Damage left in the wake of Storm Desmond and the flooding that occurred in Carlisle is slowly being revealed. However, the cost of repair may never be quantifiable.
A brief walk along the River Eden earlier this week showed very clearly that nature will always be in charge and will claim what she wants.
Large sections of riverbank downstream of Eden Bridge, the main crossing point for vehicles in the City, has been washed away.
Possibly hundreds of tonnes of soil, stone and trees have simply vanished leaving the landscape changed forever.
What was once a great path for sniffs, lined with wild garlic and the occasional muddy patch, is now a no go area surrounded by plastic barrier tape.
The exercise bars installed around a year ago now balance on the edge of the river where once they stood about 5m inland.
Areas underwater
Around the city much of the floodwater has receded to be replaced by countless yellow skips, builders trucks and the smell of damp bricks and plaster.
It has rained in the area for months with only the occasional dry day. In our garden fence panels are starting to turn green as moss, ferns and bog plants find a home.
Some areas deemed natural flood plain have been left to dry out by themselves. One such area is adjacent to the main roundabout in the city, Hardwick Circus.
Bright yellow signs were erected after the last big flood to warn of the risks of high water levels in this area. Little did they know that even the signs would be obscured 10 years later.
Snowdrops arrive
Scattered amongst the mud and debris left after the cleanup we spotted the first snowdrop leaves.
Packed tightly into clumps the fragile green leaves have been exposed by the removal of soil washed away by river water.
It is quite remarkable how nature can be so brutal in many ways but gentle and hopeful in others.
Until next time
Licks and wags
Rufus and Charlie