No, I'm not suggesting that you all over-indulge this January as my title might suggest, although we sure as hell won't be doing Veganuary, Dry January or any other marketing concept the man decides to throw at us by tapping into our insecurities in order to shift shed loads of units. This wet January in fact, started in late December and has "spilled over" into the New Year.
Once again our rivers are flooded. Almost a year ago to the day, we were in the same position. Tired of surrendering to the elements, we headed out on New Year's Eve to see Mother Nature's latest show of strength.
The ducks seemed unperturbed, enjoying a feeding frenzy courtesy of visitors walking off their Christmas pudding.
But the mighty Severn had once again breached its banks.
The little bridge to the far right of this photo was awash, but had yet to reach last year's levels (although by the time you read this, I'm sure it has). During our visit, the tweenies were getting their kicks, riding at speed through the water.
You really can't visit Arley without walking up the hill to the heritage railway station, passing the hamlet's solitary pub glimpsed here. Stopping is optional, but recommended. :-D
The station appeared to be deserted, save for a couple of volunteers, who were busy taking down the decorations left over from the Christmas Enchanted Express timetable. The Porter's Room was however, still clinging on to the last days of Christmas.
Just as we were about to leave, we heard the distant noise of a locomotive and decided to hang around. Within minutes, a diesel rolled into the station.
True to the old adage, you wait for one and then two come along at once. The diesel was quickly joined by a steam locomotive travelling in the opposite direction. We quickly ran up onto the bridge to reach the other platform before it departed.
It's hard not to feel like you've strayed onto a film set whenever one of these majestic beauties arrives. I hope these passengers were enjoying their trip! I'm not sure, judging by this man's expression.
I managed to capture the handing over of the token and after sharing the image on Instagram, was chuffed that BBC Midlands made it their photo of the day. I was even more thrilled when one of the volunteers subsequently purchased a high res digital download from me. Initially he wanted it as a laptop screen saver, but has plans to get a print framed to adorn the walls of his new home. Thanks Dougie! (There he is in the cap).
On New Year's Eve, despite an invitation to join friends in the pub, we ended the year on a lazy note. Neither of us could muster the courage to battle against the wind and rain and so enjoyed our own very loud kitchen disco before tuning in to Jools Holland's Hootenanny (a UK TV New Year's staple). I cried (again) at the tribute to Shane MacGowan (hormones?) and we stood in the street outside to watch the fireworks. Next year's "Not Going Out Cry-Fest" will be a ticketed event. Don't all rush at once!
As we entered the New Year (ahem, somewhat late in the day), Storm Henk ensured that the river levels were topped up. Once again, we find our region transformed into one of disappearing land and a transport network riddled with road closures due to flood water and rotten fallen trees.
At nearby Bewdley yesterday, we parked at the station (also on the Severn Valley railway line)...
...and navigated the muddy back alleyways to reach the centre of the town.
For safety reasons, the main route through town over the bridge was closed.
The barriers were up and whilst the river level was dangerously high, it's expected to peak tomorrow.
This side of the metal barriers is usually a bend in the road with the pavement beyond.
Sandbags were everywhere.
These sacks (evidence of the new barrier construction - not finished in time) had been claimed by the river.
It's hard to fathom how the residents must feel. The all-too-frequent disruption to homes and livelihoods might attract people like me, wishing to record the unfolding events, but it's so hard for those directly affected.
This year (a general election is timetabled for the second half of 2024), I'm going to give particularly serious consideration to who gets my vote. They will need to be taking climate change seriously and not just making and immediately breaking pledge after pledge after pledge.
I took a short iphone video of the river. Incidentally, it's brown because of the local sandstone. It's always this colour. As a child, I would always colour my rivers brown. Take a look at the fast flowing Severn here:
Can you believe, looking at this cold and flooded landscape, that we're in for the hottest year on record?!
Now is the perfect time to share with you this year's calendar choice. Here's the page for January (cropped so you don't see all of my secrets). It's a Crooked House calendar, featuring locals' photos of the pub in its heyday and site in the aftermath of its destruction. You can see Gareth's art installation centred around the fireplace he pulled from the rubble.
Particularly amusing, is the fact that the calendar is written in the Black Country dialect. So a brief lesson for non natives. It's not "Jan-u-ary" it's "Jan-u-erry" and I'm signing off today, "Therzdi."
See you soon!
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