Happy New Year

I can't believe it's only eight days since the floods in our little town. It feels like at least two weeks. Time, always strange at this time of the year, has become unrecognisable. A most extraordinary amount of energy and determination from the local community plus volunteers from far and wide, including the army (!) have achieved more than seemed remotely possible a week ago, and our local website now boasts a proud list of twenty shops and cafes open this weekend! My friend J, owner of a most useful van, has been working tirelessly helping folks clear their ruined possessions, piles of mud and rubble, and in one case the entire stock of the toyshop. She has seen a lot of distress as well as a lot of hope and hard work. We did what we could last Tuesday, our most significant contribution to date being the cleaning up of yoga mats and meditation cushions from the little Zen house in town which was badly flooded. There has been a fair bit of wandering around trying to help, where skips were being awaited, or miscommunication led to wild goose chases. Still, we all offer what we can.

Here, our efforts have been interrupted by L feeling unwell over New Year, and having to attend the out of hours primary care clinic at the hospital on Friday evening. All is well, I am happy to report, but it was a difficult and scary time for us both, and we are now feeling exhausted. L is uncertain whether some sort of allergic reaction to some of the molds and debris in town could be behind her unaccustomed shortness of breath, but nothing is certain. Only that her peak flow, and blood oxygen readings are very healthy for her age, and blood pressure only a little up. The 111 phone service, and the doctor at the hospital were incredibly helpful, kind and efficient, and once again I am awed by the wonder of the NHS (long may it live.)

In spite of all, we managed to make eight jars of marmalade yesterday and there are enough oranges to make the same again when we have the energy! It is pouring with rain again here today, which is not popular with anyone right now, but hopefully will not persist, and the good news is that river levels have fallen significantly.