I think that the main thing that can be said about this month is that it was a little on the wet side. The Tribe however, STILL get excited about the rain – from the Eldest down to the Littlest. We are probably the only family who find this weather a novelty and just a little bit exciting. For our wildlife however (as well as for all those who have been affected by the rain and destruction of the high winds) it has not been so good. Those creatures living underground in burrows are likely to have been flooded, possibly trapping and killing the animals. We have certainly noticed a distinct lack of rabbits in the garden and fields around us (much to the delight of Father of the Tribe), but only time will tell as to whether the rabbit (fox and badger) populations have been affected by the weather.

This extreme weather at the beginning of the month was the ‘stormiest’ experienced by the UK in over 20 years according to the Met Office. And this time it was much closer to home. Friends in Upton experienced dreadful flooding and the Thames broke its banks in many places through Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Surrey, resulting in towns and villages being flooded. According to the Environment Agency at least 6000 properties were flooded.

The combination of high tides, severe winds and tidal surges led to an astonishing maximum wave height of 25m (82ft) being recorded at the Kinsale Energy Gas Platform off Southern Ireland on 12 February. The Tribe have wondered who the clever person was who braved the elements to collect this extraordinary statistic. Me too! Despite the storms, the temperatures have been particularly mild and the Tribe are somewhat miffed that they have missed any snow this year. I feel that a more gentle acclimatization is a better option. The South East and central Southern England had 270% of average rainfall in February! However, sunshine totals were above average at 118% – hard to believe!

Over the Tribe’s half term, whilst staying with their grandparents, we decide to visit the River and Rowing Museum in Henley. It is only then that they really see the scale of the flooding. Where the boat tents and marquees of the Stewards Enclosure are erected in the summer for Henley Regatta, the Thames has engulfed the ground; the meadows and tow paths have disappeared under a torrent of fast flowing water. Benches scattered about the meadows near the Museum are now almost totally submerged. The band stand is like a miniature castle surrounded by a vast moat. I cannot begin to think of the cost and effect that this weather has had on individuals, local councils and the country’s economy. It can’t be particularly good.

So, a month during which the Tribe have seen more rain than they have in the last 2 years. There is a part of me that wonders if I should look for some blueprints for The Ark (as in Noah’s). Just in case.

Mother of the Tribe