Two Weirs

It's been interesting to monitor the river levels during the very wet weather we've had for the past several weeks. There was that one weekend where there was considerable flooding locally, but since then it's been other parts of the country that have really suffered. The Aire and Calder rivers have been threatening but have, thankfully, just about managed to hold the volume of water, at least through the towns. There are two weirs on the Saltaire stretch of the Aire, one relating to the old Hirst Mill and the other beside Salts Mill. Both of them were roaring and tumultuous when I took these photos a few days ago and they were quite splendid to see. Hirst Weir has been broken up due to various storms over the years, and is now more of a rocky waterfall (above). The weir at Salts is neater, with a lovely contrast between the glassy smooth river above and the waves below the drop. 

I took another walk in the park again yesterday and the river level has dropped further, good news for those further down the Aire valley, who have been flooded.

Step back a little from the water and winter is fast turning to spring, with spring bulbs  - crocus and daffodils - in flower in the park. These mini daffodils on the grassy rise in the park always flower quite early; they catch the sun. The larger species of daffodil, like those in the churchyard, are still coming into bud.