Ipswich & Brisbane Floods January 2011

Well there has been an amazing response to the flooding in Queensland in December and January. The media coverage by almost any channel is extensive, although some is a little more sensational than necessary.

Our experience was only very minor perhaps even insignificant compared to the total devastation seen in most other areas. The rain on Monday night (10th) and Tuesday all day was unbelievable. Very heavy, constant and loud. The water running off our land (some of which was coming from our neighbour) was in deep sheets and torrents, carving out ruts in a few places.

All this was heading to the local waterway, Ironpot Creek just below our western boundary. As we have only been in this house less than a year, we were unsure of how the reported ’74 flood levels would impact us.

We were watching out the window and through the trees we could see the rising waters getting closer.  In this photo you can see the water coming in behind our chickens.

Flood waters approaching our chickens !

A walk down our northern boundary towards Ironpot Creek and we realised just how much water was heading toward Ipswich (Ironpot Creek flows into the Bremer River at Brassall just upstream of Hancock’s Bridge).

Ironpot Creek looking back towards our place

Ironpot Creek

The rain finally backed off on Tuesday afternoon, and subsequently the water in the creek dissipated fairly quickly.  We would be lying if we said we weren’t a little nervous on Tuesday.  The pictures of Toowoomba were very distressing and on everyone’s mind.

A quick look around and you realise the extent of damage in some areas is unbelievable.  The support response around Ipswich has been fantastic (as it has been throughout Queensland).  We look forward to providing assistance in the coming weeks and months.

And a chair as well…..

IMG_1494.JPGBen and I started the morning with great enthusiasm and excitement.  Today was the day of the Play School Concert.  We couldn’t wait!! Well…. It didn’t exactly stay that way or go to plan.  We made sure we arrived in plenty of time to get a good possie.  We ended up with front row seats which I thought was going to be excellent.  We had front row seats last time we saw Play School.  The shows storyline saw the presenters take  Big Ted, Little Ted and Jemina through adventures on their way to Humpty’s house for a picnic.   I was sooooooo excited that the presenters were  Alex Papps and Abi Tucker.  Alex is my all time favorite presenter!!  Ben thinks he is pretty cool as well (heheheh).    When the concert began it didn’t take long for Ben to cover his ears and cling to me for dear life.   It was a little loud but I thought he would relax as the show continued.  During one of the songs Alex came down from the stage dressed as a monkey and pretended to steal my bag.  I think he was trying to get Ben to smile.  I thought this was cute and my heart skipped a beat as I have a tiny crush on Alex ………….but Ben was not impressed and began to cry telling him to ‘give his mummy’s bag back’.   Ben didn’t really recover  from this although  I think I did see a brief smile at one point.   Ben continued to complain  about the noise and sat in my lap with his bunnies over his ears.  I thought it best to move away from the front and head towards the back.  But still Ben was not impressed.  It was time to leave! I was gutted that we had to leave before we got to Humpty’s picnic!!  Once Ben and I left the auditorium  Ben gave me a big smile and said ‘Bust My Buffers it was loud’.  My heartbreak over Humpty was gone and I gave my little man a great big hug!   Maybe next time we will sit right at the back!!!

IMG_1496.JPG IMG_1490.JPG

Hail !

This afternoon we had a ripper hail storm. The storm came generally from the south west but when it hit the hail appeared to be coming from every direction. Luckily our only casualty was the peg basket which was hanging from the clothes line. The largest hail was about 30mm in diameter. The noise on our tin roof was unbelievable.