Cawood in Flood

The village I grew up in has always flooded. It was built by the river Ouse, just downstream from where the Ouse and River Wharf join. In the early 1980's, flood defences were built (much to the disappointment of the village school children who did enjoy the days off school). The fields on the other side of the river are a very effective flood plain and there are only 2 houses on that side. Very rarely is the flooding a surprise as York gets hit first so warnings are sent downstream with many hours notice.

This time there was concern that the water would be high enough to breach the wall. At one point Cawood Bridge was covered with water, but the army came and put a couple of layers of sand bags along the wall and all is well (except for the disgruntled villages upset at the damage to their shrubbery caused by the rough pruning techniques by the army to get at the wall...)

As ever, the children awoke wanting nothing more than a walk round the village via the ducks and the sweet shop. They were very excited by the flooding but less so by my detour to the garden centre for coffee and cake... Mum's rather full chest freezer then decided to go *poof* so a rather fraught afternoon was spent trying to get a replacement. But it is done and everyone is sort of happy!

Homeworks have been done. My new to me car is all sorted and the children are tucking into their tea while we await the arrival of my brother and his family. Then chaos really will ensue...