Wednesday, December 29, 2010

A Room with a View

It's finally happened.  We can see water from the Condamine River - through the window in the spare bedroom!!!  The houses on this property are built on a sand hill, with the river flats starting to look like inland lakes as I type, and more water still to get here.  The ducks seem to be having a ball.  It's extremely hard to get any sort of photograph which gives any indication of the impact of this event.  Even for us, who know these paddocks, find it difficult to comprehend where it is running in.  If you look closely at the above photograph you will see the tops of some fence posts, and the country behind the water has been planted to cotton................ it will be ruined I'd say.

This shot shows the water coming in and around some higher ground.  Over the years, levy banks have been constructed in order to protect farmed areas.   The tree line at the back is 'the river'.  Actually, we are three kilometres from the river, as the crow flies. 




 This is another small pocket of farming land under water.  I hope you can see the flowers in the foreground.  These bulbous plants are everywhere at the moment.  I am not sure of their correct name, but have been told they've been dubbed The Darling Lily [this water finds it's way into the Murray-Darling system and into South Australia eventually].  They look like a large crocus or a small crinum [again, hope I'm right on the 'classification'].


As promised, I managed a shot showing the water over the bridge.  This was taken after lunch yesterday, the reading approximately 11.5 metres [the bridge is 10 metres].  I have been speaking to people in the township this morning.  It is now over 13 metres and still rising.  We are unable to get to town, but still okay as far as food is concerned.  My biggest worry is running out of milk [we freeze it these days].  But, if that happens, I suppose I still have nothing to complain about compared to others who have been through rough times.

Thank you to all who have shown concern, and thank you too to Shirley for the cider vinegar hint.  I had not heard that one before.  It's on the grocery list.

My heart goes out to the people who have had to leave their homes.  Theodore to the north, and Chinchilla to the north-east are the worst in our immediate area.  Both our sons are Civil Engineers based in the Shires where all of this damage is happening.  The nightmares will begin soon enough when it's time to repair damage to roads and creek crossings.

I have one amusing story about Sunday's deluge.  Our son who lives in the Tara district saw a lot of water quite close to his home on a small acreage.  They were picking up yabbies on the side of the road, in drains, etc.  Guess what they had for lunch.  For those who are not familiar with the yabby [crayfish], I've included a small image.  They are very nice to eat [a lot of waste], and abound in our inland silty dams.   Obviously the dams were full and overflowing, and the yabbies had to go somewhere!!!      

10 comments:

DIAN said...

Linda, thanks for the pics. I have some idea of the area you speak of, having stayed in that spare room on a couple of hot dry days but I cannot imagine the difference.

How are your dogs, is dog town up high enough to stay dry?

Your sons will be busy for a few months to come.

Take care.

fabriquefantastique said...

Oh, I saw an item on this flood on the BBC news this evening....unbelievable...along with other world wide weather disasters. Australians seem to be coping well under the circumstances

Julie T said...

Linda.... who would have thought that Australia was in drought not all that long ago.
After watching the news my heart goes out to all the families who have had to evacuate...

I know the milk could be a worry BUT have you got enough stitching supplies???? I am sure you have,

Has is actually stopped raining?
Stay dry and safe

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Linda,

Wow, unbelievable flooding photos. Very sad for all those that is losing their crops and homes. The bridge photo of your last post and todays one where it is gone under water give us a good idea of what things are like. Very sad indeed. I find it incredible that the river is over it banks by 3 miles. I do hope you all stay safe.

When I lived in the Barossa Valley I saw once where the road was good when we went to town and just about gone when we came back through. that was very scary and shocking for me back then when I had only been there less than a year. vbg
Australia sure does have it extremes.

Thanks for sharing these photos Linda, Much appreciated. Hugs Judy

Frances Leate said...

Linda those photos are incredible - all that water! If it is any consolation the rain has completely eased off up here in the Far North of the state although I don't know for how long that will last - we have had a real old fashion "Wet" season here in Cairns. We are thinking of you!

Jensters said...

Thinking of everywhere that are having weather trouble! Your photos are amazing Linda along with Corrine's snow pictures, the weathers gone made x

Juliettecherry said...

Oh dear Linda, how dreadful those floods are. I hope you stay dry at home. Also that you do have plenty of supplies for everything you need. It seems to be very widespead.

Here in the UK we now have milder temperatures, thank goodness because my central heating boiler has been out of action since Sunday. Due to icing up.

Your flower photos are delightful, nice for us to see because we have none here at this time of year.

Iceni UK said...

Hi Linda, your photo's are amazing, to see the water raising in moments must be so scary. We have also been watching some pictures on the TV News of the weather in Queensland

Take care and keep safe and dry.
Hugs

Radka said...

Hi Linda! This looks very serious for you. We saw some pictures on our TV tonight taken from the air. They tell us that it is the worst flood for 150 years and there is more to come!
How much danger are you in?
By the way, I am up there with Shirley about the cider vinegar, I always have some at home. Vinegar generally is good for a lot of things, I have a whole book on it!

Julie said...

Great photos Linda - and I do think we will be needing a hovercraft to get out there later in January!!

I love the idea of picking up yabbies by the side of the road. Much easier than the meat on a string method...