All the rain earlier this week has soaked the ground and caused the river to burst its banks. This isn’t the worst it’s ever been by a long way, but look how deep the water is around those trees.

Life is fairly complicated right now. When you’re one of a large family and you marry into a large family, there’s always someone doing something interesting, from art exhibitions and gigs to picketing (we are all pro the Public Workers – and indeed I don’t know anyone who isn’t) or getting ill or needing help with stuff. But that’s why the blog has been quiet. It will probably be quiet again next week while I wrestle with the NHS and the grand-daughter’s Christmas shows – two of them, and she’s only four. There are some heavy-duty performing genes in this family!

Today, however, the sun is shining, the house is peaceful and the winter jasmine is in full glorious flower. And I may even write some poetry, once the kitchen is clean!