The valley is waterlogged, but you can’t see it. Our watermeadow and our neighbours’ gardens are under up to a welly boot’s height of water, which is obvious where the grass is short. Below are some photos that I took on Saturday. There were stretches of water in Diagon Alley, Little Venice and the main paths on either side. The only bits properly above water were Alder Corner, the mound on which the weeping willow stands, and Hard Knot Pass. (See Map)
The stream burst its banks on both sides and was lapping up at the back fence, soaking the alder saplings. The current was faster than usual. In fact, the entire watermeadow has a current as any floodwater flows across from right to left on its way towards the sea. We planted the alders and dug drainage channels to facilitate the drying up of the watermeadow after flash floods. This winter flooding will likely hang around for days or weeks at a time till March. We accept that as it we know it happens every winter.
Plant-wise, our patch is pretty much the same as the rest of the valley – the bindweed is dead, the nettles are slowly dying. The alders have lost their leaves. Only the grass looks fresh – and a clump of dock in the foreground. (see top picture)
