…and the rain came down, and the floods rose up!
On Saturday, Nothern Ireland received more rain in several hours than it usually does for the entire month of August. Let me assure you, we are not usually strangers to rain here, so we usually see more than enough in August as it is!
We drove north to the cottage, chosing to drive through Belfast city centre for a change, and through the new tunnel at the end of the M1 /westlink, and up the M2. Just hours later, after more rain than we have seen in a LONG time, we heard on the news that the tunnel was flooded (water levels of 7 m), cars were submerged, there had been landslides on the M2, and chaos reigned/rained!
You can see the flooded tunnel here
Fortunately we were already safely arrived at the cottage, and missed the drama, but a number of family and friends struggled with their journeys or have experienced flooding near their homes.
We are near the village of Bushmills (famous for it’s whiskey) and the river Bush. I took some photographs yesterday of the swollen river, and have included some pictures taken earlier this summer for comparison.
It is difficult to portray the roar of the water and the volume of the torrent rushing past, but here are a few more flood pics from yesterday.
On to some other, more pleasant topics!
Birthdays – by the time of my next post I will be 41! Thanks to my parents coming for a “sleepover” with our kids, my husband and I are looking forward to a night away in a hotel.
It has been the second birthday celebration over at Weeds & Wildflowers, and I made this page as a gift for a friend’s daughter, using the exclusive bonus Birthday pack that comes with the Delightful kit.
I am pleased to report that the “Back to School” shopping is nearly complete – just black school shoes left to purchase this week. This is what we have purchased so far:
School Uniform (fortunately most still fitted, so school sweat shirts were the main expense)
School Bags
Pencil Cases
Lunch Boxes and water bottles
Colouring pencils, pencils, sharpeners, rulers, files
Winter coats
I would be interested if you have kids if you could let me know if you have school uniform in your corner of the world? Personally I am very glad we do, because the trauma of decision making by my daughters when it is a non-uniform day would be too much on a daily basis.
That is enough rambling for now. Next post will be a birthday post (although it may be a day late – not sure I could get away with taking my laptop to the hotel!)
Take care.
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The flooding has been awful in NI we have, of course, been seeing it in the news over the weekend. You have got some wonderful photos of the River Bush.
Enjoy your night away and have a lovely birthday.
What a weekend!! We had an interesting few hours. Thankfully we could have been much worse off!
Hope you have a good birthday, I could do with an overnighter!!
Happy Birthday :)!!!!! Have a fun getaway :)!!
Wow, great photos, that’s wild! I’m glad you’re safe!!
Happy Birthday! Beautiful photos!
We have school uniforms too and it definitely makes life easier. The number of afternoon and weekend wardrobe changes is more than enough!
p.s. Thanks for the visit and the comment! FirstHusband read your comment and asked, “So does some guy in Ireland hate me now?” 🙂
(I didn’t mean the photo comment to come out like that. I meant to say that you take excellent photos.)
Your pictures were amazing. I am glad to hear you are safe.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Check your email!
Can’t wait to hear about your get away!
Wow, that water was amazing, and not in a good way! I am so glad that you are safe! Beautiful layout, I love the birthday banner! I look forward to seeing your blog again – I am so jealous that you live in Ireland, it’s such a beautiful country. TFS!
Thanks for sharing those pictures. I can imagine how strong the water is. I should know since I am in this part of the world that witness many of those :)Anyhoo, here in the Philippines, students have to wear uniforms. Which is good in my opinion. That way, I won’t have any trouble choosing clothes for my daughter each and every day 🙂
Happy Birthday Jan Mary! I know the flooding is a bit scary, but it makes for lovely photos!
I always love your blog. Beautiful photos of such angry water! Glad y’all were safe. No uniforms here. Ds is easy. Dd is a major operationto get ready for school! LOL!
Happy Birthday.
I’m glad you didn’t get caught in the tunnel. The DOE’ll never live this down.
I have lived through floods, so I know what you are going through. I’m sure after this tropical storm goes through here tonight, there will be alot of water to figure out where to go.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
What absoultely gorgeous photos!
kelsey
mysweetlife.org
What amazing pictures! Wow.
By the way, I wanted to thank you for the tips on the digital scrapbooking sites. I visited both of them and poked around and am slowing finding out about the whole topic. Thank you! There are so many pretty things out there.