I've seen this weather somewhere before

I remember last year the Thames was rising violently at Christmas, and come Boxing Day it was sweeping boats away left, right and centre. Its not as extreme this year, but its high and its fast because we've just emerged from a week of outrageous rain. There is one big difference this year though: today I bought a pair of wellies, so I can jomp across the meadows no matter what - and that is a very good thing indeed because the willows take on the most glorious all winter and now I can get up close. Its a very different place in winter, it hardly looks like Southern England at all.