Toowoomba's torrent - no one knew it was coming.

After typing yesterday's blog and attempting to stay in good humour, Frank called me to the TV where the news on Toowoomba had just been covered - absolutely unbelievable!!.

***** Toowoomba - before yesterday.

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Toowoomba (nick named "the Garden City) is located 127 kms. west of Queensland's Capital City - Brisbane. It has an estimated district population of over 128,000. Toowoomba is Australia's 2nd largest inland city, (Canberra being the largest) and it's largest non-capital Inland City.

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Toowoomba has more than 150 public parks and gardens., including Japanese and Botanic Gardens - This city and it's surrounds is an absolute picture in the spring and autumn.

Historic Spring Bluff Railway

The Japanese Gardens Queens Park

Lauren Bank Park

It is a Cathedral city,

with Theatres

and University and Colleges

Toowoomba sits on the crest of the Great Dividing Range, around 700 metres (2,300ft) above sea level. A few streets are on the eastern side of the edge of the range, but most of the city is west of the divide. The City occupies the edge of the range and the low ridges behind it. Two valleys run north from the southern boundary, each arising from springs either side of the Middle Ridge near Spring Street at an altitude around 680 m. These waterways, East Creek and West Creek flow together just north of the CBD to form Gowrie Creek.

Gowrie Creek drains to the west across the Darling Downs and is a tributary of the Condamine River, part of the Murray-Darling Basin. The water flowing down Gowrie Creek makes it way some 3,000 kms (1,900 miles) to the mouth of the Murray River near Adelaide in South Australia. Rain which falls on the easternmost streets of Toowoomba flows east to Moreton Bay (Brisbane) a distance of around 170kms (110 miles).

TOOWOOMBA WON AUSTRALIA'S MOST TIDIEST CITY/TOWN HONOUR IN 2008

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In June 1827 a Botanist and Explorer, Alan Cunningham, discovered 4 million acres of rich farming and grazing land, which became known as the Darling Downs. The city of Toowoomba is commercial and support centre for this rich agricultural area.

Everything seems to grow well

on the DARLING DOWNS.

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Yesterday during a month of unusually heavy rain, including 100 mls (4 inches) within half an hour early yesterday afternoon - IT CAME WITHOUT WARNING - within minutes - an 8 metre sea of murky brown water that swept through the streets of Toowoomba. The Eastern and Western creeks and Condamine tributory broke their banks and partook in this disaster.

In its wake was a trail of death and destruction that devastated the picturesque city perched on top of the Darling Downs and stunned a state exhausted and stretched by its worst natural disaster in decades.

People climbed up on to their roofs, some were rescued, but others stayed there all night - helicopters were eventually grounded because of the horrific fog and rain. Many houses were washed away and outlying towns look like a cyclone has been through them, buildings and houses are flattened - it is like an INLAND TSUNAMI. The Defence forces have been brought in, with most rescues having to be done by air as most of the roads are just wiped out. BUT the weather is getting worse, and soon again will be too treacherous for helicopters.

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The death toll is climbing and again many other areas and towns are on high alert, thousands have been told to evacuate, including the western and riverside suburbs of Brisbane - the Brisbane River has broken and if the flood waters and king tides meet in Moreton Bay - it will be absolutely terrible. Some Brisbane suburbs are already under water, all ferry transport has been cancelled, and floods are building up around the airport. they are forcasting that Thursday will be the bad day for Brisbane .

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Many major roads are closed including some to the south of us in New South Wales.

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This disaster is being reported via some media that this is the result of a weather phenomenon called" La Nina"

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We have been doing as advised, not taking to the road at all, and are prepared for most things - we have the generator out in case we lose electricity, piles of water, torches, gas stove and lanterns, and of course the barbeque would be fine to cook with.

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NOW ALL WE CAN DO IS THINK AND JUST HOPE THAT MORE SURVIVORS ARE FOUND, AND HOPE THAT THE ARMY AND RESCUERS HAVE WEATHER TO DO THEIR JOB, IT IS ALL SO VERY SAD, and of course my mind still takes in the thought of animals and livestock caught up in this horrendous situation.

The Tennis Crocs!

Well, we are due for a real downpour tonight - again - as per the forecasters - not that it has stopped for more than 10 minutes at a time all day!!!. Brisbane is being hit, as are both the Sunshine and Gold Coasts and their Hinterlands - but for us no leaking as yet, but also no walks, we are getting lazy and lumpy!!. Anyway, now the tennis is on - Sydney first and then next week The Ausralian Open Grand Slam starts in Melbourne. There is an advert out right now about the Australian Open, for Optus (one of Aussie's Telcoms). We love it, 2 crocodiles playing tennis (their tails are the rackets), the ball is a little "possom glider". Hopefully you can pick it up from the website below - it really tickles our fancy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWjg_QG8MYE It's amazing what little things amuse our minds during this 'DAMN BIG WET'.!!!

Back to the floods

This Before and After Flood satellite photos came from Kevin in England. Pretty much shows the extent of the flooding around Rockhampton from the Fitzroy River.

These kangaroos being rescued by boat, were so weak they didn't even react to being handled by man - this rescuer said they just seemed so pleased to be put in the boat and extra pleased when dropped off on dry land with feed.

And today, the town of St. George just near the New South Wales border is going to be flooded for the 2nd time in 10 months by the Balonne River. Frank and I spent a great week in St. George in 2006 - just a delightful country town, which had a lovely long walk through a great park along the banks of the Balonne River - we walked it every day - beautiful plants and rest areas -not any more.

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We drove to Burleigh Beach for a long walk this morning - brolly in hand - surf was pretty wild, we stuck to walking along the footpath today, instead of pushing along wet sand.

This little spaniel seemed pleased that his owner stuck to the path instead of beach this morning too.

My Godmother's birthday

Today we joined Auntie Nalda at her apartment to celebrate her 87th birthday, Auntie is still quite weak after suffering 3 heart attacks, one stent and a couple of mini strokes since end of October, including a couple of months in and out of hospital.

Auntie Beryl made the birthday cake, and Auntie Nalda took on the candles, and managed to extinguish most of them.

(L to R) Auntie Beryl, Auntie Nalda's son in law, Rod, Auntie, daughter Ailsa and very good friend Wilma.

All the girls - Rod took the photo.

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Although still weak, Auntie was delighted to have us there, the Brig stayed home as he thought it should be a "Girl's day out". Rod comes down to be with Ails while she is looking after her mother. Two of Auntie's grand daughters will visit tomorrow, Ails is keeping the numbers visiting small until Auntie becomes stronger. Auntie is such a brave little chook, been through so much in such a short time, but quite determined - wonder where that comes from - maybe the Tarrant genetics!

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OLD TIME FRIENDS AND GREAT MEMORIES

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Many years ago when I worked for Digital - Training, in Reading, Berkshire, England, I worked with quite a few Trainers, but one particular guy had a great wife - same name as moi!. Anyway we keep in contact all over the place - every now and then , and I would say they move more often than we - so we do lose contact, but somehow reconnect - just amazing really.

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Ten years ago they called us from Doyles at Watsons Bay, Sydney, and came down to the Bay for a superb night - as usual.

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Time has gone on, and Bruce called me the other night - they hopefully will be out again next year, and will visit us up here.

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All that aside, some 33 years ago, both my Aunts (Nalda and Beryl) along with their great husbands (Arthur-the gentle giant uncle, and Fred - the spoiler of every kid 'specially me) came and stayed with us in Chester, New Hampshire. Bruce was also across from the UK, and this morning via email he reminded me of the fact that one of my Uncles (that would have to be the gentle giant) carried a suitcase of Aussie beer with him, just in case he didn't like the American stuff - Bruce says the contents were drunk that night - anyway after that my friend Paula, up the road did the beer runs for them when we were at work - mind you they did mow everybodies lawn (2 acres per property) on our "ride on" mower, as often as possible, and they liked that "yanky" beer. Just a nice reminder today of some fun times in the past, and the Aunts really enjoyed it when I showed them the email. Good things keep happening.

Sunshine or Rain State?

Kevin has just emailed a BBC broadcast from the UK on our mighty floods - hopefully you can pick it up by double clicking on the website below - its a very good report. Ta Kev.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/news/world-12120239 *****

Back in Robina - well, this weather is really extraodinary, heavy rain again last night - going sideways (2.5 inches), I moved all the deck's lounge pillows and chairs inside, didn't wake the Brig, he was having a well earned sleep. To answer your question Lois, fortunately our little place has shown absolutely no signs of leaking via the roof or anywhere else, and our drains seem to get rid of the water very quickly. We, and both our neighbours, Carol on one side, and Kumi and Bob on the other sorted out our water drains a year ago, so all flows out pretty quickly from our places, plus we are up on higher land than the Golf Course, which has been flooding a lot. Bugs on the plants will be the next problem - I have managed to spray them with seaweed mixture a couple of times, but we definitely have some creepy crawlies, Steve found a few yesterday on our 2 citrus trees when he and Gail came over. Now I just need 24 hours of dry weather so I can hit the plants with a systemic de-bug spray. I must say that I sprayed myself with "insect repellant" for the first time yesterday morning, before going out to weed and clean up in the garden. Such a minor irritant compared to the suffering in the rest of our great "SUNSHINE' state. The house below is a typical "Queenslander", built up high above the ground on stilts basically, and can handle the high waters reasonably well, but unfortunately the houses built at ground level, have really suffered in the flood areas. This morning the Brig is having a small air conditioner installed in his study, just to allow him to read and watch TV in a "fridge". He and I have a differing (big) of opinions on temperatures within the house, I'm not a great fan of air conditioners blasting away, quite happy with a ceiling fan doing its job most of the time, but the boy has to have the air conditioning going full blast - it's a bit like a southern winter within our house at times. Gail and Steve came over yesterday, and she said - "it's absolutely freezing in here", yep cousin, I know that - hence the airconditioner being installed in his Study, then I can switch that big thing OFF!!!

This would give me an EXTREME dose of the PIPPiES!!!!

Rising river levels are not the only worry for sodden Queensland communities, as snakes become more active in floodwaters!!! They are forced out of their holes in these wet events and swim very well! The most common are the venomous Eastern Browns which are about 1.5 metres long, however most of these towns have a swag of varieties - for example around Rockhampton there are 40 different types of "slithers". The "Snake Handlers" are on call and extra vials of antivenin have been shipped to the hospitals in the flooded areas.

There is one report from an isolated homestead who have an area of high land the size of a foot ball field around their property, the 2 house occupants have reported that there are about a thousand snakes which have also taken up residence on their high land during the floods !!!!. At this stage I would want a helicopter to take me far away - perhaps across the Tasman to Kiwi land - no snakes there!

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A "Snake Buster" - he looks like our own Vladimir Putin - holding a group of these things (and I'm assuming they are deceased)!.... I personally think these "snake busters" are not the full quid, but then we certainly called one (and were extremely grateful to him) a few years ago when a 7 ft. carpet python came visiting down at Bay Cottage in Long Beach.

First for 2011

On New Year's Eve we wandered around to Kumi and Bob's and spent a delightful few hours with them and their friends.

Kumi presented us with 10 courses to choose from - 5 western and 5 asian - excellent cuisine, so much choice and sooh good.

It was a lovely evening , also it was an early night for us all - which was how we had planned it - fast asleep way before the "changing of years".

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I spoke to our friend Peg (and Fred) in San Diego yesterday, wanted to see how they were faring with the mud slides etc in California, it has not been easy, but they have come through it after a very watchful eye for the whole week before Christmas.

New Hampshire friends came through their Christmas without much blizzard damage - just absolutely freezing! What is happening here in Queensland is diabolical - just unbelievable how much these people, their stock, crops and businesses are suffering - with 10 people dieing so far. It is just getting bigger and bigger - nearly one million square kilometres. The disaster this has done to our Australian wildlife fauna is unfathomable - kangaroos and wallabies, koalas, wombats, emus and all those dear little things that live in burrows and our wonderful array of goannas and lizards - so so many losses. Below a Goanna, a large group of stranded Wallabies and one lone Wallaby in dire straits in this flood.

(A lot of the snakes, and of course the crocs will swim their way out of it - not losing much sleep over the survival of these two breeds !!!)

Then the livestock, goats, sheep, alpacas, horses and cattle just washed away, whole breeding herds just perished..

We have a rain gauge, and the Brig measured over 25 inches of rain here for the month of December - and that's small compared to the flooded areas.

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HAPPIER PICS!

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I have just received some photos of "kids around the world"

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Sean Martin (our Godson Scott, and his wife Jenny's baby boy) enjoying his first Christmas in Manchester, New Hampshire - a very smart and happy little half yearling!

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Just by coincidence, Scott (a proud USA Eagle Scout, like his Godfather Frank, being an English Queen Scout) and his young sister Lynne and parents, Anne and Henry, were with us for Christmas in the mid 80's along with Jeff, the father of this special little one below.

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Caitlin - Jeff and Monica's 3 yr old (Jeff spent some time with us on the farm when he was 19 - during his break year) now his progeny is relaxing and reading on their deck in Denver, Colorado in December when her grandparents (our friends Lois and Glenn) were visiting for Caitlin's 3rd birthday party. Apparently the Jacquie Lawson ADVENT Calendar I emailed Caitlin went down a treat, even with Grandma - had to send Lois one when she returned to New Hampshire, just so she could discuss each day's happening with young Caitlin! OKAY, I sent myself one as well, and opened it early every morning for the 25 days !!

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Emily, Margaret and Kevin's grand daughter posing in Sheffield, England in her Chrissie faux fur vest we sent her from downunder. Had a note from Emm and Jack's Dad this morning - we had given Jack a small World Globe - Dan say's he now knows where all the important places are - Sheffield, Chesterfield and Australia!!! These 2 also took a fancy to their ADVENT Calendar at the Barn.

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Then young Mikie in Alice Springs - having a ball with some bubbles at Christmas. This young man also had fun with his ADVENT - he is such a special little outback kid with his attitude and big grin - always get a kick out of the photos Lisa takes of Mikie..

Wishing you a Healthy and Happy 2011

I found the following photos yesterday, taken in Paris a few days ago - wonderful shots - they brought back great memories of our New Year in Paris in 2007/2008.

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Love the one below - this photo was composed through a hole in a snowy wall facing the Basilique du Sacre Coeur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart) on Butte de Montmartre (Montmartre Hill - the highest point in Paris)

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A young Queensland cousin of mine and her husband are doing a dinner cruise up the Seine for midnight tonight - hope it is perfect for them.

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We do love Paris.

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The sun is shining today, and we started it off by walking from 6.30 a.m. along Currumbin Creek and Beach.

So much early morning activity at the entrance to Currumbin Creek beside Currumbin rocks

We then strolled along the beach - a lovely long walk "pushing sand" before brekky.

For our New Years Eve late lunch the Brig is going to barbeque some garlic king prawns on skewers, and my duty is the lime and herb risotto to accompany it, it's sort of just a nice time for Frank and I to look over 2010 and plan our activities for 2011, he has a largish birthday, and of course we have a 35th Wedding Anniversary sneaking up, so things to do!!!!.

Then late this afternoon we will wander around to Kumi and Bob's house to spend a few hours on New Years Eve with them and their friends, a little bit of Japanese culture tonight maybe.

How lucky are we just to be able to walk to a friends place as opposed to the thousands of Queenslanders who are in evacuation camps, or surrounded by floods right now, having lost so very much. The area of Queensland which is covered in flood is actually bigger than the TOTAL AREA of both France and Germany COMBINED.

Queensland is under water

Major portions of this huge state is in severe trouble with the state of the floods, via many different rivers, whole towns are being evacuated, major highways and hundreds of roads are closed, so food supplies for humans and animals are on hold, peoples houses and sheds severely damaged or ruined for good, and businesses losing all their supplies and stock.

severe animal/stock losses

and of course the wide array of crops, whether it be wheat, pineapples, bananas, corn, melons and so it goes on.

Cities such as Bundaberg (producers of that special Rum), Rockhampton, Chinchilla and many other places are in real crisis. Some dams are so full that near Bundaberg 2 times the water of Sydney Harbour is gushing over this dam's spillway - every day!!! These floods will continue moving down for weeks, and that's before clean up starts.

For example in the Gemfields, the wonderful small city of Emerald has a river - Nogoa - which is due to rise "50 feet above its normal level" - 80 percent of this city will go under water by tomorrow - some 10,000 occupants are being, and will be evacuated.

We were in Warwick on our way home from the Snowy 4 weeks ago, staying overnight, road was atrocious then with high water tables and road train damage - can't imagine how bad it is going to be after this.

Some enjoying a play in front of the pub, before the real stuff arrives, you know to me this is quite silly, the snakes are also caught up in this disaster, swimming their way to higher ground - and who wants to share the floods with them!!.

And these two still celebrated their Christmas with water lapping at their top step - so typical of the strength and happy attitude of country Aussies.

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The rain has stopped here for the last 36 hours, and our little abode has not been affected - the Golf course down the road disappeared into a huge lake, but I feel so much for those who are under water, and for the stock and businesses which have been lost.

Crashed Cricket!!

Well, after Australia's pathetic batting performance yesterday, this poster below was printed on the back page of today's Australian Daily Telegraph!!!!!!

Unfortunately their bowling performance today is not going anywhere either.

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On a far nicer note, Bren called me this morning, he and Rani are planning to bring their 3 kids up here in the School Holidays in early July - they will stay at one of the "Kid themed" places on the Gold Coast. Seaworld with Luca, Ava and Hunter would be a blast - will really look forward to spending time with the 5 of them. Bren said the kids have really enjoyed the emailed Advent Calendar I sent them, they go to it about 5 times a day, 'specially to show Grandpa Rod every afternoon. When Bren first saw it, he thought typical Liz - so much of New England and snow in it.

Rani and Bren's eldest, Luca Belle, is learning Jazz Ballet, and the piano - cute as a button, and definitely has her Dad's hair.

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Well it is still raining here, another 4 inches in the last 24 hours the worst up here for 150 years, however my thoughts are with our good friends in New England and Chicago with the terrible blizzard which is presently taking place there - 100's of flights, buses and trains cancelled,high winds and just so much snow - just hope everyone is okay.