I stopped on the way to and from Swansea today to take photos of the flooding in the Towy Valley (something which happens regularly because of the confluence of the Rivers Cothi and Towy, and the wide flat flood plain all the way between Llandeilo and Carmarthen. Above and below is the view upstream from the bridge at Nantgaredig. The trees delineate the normal banks of the river Towy at this point.
Downstream, heading towards Carmarthen and the sea.
We came back by the route which allowed me to take some photos of the flooding higher up in the Towy Valley. This is right by Dryslwn Castle.
A little to the right of the photograph before this is the hill with Dryslwn Castle atop it. Look to the left. The valley we live in is the cleft to the top right of the photo. "Interlocking Spurs" I believe this is called (about the only term I remember from Geography at school).
A slightly different angle, looking downstream. The village you can just about see 1/4 way down and in on the left would be Pontargothi.
This flooding would have been more extensive yesterday. Our own river has dropped about 4 feet overnight and today because there hasn't been much rain, but there are heavy downpours forcast for tomorrow and Tuesday and again on Christmas Day.
We stopped in the Castle car park to take a few more photos.
Swans with some biggish waders with long beaks. Not sure if they are Curlew, Whimbrel or what. Update: my friend Fi tells me they are Black Tailed Godwits - that's a first for me.
Trees were submerged to several feet up their trunks.
Above and below, Dryslwn Castle against the kyline. It has seen flooding like this thousands of times before.
Keep warm and dry all . . .
