As I type this post, the time is closing in on 2010, so I will take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe, healthy, happy and prosperous 2011, with many hours to create beautiful things, AND to share them with friends.
Many of you know that very often in my part of the world we lament the lack of rain. Of course, many of you know too that at the moment my district is experiencing the highest flood levels on record. We are in no danger of course, but all of the people in our little township have had to be evacuated and spend time away from their homes. I feel for them this New Year's Eve and hope they are home again soon. A number of times we have been told about the river heights, ie where the water rises, etc., and a number of times I've remarked that I'd really like to see that!! Well, take it from me - be careful what you wish for. The photograph above is still not the end of the story. It has risen since this series of photos was taken. I decided to try the Stitch Photo part of my program, and this panoramic view of the rising water is the result of some fun playing on the computer. My little camera also has a Stitch Assist function which I've used to capture consecutive frames. It's an interesting exercise.
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!!!
