Within the charming Berkshire village nestled alongside the River Thames, the absence of George Clooney and his spouse Amal has change into the discuss of the city.
The esteemed actor, 62, and the achieved lawyer, 46, are believed to have exchanged their opulent $25 million Oxfordshire residence for the balmy embrace of Southern France, abandoning a mansion with a flooded backyard to embrace a brand new chapter beneath the Provence solar.
For months, the Clooneys, together with their two youngsters, have been absent from the idyllic English village, prompting hypothesis among the many locals.
The couple’s sprawling property has confronted the wrath of Britain’s relentless downpours, enduring two floods in simply over a 12 months. Because the Thames has repeatedly breached its banks, their once-verdant yard now lies submerged.
© MEGAHelen Moore, a longtime village resident, fondly recollects the times when George was a well-known sight. “He was once fairly the fixture right here,” Helen remarked to Every day Mail. “It was fairly widespread to identify him with Amal and the children. However as of late, they’ve change into a uncommon sight. You possibly can hardly fault them, although. The climate has been horrendous, and the flooding has taken a toll on everybody, their home particularly.”
Wendy Boonaert, who brings 20 years of village residency along with her, echoed the sentiment. “This place is undeniably lovely,” Wendy said, “however the incessant rain has examined us all. I can see why George may search the heat elsewhere. Regardless of the world being a hub for the prosperous, I do hope they return. For now, France might be a better option.”
© Leon NealWith the native temperature teetering between 4C to 8C and extra rain forecasted, it appears unlikely that the Clooneys will make an look at their Thames-encircled property anytime quickly.
The river itself has swelled to a menacing 12 toes, prompting flood warnings and inflicting important disruption, together with a short lived closure of the bridge resulting in the Clooneys’ property.
© Alain KUBACSIJessica Sherratt, a neighborhood who typically walks her canine by the river, shares the group’s considerations.
“The flooding has change into extra frequent and extra extreme, disrupting our routines,” she mentioned. “George’s place is perhaps beautiful, but it surely’s not the place you’d need to be amid such flooding. If relocating is an choice, it is a smart one, particularly contemplating the security of the kids.”
In stark distinction, the Clooneys’ French haven, Domaine Le Canadel, basks in a delicate 17C with scarce possibilities of rain. There, Amal was just lately seen with Nelson, the St Bernard pet and her forty sixth birthday current from George.
Their French property, an impressive 18th-century abode amidst a 25-acre winery, boasts a pool, tennis courtroom, and luxurious gardens, bought for £6.5 million in 2021.
Ought to the climate bitter in Provence, the household has the posh of relocating to George’s Lake Como retreat in Italy, acquired in 2002 and now valued at round £80 million.
© GettyNonetheless, the British climate has not been as variety to the couple’s UK residence, which they purchased in 2014 and which has been tormented by flooding regardless of intensive renovations.
The property, full with a non-public boathouse, fitness center, spa, and cinema, has withstood flood injury to its out of doors facilities however has remained structurally sound.
The Clooneys first contended with flooding in January 2023, adopted by Storm Christoph and Storm Dennis, which respectively threatened their property in 2021 and 2020.
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