After the storm
In the past few days, the TV and radio here in the UK have been full of warnings and tragic stories that the horrific storm has brought with it as it swept across our country. Luckily, except for a few leaks in our conservatory and through the living room ceiling, our house has stood firm in the storm. My sister wasn't so lucky; the fence around her lovely little garden was blown down.
However, it wasn't until visiting Box Hill, next to the River Mole, that I fully realised how much damage had been done. As we made our way across soggy ground, my Dad noticed grass hanging in the trees, at least 3 metres above the normal level of the water in the river. It was all folded around the branches in the same direction, as if an imperceptible and constant wind was blowing through the trees. Then we noticed that all of the long grass had been swept in the same direction, like a giant had swept his hand across the land to make all the grass lie in the same direction, like you or I might do to the carpet in our living room.
We soon realised that all of this was due to the flooding and huge surges of water brought about by the storm. Our suspicion was confirmed when we crossed a bridge to find police tape surrounding the hotel and restaurant at the base of Box Hill, with walls knocked down and plants unearthed from the flower beds in front.
However, it wasn't until visiting Box Hill, next to the River Mole, that I fully realised how much damage had been done. As we made our way across soggy ground, my Dad noticed grass hanging in the trees, at least 3 metres above the normal level of the water in the river. It was all folded around the branches in the same direction, as if an imperceptible and constant wind was blowing through the trees. Then we noticed that all of the long grass had been swept in the same direction, like a giant had swept his hand across the land to make all the grass lie in the same direction, like you or I might do to the carpet in our living room.
We soon realised that all of this was due to the flooding and huge surges of water brought about by the storm. Our suspicion was confirmed when we crossed a bridge to find police tape surrounding the hotel and restaurant at the base of Box Hill, with walls knocked down and plants unearthed from the flower beds in front.
But as we began to climb the hill, the clouds and mist broke away and the sun started to pour through. Very soon the sky was a completely blue canvas and we could see for miles and miles from the viewpoint at the top. We stopped for a hot chocolate to warm our cold fingers and then continued our descent through the woodland, as the bright winter sunshine pierced through the leaves and sparkled on the wet ground.
