A bit muddy, Pitchcroft, Worcester, Friday, 8th January, 2016.

11:30-ish.

Decided to give the walk along Pitchcroft from the northern end a go today.

It's been a bit muddy in places but so far so good.

View to the north and where I've walked along so far.

Despite the river level having dropped a bit the path by the Collecting Ring is still flooded 

due to the water remaining on the racecourse.

No, definitely can't wade thru' that.

There is a path to the right but the gate is padlocked and, in any case, it looks as tho' the path is flooded opposite the grandstand anyway.

Time to turn back then.

The path on 'the allotment side' is still under water.

No change since it first flooded days ago.

Time to give up and return home via the back roads.

Same place, different perspective.

I'm hungry, Emlyn will be hungry, time for lunch methinks.

Levels dropping, Worcester, Wednesday, 6th January, 2016.

12:00-ish. Walked to the west bank of the river today for a closer view of some cormorants up a tree.

Same tree as yesterday. Not necessarily the same cormorants.

I'm guessing the river's flow is too fast for fishing?

View of river detritus from the west end of Bridge Street bridge.

This footpath was under water yesterday.

These are not my footprints by the way.

Now back at the Waterworks Road end of Pitchcroft having walked here down the back roads.

I would say that the river level has dropped by 6" to a foot since yesterday.

Having said that, there are three flood warnings for places just to the south of Worcester.

That's what new flood defences do, see? 

They shoot the water down to the next place without decent flood defences and those unfortunate souls living there take the consequences. 

And so the lunacy goes on.

Severn peaks (for now), Worcester, Tuesday, 5th January, 2016.

Midday-ish and we've walked into town along the main road to see what the river's doing from a different perspective (well, from different places).

This is the view looking south from the Bridge Street bridge.

The swans on South Quay are indifferent to their close-up.

A swans-eye view (sort of) of the Bridge Street bridge.

Plenty of space under the arches as long as you are not trying to navigate under them in a boat.

Detritus build-up under the bridge to its north side.

Two nests, and five cormorants, up a tree on the west bank of the river.

Another riverside walk (North Parade) under water.

Riverside cafe is open even if the riverside walkway isn't.

Wot? No kayakers?

Looking northwards over the racecourse - our normal route home.

A robin surveys the flooded racecourse.

We also saw a siskin but you'll have to take our word for it 'cos it was too small and quick to get a photo of it.

That's the second siskin we've seen over this past two weeks having never seen one in Worcester before (we used to see loads in N. Warks). Wonder what that's all about.

Severn Up (here we go again), Worcester, Monday, 4th January, 2016.

Walking into Worcester today but it doesn't look like we'll be able to go along Pitchcroft as the river has flooded to the west of Waterworks Walk……………..

as well as to the east. Never a good sign.

Sure enough, Waterworks Road is flooded and the racecourse is under water.

Sturdy wellygogs required. 

Perhaps we can walk to town along the 'allotments side' of the racecourse?

Nope, that's flooded an' all.

Plan C it is then.

Would you park your car here?

The Racecourse is totally under water.

How much is river water and how much is rain water on top of a high water table is anyone's guess.

We are now in the Cathedral. 

A little respite and a chance to remember those gone but not forgotten.

Checking out the display of Christmas trees.

View of the river and flooded land to the west of the river from College Green.

The steps from College Green to the riverside walk is under water.

The wall where particularly high floods are honoured with a brick is on the left through the gate.

A few feet to go yet, then.

View back to St Andrews church from the Cathedral grounds.

Kleve Walk, at the foot of this wall, is submerged.

The water is not right up to the top of the arches under Bridge Street bridge yet.

Heading back into town now and, hurrah! It looks like the awful '60's shopping precinct is finally getting a makeover or, better still, perhaps they are going to knock it down altogether? 

One can only hope.

Couple of shops to visit before a meal at Elgar's and then the walk home.

6.5 miles in total according to David's Fit Bit wot Vicky bought him for Christmas.

No wonder we are both knackered by the time we get back home.

New Year's Day on the banks of the River Severn and at home, Worcester, January 1st, 2016.

A Very Happy New Year from Vicky and Dave.

The River's up but the flooding is either to the north of here in the Bewdley area or the south around Upton. Worcester's flood defences appear to be shooting the water along nicely. The level has risen a couple of inches since yesterday, and it's still rising, so no-one should be complacent.

The morning was cold and murky dismal but now, come the afternoon, it is milder but raining again.
Perfect time to do some baking. Vicky's Turkey Sausage Rolls come out of the oven whilst her Bread and Butter Pudding waits to go in.
In the meantime, she is making a meringue nest, whilst David uploads our latest Blurb book - it's a happy domestic scene!
6:30 and Emlyn is back in the bedroom asleep on the bed having just consumed a tin of turkey pate. Doubt if he'll re-emerge much before 7.

The Bread and Butter Pudding made with left-over Pandoro Cake is ready to consume.
It is very juicy 'cos Vicky has made it with full-cream milk.
A rarity in our home 'cos the Food Police banned it a few years ago. Gits.

Emlyn supplements his turkey pate with a thorough licking of a Bread and Butter Pudding bowl.

New Year's Eve at Carluccio's, Worcester, 31st December, 2015.

It's 1:45pm and, no, we're not sat in a cafe opposite The Camponile in Florence today, we've merely walked along the river into Worcester for a keenly anticipated New Year's Eve afternoon meal at Carluccio's. The place is packed and the atmosphere is great so bring on the starters!

Mushroom and bacon soup with foccacia. Yummeeeee!

Vicky has chosen facaccia with olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip. Nice.

I can't finish me faccacia. You eat it Dave.

OK Vic.

Thus fortified by our starters we await the arrival of the mains.

Risotto for David and Chicken Salad with barley for Vicky.

Vicky putting a brave face on being told that, sorry, your choice of Plum Tart for dessert is all sold out and then, for good measure, her second choice of Lemon Tart being all sold out an' all.

Never mind, she'll make do with sharing David's Fresh Raspberry with Passion Fruit cream meringue washed down with Italian Chocolate. 

It's gone 4:00pm by the time we leave. It has p*ss*d down with rain for most of the time we've been indoors but our walk home, via one or two shops that are still open, is all nice and dry.

The Law stating 'Thou shalt always carry a big umbrella when there is the slightest hint of rain' has worked yet again (it is a pain carrying it for 3.75 miles tho').

See you in 2016. 

Christmas Day, 2015.

What a lazy morning. It's gone 9 and we've only just got around to the present opening.

Emlyn is indifferent to King Crimson but he knows he's had some Fishy Biscuits for Christmas and that they're around here somewhere.

Ha! I knew the swine had got my fishy biscuits somewhere.

Emlyn has a bright idea:

Wear a silly Christmas Hat and they'll reward me with a fishy biscuit. Never fails.

Merry Christmas from Emlyn and Vicky.

It's now 1:30-ish and we've arrived at Mollart Towers.

George is now 6 months old.

4pm-ish and Pat's Christmas dinner has been consumed.

John and George await the grand present opening ceremony with eager anticipation.

Ellie, John and George.

Graham, Pat, Sue and Ken get down to opening stuff.

From centre bottom: 

Graham, Pat, Ken, Sue, Vicky, Ellie, Millie, Phoebe and John - 

(George asleep and Dave behind the camera).

Millie and John.

Approaching 6 and we're back home safe and sound.

'Deigned to come back have we? Good job, I'm on my last legs here. Now get in the kitchen and give me some more Chicken Liver, I'm starving'.