Boxing Day

I’m sat listening to some rather chilled out music while the wife watches Downton Midwives on the telly. It’s grey, blustery, but not actually raining at present. Had a lovely day yesterday with family and off to see everyone later on this afternoon. I’ve seen the flood warnings circulating (AGAIN!!!) and I’m just being extremely thankful that it’s not us and extremely sorry that anyone has to go through this even once, never mind 2 or 3 times, as has happened over the last 2-3 weeks.
For those of you who don’t know the Lake District, the A591 is still shut, cutting the link between the south Lakes and the north. One alternate route goes through Glenridding – you’ll probably have seen that on the News – which has already been subject to 2 bouts of severe flooding. The other alternate route means a detour of about 60 miles via the M6. I appreciate that everyone in the south of England will think that we’re getting a bit paranoid up here, but you can’t help but think that if something equally disruptive had happened in the south east, vast quantities of money and manpower would have been thrown at the situation to get it fixed ASAP. For Cumbria, however, re-opening this road seems to be a long time off.
Just to add to the paranoia, in the summer a great chunk of Central Lancashire was without water…… for 3-4 WEEKS! When the schools returned after the summer holidays, some had to be supplied with bottled water as the mains supply was contaminated. Cafes, restaurants and hotels had to supply bottled water to guests and householders had to boil all water for consumption, tooth cleaning etc. I wonder what would have happened if this had been in Kent?
And guess what……. it’s started raining again. When you’re having a moan about crap TV, grotty relatives, endless turkey etc., please spare a thought for those who are cleaing mud, sludge and sewerage from their homes…. some for the second or third time this month and perhaps click HERE to help.

Above is Appleby earlier this month.

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