Winter is back

Incredible - the locals have never seen anything like it.  The picture appears misty because the blizzard is still blowing.  During the day the electricity failed to the whole area.  I managed to keep the two Sam's going by engaging the electic inverter and keeping their tools supplied from Carmen's batteries.  Then just as they were about to leave I noticed Carmen was listing. She was aground. The water levels had dropped. Levering Carmen off was not enough.  We had to start the engine and reverse her off.  The VNF have presumably assumed the snow will melt and opened the sluices.  Worrying as I am moored in a 53km long pound.  I hope it will not carry on going down in the night or I won't get much sleep.   It is freezing out there.

Sam's two barges are side tied. Almost as soon as that crisis finished one of his cats fell inbetween them, being suspended screaming between the two barges. He released the ropes holding the two barges together, hence dumping the cat into freezing water. More screaming but it then swam to the bank. Sam's two daughters are currently drying it with a hairdryer. Let's hope it is ok. No elecric at 1930hrs so I am currently still running the engine to recharge the batteries as I may have to supply Sam with inverter electic for his central heating boiler tonight.

PS All ended well - the water didn't drop any further, power came back that evening and "Princess" the cat is fine.