If we felt cut off and couldn't get our situation through to the parish office there was one service we developed the highest regard for. The army were great when they got to the scene but were based in the parish offices and reliant on local intelligence. The one service we came to rely on was Fire and Rescue. They were brilliant.

We are not talking fire engines with blue lights flashing, though there are plenty of fire engines later in the story when they try to pump the water out.  We are talking the firemen, usually in pairs going from door to door seeking out people who were vulnerable that could be taken to safety. We didn't come into this category because, as I've said, our three storey houses meant we could live above the water but we were always pleased to see them in the road, often with long poles that they used to check the depth of the water.Extra resources were pumped in from all over the country so we got used to encountering officers from Norfolk or Cumberland Fire Service.

An incident I particularly recall is the day two firemen turned up on the doorstep asking if everything was OK.  Now generally speaking we were, apart from having to paddle to our front door. I was developing nasty weals where the boots on my waders rubbed the back of my leg but it didn't occur to me to mention that, though I had a noticeable scar for at least two years after. Sandra however had a terrible migraine that I mentioned by way of comment not expecting this to be in the brief of an emergency paramedic but they were there to help and delved into their pack coming up with exactly, so I'm told, the right combination of drugs. It's not often you get paramedics attending a migraine attack. I'm fortunate enough not to get headaches but many is the time I wish I could call them out to Sandra.

MORE TOMORROW WHEN THE ROYALS WADE IN.