portable land lines

Should be asleep in bed but Chris gave me the story of Wray flood to read and I am.

This is very interesting -the whole book is mega but this is intriguing.....

p.51 of "The Wray Flood of 1967" Emmeline Garnett isbn 1-86220-119-6

"The Cave Rescue people appeared on the opposite side of the river.......at Bridge End, and they were shouting across "We've got a land line, we've got a telephone land line, can we bring it across?" I said "Ay, bring it across." And they'd come from Settle, and they were used to doing this kind of thing - up on the fells they've got to get land lines to caves where probably somebody's life's in danger, you know, they've got to get a land line up, and they were quite used to it. And they had these reels of wire, and they came over this debris which was on top of the bridge. The bridge had been half destroyed but there were piles of trees just perched on top of it...They came across there, and up to the Institute, and got communication...they were there within about an hour."

Data rates? How? Connected to what? Have we really lost so much in 40 years??? I'm going to see if Chris will let me talk to Emmeline in the 'morning', and start quizzing the old boys from the Fell and Cave rescue from the Dales - one of whom happens to be my dad who may have forgotten to pass on some useful info!!!

P.S. This book, for many who live in urban or 'distracted' rural areas where community is not as apparent as it should be, is a MUST READ.

40 years ago or last Xmas in the tsunami, no matter - it's relevant today. If you rely on video reports, then bend your eyes to this book and think about words. And for those who have recently suffered major floods or terrorist attacks in Carlisle, Yorkshire, London or Turkey, and sent in MMS or SMS, have you thought about a podcast? Have you, who vociferously devour News 24, listened to one report and actually heard it?

Make your own report today, for future reference of your experiences. Video, on a broadcast channel, edited by folks far away is not the best route to telling your story...... Real voices of your story and photos/films to watch/hear will give IMPACT far beyond what Emmeline's superbly crafted words could have because you would still be here telling your story yourself. I love this book, even though I'm still trying to work out where and who and how they fit in with those who I know today here.

Write your own report/history for your community, business, family, etc and add to our heritage. Someone, someday, will listen, watch and learn. If only we did more of it and knew how to store it for future generations. My kids will knowabout the flood of wray tomorrow through oral history - if that is all we have, then learn to podcast fast!!!!