Before the 2009 floods this was an unsurfaced lane with a blackthorn hedge along the riverside. There was a an abundance of wild flowers along the banks and always some wildlife to spot from herons to dragonflies and occasionally the kingfishers or an otter.
Then came the floods and washed away the hedge and peeled away the river wall.This picture was taken after the water had dropped a couple of metres.
This was the mess that we were left with that prevented any vehicular access for 14 months. We had a long drawn out hassle with insurers and engineers till at last the river wall was rebuilt with the final top row only going on this summer.
Then came the floods and washed away the hedge and peeled away the river wall.This picture was taken after the water had dropped a couple of metres.
This was the mess that we were left with that prevented any vehicular access for 14 months. We had a long drawn out hassle with insurers and engineers till at last the river wall was rebuilt with the final top row only going on this summer.
Because the lane is a public footpath we got up a petition to get a proper surface put on and this week the tarmac arrived! Funny to think that there has probably been a track along here for a thousand years to the mill and the mill beyond and yet this is the first time there has been a surface on it. It looks a little manicured at present but hopefully we will be able to encourage something to grow along the riverbank pretty quickly.
At the end of the lane where those stones are there was a clump of Sweet Cicely with its heady aniseed smell to the crushed leaves. I can remember it being there when I was small so it must have been very well established. It, of course, was washed away in the flood so you can imagine my delight when I found a seedling just at the corner of our field garden. Once we get some better weather it will be transplanted to the bare patch. :o)
So that is our three year session over. My heart goes out to all the people who were flooded recently as they are just started on the journey. Only can hope that lessons have been learned from floods that have gone before.
Now to think about getting ready for Christmas! :o)
4 comments:
Ros, it's noticeable that, since our 2007 floods, extra vigilance is paid to keeping storm drains clear. Leaves are swept and cleared assiduously and during this last spate of heavy rain, things stayed reasonably clear. It's a rotten way to learn a lesson, especially when good folks such as yourselves suffer the consequences of their lack of care, but here's hoping your smart path will be well used and settle gently into the landscape.
It's been a long haul for you, hasn't it?
Hi Ros,
I am so pleased the misery is at last over. You have been very patient.
It's all looking very posh now and will look even bettter when it is all bedded in.
Thanks Gill :o)
In our case it was just how high our two rivers rose in such a short time and how quickly they broke their banks. A lot of flood defences have been built in town since and we have the first self rising barrier in the UK nearly completed so the town itself should be safer now.
Whether it will force our water higher we have yet to find out-hopefully not.
Great relief to draw a line under it though. :o)
Thank goodness its finished now. Its been an awful long time for you.
Its looking good - enjoy driving up it!
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