Rain, rain, rain.....

It just gets worse.... It's been raining for weeks and weeks! Yes we have the occasional one off sunny day, but then it's straight back to the incessant rain. Tamworth, a few miles from my house is particularly badly effected.

This is the view from the old bridge. There should be a park, football pitch, a small stream with a footbridge. According to a soggy notice stapled to the gatepost, 'Tomorrows football practice has been cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.' I think 'waterlogged' is an understatement!

A truce had been declared among all the little animals scrambling onto the few remaining patches of dry ground. Some were late, too busy admiring the spectacle from the bridge!

Wartime defences were no defence....

A deep rumble echoed from under the arches of the old stone bridge as dark waters surged through, swirling out forming powerful whirlpools which had no problem pulling large logs beneath the surface.

No skating in the park today. A warning sign declares that 'suitable protective clothing should be worn at all times'....not sure what I could suggest!

Under the high main road bridge, the water was almost above head height!

These huge Sweet Chestnuts were having their lower branches torn off by the sheer force of water.

A mile or so from Tamworth is the community of Fazely. Here the river is held at bay by a polder, but it wasn't coping and the river was beginning to win. The environment agency bought in pumps....

.....but it wasn't up to the job. Worried residents gathered in groups while a bigger replacement was sort.

I'd be worried too if only this loose earth bank was all that was between miles of floodwater and my house! GOOD LUCK!!!!....