Tuesday 14 January 2014

H2O..... H2O...... H2O......



The Thames river has as a result of recent rain decided to spread itself wider than the original planners had envisaged taking over hundreds of acres of farmland, a lot of roads, sports grounds allotments etc.

The rain having eased of late has seen the levels slowly dropping but a couple more days of rain will add to the drama.

We took a drive into Oxford and walk along the canal, you can't go far with blockages every where, on Saturday as it was a cloudless mild blue sky day.

Close to where I spend my work days loitering is....







On the Thames the Kings lock..... looking across to the lock keepers house beside the lock...


From the Oxford city approach to the lock.....





 
You can just see the landing bollards.... The  river bank is not visible.....


Next to the lock is the popular Kings Arms pub..... had a couple there ourselves.....





 
But the car park is now part of the Thames....... Water flowed through the pub too......

Into the city striking several road blocks but eventually parked and walked....





 
Along the river bank.... looking toward the Botley Rd bridge.....

Then  farther along......




Looking toward the Punter pub..... The water flow was very swift.....
Usually the above provides serene idyllic mooring for narrow boats.....


Standing on......





Osney lock looking down stream.....  The steel landing on the far side is well submerged.....

Back on the car and heading down.....




Botley Rd,... now open but still flooded in several places.....

Want to catch a bus??.....




Well don't arrive at the Seacourt park and ride with out flippers....

About 5 mile up the road the Thames river heads for Lechlade.....

Looking from.....
 



The Swinford Toll bridge.... yes they charge 5 pence per car both ways.....
The Eynsham lock is submerged in the top half of the photo near the uppermost plastic.....
 

And from the bridge looking...





Toward Lechlade in the west.... can't make out the original path of the Thames....

As I load this the rain has returned...... not for long one hopes.....