Flood

Flooding in town last night. We were out for dinner at a pub, rather inauspiciously situated between the canal and the river, celebrating a friend's 60th, a five month old baby of the company. It had rained hard, at times torrentially all day, but it was only over the pudding course that it became apparent what was happening outside - a waitress came and told us the road was closed a short distance away... rather swiftly we realised it was time to leave, and literally paddled, ankle-deep in fast-moving water, which seemed to be overspilling the canal, to the road, crossed, and were able to take a circuitous route to avoid the flooded part of the main road. Further on we had to divert again - fortunately we know all the little back ways and steps in town... but walked without problem down Bridge Gate, where the roiling brown river looked all set to burst its banks but had not yet done so. Our other friends, including the baby, were in cars and had various adventures. The three with the baby never got home at all, but had to stay the night with friends, the others found their way to the next town by the top route. L and I walked home through the torrents, arriving safe and extremely wet and windblown around 10.00. About two hours after we walked through town, the whole town centre was under water, so rather fortunate that we left when we did or we too would have been knocking on friends' doors. The Handmade Parade has been postponed, and the organisers are hoping to get the go-ahead for next Saturday. It is to be hoped the park will not be under water by then...