Desperate Measures

One storm follows another.  franklin has raged here most of the day, winds gusting as strong as Eunice and some violent rainstorms too.   Up in the hills the combined effect of these successive extreme events is playing out right now, the run-off from all the rain falling on already saturated ground has seen reports of flooding on a never seen before scale across all the inland areas.   Record river heights have been recorded, roads and bridges closed, cars abandoned and folk stranded.   We're staying put!

Earlier in the day, I cooked Jambalaya for the first time, using spices Ruth had ordered.   A simple enough meal to prepare but very tasty, we used chicken and chorizo instead of prawns.  Meg had a very blustery walk when the rain stopped and I spent the evening at Jamie's.   Katie joined us, she's experiencing some very chronic pain at the moment and out of hours GP suggested hospital for assessment but with the conditions as they are it's unlikely she'll get taken in immediately, any thoughts I had of providing transport evaporated quickly as news of the flooding came in.   If we had gone south to Aberystwyth we'd have found the road home closed behind us.   A check of her meds supply helped us ensure she has taken everything possible from her supply and she's sleeping in Jamie's recliner tonight, more comfort there than in her bed ... and Bella for comfort too.   

I'm working five of the next seven days, a long time since I did a full week's work.   No new visitors arriving tomorrow at a guess but at least those already here can't leave us either!

Narcissus yepesii, a member of the Narcissus pseudonarcissus tribe which give us the common trumpet daffodils.  The name is now invalid I think, it being just a regional variation but it's a pretty little thing, flowering safe inside my cold frames, protected from the battering winds.  An emergency blip, snatched after dark.