Tuesday 21 February - Tuesday 1 March
Last Tuesday, the Gaiter Girls met at Newstead House on the Brisbane River at 6.30 am. We quickly notched up an 11 km circuit, before partaking of a celebratory
al fresco breakfast to welcome Mary's 2nd, New York Granddaughter.
A short section along the Brisbane River.
Peeping into a treasure trove of antiques.
Walking along quiet suburban streets, admiring homes of yesteryear.
Note the old, corugated iron, stove recess.
Almost to the Story Bridge.
Tranquil on this day.
Scenes of horror yesterday, as a huge crane working on building a new ferry terminal, came adrift in the swift, flowing flood waters.
Now a peaceful, 5 km walk along the river, back to Newstead House.
Janice had never taken this walk. I knew she would be impressed by these sculptures, but her reaction was far greater than I imagined. They have been named Gerard and Gloria, co authors of a book of the local area. Janice's excitement was because she has known Gerard and Gloria, for a very long time.
How beautiful is this stretch of the river?
Today, still totally submerged.
The brollies were packed for rain, but were needed for shade, as we made our way across the river to the art galleries.
Kimiyo Mishima creates ceramic replicas of every day consumer waste.
Banana money.
Earth
Heaven
Hell
About 8 am a thunderstorm raged overhead, the prelude to a night of ceasless torrential rainfall, like I have never witnessed before. About 10 pm Frank and I put the sandbags in place. Better to be prepared and not used, than having a totally sleepless night worrying. 
It rained quite heavily overnight Tuesday, to the extent that the Hungry Hikers reorganised their beach walk to a city and art gallery visit. That done, the weather still appeared inclement and so only three of us met at 8.30 am for a Casino breakfast special, prior to the 10 am Art Gallery opening time.
It drizzed as I walked across Victoria Bridge to the Casino from the railway Station.
Having eaten, there was till time to spare before the Art Gallery opened. Perfect for a visit to the Queen's Wharf and Casino complex, information centre.
The Casino, and footbridge across the river to our Southbank Parklands, can be seen in the photo above. Due for completion at the end of the year, we were quite blown away by the Queen's Wharf public spaces.
3D glasses projecting a 360 degree virtual tour.
A short distance further on, we enjoyed the classic beauty of Old Government House, and the art of local artist William Robinson.
The Exhibition of the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, kept us captivated well into the afternoon.
An Asian Chandelier - representing villages and their population.
Overnight Wednesday, [42mm fell] the weather system effecting the Sunshine Coast over the past 2 days, moved south and stayed, dumping constant heavy rain for the next 4 days, over Greater Brisbane.
Thankfully we were on its edge and only received the occasional shower. In fact, my husband and I drove to the Gold Coast in sunshine, to visit Frank's sister, whom we hadn't seen since Christmas. The ocean wasn't looking too happy or clean.
During Thursday night however, we recorded 62 mm.
Friday the rain continued to fall, dropping 120 mm, but still nothing like the heavy falls elsewhere!
Saturday morning brought the system closer to us and during the next 24 hours, 182 mm fell.
6.45 am
So many towns and farms north of us were already badly inundated and the rain was still not letting up for them.
I was to travel away to Stanthorpe for the Apple Festival. No rain was falling in the Stanthorpe region, but by mid afternoon I had decided to cancel my visit the following day.
This was our view as I emptied the rain gauge on Sunday morning - 6am. The golf ponds had joined and were rising from the overflow of the Albert River in the far distant tree line.
4 pm - no let up in the rain and the water level was still rising.
6 pm - by this time we had another 60 mm.
We were still feeling confident that the sandbags wouldn't be required, but we felt calmer having them filled and ready.
191 mm fell taking the total to 251mm for the 24 hours. Yet again we had been spared the enormous totals of elsewhere. Our friends on the north side of Brisbane had 700 mm in the same time. [They live on a hill.]
The birds loved the moisture.
6.30 am
8.30 am
The view at my 6 am check Monday morning!
7.30 am, the water steadily rising.
11.30 am and the level peaked . The red line denotes the Cyclone Debbie peak level of 2017.
These events are occurring far too often.
We breathed normally again!
Thankfully the 16 mm overnight hasn't affected the flood's retreat. We have been incredibly fortunate.
6 am this morning, Tuesday 1 March.
The scenes elewhere are horrific. I've just read of a mother requiring a C- section and all her possesions were lost in last night's flood, in Northern New South Wales. Heart breaking beyond belief, as is the situation in the Ukraine.
How the world can change in just a week!
I believe this weather event has made world news. Here are just a few photos taken from our ABC New's footage.
I would like to read your comment.
The UN report on the Climate Change being far more severe than we thought is on my mind when I see these pictures--and the video on our news. It appears that you will stay dry. We're having a heavy bit of rain here which is supposed to ease up tomorrow sometime. We don't worry about flooding where we are, but power failures are an extreme problem-- No heat, no water, no lights, no music, no ... Oh well. Loved the first part of your post. Its so good to be able to be out with close friends. Stay dry and stay safe.
ReplyDeleteWe are, but the drama of flooding continues south along the coast, towards Sydney.
DeleteI hope you don't loose power too often, especially through your winter.
Good friends to share the beauty of each day, help to make this sad world bearable.
Beautiful, interesting, and also sad photos.
ReplyDeleteThere's an atrocious war going on only about 1000 km away from us and it's difficult to think of anything else.
Stay safe and well, dear Helen!
As devastating as this weather event is, Sara, it is nothing to the horror unfolding in the Ukraine.
DeleteNews of the flooding there has be eclipsed by the Ukraine invasion which fills our news. That is an incredible amount of water to have fallen in such a short time. I saw a report claiming we are on the brink of being too late to have any significant impact on how we’ve changed the climate. With the pandemic and now the crazed actions of a mad man, climate has fallen a distant third if that. Soon we won’t be able to ignore it because it will kill millions of us. Such a sad world we are leaving our darling grandchildren! Sigh!
ReplyDeleteWe can only cling to hope, Marie.
DeleteWow, that is a lot of rain! I'm glad your home was spared. It's either feast or famine in the rainfall department isn't it? The waterfront and skyline of your city is beautiful (when it's not flooding).
ReplyDeleteThe beauty will return. A massive clean up is underway.
DeleteOh my gosh Helen, what is our world's weather coming to! I can't imagine the stress and anxiety that must have been felt watching water rise so close that sandbagging is necessary! Good to know your home remained dry. Once again I chuckle as you Hungry Hikers enjoy a feast before going about your day!
ReplyDeleteThankfully we had time to be prepared.
DeleteWe need rain, while you are getting too much. I'm glad the sandbags were not needed! It looks like you made the most of your revised hiking plans with interesting visits.
ReplyDeleteIf only I could share the rain.
ReplyDeleteSadly the galleries may have suffered from the flooding.
Australia really is a land of extremes!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right though, the horrors of what is happening in Ukraine is heartbreaking