Today’s guest picture is another from camera club member Simon’s recent walk in our hills. It was so grey today that I thought we needed at least one bit of sunshine to brighten up the day.
Storm Dennis arrived softly but it was raining by coffee time and the wind got up as the day went on. Luckily we seemed to have been spared the worst once again but it was still a gloomy and miserable day.
Like the rain, the birds arrived slowly and a lone siskin started things off…
…although when it looked left, it saw a bird arriving…
…and when it looked right, it saw that another had arrived.
In the end it stopped looking around and concentrated on eating seed.
Once the siskins had taken over the whole feeder, new comers got a dusty welcome whether they came from on high…
…or on the level.
The rain occasionally eased off and the gusty wind dropped too…
…but it soon started to blow again.
I took advantage of a moment when the rain had dropped to a drizzle to walk to the shops and purchase some necessities. There was cheese involved. I was pleased to have the ample hood on my new coat to protect me from the rough wind.
When I got home, I checked to see what was going on in the garden. It is quite warm today at 10 degrees C and the early daffodils seemed quite perky…
..while some crocuses…
…had even defied the elements and opened their petals.
The rhubarb is still sulking. Following a conversation with our friend Mike, Mrs Tootlepedal is going to put a bucket over one shoot and try a little forcing.
After a quiet afternoon in front of the telly, I took a walk down to the Wauchope to see if the rain had caused it to rise. It was still pretty calm.
This was more than I was as I went home, because a tremendous gust of wind accompanied by a mini deluge of rain filled my wellies with water and got my socks wet.
I went out again at seven o’clock in the evening when the rain had stopped to see what was what.
The Wauchope was full but not alarming but the Esk was raging.
…and dangerously close to its banks.
Quite a few others were out doing some river watching too and this lady showed my some pictures of severe flooding in our neighbouring village Newcastleton, which is just over the hill from us.
We have more than enough water in our river so here’s hoping that we don’t get more. It was still rising even though the rain had stopped.
An orange street light at the suspension bridge showed how high the water is.
More strong winds and rain are forecast for tomorrow so we will just have to wait and see what happens.
A siskin is the flying bird of the day.
Tootlepedal's Blog 
It doesn’t sound like a dull day with flood warnings in force for Langholm and severe flood warning in force for Newcastleton! Take care Tootlepedal and stay safe.
Newcastleton had a severe flood but we escaped. They are on a flood plain and have had a lot of trouble overt recent years. We have had more trouble with water running off the hills than with flooding by the river but if this wet weather goes on, that may change.
Hope the Esk stays within its banks overnight. Sorry about your water filled wellie Said!
The feeders and flowers provide a bright spot on a rainy, gusty day. I hope the Esk calms down along with the wind.
It has been a rainy day here, but not windy. Just cold and wet. Mr. Chipmunk visited the feeder this morning to collect seed spilled by the birds.
The birds are a cheerful sight on gloomy days, I agree.
I heard about your storm on the radio here today. I won’t repeat it but I do hope the rain will stop. The river looks quite high.
I’m glad the daffodils and crocuses aren’t bothered by it.
It was nice to see the first rhubarb leaf starting to unfurl. It’s an amazing process each spring.
I always like to see the rhubarb developing as it starts off looking very complicated but ends up looking quite simple.
Good to see those signs of spring in the garden
I do hope you escape flooding
Sorry about the soggy socks but glad you managed to get in some essentials. The garden seems to be waking up nicely, though
It has been warm though wet and the garden needed some warmth.
May Dennis be gentle today.
He was. A ritual sacrifice of scones seems to have appeased him.
🙂
May your wellies be the only thing flooded. Stay safe!
We came through very well and as we drove to Carlisle today, you would hardly have known that there had been heavy rain locally.
Pleased you placed that lovely guest photo first to brighten everyone up before we saw those worrying photos of the Esk. Hope it all remained calm and the water didn’t get higher…careful where you empty your wellies- you don’t want to add to the flooding!
I may have slightly exaggerated the amount of water in my wellies for literary effect but happily the rivers went down as quickly as they went up and I didn’t add to the problem. 🙂
do hope you have missed the worst of it.
We have come through pretty well unscathed though there is still a lot of wind blowing and more rain to come this week.
Phew! I hope it stops raining soon.
It was pretty dry today.
Good!
The river looks scary. I’m glad I am reading backwards so I know it turned out ok; sorry your neighboring town had flooding.
They are fed up with it as it has happened quite a lot.