This part of the world stands at the confluence of a number of large rivers. Just before they empty into the Solway they combine into the River Eden – coming from the south, and the River Esk – coming from the north. They aren’t incredibly long, nor do they provide vital communication links to the many native villages scattered along their banks.
Today, their main duty is to function as a conduit to escort the refugee rainfall – from where it enters our territory, which extends from the North Pennines in the south, across the Scottish borders in the north – via a safe corridor, to the sea. Here it can be allowed to leave in peace (once we’ve counted the silver, of course).
Unfortunately, there is only the one exit. Under normal circumstances, this is perfectly adequate – although the environmental cost of dumping everything in the sea, has not been properly addressed, in my opinion. Currently, however, this flood of refugee rainfall has led to the breakdown of barriers, allowing the creation of illegal overflows and causing considerable damage and distress.
For all those who went through the worst floods in a hundred years, ten years ago – and thought that was that.
