Jacob's Ladder

The first part of the day was spent sorting out the Christmas lights and finally disposing of various sets which no longer worked - which necessitated a quick dash to B&Q to buy some replacements. The boys were all still in bed when we left, so we took Rosie in the car with us, as since Gemma died she's started howling when left alone. She seems quite happy to sit and guard the car though, as long as we're not too long. The outside lights have now been put up, and I'm almost feeling a bit Christmassy.

In the afternoon we took her for a walk along the river at Castor, which wasn't much fun for any of us. The flooding had left large areas of cattle-trampled mud and our first route soon became impassable. We turned back and managed to make a circuit round the island, though the path was very slidy in places. The wind was strong, making it feel bitterly cold, even though it was actually the warmest day of the week. The force of the floodwater had scoured away lengths of river bank, and there was matted flood litter on all the fences and stiles - quite surreal. I have to admit that we were all glad to get back to the car!

The sky was mostly fairly cloudy during our walk, but briefly there was a fine set of crepuscular rays, columns of sunlit air separated by dark, cloud-shadowed regions. These have many alternative names, often with religious connotations, including Gateway to Heaven, Fingers of God, Buddha's Rays and Jacob's Ladder. It's easy to see how this remarkable phenomenon became linked with the divine, and they still incite a sense of awe in me, even though I have no religious faith.