There was a time when many of us would stroll along the Thames, through Bourne End and Marlow, and think how nice it would be to live in one of the lovely houses on the banks.

Well, we are not thinking that anymore.

At the moment most of us look at riverside homes with far more sympathy than envy.

Such is the effect of the latest bout of devastating weather to hit us – with more rain expected this weekend. Marlow and Cookham in particular have been hit brutally, with floodwaters rising to their highest in more than 60 years.

Already – and dishearteningly – a political blame game is being played.

Of course there are questions to be answered, and of course there is understandable (and in many cases fully justified) anger from residents at the handling of the situation.

But you can already feel the main parties using the floods to jockey for position ahead of next year’s General Election and it all feels a bit cheap and shameless.

None of that bickering is helping those most in need now.

For that, communities have largely been relying on themselves and their front-line emergency services, to impressive effect.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue have worked tirelessly to keep people safe and relatively dry throughout the crisis, while Bucks Search and Rescue were quick to the scene to give vital assistance. Marlow Town Council, and a number of volunteers, organisations and authorities have rallied to offer shelter, support and sandbags.

As ever, crises like this bring out the best in the communities suffering them, and we think all those involved in the relief efforts should be extremely proud of their sterling work this week.

This spring (should it ever arrive) will see a big budget, effect- laden film of Noah arrive in our cinemas, with Russell Crowe as the rain-drenched Biblical figure. It’s hard to say whether our recent bout of weather will serve to promote the film or keep people sick of great floods away in their droves.

But, despite political pledges of endless spending to combat future floods (pledges already sounding a bit shaky) it might be worth a look to get some ark-building tips under our belt for next year.