Too wet to swim?

[shewhomust]

The road to the left of the railings is Elvet Waterside: that's where we park when we go swimming, down at the far end by the hotel. We put a residents' permit on the car and walk across Pennyferry Bridge (the white structure in the picture) and across the more expensive car park to the pool. We decided to take this morning off, and how right we were.

This morning was bright and showery, and I went to town and ran errands and took photos, and thought it would be easy enough to reach the pool tomorrow, though we'd have to pay to park the car. This evening it has been raining again quite steadily, and I begin to wonder.

Still, it could be worse: I don't have to go anywhere by road (many of which are closed) or train (many of which are cancelled). I didn't even try to go to the reading group in Newcastle, but stayed home, warm and dry.

Comments

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

HOLEE COW

I had no idea that there was flooding in Durham now. Shows how much attention I've been paying.

I am now going to search online for other recent photos of Durham's flooding.

ETA: EEP. I've just emailed the Forrester's. I'm hoping that Jack and Janet are ok too. I remember that Hallgarth St wasn't affected by flooding when J and I lived there; it was on higher ground. I'm hoping that's still the case...

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

DON'T PANIC!

Although the river was high, I was wandering around town quite normally yesterday. And today it's back within its banks, and we were able to park in the usual spot.

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

Were the words 'DON'T PANIC' written in large, friendly letters? ;-)

Glad to hear that things are getting back to normal. I'd heard back immediately from Margaret, who assured me that all was well. As I'd noted that she'd recently emailed *us* about a hurricane, we're starting to look for another horseman for the Apocalypse. ;-/

[lamentables.livejournal.com]

Eeep!

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Impressive, eh?

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

It could be worse. And I can't help thinking that expanding the swimming pool until it reaches you is not the most efficient way of going about things. Also, that this is an impressive amount of water - I hope it diminishes very quickly.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Surprisingly quickly: back in its banks this morning. And as you know, it'd have to expand a very long way to reach us!

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

The advantage of living in higher country is that floods diminish - still, it was impressive.

Webcam

[durham-rambler.livejournal.com]

There's a webcam on the Gates looking upstream at the castle and cathedral. There's a gallery so you can go back in time and see the flood water rising and falling.

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

Geez, thanks. Now I'll never get work done; I'll be watching the webcam.

;-/

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

Wow. That's...impressive. I'm pleased that there is a two-storey ditch with an expressway running through it at the end of my block. This doesn't mean that my house won't ever get flooded, but it does mean that if my house does, I will likely have been forced to move far away because the oceans have encroached too far.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Have you been to our house? (I can't remember...) We are quite a long way uphill. Some days I grumble about carrying shopping home; some days - like now - I remember to be thankful!

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

Somewhat related: I've been pinged by a young woman who is hoping to live/study in Durham. She lives in the US and has never been to the UK, let alone lived in a small northern town. She's asking me for advice and such about living in Durham and the UK, which I'm happy to give. But you and R might have a whole lot more insight, considering how long you've lived there. Might I send some of her questions your way as appropriate?

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Sure - but we don't know how things will seem to a young American...