apres moi le deluge

More torrential rain; and the Bristol Avon responds quickly to rainfall, and was soon in flood. Here's the riverside path into Bradford on Avon, by the tithe barn and the packhorse bridge.

I was transporting the last of my old domestic batteries to the car, to take them to the salvage yardto be weighed in. "What the hell,"  I thought, and cycled into the flood.

It webnt well enough until about half way through, when a strong eddy hit the bike trailer, which immediately acred like a sea anchor, filling with water and pulling me to an abrupt stop.

So I had to dismount, and struggle with the bike and trailer to the shore, drenched up to mid-calf.

We got to Shanley's, the Trowbridge scrapyard, eventually; and my four dead batteries, with a combined weight of 87 Kg, earned me £34.80. So they'll go off to be recycled, and the money offsets at least a small bit of the cost of the new batteries, which was about £600.

Home again, it was dhobi time, washing the river water out of my wet clothes, and hanging them up to dry. My para boots went on a wire rack on top of the stove, and took three days to dry out properly; by which time, they were very stiff.

Out with the shoeshine kit. I started with a light coat of neat's foot oil, brushed in with an old toothbrush; then, when that had been absorbed, a layer of Weather Wax. I do like this shoe cleaning set; I found it in a charity shop in Pewsey. Weather Wax is no longer made, so I'm making the most of this last tin. I guess that Terry Pratchett used to use it too, which is where he got the name for Granny from.

look after your boots, and your boots will... well, they'll be happier boots, anyway

happy boots, ready for more foolishnessapre

....

Mwnt at St Brigid's Day

Here's a picture for Imbolc and St Brigid's Day. The words are a quote from Kyntaw Geir, an englyn describing a pilgrim about to set off on a journey:

 

Offspring of the Ruler, victorious Redeemer,

and Peter head of every nation,

Saint Bridget, bless my journey.

 

...and in the background is Mwnt, a small settlement to the north of Aberteifi with a beach in the bay, the tall hill that gives the place its name (a good place to watch dolphins from) and the small Church of the Holy Cross, a stopping place for pilgrims headed for Bardsey or St Davids, or for casual visitors heading for the top of the hill.

 

The new year is quickening; this morning the blackbirds joined with the song thrushes who've already been singing for a week or so, to give a melodious start to the day.

I've gota few  greetings cards with this picture on, over on Etsy