Thursday 14 March 2019

This and that.

Judging by various weather reports it would seem that we , here in North Yorkshire, have fared much better than folk in many parts of the country.  We have no doubt had torrential rain - the river has been over and the roads have been flooded (the fields by the sides of the road are still flooded, large pools lie on the roads and the flood signs are out), but each day we have had brilliant sunshine throughout the day and as long as one kept in a sheltered spot there was a feel of Spring in the air.   The rain seems to have mostly come during the night.   Long may it continue to do so (I expect this paragraph is tempting fate and I may arise tomorrow morning to a downpour - if so blame me).

Being driven through Wensleydale this af ternoon by friend W , on our way to the Residential Home for the Elderly in Bainbridge for our monthly sing song, I was amused to see that in the fields which had been flooded (where there are often fifty or so Canada Geese grazing) there were hundreds of Canada Geese - they had colonised the huge flood pools and were swimming up and down, really enjoying themselves.   It's an ill wind.

The elderly residents really enjoy our afternoon - we play the ukulele and we all sing the old songs they love - songs like Daisy, Leaning on a Lamp post, Side by Side.   They never fail to say they are looking forward to next month when we leave.   Two of the residents had passed away since our meeting last month - always a sad thing, but inevitable.   It does serve to remind one of one's own mortality.

I switched on our News when I came in, after taking Tess round the block for her last walk of the day.   But the Brexit news is all so appalling I couldn't bear to watch it at all.   I don't really understand any of the disagreements fully but I am beginning to think that none of our M P's do either.   The whole thing is in such a mess.  I suppose history will look back on it as just a hiccup but from where I am standing it looks more like a complete break down.  I keep telling myself I will neither watch the news or read the Newspaper  for the next few weeks, but then after a couple of days I am drawn to it again.   Was there ever such a mess?

13 comments:

Derek Faulkner said...

It's the relentless wind down here in Kent that's been a real pain. We've currently had around seven days of gales or severe gales and now another yellow warning has been issued for severe gales on Saturday. But, next week at last looks like being calm and possibly spring like - can't wait.

Gwil W said...

The front page here us about the traffic chaos on our motorways and main roads and how emergency service vehicles cannot find a way through. This has been a problem for years. Ever more large trucks, and ever more cars, and ever more road widening and road building. Vehicles pouring through this tiny land going from one end of Europe to the other. Sometimes I wonder if there's sense to it. In many cases were exporting the very same things that were importing. Just the labels are different. Or maybe the yoghurt has a slightly different flavor. Or the a poles are a bit redder or a bit greener. Or the tulips from Holland are really the bees knees and better than home grown. Or French bottled water on the shelf next to Italian when we have perfectly good water in our own taps and springs. We are exporting bottled water and importing bottled water. It's complete nonsense. Where will it all end?

Granny Sue said...

We still have standing puddles here on top of the ridge, even though it has not rained for almost a week--a miracle of dry weather! Planted some lettuce, etc, in a hot bed under glass the other day.

I have been following the Brexit issue since it began. It is difficult for me to understand why Britain wanted to leave in the first place, given the enormous amount of chaos it will create even if the exit is orderly--and it looks as if it will not be. I feel for all my friends caught up in this. But life will go on, won't it, and Britain will still be Britain in the end. And I am looking forward a great deal to visiting there this summer.

At the very least, it makes me feel better about the mess over here. At least we're not alone in our muddle.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

This wind is so annoying, walking out in open country I'm constantly buffeted by a strong wind and in the wood I feel as though a branch may fall at any time - that doesn't leave many places to walk. We were told that Brexit would mean that our own government would have more power; in light of what's going on at the moment that doesn't seem such a great idea! As my cousin (Granny Sue, above) says "Britain will still be Britain" and we'll muddle through.

the veg artist said...

There is a small wood just past the bottom of our garden, with an ancient lane going down behind the houses. The wind is creating a constant heavy howling in the trees, a noise that I find very hard to ignore, and I don't think we'll see the end of it until Sunday, according to the forecast. The rain has not been noticeably worse than we often get here in West Wales. As for Brexit - it will all be over, one day.

Heather said...

I think the wind has done more harm than the flooding. Trees have been blown down in some part of the country.
As for the news, I shall take comfort from the quote in the previous comment: Britain will still be Britain and we'll muddle through! However, I am ashamed and disappointed with the entire government, that they didn't at least try to work together for the good of the country bring about a satisfactory exit.

Anonymous said...

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'll tell you, we are in a real mess here in the USA. I have stopped watching the news and reading the paper - way too depressing. I think I am too old to put too much into all this - it will pass but by then I may be dead. LOL Mary Ellen from Wisconsin

Gail, northern California said...

Without a doubt we have a real mess on our hands, and sometimes I despair just like Mary Ellen from Wisconsin, giving myself break from watching or reading the news coming out of Washington but then I think "No, my country is just too precious to be ignored. There will always be hope where the American spirit thrives." Britain will muddle through too, says Granny Sue.

A Heron's View said...

In a word the situation in uk is HUBRIS.

Rachel Phillips said...

A bit windy but pretty normal for time of year. Don't know what the tv have been saying about the weather.

Catsngrams said...

Yes we here in the USA are in a mess also and I cannot wait until Trump is our so our country can get back to being normal. At least I hope. Heard the news about New Zealand and them saying the Bexit might be delayed? I keep up with the news as sometimes it makes me think I am glad I am this old and do not have to hang around for too long.
Carla

Librarian said...

The last two or three days were pretty awful here, weather-wise, with strong winds and plenty of rain making it feel colder than it actually was. We're supposed to have a reasonably nice Saturday but the rain will be back on Sunday. I don't mind, as we've had an extremely dry year last year and at least now groundwater levels should be getting back to normal.
As for the high winds, I do hope our flight to Manchester next Thursday will be smooth!
We'll be in Ripon from the 21st to 31st, and our diary is filling up rapidly with things to do, places to go and friends and family to see. It would be lovely to manage meeting up with you, Pat!

Tom Stephenson said...

I don't mean to be rude, but how old are the 'elderly' residents who you entertain with your renditions Weave? I had the impression that you are not in the Spring Chicken category yourself.