Pre-sippy-tay-shon

Norfolk is the driest county in England. However, has been not quite the case this past week, as severe flooding has hit the area – one house had water rise 6 feet in the house within 45 minutes! The River Wensum, which is right by my house, is much higher (and faster) than usual, though not quite to the point commemorated by a plaque on the side of the Anchor Brewery (now converted into posh flats) which states the level the water reached in 1783 or something.

[On a side note, here is a listing of defunct breweries in the area. Bullard and Sons, Anchor Brewery is listed as being on St. Miles Bridge, about 4/5 of the way down the page.]

There was grand thunder on Wednesday night and heavy rain both Wednesday and Thursday nights! My shoes were soaked through after walking home from knitting group in streams of rain flowing down the cobbled streets.

My favourite juxtaposition of colours is blue-blue sky with sunshine, angry-grey clouds framed by white puffy ones, this all reflected in water lined by green-green trees and red-red poppies. Even if there is no green and red, the blue-grey-sunshine combo is just vibrant and always gives me chills. This is very hard to capture with a camera.


Yesterday, on and off deluges between the most gorgeous blue skies. Went to Springwatch Festival in Chapelfield Gardens with Clem (from work), Richard and Clem’s mom, Ferne (what a lovely name!). Monty and Speedy (the puppies) were also part of the outing. A lot of cities in Britain have these, and most were held last weekend (now, don’t say this is Normal for Norfolk…) and they are to kind of encourage people to take advantage of beautiful nature now that the sun has arrived. The theme was Do One Thing…

Norwich is one of 15 cities taking part in BBC Breathing Places, and people are being encouraged to Do One Thing to help both the environment and also to make their cities a better place for wildlife. There were free wildflower seeds to encourage butterflies in your garden and one tent had birdhouse components to buy for £2 and then build with your kids. The area in front of the tent was crammed with all these little groups of kids constructing and hammering their little birdhouses together – so CUTE!

Last night, Sally (from work) had myself and Sumiko (from work) and two more friends over for dinner. It was quite lovely, I brought cookies, and Bear and Moose got their pictures taken on the mantle. (There are more pictures of Bear and Moose from their trip from America, which will be posted shortly.)



Some other things accomplished this week:
* BT installed (therefore internet at home! hoorah!)
* joined library
* baked cookies (Nestle Toll-House is a big hit with the Brits)
* got TV License (so can watch TV legally and without fear of prosecution)
* drank no caffeine on Saturday
* cleaned fireplace as thoroughly as possible with small dustbroom (this was a challenge)
* indulged at The Futon Company (this was entirely a necessity)
* alarmed a taxi driver by cramming a futon mattress into the back of a black cab diagonally