I waited until the rain I wrote about yesterday had finally stopped, then set out with Ollie in bright sunshine. I was aiming for Beetley Meadows as usual, but soon discovered that around 40% of our usual walking area was under water.
This is definitely the worst I have seen it since moving here, a legacy of the rain that almost drove me insane over the previous 28 hours.
The seats of the picnic benches were submerged, and the water had not just burst the banks, the river was actually flowing at some speed in areas where we walk every single day. In the livestock field beyond, it was spreading almost as far as the busy Holt Road in the distance. Fortunately, there were no grazing animals there.
Ollie splashed happily through the freezing muddy water, but as I followed him I realised that it might well come over the top of my boots, and I was forced to retrace my steps. I decided to head across to Hoe Rough, which is slightly higher ground. Our arrival there coincided with a sudden hailstorm, which turned Ollie’s back white in seconds, and was hammering against the canopy of my umbrella.
It turned out that not only was Hoe Rough just as badly off for flooding on the north side next to the river, but some of the larger ‘puddles’ along the main path were also too deep for my knee-length boots. Some old trees had fallen too, the roots washed away by the flood waters. I may have to invest in some fisherman’s waders!
The second hailstorm that arrived was more than I could take, so we headed home. I had to take Ollie along the path beside Fakenham Road to avoid more standing water.
And even after using all four of his special dog-towels to dry him off, he is still damp to the touch.
We have an Atlantic storm arriving on the 26th. They say we will have ‘heavy downpours’ along with winds up to 80 mph.
At least tomorrow is forecast to be dry.
It’s freezing cold here…so I get your problem somehow btw I wrote something about you in my latest post🙈🙈. Go check it out and I missed you 🤗🤗💖
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We had a hard frost overnight, and only made it to 3C. I am betting that’s colder than India. I miss you on my blog every day, but I understand why you are not around, dear Suzan. Happy New Year, my lovely friend. xx
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It’s getting colder everyday. It’s 20•C here and it’s getting super cold day by day. Tomorrow it’s estimated to drop to 12 degrees. I am back pete. I just want to catch up on all blogs and comments so that I can post another blog by tonight
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I missed you too late and I promise now I am not going anywhere. I am here. Happy New Year!!!!
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You said there was something about me, but I didn’t see it. Maybe I missed it. But it doesn’t matter anyway. xx
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Okay, I realise now. Me complaining about the weather. Got it.
Happy New Year, my 19 year-old lovely friend with so much life ahead of her. xx
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Sorry, my former question about a better feeling on Christmas Eve is answered now. Lets see it as a Christmas gift to Ollie. 😉 Michael
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It is still badly flooded, though the water has receded a few feet.
Best wishes, Pet.
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Seems to be theme…..our walk was wet as well…..and a cold wind made the walk a bit chilly chuq
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Serious flooding locally here. Some roads are now impassable, and we have a big storm coming tonight. Seems like a fitting end to a shitty year.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Good point. WE have had freeze for the first time in about 10 years for Christmas. Be safe my friend
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Better get yourself a stick Pete, just to check how deep the water is in front of you….and a snorkel 🙂
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I have a very big/long stick mate. But my weight pushes me lower than the stick indicates at times. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Do you worry about your house/basement flooding?
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Not really. We don’t have a basement, and we are well over 400 yards away from the small river, on a very slight incline. Our outbuilding (Brick and timber shed) does flood regularly, from groundwater seeping through the concrete base. But it is rarely more than an inch or so deep.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Water wings for Ollie and a flat-bottom boat for you 🙂 Warmest regards, Theo
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A small boat is looking like a better idea every year.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Sounds like waders won’t be adequate. You may need to get some floaties (the blow-up arm bands).
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Considering I cannot swim, that sounds like a good idea,.Peggy. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Ah Pete, ah Ollie, what a walk! All weather is acting up. Be safe!
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The weather has changed beyond recognition, Lara. And it happened in less than five years.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It was to be expected, so say my Native friends. We were warned YEARS ago.
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I imagine they always knew. Some things are beyond explanation by science. 🙂
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Did you happen to run into Steve Zissou?
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Yes. He asked me to say hello to you. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Now Ollie can be termed as a merdog! And you a merman! Wow! Merry Christmas to you and your family! 😁
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Thanks very much, Shaily. The same to you of course. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, I grew up in Seattle, with 250 cloudy or rainy days a year…it does wear you down…
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It has been an exceptionally srange weather year, John. And winter has only just started!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Have you asked Santa for some new boots – those thigh high ones fishermen wear might be good 🙂 Hope you get a dry day from Christmas before the storm hits.
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Yes, I mentioned ‘Waders’ in a reply lower down., Mary. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Well we had snow on and off all day but everywhere was too sodden for it to settle (which is sad for me as I’d have liked a nice white world to photograph), forecast dry tomorrow, IF they’ve got it right. Stay warm and toasty Pete if you can, worse to come next week by the looks of things.
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Yes, the ‘Big Storm’ on Boxing Day, with winds up to 80 mph and weather warnings for most of southern England. I’m tempted to say “Bring it on”, but as I will have to take Ollie out in it, I will shut up. 🙂
Oh well, at least it is dry tomorrow here, and I don’t have to cook anything!
Best wishes, Pete.
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I do! 🙂
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Time to move Pete. As your pal said yesterday, life is too short to be miserable and Beetley doesn’t appear to make you very happy. I heard on the traffic news about the flooding your way. Not the driest county any more by a long stretch.
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Julie won’t move, Jude. We are too close to her family now.
I will just buy the waders instead.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Stay safe and dry. Luckily here it was ok today. I hope you have a nice Christmas.
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Thanks, Alex. You too mate. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yikes! It’s dumping buckets here right now, but no hail thank goodness.
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I am just glad that I live over 400 yards away from the river!
]Best wishes, Pete.
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