Floods

This was as far as we got this afternoon as we tried to get through to Milnthorpe, having already been diverted by a flood just beyond Dallam.  We didn't risk going any further.  Here are the Halforth Marshes flooded by the River Kent.

Yesterday and last night Storm Desmond threw a month's rain down in 24 hours.  There are floods all over Cumbria and many people have been forced to leave their homes.  Carlisle, Cockermouth, Keswick, Kendal and more - for many a repeat of events in the last 10 years, since when flood defences have been much improved, yet to no avail for rainfall on that scale.  We met people who had come from villages and towns to the south, who had been affected by the major power outage in Lancaster.  We are lucky, we have had no power cuts, and living on a hill and over limestone, the water rapidly drains away.

More rain is forecast tonight, but let's hope it's a small amount this time.

If anyone is wondering how Gus is after his adventures last week, he has got his bounce back.  There's a photo of him in the Extras.  Thank you for all the kind thoughts and wishes.