Sudden cloudburst floods Aldi!

Yesterday was an experience we wont forget in a hurry. There we were, queuing at the checkout in Aldi in Ilkeston, when suddenly we heard a huge clap of thunder and the heavens opened. It was as if a tap had been turned on from above producing a fast amount of rain and hail. There were people ready to leave the shop and were standing in the doorway waiting for it to subside, when suddenly a torrent of water poured down from the gutters completely drenching them. It was just like a waterfall cascading down on those unfortunate folks who lust happened to be stood in the way.  They leapt back to get away from the deluge but in doing so the automatic doors stayed open, allowing the water to pour into Aldi and flood the place! The girl at the checkout shouted across to two of her fellow employees, who just happened to be men, to do something about it. They did no more then grab a mop and bucket and start mopping up. As if that was going to be of any use! In the mean time we all stood as far back as possible watching the water rise and hoping that the rain would stop and we could make our escape before the water came over our shoes!! Eventually the entry door was opened allowing the majority of folk to get outside and shelter under the corrugated roof and the exit door was then closed ( by the lady on the checkout), which stopped any more of the water from getting in. Why these men didn't do that in the first place is beyond me. Mind you all those stood at the front should also have had some sense and closed the doors! These next few pictures were taken on my camera phone so there not brilliant but you can get some idea of why 5 minutes of very heavy rain caused complete mayhem.

The drains couldn't cope

Its a good job no infant was in the trolly when the water blew out of the drain

In minutes the car park was flooded

The manhole couldn't cope with the deluge and made the situation worse

We did eventually get to the car, ( well Ian went and fetched it wading through several inches of water while I stayed in the dry. My hero :), and high tailed it as fast as we could back to Langley Mill. You see. Jade was alone in the boat and fireworks and thunder makes her hyperventilate and turns her to a quivering wreck. We knew that she would be freaking out, but before we could get into the boat I was flabbergasted by what greeted us. The water in the basin had risen several inches and most of the coping stones by the boat were now underwater. Its a good job Ian had made a step for us otherwise we would have had to paddle our way through. Jade was ecstatic that we had returned and rescued her from the nightmare, racing from Ian to me and 'talking and thanking us' as only a dog can.

Comes to something when the water in the basin is higher then in a full lock.

Notice the nice white edging? C&RT came by last week and painted them on. Apparently this is the only lock that has these white lines on the edges. I think it would be useful to have on all the locks. What do you think??

Darkening skies brought yet more rain later.

This morning I took Jade to a small stream nearby. No way would I let her swim in it today, though,  as these last couple of photos show.

Taken on last Friday and then today.........