Paranoia sets in

It was Barbara's birthday last Wednesday. The event was overshadowed by the growing list of friends and acquaintances who have been flooded. In fact, Barbara spent most of her birthday trying to find people who weren't answering phones. All were traced and all are well. The numbers of people affected around the city is huge so we are the lucky ones. We have ordered our sand bags although what we will do with them when they arrive I have no idea. I have found the ultimate paranoiacs web site in this situation, weather radar pictures.
I was getting a bit stir crazy and a bit guilty. I had planned to buy Barbara a large plant for the garden for her birthday. Just as well the weather came. I persuaded her to come with me to B&Q and select one. When we got there, there was nothing she liked either for outdoors or indoors even though I'd have bought something! Not wanting to waste a trip, I joined us both in the Diamond Club for the over-60s. I've been meaning to do it for ages so it seemed a good idea. It gave Barbara something to tell everybody. We went up to Home Farm for tea. I wasn't as impressed as I have been before.
Another exciting day on Thursday. Barbara had been going on a trip with the Wives Group but that had been cancelled because of the weather. Instead, we went in to town and got Barbara her bus pass! She had also spilled tea on her summer weight dressing gown and so we got her a new one too. A spot of lunch and then up to Morrisons for the shopping. Oh what a gay social whirl. Mind you, I did go up to the pub for the quiz. Didn't do very well though. Colin the inquisitor is setting the questions and they aren't as easy!!!
Friday was Braves Guild. It went ahead even though one or two people were elsewhere due to the floods. The weather was kind and it went well. I went and did a bit of shopping while the turn was on and then we got everyone back in their transport and came home. We had been without Gladys at Braves as she was celebrating her 90th birthday. She was having a celebration at Good Fellowship down Cottingham Road and we were invited. We arrived at the same time as Roy, one of the helpers and his wife Eileen who helps when we aren't there so we joined them for the evening. The only other people we knew were from Braves but Gladys has been in the British Rad Cross for 45 years so she has touched lots of lives. The evening was excellent with super entertainment so we didn't leave until nearly 11pm.
Saturday, PARK came across. They picked up Lisa on the way and arrived just in time for lunch. We had booked a meal at 6pm at the Saffron in Willerby to celebrate Barbara's birthday. Alan called on his way home from work and collected Lisa to get ready. They came back when they were ready and Barbara and I went with them to the restaurant. Once more, the food was excellent. I was "pogged" after my main course and so was Rowan. He was complaining about his full tum and wanted to go home. I suggested we could walk and he instantly agreed so we left the gannets to their puddings and set off to walk. He is good company when he wants to be and we chatted until his Mum and Dad passed us and picked us up much nearer to home than to the restaurant.
We were up early on Sunday for the early Communion and Prayer Breakfast. It was Rev. David's last one. I hope our new minister continues them. I really enjoy the fellowship and worship that we have at the Communion. As PARK were here, we didn't stay for the morning service. Once we got home, we decided, as the weather forecast was not promising, we would go to the cinema. The latest "Shrek" has started so we went to the 1pm performance. It was okay but now we expect it to be great. We went into the cinema in fine weather and came out in fine weather but it had apparently deluged a couple of times while we were in there. It hasn't rained since then except for a10 second shower in the afternoon. Just as well really as we are having a couple of windows replaced this morning. We spent the evening after PARK had gone getting ready for that. Dis connected the TV etc. so went to bed and watched the late news. Up early this morning awaiting the workmen who arrived late as they were just back from holiday and their van wasn't ready. Still, I have caught up with this.

The water's getting closer

First of all, apologies to anyone not from around Hull!

We got back from a weekend away(more of that later) to find the water level around the house was getting higher and higher. Just getting here was a major achievement. We drove down from Northumberland and the rain started as we were passing through Teeside. It got worse as we came South. We stopped off at York for a bite to eat and to do some shopping and realised how much it was raining as we got out of the car. However, it was when we carried on our journey that we knew we were in for a struggle.

First of all, the main road into Hull, the A63, was closed. Then as we were heading down the A1079, we heard that Market Weighton had been closed off and the A1079 through Bishop Burton was flooded. That meant another approach to Hull was closed. We were able to go around the Market Weighton bypass but the water flowing down the A1079 and the A1034 had meant the road into MW was closed.

We ventured against the flow of water along the A1034. We went off through North Newbald and over the hills via Little Weighton and Skidby. The bottom of Little Weighton hill was awash and there was a steady flow into Skidby as well. We headed towards Willerby but found the road closed so did a turn and went through Cottingham towards Priory Road. We found the traffic on their nose to tail but moving slowly. The water was pretty high along the section through the fields easing off as we got towards Willerby Road. That was closed at the bottom of Spring Bank making Priory Road even busier. From there, we headed for home only to find the Avenue closed so we turned round again and went back up to come down Spring Gardens. The top of there was flooded but not as bad as Priory Road so we came through slowly and the rest was clear until we got to the Avenue. However, there was only a sheen up to where we turned into our road.

Unfortunately, that sheen got heavier! The water started pooling in front of the house and, by the time it had stopped raining at around 9pm, was up to the garden wall and reading to start on the drive. Strangely enough, the water level in the back garden had already started to drop by then. It had been halfway up when we arrived home but, as the amount of rain lessened, the level fell. We had a lucky escape. We watched the level at the front for an hour or so and then went to bed hoping no more rain would fall. Apparently there was over 100mm of rain yesterday.

This morning, the level had fallen slightly and I waded into the garage to retrieve our Wellington boots. I walked along to the Avenue and took this photo. The water has been very slow to go. At 4pm, it has just about cleared our road but there is still quite a lot in the Avenue and the next roads along.

Several houses in the Avenue have been flooded and some further around our road too. Barbara has been speaking to our friends as lots of arrangements were cancelled and there are numerous tales of woe. At least 10 of them have had some water ingress. All across the City there are people flooded out, cars abandoned, schools and businesses closed. The size of the problem is only to be guessed at. Most people have not been able to get help from the emergency services or council. They were at full stretch saving life and limb. Unfortunately, they couldn't save the life of one young chap close by who suffered a nightmare death as the water rose around him. It doesn't bear thinking about.

We took the advice of the emergency services and didn't travel to PARKs. I suspect the main roads are getting back to normal but it would be foolhardy to leave the house with more rain forecast. Although what the hell we could do is questionable.

What to wear!

It's pub quiz night and I have been in shorts and T shirt all day. Now do I venture out like that and get soaked? Is a puzzlement. I managed to get away with it at PARKs. In fact, I even caught a bit of sun as I played football in the drive. The rain only came on Tuesday evening. We were sat watching the box when the fireworks started. The thunder and lightning were quite spectacular from PARKs window. They weren't as spectacular when we were trying to sleep at 3 in the morning.

Our new jalopy performed very well on the run across to Leeds and back. Any lingering worries about motorway performance were blown away. I drove there and concentrated on maintaining a steady average to see how the fuel went. Barbara drove back and had to be restrained a couple of times when she was dragged along behind some speed merchant. I went to top up the tank today and reckon we averaged 45mpg which isn't bad over three days. We'll see how we go this weekend.

We are going up to Seahouses for a couple of days with the intention of going out to the Farne Islands. As usual, the weather is unsettled when we get the bags out. I reckon that we ought to be paid to take our holidays abroad by the British tourist industry. Whenever we plan something the weather takes a nosedive. Have we packed the right sort of clothes. Only time will tell.

Been reading Genesis 6. Noah had the right idea!

I have been in some torrential downpours around the world but the one on Friday morning must rank among the worst I have seen. It really hammered down. I regret not taking any photos but, at the time, all I was thinking about was how we were going to get to places. We had committed to picking up the new car on Friday morning. We got all our stuff together and got the old car out and ventured out. Our back garden had quite a lot of standing water but the Avenue was horrendous. A car preceded us and we wondered if he was going to make it. We went very slowly because a bow wave could have caused flooding in some of the properties. On the main roads it was still bad but there wasn't as much standing water.
We got to the garage and did the car exchange. However, our main concern was getting about so we took the car about 200 metres to the park and ride and left it there and went into the town. We went to Hull Braves Guild where people had tales to tell of problems getting into town. The "turn" hadn't managed to make it so Barbara G. asked Roy if he would do his karaoke. He didn't do too bad at short notice but don't tell him I said so! Poor Wendy went out and had her purse stolen. She was going on holiday on Saturday morning. Just when you think things are pretty low, other peoples problems show you that you are on top of the world.
We went back and picked up the car and drove it to Sainsburys and then home. I had a bit of a to-do with the Smart key entry when we got back. It kept beeping at me instead of locking. It took me a while to realise that Barbara had left her keys inside.
We were meant to be playing host to Amanda and Kirsten while Philip and Rowan went caravanning with Andy and Matthew. The weather put paid to that. The site was waterlogged, Andy couldn't get near his house with the car because of flooding, his wife's car had a duff alternator and his garage was flooded. It was decided to call the weekend off. So we had all four of them to stay with us. We had the catering capability and got on with tea. P&A were watching the "talent?" show so I got out of the way later on and prepared for Saturday morning.
I had signed up for a spell of prayer at the prayer day we were having at Church. It was just what I needed. I got up and had some breakfast and then walked up to Church. I had said I would lead the communal prayer at 9am and then do the half hour prayer in the vestry at 9.30am. My intention was to leave then but I went and joined the people for what I thought was the communal prayer at 10am. Instead it was a testimony from WL. Again, I can't say just how much it refreshed my "batteries"
When I got home, everyone was ready and we walked round to Lisa's and she walked home with us. There was a shower as we got into the avenue so we all got wet but it stopped shortly afterward. After lunch, PARK went out to meet ACMJ at Big Fun a local kids activity centre. I took Lisa out for a short ride in the new car rather than sit at home.
We were going out with Pauline and Alan at the start of the celebrations for Barbara's birthday. We went to Saffron restaurant where we had our usual excellent evening. The food is excellent and we had the Chilean Merlot that we have always had. It goes down a treat. We got back just as Lisa and Alan were leaving. They had joined Phil and Amanda for a takeaway. I was replete and, once Pauline and Alan left, headed for bed. Barbara came up a bit later and removed the book I was trying to read and switch off my light!!

No need to water now!

It was supposed to be Rowans sports day on Tuesday but we got a message from Amanda to tell us it had been put off until Wednesday as it rained most of Tuesday early morning. Sod's Law, it was fine here and didn't start to rain until we were about to set off to pick up Rowan at the normal time. We got across there and it was fine and dry so the sports day could have gone ahead. In the event, Wednesday's forecast was poor too so the new date has been set for next Thursday.
I think I have turned the weather. I put up the fly screens at the patio and back door. Always tempting fate. Monday was a day for little chores. I did odds and sods around the house and garden. Barbara had been to the hairdressers in the morning so I popped down and saw Kevin in the afternoon for a tidy up.
It's well into walking season and Barbara's group were going to the North Cave nature reserve so I asked if there was room in the car for me to tag along. I enjoyed it but I won't bother again. The boundary path isn't that far and the group of ladies went at it at a great pace. I prefer a more leisurely approach examining the surrounding area and seeing what's about. We went down to North Cave afterwards and caught the landlady out. Twenty or so shandies and tonics etc take a while and she had a darts match in the other bar and was by herself. I must say she coped well and didn't lose it.
On Tuesday, while the feloowship was here, I went down to the garage and had a look at the new car. They had brought it across on Monday and will service it and valet it before we pick it up tomorrow. It looked okay and should scrub up well!
On Wednesday, I arranged to meet Derek, my brother, for lunch. I wanted to do a bit of shopping by myself in preparation for Barbara's birthday. I haven't really got any inspirational ideas as yet. I caught the train into Leeds from Woodlesford. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the fare. It was on £1.70 return. It's on five minutes to the stations from PARKs so pretty convenient. I got in fairly early and then Derek was delayed. Still we met up eventually and had about 80 minutes to chat. I feel a bit guilty really as I have only seen him once since I retired. Still he has had a radical change of life recently and has plunged into it with enthusiasm.
It really has been miserable today. Still, the water butt is awash and everything has greened up. No need to go round with the watering can either. We have been shopping for food and then Barbara went shopping for clothes in Hessle while I caught up with correspondence. She came back for lunch and then we both went into Hull so we could visit the building society and then trailed around the shops again. At least the Hessle visit had been productive because the Hull one wasn't!