High seas precede Cyclone Ului

The seas the Queensland coast is receiving this week is pleasing for those who love to ride those huge waves on their surfboard - these photos were taken at Snapper Rocks on Monday.

And Burleigh

This week the AUSTRALIAN SURF LIFESAVING CHAMPIONSHIPS were also taking place at Kurrawa at Broadbeach. Thousands of volunteer Lifesavers, their families and followers AND all their equipment come from all over Australia to represent their beaches and Lifesaving clubs.

The weather was very ordinary, and the seas were starting to test these brave souls, specifically the inconsistency of the surf, with rips running all over and so close to shore.

The Parade of competing Clubs

The first day (see below) are "The Masters Comp", that is those Lifesavers who are ageing!!!!

The weather closed in, there were so many accidents, and the irratic seas fought all the competitors.

So much equipment was smashed.

The organisers moved some of the classes to North Kirra as it was calmer there. NOT FOR LONG!!

Even the Control Towers at North Kirra were accidental targets.

This surf boat actually knocked over the Control Tower, then proceeded to use it as its base!

And of course there were the lighter accidents - where the surf just "nuded" this competitor. Things just got worse, and yesterday a young 19 year old competitor from NSW who was competing was hit by his ski board in the head, and died later in hospital. He had started in Nippers when he was 8 years old. It has been 14 years since the last Lifesaver died at the Championships - he was only 15, and there is a park on the boardwalk at Broadbeach named after this young man.

The Championships were cancelled yesterday, and again today, these pre Cyclone seas have taken a terrible toll already.

St Patricks Day

St Patricks Day was certainly celebrated in Australia this year - it has now been 200 years since the day was originally toasted in Sydney - March 17, 1810, when the then New South Wales Governor, Lachlan Macquarie provided entertainment for Irish convict workers. EVEN THE OPERA HOUSE TURNED GREEN FOR THE OCCASION. But of course, in Queensland there are more of the population who can trace their lineage to Ireland (including yours truly) than any other state in OZ. That's what they say in the press!!!

And of course a petite kiwi with loads of irish in her, celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Auckland. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Queensland floods create an outback wonderland.

The Simpson Desert ( spans 100,000 square kilometres) - borders on south west Queensland, Northern Territory and northern South Australia - has transformed into a wonderland of flooded creeks and waterfilled claypans and waterholes teeming with plants and wildlife.

In 2004 Frank and I spent some time - a couple of weeks in the area, basing ourselves around Alice Springs, I have some photos from then - no rain at that time.

Wildflowers were everywhere - I cannot imagine what these floral wonders will do after so much moisture.

And these little guys will delight in the wildlife which will appear - well that is their prey, not their predators though.

We found the Simpson's sunsets exquisite! AND LOOK AT HER TODAY

It's red sand has been turned into inland oceans and brings glorious life to the barren landscape. Fish will make their way into the rivers, and waterbirds are flocking there in their thousands and of course many other mammals. This desert will be an absolute picture in the next few months, and again the wildflowers will be something to behold- certainly worth a trip out there.

Wild and Woolly!!

The weather has been really tropical and stormy over the last couple of weeks, with much of Queensland in flood, a lot of losses with farm stock and some houses and properties, but the positive side is the dams are full, and a large majority of the agricultural people are delighted they have come out of years of drought!!!, I must say I would hate to have to clean up the muddy smelly mess left after a flood invades your house, but these people just cope and carry on - a very "hardy" lot.

Kids still manage to have fun, even fishing in their town park.

Floods didn's stop this chap above carrying his carton of 4X (Queensland's own beer), just as well he didn't have to wade along the road/river below - 10 metres above.

And last weekend at Kurrawa beach, Broadbeach, the Queensland Surf Lifesaving Championships were held - and it was very wild and woolly - many accidents and broken equipment, but they just kept on challenging each other and competing!!!!.

Above, the girls take off in the sea ski run.

Very choppy surf above

And didn't some of the Lifeboats - and their teams - come a cropper!!!

Sue's 50th - Looong weekend

Last weekend - starting on Friday, we set off to the Hinterland - to the area they call The Scenic Rim to celebrate cousin in law - Sue's 50th birthday. Over 60 people were there, staying in permanent tents (including our 86 and 85 yr old aunts) vans or their own tents and very fortunately the weather was quite good compared to the coast, where floods were the order of the weekend. It was a fun couple of days - everyone enjoyed themselves, including my godmother, her first camping trip - aged 86!!.

Above - The local traffic warden!

The Patrol accessing the picturesque park - Spring Gully Stays

By the time we arrived on Friday the party had started

Steve was opening the champers for Sue

The party girl with a couple of friends.

So he just had to join in.

The kids had a great time all weekend

2nd cousins, Lachlan, Maddison and Blake

Lachlan and mate travelled down the stream to the access road.

And another one - Alexander and friend

The Michelin Man

Saturday afternoon - the girls went to work - silver and white balloons all around the camp kitchen.

These boys aren't really into work - Cousin Wayne, the Brig, cousin n law Steve and 2nd cousin Blake!

The birthday girl and moi!

Let's party - Sue, cousin Ashley and cousin in law Ann.

The party girl with husband Ashley, their 3 kids, Maddison and twin Alexander and young Lachlan with their paternal grandmother - Auntie Beryl (Mum's youngest sister)

Sue's sister organised a surprise "This is your life" for her - Delightful!