I am not saying the rain here in North Northumberland is bad but I can't get out to nail the roof on the Ark I am building ;o}

Seriously, it has rained non-stop since yesterday morning and there are no signs of it abating. The burn at the bottom of our garden is about 12 inches higher, very discoloured and roaring past at a fair rate of knots. Whilst is only 4 or 5 feet wide and normally 12 inches deep I wouldn't attempt to cross it in its present state! The one good thing is that the flood waters will scour the bottom and take away all the natural rubbish which normally impedes the flow.

Standing here, doing my impression of a drowned rat, I have to say it has risen by a good 24 inches and not the 12 inches I had previously thought!

I'm preparing for the predicted Big Freeze that is going to start from tomorrow and last for the next two weeks [at least], up here in Scotland.

Here in Cornwall the situation is dire in many places. Never known such a constant deluge in all the many years we have lived here.

One very large bee I have in my bonnet concerns the lack of drain clearing done in this county which I believe has added to the flooding on many roads in town and country. The drains are choked up with the leaves that just previously lay several inches deep on many streets, including our own. I know this to be a fact on my road as it is awash in several areas and, when I looked into the 3 foot diameter main storm drain, it was nowhere full to capacity. I've notified the authorities but all I got from them this morning was "we will pass it on in due course, sir." I won't hold my breath on this, as they say, but I will take it further if no action is taken.

We've not seen the road sweeper lorry now for three years or more, whereas before it came regularly, especially when most leaves had dropped with the aid of autumn high winds.

I know the authorities have had to make financial cutbacks but I feel this is one very important service that should be reinstated immediately. It's just possible that some poor souls may have been saved from the misery of a flooded home. TC's got his dander up! :)