Flooding update. To carry on, we need your help please.
Some of you will know all about our flooding from our facebook page. The problem
has become more serious over the last couple of years. From the second year we've
been here we have experienced small area flooding. It's not necessary for it to be
raining here, but now we find that the Barn and other buildings flood indoors too.
The water comes up quickly when it floods and as long as we have noticed the water pooling
in the lane, we have about 45 minutes to make sure we are ready. The lane is usually
now too deep for even a four wheel drive vehicle, and, with the fields totally covered,
we become an island.
Often there are ducks and swans swimming in the fields and lane. We have even found
salmon and trout in puddles when the water goes down! Fortunately, the water starts
to recede within 2 to 3 hours, although the lane and fields can stay covered for
2 or 3 days.
We try to keep a sense of humour about it all, but really it's very disheartening. Many
of our things have been ruined by water over the years too and there are moments
when we feel like giving it all up. The dogs soon change my mind though. Most of
our residents are the 'rejects' of the dog world: old, unattractive, with medical
and/or behavioural issues. They love their life here, despite the floods, and the
thought of turning our backs on them is not an option we could bear to take, so we
soldier on.
These are some of my favourite pictures of the fields when flooded!
Toby crossing the yard to feed his chickens!
The hayfield The
Barn Paddock
Another shot of the hayfield
The
gate to the bottom paddock
Looking down the lane from the front garden
But it's getting worse....... (note the stack of blocks to help with raising floors
& other areas- we need more)
And worse......
The caravan is on breeze blocks & has its legs fully extended
None of our vehicles have ever fully recovered..........the Sanctuary van in particular
seems to have been badly affected by water and is developing all sorts of problems.
But that will have to keep for another day!
And even worse, now it's coming indoors......
We had to buy some large crates and put them up on blocks for some of the dogs to
sleep in, so that we can sleep at night when it rains, without feeling that we have
to check the river every 20 minutes or so.
The dogs, luckily, think it's great fun, and are adept at keeping dry.
Whitney Jocie
& Apple
But we really do need your help, please donate whatever you can towards our floor
raising and restoration fund.
