The aftermath

A week since the flooding from Storm Bert started and its rainfall has now almost gone from the meadows.

A tide mark of leaves swept against the fence less than a week ago shows how much the water rose and how quickly it has drained away.

The marsh is teeming with birds, and as I could now get to the sign I was able to update it.

That’s about everything that we saw on the marsh in November. An incredible list!

I started one for December

and in 10 minutes this was what I spotted whilst sat on the bench.

Anyone using the footpath still needs wellies but it is a whole lot dryer and that’s in under a week. I think the peak was Wednesday or Thursday and this is Monday.

Yet more evidence that the capacity for floodwater storage is nowhere near its potential.

As I left the meadows to walk back along the road I had a chat with one of the engineers at the roadworks. I asked if I could have some the old kerbstones.

He agreed to let me have 20 (!) so I now have enough to build the benches. I managed to float a couple of railway sleepers along the path when the flood waters were higher and moving the half floating timbers was quite easy. So now I can make some more seating along the path.

The walk back was grim, the noise of passing cars was irritating at best.

To get back to the railway line I normally go through the petrol station but a few minutes with a pair of secateurs opened up a route from the pedestrian crossing on the main road. It needs a bit more work but it made sense to put up a little sign.

The rest of the walk home was along the whole length of the old railway embankment now a tunnel through the trees that have grown and are now falling in the 40 years since the trains stopped running.

a sparrowhawk had recently eaten a meal on the branch. All that remained was a few soggy feathers.