is this what we have become

We're in a serious drought situation.  We've not seen any "proper" rain in 3 months or so and have seen temperatures into the 30 degrees Celsius regularly.  It's been a lot cooler over the past couple of weeks but still there has been no sign of rain.  And now we're forecast rising temperatures again for the next week or so.

Now, while we remain lucky here and have so far avoided a hosepipe ban (though for how much longer I'm not sure), in other parts of the country restrictions have been put in place. 

I've not used mine in weeks anyway, as it seems a little irresponsible.  Even if my front lawn might disagree! 

And don't get me started on the woeful mismanagement of the water system leading to underground leaks and the loss of millions of gallons of water, all to make sure profits are maximised at the expense of actual infrastructure investment, but a glance at my local water company's website shows a sad indictment of their, and maybe society in general's, "values"

Instead of useful tips on how to save water (you now things like bath with a (close) friend, shower instead of bathe where you can, don't leave taps running, recycle bath and sink water, etc.), their top, top "tip" was...

... how to report your neighbour.

How sad.

Surely it should have been how to help an elderly or otherwise disadvantaged neighbour, and not how to get them fined.  It is I suppose a sad reflection of where we are as a society.  Insulated, lonely, uncaring and vindictive.

Now, what's that number?  I need to report yet another burst pipe...