Whilst we had a lot of rain these past couple of days (tail end of Hurricane Melissa I believe), and our River Wye is high and folk downstream on flood alert (Bredwardine and Hereford getting it), it was our old home, Carmarthenshire, which got hit really badly again. These are photos I took in 2020 I think. It was every bit as bad yesterday, if not worse. Danny struggled to get home with Emma, in the dark. Personally, I would have taken note of the Yellow Weather warning and cancelled bookings . . .
This was looking across the River Towy as you approach Carmarthen on the by-pass. The line of the river is normally 15 feet wide at most, towards the trees on the far bank. Carmarthen flooded again yesterday, as the river broke its banks at the bottom of Castle Hill . . .
Last night my friend's son had to drive through this flooded part to reach home, all the other roads to their smallholding being shut from flooding (as this should have been too). It was after dark, and the only guidance he had of the line of the lane, was the lights in the bungalow. He kept his revs up, but said that the water was coming up over his headlights and the car was beginning to float! My goodness, he was lucky that it didn't cut out for then he would have been floating backwards into the river and the speed that would have been going in spate, he'd have been lucky to escape with his life.
I had a very bad night - I was still awake at 3.30 a.m. and I feel absolutely wiped out today. I will have to force myself to do anything. I'm glad that Tam and Rosie are arriving later for a few days. I feel SO down in the dumps. I cannot balance the wonderful holiday in NZ against my anxiety levels and lowness of spirit at the moment. Since Keith died, when I am anxious about something (as I was about the Jordan holiday) it just becomes overwhelming and I find it so hard to face the challenges ahead. Once I get there I will be find, it's just I cannot find the positives at the moment.
But hey, it's stopped raining . . . got to get a positive into the day somehow!
Hello m’dear, thoughts and worry can indeed be overwhelming at times and I know first hand of the difficulty of raising oneself from the morass that it causes. It’s the smallest things that I find help the most…little wins like taking a walk away from the usual surroundings, trying something different to cook and eat, declutterring that filled up space (and mind) writing a blog post …you get the idea I hope. Tis not easy but the downs can be overcome lass no matter how overwhelming they may seem.
ReplyDeleteThank you John. I am not normally this low in spirits. I am much better now Tam and Rosie here - the little one is so busy that there is no time to sit and worry!! I did contemplate trimming some shrubs earlier, and they need doing soon, so that would be a positive.
DeleteThe heavy rain woke me up several times, and I'm feeling a bit tired today. Pembs doesn't seem too badly affected, with the odd road and a school shut, but I used to work in Carmarthen and remember the floods there, including those poor horses on the higher ground to the west, near the rail track. The planners said all the new stores and the sorting office would be fine, would never flood. But they never listen to locals!
ReplyDeleteAh yes, they never listen to the locals. Building on flood plains is so short-sighted. I think they were getting the wellies out at Aldi today . . . Glad you didn't have it so bad in Pembs. Haven't seen any horses in that field when I've been down recently, which is just as well.
DeleteMy goodness, those floods, very scary.
ReplyDeleteGrief and anxiety often go hand in hand, I'm glad you're having family over today x
Alison in Devon x
Floods are pretty nasty beasts. We had regular flooding when we lived at Ynyswen, and it seems to have worsened this last 10 years. Drier up here, I'm glad to say. Yes, grief and anxiety are great pals.
DeleteStorms are scary, they seem to be getting more extreme too. Driving into flood water is so dangerous, people need to learn to stay home. Most vehicles aren't intended to get flooded and may catch fire [even days later!] if the electric system is damaged. This is why I always have a Jeep
ReplyDeleteWe have a new red weather alert today-- ''Gale winds and low water'', boats and ships may run aground. Never had this before.
i empathize with your anxiety. Finally had to take a half dose of medication early AM, 4 AM. I couldn't travel like you do, you're doing really well.
love
lizzy
I will feel more positive once I am there, having achieved the flight. I will feel better when the last minute to-do things have been done (VISA etc).
DeleteNot heard of gales and low water before. Not a good combination probably, if you are on the water.
I hope your anxiety has eased too.
That look really scary. With all the rain yesterday, the culvert down the middle of the estate was in full flow, but today has gone back to its normal trickle. At least we didn't hear any fireworks last night! My back is giving me gyp, but I'm taking painkillers and keeping moving. I'm sorry you are so anxious about your trip, but I'm sure it will be fine and you will be back with lovely descriptions and photos which we will be looking forward too. Xx
ReplyDeleteI need to believe in myself a bit more. I have found an Air NZ sheet of exercises to do to keep the blood flowing etc when on long haul flights. All I can say is, if I do those every hour, the folk near me are going to be counting the moments until we land!!!
DeleteI'm in Pembrokeshire.. luckily on top of a mountain..the end of one anyway...yes, This county has been hit hard .not quite as severely as Carmarthenshire...but everywhere worse than in 2020.
ReplyDeleteIf I had started an hour later from Abergavenny, I wouldn't have got here
Oh goodness - didn't realize you were going to be in Pembs. Glad you are high up though and got there in good time, before the roads got really bad.
DeleteI've worked in flooded area quite a few times. I remember after a particularly long and draining shift I had to cycle through flood water, not clever but I was desperate to get home.
ReplyDeleteGosh, that's the last thing you want at the end of a long shift. Well done.
DeleteI’ve seen some pretty bad flooding on the Wye & Ithon in the past and I’m sure the bull was swimming down by the bridge if the tide mark I saw was anything to go by. The story of your friends son made me smile. When I was in my 20’s I used to do some road rallies at night, one time in my Mini I came to a local ford in flood. My navigator saw another car go past on the far side and said go problem was the water came over the bonnet and the back floated moveing to float off the ford so I opened the door to sink it. When I got out with the navigator to push it out of the ford I heard one of the Marshalls nearby shout it’s deep Bill. Dam right it was, we retired and went home. I found a stickleback in the car next day when I dried it out.
ReplyDeleteYes, the bull has been more than paddling a few times. I didn't go over the bridge today as there were traffic lights so I parked at the top end of town, but it didn't look like the Wye had been over the car park.
ReplyDeleteWhen you are young you take risks you wouldn't take now! Quick action opening the door to ground the car!
My goodness you in the UK are really getting some nasty weather lately. I hope the rest of the year is a bit better for you all.
ReplyDeleteSleepless nights are the worst. ((Hugs)) I hope the doldrums leave you soon.
God bless.
We were glad to move to somewhere drier, I have to say. Glad to be on the side of a hill and with trees to shield me from the worst gales. Doldrums have left - just been in tears (of happiness) when a photo of NZ mountains came up - can't quite believe I am going!
DeleteOh my gosh. The story of the young man driving through the high water was chilling.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you're all at loose ends. Take care.
I had a worry night on his account, I have to say.
DeleteAnxiety is a nasty beast…. So sorry you’ve been feeling so awful, but glad Rosie brings joy to your darkness…
ReplyDeleteRosie has brought such joy in the short time she's been here. Just hearing her meow!!
DeleteMy husband died 15 months ago. I read your blog which so often mirrors the way I feel about my life now. Richard was my best friend and we shared so much in common. I try to join new things and extend my “social” life but it is hard work and often ends in disappointment. Enjoy your holiday in NZ.
ReplyDeleteYou were widowed around the same time as me then Christine. We do seem to be struggling in a similar way. I had never been lonely before and it's not very nice. We both shared the same sort of marriage by the sound of it, and it is SO hard to lose that sort of relationship. (((HUGS))) please keep in touch.
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