The Road to Wales

coming home

The winter of 2013/4 is officially the wettest on record, with rain possibly every day for months on end. In places the amount expected for a month was falling in one day. The result was extensive flooding around many rivers in Wales and England.

Farmland, now a lake

Having included many aspects of South Wales in this blog I felt I should also include this particular phenomenon. Perhaps it will be a regular occurrence every winter, or just a one-off. We shall see. As I travelled back to Wales the other day, I took an opportunity to photograph some of this flooding.

Swans making themselves at home...

Although the Welsh always complain about the rain, it is the reason our countryside looks so green and lush most of the year.

The historic bridge at Monmouth. The water subsiding.

Swans are enjoying this impromptu island, created by the debris brought down the river by the extensive flood waters. When it was safe to do so, this was cleared away, to help water flow.

Monmouth football field (water polo?)

Now, in March the pattern of storms seems to have changed and we have had a few sunny days, but the ground everywhere is still sodden and once grassy expanses have become muddy bogs. The feet of people and dogs and horses hooves just ploughing up footpaths to make them impassable.

At the moment, if you come to Wales to enjoy the countryside, then bring your wellies!

View of river Usk from the ancient bridge