CCC#68
A grey green smear of filth and algae on the concrete bridge showed the river’s natural level. For years it acted as a marker, a barrier the water wouldn’t cross.
Then it began to rain and we were told why and how it was happening but all we knew was that the fields were underwater and the drains spewed back what we had pumped in.
We watched as neighbourhoods drowned, homes were lost, people displaced. We tutted, shook sad heads before something new distracted us.
Until it was out turn.
And there was something fitting about watching the deluge from the shelter of that bridge, the strip of water shielded a little from the barrage of rain, the sounds around me not softer but more defined, individual.
The grey green marks were submerged, the river lapped the towpath and I finally remembered the architectural style of that bridge – Brutalist.
***
Written for Crimson’s Creative Challenge #68. See Crispina’s great pic and be inspired here.
Bristol and the entire UK has had weeks – and weeks – of storms and seemingly endless rain and today is no exception. We have the dubious pleasure of welcoming Storm Jorge over the weekend.
Today – right at this moment – Greta Thunberg is in the city on a march against climate change.
Word Shamble 
Excellent take, Lynn! And let’s face it… something that could very well be in our future…
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Let’s hope not, though the flooding that’s happening everywhere at the moment… Thank you, Dale
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Go Greta! Nice piece, I know that marker on the pylon or bridge footer.
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Yeah, that grubby mark from years of river scum! And she certainly made an impact, did Greta – half my son’s classes were empty on Friday 🙂
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Though I smile at the word Brutalist, it isn’t funny. We in East Anglia so far are immune. Though we’ve had plenty of rain, we have fast-draining soils. Our rivers run high but as yet…
Not so fortunate in other places, with water rushing down hills long cleared of such vegetation that might hold it back, channelled between immovable banks that must eventually give way. My heart goes out to those affected. Compared with what they’re suffering, our occasional North Sea Surge appears to be nothing.
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I can’t imagine what it’s like to live on a flood plain – how do people cope, being flooded every few years, being unable to move, too. It’s a desperate situation. We’re lucky here too, so far. Bristol’s on clay, at sea level of course, but I’m not sure if the harbour acts as a giant drain out to the Avon, the water rushing out the estuary. Lawn is VERY squelchy, but not flooding. What future years will bring… Glad you’re keeping your feet dry in the East
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We seem to be unaffected by the worst of the weather, the bad storms coming in from the west, exhaust themselves by the time they reach us… though we still get the winds and the ever-showering rain. But showering. not deluges.
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It’s just been wall to wall rain for weeks, hasn’t it? What with floods, Brexit and virus sweeping the nation, feels a pretty grim time
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Almost a return to the Middle Ages, I agree.
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Excellent punchy punch line!
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Thank you Jane 🙂
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🙂
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Here in Crickhowell, as you know, we have received the sharp end of Ciara’s and Dennis’ displeasure, and even Jorge has caused the Usk to flood adjacent fields again: we fear the historic Bridge End Inn may never be viable again.
On another note, our teenage granddaughters were marching with Greta yesterday, and I know Bristol (Bedminster, is it?) has that evocative mural of Thunberg half submerged. A very pertinent post, Lynn, than you — there by the grace of god …
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I’m ashamed to say, I’ve been avoiding the news so I didn’t realise how badly Crickhowell had been affected until I saw this comment and looked it up. I’m so sorry, Chris. How’s your house – are you okay? Such sad news for the town – how on earth do people cope when they’re flooded so often? I hope you get the chance to dry out.
And yes, she came to North Street, Bedminster, not far from us. Had quite a crowd listen to hear at College Green – some of my son’s classes were half empty on Friday!
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We were fine, thanks, being several tens of metres up from the flood plain, but many acquaintances have been badly affected, and some businesses by the river may never recover.
As for Greta, two of our granddaughters skipped school and went to College Green, though Ioyet to have a first hand account from them.
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Glad you’ve avoided the worst, but a disaster for the town as a whole. Those poor people, losing their homes. I hope the clean up comes quickly for everyone.
I’ve not heard any first class accounts of Greta yet, either. Only seen the moaning on social media because the crowds trashed the grass on the Green! Missing the bigger picture, I’d say
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Love your take on the prompt.
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Thank you so much, Damyanti. That means a great deal to me 🙂
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great last line there Lynn, and thought provoking piece
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Thanks so much Alyson and thanks for reading 🙂
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Architecture speaks of an era!
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