More Water

As the River Thames overspills its banks...

Things look quite different.

This coot swims across a footpath we normally walk along.

The red sign at Abingdon Lock warns 'Caution Strong Steam'. An aeroplane is coming over very low.

There are two boats moored on the reach between Abingdon Bridge and Abingdon Lock: Marnie II is still OK...

but B&B on Thames, Abingdon (aka Norah g) is in trouble.

Ock Dams

As the comments from yesterday's post say: the level of the River Ock has stabilised, and is receding further upstream.

This picture by John is what he calls the 'Ock Mini Dam.'

The environment agency have a notice in this week's Abingdon Herald announcing the demolition of St. Helens Mill footbridge. So unless anybody can come up with convincing environmental grounds why it should stay, it could be gone by the end of March.

This second dam is where the River Ock meets the Drayton Road. No plans to demolish this.

(For more Flood Pictures: see Gulliver's Travels, or NB The Green Man in the local blogs list.)

Snow Melt Flooding

Thanks to Mel who runs the jewel factory for this picture of the River Ock from a bedroom window in Meadowside at lunchtime. Mel says a fireman neighbour has a stake stuck near the growing river, and the river was still rising at 7 PM.

The Ock Valley Walk was completely under water when we went for our evening walk, and we did not attempt it.

Out on the Ladygrove Estate, the rising water can be seen here near Orpwood Drive as the sun went down.

Here it is round the playpark.

Tesco was evacuated a few minutes later at around 6 PM as the car park flooded. The water did not come across the carpark as quickly as during the July 2007 floods.

It's Hotting Up

Maybe not weather-wise but some of the shop window displays...

777's have been open since the weekend...

The Oxfam Goat is now backstage to Betty Boop.

and I see there is a Valentine's Day Men's Evening at Marie Lingerie from 6.30pm onwards on Thursday.

Slow going Snow

I read yesterday "Collections last week were severely disrupted by the weather. As a result, some collections scheduled for Wednesday and all collections scheduled for Thursday and Friday were not completed. The extent of the disruption is such that it has been decided not to attempt to catch up as this will have a knock-on effect, especially as more bad weather is anticipated..." It goes on to talk about double collections when the weather improves.

Birds must be having a tough time during this cold February. I would not normally get so close to these crows.

Thanks to Michael for this picture of some ducks on Thrupp Lake - the recently saved Radley Lake.

Pastures New

Two weeks ago Revd Peter Doll was presented with a copy of the picture at the back of St Nic's church, by the members of St Nic's. It shows the church in 1805.

Then last Sunday as a goodbye present he was presented this more modern picture at St Michael's. (Thanks to John for the picture)

Freeze and Thaw

The marina was looking a little frozen up...

as was West Saint Helen Street Carpark first thing.

The Abingdon Town FC reserves game against Headington Amateurs had to be called off.
 
But then the sun came out - as seen her along the Boxhill walk into town.

And it almost felt like summer on the Market Place.

Even the best made winter construction had begun to melt - like this half-igloo on the Abingdon Vale Cricket Pitch.