far too busy to be photographed! It moved across to have a go at the primroses, then flew off into the locked garden proper.

There was another on the blossom in the park, another speedy bee went past, again not interested in posing for a photo. But it was on the strange setting on a concrete windowsill, that a bee stopped for a quick rest in the sun. It was no wonder that it needed one, as its saddlebags were looking rather heavy, but it meant that I was able to really test out my newish cameraphone and I'm rather pleased at the results.

When I was walking in the afternoon, the sun had gone, and the wind had got up so no more buzzers on the wing. I went out to our cricket ground, and it's still a lake, decorated by the wreck of our club captain's old car that was wrecked by the floods, and then broken into with an angle grinder.

I hope everyone is still well, take care out there.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 07.03.20

The Town Lock Gardens

It's been another stormy day, with a freezing wind cutting through coats and gloves in the outside world. However we have been spared any rain today, and although as you can see below the river is still angry, it made being outside just a little more bearable.

The town lock gardens, although not yet open to the public, have a fantastic border next to the lock  - and less romantically the sanitation station - and it has provided stunning colour during these grey days.

In other news bowling in the nets is making my knee bloody sore.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 01.03.20

A Fresh Dose of Blossom

Another weekend, more flooding, another storm. Jorge is busy whipping through the Midlands, as I type this my plants outside are preparing for another few hours of being knocked over in their pots.

At least the new blossom hasn't been blown off the trees, although the magnolia pods are being blown off the branches and lying on the floor, looking like the sort of furry testicles contestants on "I'm a Celebrity" have to eat.

I haven't got the heart to visit our cricket ground, but the River Devon has burst its banks for the millionth time this winter and you can see where the park runners have been diverted to avoid going waist deep in the floods; their footprints have churned up the paths in different parts of the park. I wish I could be doing that again but I'm always shattered on Saturday, and I'm worried about my knees and hip.

I noticed last evening that the Blackbirds have started singing deep into the dusk, one was giving a real blast last night somewhere near my garden.

Still haven't seen any bees, but as soon as we get warmer weather they will be out chaffing away, not to mention some chiffing as well.

When that happens, and the first brimstones fly, we will know that Spring has begun.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 29.02.20

The Formerly Flooded Farndon

Determined not to waste a Saturday despite a strong breeze as the latest somewhat milder storm blew through, I headed off for Farndon after doing such exciting things as buying a new kettle and toaster.

Living it large eh?

Earlier in the week the Trent at Farndon had burst its banks and flooded right up to the Wyke Lane, leaving the Boathouse pub literally that, although they still let in customers through the back door.

The flood waters however have receded pretty quickly, and now only the Willow Holt nature reserve is still underwater really, which it often is in winter anyway being very low lying. Wyke Lane was blocked though so I had to divert round.

There's still plenty of flowers on view; the verges are full of snowdrops albeit a bit past their best, and the little green by the pub is covered in crocuses. Every so often a few geese flew by, in the opposite directions to the stubby cormorants who always remind me of Star Wars X wing fighters in flight, and are deadlier even than them to fish.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 22.02.20