Have you seen this?
http://www.earthlings.com/earthlings/video-full.php
Its beautiful, and painful at the same time....and worth the watch.
Hope this finds you well my friend.
Nikki
Water, water, water …
Posted By Harry on August 15, 2010
The river 48 hours after the flood
Living in a 120 year old cottage on the bank of a major river was always going to be filled with some tense moments. Wednesday night was one of those. More than 150mm of torrential rain in just 36 hours. Over 100mm in less than 12. The river rose … and rapidly so. After ensuring all the drains were flowing freely I set some markers on the river to check later and called our neighbour (and big Bro) Vines and let him know of a possible midnight relocation of Avondale and some of its flock. An hour later, after inspecting the river himself, he arrived ready for action with wellies in hand. Adrian, another neighbour and close friend, arrived soon after (also wellies in hand). But the rain subsided allaying our fears so we spent an impromptu evening drinking red wine instead! Below are some pictures of the aftermath. (All human and non-human animals were safe throughout the night.)
Fortunately just a marking boundary fence it took quite a battering. On the repair list ...
Avondale's young peafowl point out the extent to which the river broke its bank while Chelsea wonders when she'll be able to go back into the river.
No wonder some trees took a battering ...
I head down to have a closer look. Not looking good.
The old farm gate, for decades straight and braced in place to protect the pump, has yet again gallantly fulfilled its duty.
But now bent at a right angle and no longer braced, perhaps for the last time.
Heading up north to where the river narrows and the bank on Avondale's side is over 2 metres high.
On Wednesday night the water was lapping over the top edge of the bank seen on the left; Plato would have been underwater.
Plato surveying the river levels with me
Frightening to think that this rose over 2 metres in half a day
As we reach the house Plato, Chelsea and I are reminded of the flood almost 40 years ago to the day that took Avondale's garage, motorbike and spanking new Holden motor car down the river ... and bent the Hill's hoist over 90 degrees. (Later straightened - almost - with the help of a roaring fire underneath it!)
Wow! Thank goodness no one was hurt, and how wonderful that you have such great neighbors ready to pitch in if needed! Looks like a lot of work ahead for repairs, but maybe it was all worth it for an evening filled with friendship and red wine?
When we built the big shed and shelter – to the right of the house in the picture on the home page – we made sure we elevated it quite a bit. So our concern was more for the inside animals: Plato, Chelsea, Tobi, Thomas … And Sue and Harry. Great evening with Vines and Adrian though. With Sue and I both being from elsewhere they are true family to us. And we’re usually too stuck up about late nights during the working week. … felt it the following day though.
[...] been a beautiful day. There’ve been more tears than there were raindrops that caused the recent almost-flood, but there’s also been calmness and a gentle joy. Plato was as large and courageous and [...]