Shelling

Here on the front line. the distinction between a trench and a bomb crater is somewhat academic.  It's safe to say that terms like "patio" and "garden" have somewhat lost their meaning, too.  We do understand "mud hole" and "river" though.

Here's the latest aerial surveillance photo after a prolonged bout of Rain (or Rhine; past tense, Rhône).  You can clearly see the course of the Rhône:

the Rhine, of course!

The piece of lawn which used to support the top of the ladder now supports the bottom of it, after yet another collapse. Meanwhile, the sappers have been tunnelling under the drive in a bid to thwart the next wave of shelling  - at least that's what it looks like.

Ouche!

Needless to say, all this unexpected exposure of what should rightly be kept underground is putting a bit of strain on the plucky civilian population. How long will this terrible Rhine Garrone? It's the heaviest we've ever Seine (past tense: Saône).  Isère anything we can do? Seemingly, not a Lot. It's enough to make one quite Ill.  Just have to Marne up and take it on the Dordogne, I suppose.  (If anyone can explain that last one to me, please do so in the comments).

Anyway, we are consoled by the delivery of a new digger, late this afternoon, and the possibility of actual building-style progress tomorrow.  Alas, there is still no word on the fate of Rusty, who apparently went missing in action somewhere today and hasn't been heard of since.