Thames Valley

[Gill W]

Hi Gill,

Sorry - but that's an unfortunate sort of request! You see when we got 'flooded' after the initial shock - and this was quite a Mrs Bouquet moment - we almost instantly decided to try and look on the bright side and accept 'the challenge', and regard the situation as an opportunity and not a threat.

QED it was planning head screwed firmly on, quiet determination to do our best to resolve the situation as quickly and economically as possible, positive attitude - and for us it was a bit of hard work and we got through it quietly and systematically. No emotion (after the first 4 or 5 minutes).

Go on - have a little giggle at me, it was quite funny at the time - we had gone to an empty property so that a survey could be done as we were selling the property. The previous time (just a few weeks) we visited the house in question all had been fine, just a little dust, but everything absolutely in show house condition. So, we arrived, and the surveyor arrived and came along the driveway just as we got out of the car. We opened the door to the outer hallway, and stepped in on to the really lovely pristine carpets ......... SQUISH it went then SQUELCH - so there I was pratting about like Mrs Bouquet on steroids or asteroids or whatever ...... I looked back that evening and giggled fit to bust. It was just so funny.

So, yes I understand what you are saying Gill, honest - but I don't think that puppies have to have a boat when the water is not all that deep, and I most certainly think that the pet owners who are younger than me could have walked along with the parent dogs swimming or padding. The dogs were a large breed, and the parent dogs would probably have been able to have their paws on the floor.

So - what would I do? I would roll up the trouser legs, put on the welly boots, find the silliest hat possible and ruddling well get on with it.

Sorry Gill - but that's exactly what I have done in the past, and I fully expect in a similar situation to do the same again.

Em

Of course I have no idea the circumstances of "your flood"......but to say " roll up the trousers,etc ect" is really insulting to those people who have had their homes under water for days and even weeks now, with no signs it will end soon.
I find your attitude flippant and lacking in compassion , again !!

I have to say, I agree Sue..... I struggle to think of any way that the victims of the current floods could look on their situation as an 'opportunity'

[Boris+]

Ok Sue,

Calm down - everyone knows you don't like me; and I fully accept that you are entitled to your opinions and taste (as we all are).

Your post doesn't comes across as very nice, and that is such a shame.

Now then, when I had the jolly old 'flood' situation it took 6 months to resolve. We lost all the furniture, full length curtains, flooring - some items like photos and special memories. The only room which wasn't ruined was the utility room.

I have a 'glass half full' outlook on life - and I am not going to apologise for it. So, instead of whingeing and weeping and wailing I bally well rolled up my sleeves and got on with it as cheerfully as possible. I will freely admit though, that my heart sank well and truly when at that first moment of realisation we opened the front door and had that 'damp' feeling!!!! Momentarily I was saddened - yip this does sound weird - that my beloved new fitted carpet was ruined; and I will openly admit that when the ruined furniture and carpet was being removed I made a point of sending myself away from the building to chase up something to do with the clear up because it would have been very upsetting. But, as said earlier in this paragraph I didn't hang around and watch and wallow - I did something positive that day in order to keep my spirits up.

I can heartily recommend anyone in this blasted flooding situation to follow the same route if they can, and to seriously try and turn this nasty situation from sad to hopeful.

I regret that potentially you won't like my response - but then I didn't like your post above; it is a tad judgemental, not so?

You have your beliefs which you hold hard to, so do I. One thing I have always been a strong believer in and practitioner of is quietly and calmly settling differences with "a round table and some hot refreshments". Now obviously we can't very well do that here - but maybe virtually?

Peace, harmony and welly boots then!

Em

[Boris+]

Hi Gill W,

You ask how I can say that the flooding situation can be embraced as an opportunity - yes of course it should. Weeping and wailing only makes people feel worse.

It stands to reason that people who have had flooding problems at the moment now have properties which need rectification. Now those unhappy folk have a chance (opportunity) to have a little look at how things might have been 'different' or 'better' and to aim to ring those changes during the rectification work ahead.

It could be that making some minor changes might make life in future nicer or easier for them, and surely if that can be achieved then it's a little bit of a 'sliver lining'. It might be something as simple as locating light switches a bit lower when re-plastering and re-wiring is done; or changing internal doors to incorporate lower-down door handles.

All those 'little niggling' things which might just somehow help people to say in the future (not that they were glad that the flooding happened) that they prefer the changes which this flooding has enabled them to make.

I like to think outside the box, and I like a glass half-full approach to life. Surely you can understand that. At the time that I had my flooding I had recently lost all my close family in a short period (except my husband and daughter), and the flooding wiped out all my 'memories' photos and mementos. From that point on I couldn't be 'glass half empty' anymore.

Em

[Dark Knight]

Em
you above post is the biggest load of patronising rubbish I have ever read, people who are up to their arses in flood water and sewage are hardly going to have time to worry about where to put a light switch or a door handle and to say this is the way to get over a trauma , just shows how out of touch you really are
and your racist post about imigrants looting, speaks volumes about what you really think, despite hiding behind the loony old woman act
you should be ashamed of some of the things you have posted on the 2 flood topics and the constant BS you post is absurd
no wonder people have a hard believing anything you post

[suespud]

Ok Sue,

Calm down - everyone knows you don't like me; and I fully accept that you are entitled to your opinions and taste (as we all are).

Your post doesn't comes across as very nice, and that is such a shame.

Now then, when I had the jolly old 'flood' situation it took 6 months to resolve. We lost all the furniture, full length curtains, flooring - some items like photos and special memories. The only room which wasn't ruined was the utility room.

I have a 'glass half full' outlook on life - and I am not going to apologise for it. So, instead of whingeing and weeping and wailing I bally well rolled up my sleeves and got on with it as cheerfully as possible. I will freely admit though, that my heart sank well and truly when at that first moment of realisation we opened the front door and had that 'damp' feeling!!!! Momentarily I was saddened - yip this does sound weird - that my beloved new fitted carpet was ruined; and I will openly admit that when the ruined furniture and carpet was being removed I made a point of sending myself away from the building to chase up something to do with the clear up because it would have been very upsetting. But, as said earlier in this paragraph I didn't hang around and watch and wallow - I did something positive that day in order to keep my spirits up.

I can heartily recommend anyone in this blasted flooding situation to follow the same route if they can, and to seriously try and turn this nasty situation from sad to hopeful.

I regret that potentially you won't like my response - but then I didn't like your post above; it is a tad judgemental, not so?

You have your beliefs which you hold hard to, so do I. One thing I have always been a strong believer in and practitioner of is quietly and calmly settling differences with "a round table and some hot refreshments". Now obviously we can't very well do that here - but maybe virtually?

Peace, harmony and welly boots then!

Em

Ok let's get this clear.... I don't know you, so I am judging my opinion on your posts...which often come across as " I'm all right jack" .... stuff the rest of you. You seem unsympathetic to certain situations..and quite domineering.
Of course we all have different opinions , rightly so.
But most of us have a bit more understanding of others and empathy, which you seem to lack.


As for your " flood" .....make your mind your mind up....furniture, photographs, special bits...??? .you said it was an empty property, you were selling.
Obviously, when I read back your post there wasn't a flood in the area, as you didn't know it was "flooded" till you opened the door.
Squashy, squelchy carpets , damp....and giggling at the situation is a far cry from what thousands of people are facing. Wellies won't help these poor people!!!!
So really don't know how you can compare.

As for the virtual round table.... I don think so.
We are poles apart, how we think.

[Dancing Queen]

Gill, so sorry to hear about your FIL

Jo xx

[Frank Manning]

Gill, so sorry to hear about your FIL

Jo xx

Yes Gill, we are also very sorry and send condolences. It must have been very stressful all round for your husband.

[Dancing Queen]

Really Em, sorry to disagree but you are talking absolute rubbish

They don't come much more of a 'glass half full' type of gal than me but having been flooded out ( as the result of a burst pipe ) I can assure you it is not something you laugh about and to have dirty water/sewage coming into your home must be devastating.

I had 3 ceilings down, my newly tiled bathroom ( it had only been done 6 weeks ) had to be totally redone, fitted wardrobes had to be replaced, every carpet replaced, not to mention some furniture ( although we were pretty lucky in that respect ) the house 'stank' ( and that was supposedly clean water )

Did I laugh about it ... No !!!! it was the worst 4 months I have ever known and to see my lovely home ruined was not something I saw as an 'opportunity' I cried every single day which I would add ..is not me !!!

[Boris+]

Hi Jo,

You brought back memories there kiddo! Oh well - you did it your way, I did it mine.

Sorry - that's a bit Frank Sinatra!

So, we both went through similar events, and both had different experiences

I couldn't really cry - I was all cried out.

And with that merry message, I'm really not going to add to this thread, just because that's the way I want it.


Em

[wolfie]

Hi Jo,

You brought back memories there kiddo! Oh well - you did it your way, I did it mine.

Sorry - that's a bit Frank Sinatra!

So, we both went through similar events, and both had different experiences

I couldn't really cry - I was all cried out.

And with that merry message, I'm really not going to add to this thread, just because that's the way I want it.


Em

Well, thank goodness for that. At least we won't have to read any more drivel.... on this thread.

Well said DN, et al.

[emjay45]

I wonder why there has no fund been set up, like when we have an international disaster organised by DEC, I would be happy to donate some money to help these people.

Not wishing to trivialise this disaster, and I know that if such a thing was to happen to me I would be devastated, but in the grand scheme of international disasters this is pretty low down the list when compared to the cyclones, earthquakes and tsunamis that other countries have suffered in recent years.

I agree with cornmillgirl. With every international disaster aren't we British the first to offer aid. Appeals are set up and the British are always generous with their donations.
Why aren't we helping our own people. I too would be happy to donate to help these poor people out.

[Boris+]

Just finally from me - Sue, an explanation - the property was 'empty' because I wasn't living in it. So from my point of view the property was 'empty' because I was busy elsewhere; not wanting to sound Pythonesque, but it was unoccupied, not inhabited, not lived-in; there was nobody 'at home' - beautiful plumage, mind you!

Em

[Wina G]

Well, thank goodness for that. At least we won't have to read any more drivel.... on this thread.

Well said DN, et al.

I'll second that

[suespud]

Just finally from me - Sue, an explanation - the property was 'empty' because I wasn't living in it. So from my point of view the property was 'empty' because I was busy elsewhere; not wanting to sound Pythonesque, but it was unoccupied, not inhabited, not lived-in; there was nobody 'at home' - beautiful plumage, mind you!

Em

You know what....I don't give a monkeys about your property.
As long as you joke and are continuing to be disrespectful to the situation of those unfortunate people are in, I think you should do as you stated. Say no more on this thread!!!!

[cornmillgirl]

Apparently they now have flood tourists turning up in their 4x4s and ignoring the 'Closed Road' notices to photograph the devastation, causing a bow wave which goes over the sand bag defences. They should be fined.

My God, can you believe people do that, I can think of worse things than being fined, but could not possibly post it on here!

[cornmillgirl]

I wonder why there has no fund been set up, like when we have an international disaster organised by DEC, I would be happy to donate some money to help these people.

Not wishing to trivialise this disaster, and I know that if such a thing was to happen to me I would be devastated, but in the grand scheme of international disasters this is pretty low down the list when compared to the cyclones, earthquakes and tsunamis that other countries have suffered in recent years.

Well it may be low down the list as you put it compared to earthquakes, cyclones or whatever, but its a disaster on a scale we rarely see in
the UK but I am sure the British would pull together and donate money to help.

[Shirleybee]

Well, thank goodness for that. At least we won't have to read any more drivel.... on this thread.

Well said DN, et al.

I'll second that

Me too

[cornmillgirl]

I am with DQ, GillW and Suespud on this one, a "flood" like Boris describes is one thing, but those poor people down South are experiencing LONG TERM flooding, the water is rising not receding, they must be at the end of their tether especially with the forecast for the next few days. Its not an opportunity
but a tragedy, how anyone could look at it as a glass half full situation is beyond me.

DQ - no wonder you cried. I have never been flooded, but come close and that is stressful enough, constantly checking the Environment Agency website for updates, looking out the window to see what is happening, offering help to flooded neighbours who live 50ft away all the time wondering if you will be the next. So my heart goes out to those people.

Watching Sky News the country is on a Red Warning, when will it end??

[Meg 50]

The risks of walking through the water are many fold. Not only the health risk, but when water logged, manhole covers often rise and float away, making walking where you can't see through the water positively lethal.

I feel desperately sorry for the people affected and am quite sure would be positively devastated myself.

Regarding the rail closure last night, NO COACHES were provided, but by taking a circuitous route, my husband managed to get back via an 8 hr journey, only to find his dad died not long after he left him at the hospital

Gill, so sorry to hear about father in law.

It is posts like yours which show exactly the side - effects of the situation. I am glad they are able to postpone the funeral

[Meg 50]

it's good to hear that "Some people" can laugh it off . It would have been nicer to hear that "Some people" had a bit more empathy for those who find things harder.

On another thread Shirley talks of children donating their Christmas presents to those who have lost everything..

Praps " Some people" could take note and learn?????

[Gill W]

The situation is on a massive scale. The ground is so saturated, it can't take any more and water is rising up from the ground.... you don't have to live near the coast or a river to get flooded any more.

The flooding will take weeks to subside, and only then can people start to put things right. Some people won't be able to get on with their lives for months, probably more than a year.

I just can't understand a mind set that could brush off the enormity of that.

[david63]

I think that we need to just take a step back and cut through all the media hype that is trying to wing up the country as usual.

There is no doubting that for those directly affected by the flooding it is a major trauma that will live with them for the rest of their lives and we should all be sympathetic to their plight. There is also the fact that it will take some time for the waters to subside, but even that will probably happen, to a manageable level, within a few weeks rather than the months that some would have us believe.

According to the Environment Agency there have been just over 1,100 homes flooded in the last two weeks which taken in context of the number of homes in the country is a very small percentage and yes I accept that there may yet be more - but it will still remain a small percentage.

Again according to the Environment Agency some 180,000 homes that could have been at risk have been protected.

The time when the most help will be needed, be that financial or physical, is when the waters have subsided to allow people back to their homes. The financial help should, in the main, come from the insurance companies and, as I have said previously, the manual help should come from the unemployed who are on benefits.

No matter what anyone does the lives of those affected will never be the same again and there is no amount of money that will be able to replace many of the possessions that have been lost/destroyed for ever.

[Princess]

http://www.justgiving.com/Somerset-Comm ... ood-Appeal