Winter Arrived... ...at 3.45pm exactly. The sky turned dark, and lumps of hail fell at a furious pace. There you are, with the flash on you can see the lumps of hail falling at a furious pace. Winter doesn't seem to last right long these days, so under the circumstances you've got to make the most of the situation and....... ......build a 4 inch tall snowman ! All Hail Mister Snowey. Behold his Carroty Magnificence. Fall to Your Knees in Awe of his Cabbage Sack Scarf. Avert your eyes from His Terrible Peppercorn Gaze!!!!!!

The Waters Receded At 10 o'clock last night we could see that the level of the flood had fallen by almost two feet, the lights reflecting on the engorged river from Skipton Road above were now showing dark patches of grass here and there in the flow. At the height of the flood, in the dark, the river looked eerily beautiful, the streetlights shone shimmering bands of orange and white light across it and the soft rushing, liquid noises produced a comforting sound. 8 o'clock this morning and most of the flood has gone, here you can see trees around the 18th green reflected in a pool of water at the edge of the course. Obviously the course will remain closed for some days yet, but it is beautiful with the ice and water on it this morning.

No Golf Today For The Foreseable Future Of course, if any visitors do come, they would be well advised to bring a wetsuit and oxygen tank. This was the 1st fairway at Ilkley Golf Club at about 1.30pm this afternoon, the river has come up much further since then. The footbridge from the 4th tee over the Wharfe. The sign on the tree says 'Fire Assembly Point', so, basically your choice is burn or drown. The 13th green, 6th & 10th tees. Looking from the elevated ladies tee down the 16th fairway. A stream pouring down out of Owler Park Wood and filling up the 16th & 17th. Car trouble on Nesfield Road, what was this bloke thinking ? The water is now deep enough and fast flowing enough for this car to almost have been pushed in to the deepest part of the dip, as it was it took a big swerve and only just made it out to the carpark. Looking across the 18th & 1st fairways at Ilkley Golf Club at about 4.30 this afternoon. This 4WD owner was wise enough not to chance his luck in the dip. No golf today then, and Duncan will no doubt be happy to accept volunteers for the clean up when the Wharfe does recede again.

Not Like The Status Quo Song Rain rain go away, come again another day. Rain, rain, go away. Come again some other day. Little Arthur wants to play, In the meadow by the hay. Rain, rain, go to Spain, Never show your face again. Rain, rain, pour down, But not a drop on our town. Rain on the green grass, and rain on the tree, And rain on the housetop, but not on me. Rain, rain, go away, Come again on washing day. Rain, rain, go to Germany, And remain there permanently. Rain, rain, go away, Come on Martha's wedding day. But just please stop raining on the golf course, then I might get some players out there who would want to purchase hot bacon butties and steaming mugs of coffee. Quo's version ....................... How can I see what I'm needing for How can I give what I gave before How can you tell me that you want me to stay How can I stay when I'm trying to say That I can't live without the rain Yes I can't live without the rain How can I feel what I'm trying to feel How can I move when I'm heel to heel You're always shouting about the doubt in my eyes But I can't answer 'cos my eyes are so dry Now I can't live without the rain Yes I can't live without the rain Now I can't live without the rain That's falling on my head Rain that's falling on my head Rain that's falling Rain that's falling Rain that's falling on my head I started thinking back to you know when I'd like to send a line but then again How can I write you when there ain't no light? I'm feeling tired tonight but that is all right Now I can't live without the rain Yes I can't live without the rain

Rain At Last To be honest though, at 7am it's more of a light drizzle, let's hope it turns into a decent soaking later in the day. The BBC forecast says we might have to wait until Monday or perhaps Thursday for more rain. Drought warning, turn off those hosepipes, stop washing the car / dog / children etc.