It feels like it’s been raining forever, and the River Severn just keeps getting higher and higher. The swans are happy though, and there has been a rare inland sighting of Meredith the Mermaid. Though technically a saltwater inhabitant this little mermaid is having no trouble adapting to a freshwater environment. We think she must have arrived here from our nearest seaside resort of Weston-Super-Mare, having negotiated the weirs and managed to swim upstream, splashing along the floodplains with her faithful friend Stella the Starfish!

Here’s Meredith and her pals in sunnier times, relaxing on the beach.

They won’t be on land for long though, too much sunshine can be very drying for their delicate skin. Too much water, however, is never a problem for a mermaid. Shame that can’t be said for the rest of us! Now the main bridge is closed, due to rising water levels, traffic chaos is all that’s left for those of us born without fins or webbed feet! This is my cycle route around the river. It’s been out of action for weeks now. If this goes on much longer I might just sell my bike and buy a pedalo instead!

At least my house is out of the danger zone, being halfway up a big hill. I have to admit that over the years I’ve often cursed the steepness of the gradient while carrying shopping or pushing toddlers in buggies up it, but I’m pretty grateful right now!