I hope everybody had a very happy Christmas and let us all hope for a better 2013.
As I write this, the weather forecast is, I regret to say, more of the same in the immediate future.
Our rainfall total as of this morning, December 21, is 812.51mm or, for those of us with grey hair, 32.5 inches. This is the wettest year we have ever recorded and it is not quite finished!
It reminds me of the fantastic job the drainage board does in this fen area and how important it is to have excellent drainage. We have much to thank our past drainage board engineers and board members for the specification and design of our drainage system. It was always designed to maximum flood level and even with the greater quantity of urban dwellings and new farm technologies, which causes faster runoff of water, the system still works well.
It is sad to see our soils suffering so much with the amount of water laying on our land and poor soil structure – impossible conditions to harvest crops.
We will have to plan and think very carefully how we can repair the damage. The effects of this we shall see regrettably in 2013. Diligent planning, timing and patience will be critical.
Ever the optimist, I look forward to 2013 after the Christmas break.