The one thing that hasn't changed though, is how dry it remains. I took the photos below a couple of days ago, once again to emphasis the degree of drought that the reserve is suffering and despite the weather of the last 24 hrs they are still factual. The first below is the Flood Field and what is normally one of the large splashes of water in it, now bone dry and cracked up.
Alongside the Flood Field is the main distributor pump house. When ditches are full this can pump water in three directions, though we mostly use it to pump water into the Flood Field. Below the reeds you can see the end of the pump's suction pipe and it's square filter box. That is sitting just above the last inch or two of water that is left in the ditch, normally it is under three feet of water, or more!
Amazingly, despite being surrounded quite closely by areas on Thursday night that suffered violent thunderstorms and torrential rain, our little island got none of it. We eventually got 3-4 hours of rain yesterday afternoon but in the strong winds overnight and this morning, that has done no more than wet the ground to about a centimetre's depth, basically we're just as dry as we have been for the last three months.
It does seem odd that the drastic change in temps did not bring you more rain than it did. Hope you get a nice soaking rain soon. We are slowly settling into the rainy season. Right now, it rains almost every night anywhere from 0.10 to 2.3 inches of rain. Stay warm - I know we will. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAt times it does seem that our little island has it's own little micro climate Wilma, but rest assured there will come a time this winter when I'm complaining about the endless rain and posting photos of the flooded reserve.
ReplyDeleteHello from New York to you, Derek. I have visited Kent, but before now really know very little about Sheppey, and think I'm in for a treat. Just as I have learned so much about Yorkshire from the Weaver, I am now looking forward to finding out much about your island.
ReplyDeleteI did a quick review of your recent posts and saw your mention of the book about the MItford sisters...coincidentally, that book is reviewed, by Tina Brown, in today's NY Times Book Review section. I will look for it at the library.
Best wishes.
Thank you for having a look Frances, I saw you comment on Pat's blog. I can see that I will now have to up my output of postings. I do read your's as well, normally via Rachel's.
ReplyDeleteIt has been raining all day here in the South-West, I'm obviously getting your share!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly must be, we must be the driest place in the country at the moment, I think we're getting more moisture from overnight dew than rain.
ReplyDeleteYou are so terribly dry! I hope the rain gods start smiling on you...you most assuredly need it.
ReplyDeleteLinda