Thames flooding

Just to let colleagues and students know that despite very high flood waters and trecherous weather, things are ok. I am the proud owner of swanky new chest waders and though I've had to cancel an appointment today, both Mark's and my classes will continue this week as normal. The EA are out on the weir putting up scaffolding and the river is flowing faster than I have ever seen it, in the non-tidal reaches, with huge bits of trees, life rings, boat parts and other detritus whizzing past. Local home owners on the bank are pumping out their basements and the huge lawns of the big houses on the Hampton bank are now lakes. Local riverside pubs and boathouses are already underwater. I am feeling glad that I chose to live on rather than by the water and hugely sorry for all those whose homes and businesses are affected by the floods. To get ashore I have to climb down into about 3 feet of water then wade up to the new shore line 20 feet away. Here's a picture of my 'doorstep' yesterday.