21st January 2021 River Dee Flooding – Climate Change? Day 301 since lockdown began in the UK

Went off this morning thinking to have an uneventful and interesting cycle down to the River Dee and then home again via country lanes. First part of the journey was fine to the village of Eccleston and the old ferry crossing. The River Dee was up but the floodplain water meadows were dealing with it just fine.

River Dee at Eccleston Village. A few centimeters beyond ‘bank full’ as we expected. Some snow still lay around.

Looking north towards Chester the south bank meadow was clearly saturated and with a little more draining water will meet the water of the Dee itself.

Water meadow, clue is in the name, next to the River Dee at Eccleston ferry. No ferry anymore but a good place usually to park the car and walk The Marches Way either north to Chester through this meadow, or south towards the Duke of Westminster’s Estate. Look forward to the National Trust taking the place over, in my dreams! Not that I am a big fan of the National Trust either!!

We had lunch on a bench at the Church in the village and then rode on hoping to come home the long way. It was not to be, the lanes west of Eccleston, Rough Hill, towards Balderton were flooded and we called it a day cycling home the quick way.

My two besties as we are leaving the Church at Eccleston. Lovely winter day, some snow still on the grass.

So to my mind there has been an increased risk of flooding within my lifetime. I have no doubt this is due to climate change as a result of global warming. Glad the USA is rejoining the Paris Accord trashed by Trump the climate change denier. The next G7 is in Cornwall and you have to hope those attending will have sustainability on their minds as well as Coronavirus.

As always, just a few more of my thoughts.

AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE I WILL STAY AT HOME, KEEP THE 2m RULE AND WEAR A FACE MASK

Staying at home! – STILL Protecting the NHS – STILL saving lives

I AM STILL Keeping safe

Stay safe.

Welsh Government’s Guidance on weddings and civil partnerships can be found here:

https://gov.wales/guidance-marriages-and-civil… and the frequently asked questions at: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-regulations-guidance…

To read the current Government guidance on getting married in England please follow this link: COVID-19: Guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships.

You may also want to read the frequently asked questions sections of the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do.

1. Lovely cycle ride in the Cheshire countryside curtailed by flooded lane.
2. Paella for dinner, lovely.