Witch Hazel, or Winterbloom, down St helen’s Close, brightens these January days. A few sheltered snow drops have also appeared.
The River Ock is higher today, as yesterday’s rainfall works its way through the system. The Ock Valley Walk is still clear and there is no need to wade through water.
We have had a lot of rain and large puddles have grown. On a rainy night, this is what the Market Car Park, in the town centre looked like . The car park is used by season ticket holders – mostly traders.
It also houses an area for waste / recycling. The cages are a recent innovation.
By morning the clouds have gone but standing water still remains. On Ferry Walk, just off Wilsham Road, such standing water is an obstacle for the elderly people who live there.
In the late afternoon temperatures rose to a balmy 5 or 6 degrees C
and a steamy mist rose from the River Thames around Saint Helen’s Wharf, and further afield.
Five new seats and five new bins have recently appeared in the Albert Park. This has led to a super abundance of litter bins since a lot of the old stone bins are still there – even though the broken and vandalised seats had to be removed.
In the Albert Park the thaw has led to some very slushy paths.