Those blue skies have disappeared this week...
We are in the middle of a Significant Weather Event:
drenching rains and floods along the East coast of New South Wales and Southern Queensland.
Fortunately, we Red Cardinals are safe and sound in our house on the hill...
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| Google image: we did not go to see it! |
However, look at Curtis Falls, Tamborine Mountain, where the cafe has been inundated yet again. Here is the same place from the other side of the road:
This is where we used to take my late father for Sunday drives.
In two days, South East Queensland has received about 200 mm of rain, or 8 inches in the old measure...
Sadly, many people have been filmed driving in flood waters, only to have to be rescued when their vehicles lose control.
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| The Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney. |
Hundreds of people have been rescued from flooded homes, and many have lost everything. Our hearts go out to all of them.
Natural disasters have lasting impacts on our communities.
It is a year today since Australia went into its first lock-down due to the newly arrived Covid19 virus.
I feel sad because it was also the day we bid goodbye to our visiting daughter as she flew back to Canada with her boys, and into home-quarantine in Ottawa.
We had enjoyed having our Canadian grandsons here for a Summer holiday so much...and during those weeks, we had all learned to be Covid-safe.
Hand washing and sanitising, not touching random surfaces, social distancing...all this and more we learnt fast, and we still need to practice.
Over at their home in Ontario, the pandemic has its grip as they endure a third wave. I pray for their safety, and wonder when we will ever meet again.
Many of us experience sleep disturbance, Covid nightmares, and other problems.
Australia has banned international tourist travel for a year now, and this has had a catastrophic effect on the economy. JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments have kept people going, but will be finishing soon. Many businesses have ceased trading, as has happened all over the world.
We are fortunate that the virus has been contained, and we are relatively safe. Returning Australians in the Quarantine Hotels bring the virus here on a daily basis, but the system is working to keep it out of the community to a large degree.
The Cardinals have not been to a movie for a year, although cinemas are now open. We are cautious, as we are too old to catch the virus at random!
Gardening keeps us occupied and interested.
A scattering of Jacaranda blossom!!
I looked up and saw this...
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| R. Godfrey Rivers 'Under the Jacaranda' 1903. |
Even the trees are confused in this season of strange times and crazy weather!
Trish so relieved to know your home is safe from the flooding - it does look terrible around many areas from the photos published in the Sydney Morning Herald.
ReplyDeleteI love the jacaranda trees which I've seen in bloom when in NSW and Queensland - would love to have one like your beauty in my garden.
Like you, we stay close to home and try to stay busy and fulfilled despite no family interaction really.
Please take care and stay safe and healthy. I recall the boys visit, a year gone by already doesn't seem possible!
Huge hugs, Mary
Yes, so many awful floods in New South Wales. I am sure the stories will emerge over the next few days, as the weather calms down and the floods recede. Our Jacaranda is a dream come true for me, having always loved them. It was a birthday present a few years ago, and now it has started to bloom I am so pleased with it. It will be very difficult to get me to move on from this house!! Hugs to you dear Mary. x
DeleteHappy to get the good news update of The Red Cardinal family! I've now had my 1st COVID shot and will receive my 2nd dose in early April. I haven't eaten any food I haven't cook myself in over a year. I've cut my own hair 3 times and am more than ready to retire as a barber. I wouldn't dream of going into a movie house or to a gym. I walk all I can which is safe. What a crazy world we are still experiencing. We must stay vigilant a tad longer. We are told to continue wearing masks until about 70% of the population is vaccinated, so until there is herd immunity. For the good of all, I hope people obey.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the grandkids, Trish!
Yay for Debra, having a COVID shot. That is amazing, totally cooking for yourself for a year! I am in awe - and would find it very difficult to do it myself. Your hair cuts look good, but it would take a steady hand to do it oneself, I suspect. I do hope the US can get 70% vaccinated very soon, it will make such a difference to your lives. Gyms are bad for COVID spread - I go to a private gym, one on one with a trainer, who sanitizes absolutely everything between clients. We also avoid crowded places of any kind - it is not worth the risk, even if the risk is low. How much we have learnt this past twelve months :)
DeleteI'm happy to know that your home is safe from the flooding. Such swings of weather these days - last year I remember the terrible fires in Australia.
ReplyDeleteJacaranda trees are so beautiful in bloom. We enjoyed them when we lived in Ecuador.
Like you, I am weary of this pandemic and its restrictions. I long to see family and have everyone gathered round the table. We are permitted to get together with 10 people outdoors only. The weather's not too reliable for doing that quite yet, but needs must.
Hopefully getting everyone vaccinated will help and we will soon be able to travel again. And hopefully you will see your dear grandsons soon.
Thank you Lorrie, this time our local creek just went across the bridge for a few hours, then dropped. We have had steady rain, but not the level of places on the coast, thankfully. Ah, you have been in Ecuador, so interesting. The first Jacaranda in Brisbane, the one seen in the painting, came from Brazil in the 1800s, and is the 'parent' tree of all the Jacarandas in our city. I hope the vaccinations are proceeding in your area. Fingers crossed for Canada :)
DeleteDear Patricia - living on a hill does sometimes have its advantages - we live high up too, but I am pleased to learn that you are both safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteEverything is currently crazy, there is no other word that sums it up better.
Eventually I am confident that things will improve, but it is going to take time and lots of patience.
They say people are either hill people or valley people when it comes to homes. We have owned three houses on hills, so we should own the title I think. Crazy indeed, the world these days. Some manage better than others. I feel being a Senior is not such a bad thing when I watch the young families trying to cope with it all. Patience is the key.
DeleteI'm so pleased to hear you are safe there, Patricia. The news from Australia is awful. Last year, it was fires and now this year floods. The east of the country really gets it, doesn't it? I'm so sorry. As for COVID, it is not going well here either. 7000+ new cases today alone. Just awful. The odd thing is that I don't know anyone who's had it personally, although a couple of my online students say they have. I don't know who is being infected, but it must be in pockets. Stay safe, Patricia, and I hope your weather event stops soon!
ReplyDeleteFires and floods, that is Australia! Thank you for your thoughts Val. I am shocked at the COVID statistics - is that 7000 in the Netherlands? That sure is awful and frightening. I think you are right, it must be in high risk pockets in many countries. Sunny days are back here, but the floods take time to recede and there is much work to be done.
DeleteYes, 7000 in the Netherlands alone. We've had a million and a quarter cases here and over 16000 deaths. Belgium has over 6000 new cases today and their death rate is even higher. I think it's especially difficult in Europe because of the population density.
DeleteGood to know y'all are safe. Scary rainfall amounts. Prayers
ReplyDeleteThank you, it can be overwhelming here sometimes! A few people lost there lives this week when driving into flooded roads. So sad, and never a good idea.
DeleteWow! Prayers sent for those dealing with the awful floods. And I pray everyday for vaccines to get around the world and better days for all. It has been horrible for so many. Take care and stay safe. Blessings on the rest of your week Trish. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you Carrie. Hopefully vaccines will begin to take effect soon. I received a notice today to contact my medical centre about it. Be safe, and blessings to you as Spring appears. xo
DeleteHello Patricia. We also live on a hill, very handy when we have a lot of rain. The downside.... a steep driveway that during this past week resembled a waterfall!! So we hunkered down with books and music and what’s left of the Christmas cake for sustenance. Shades of lockdown really.
ReplyDeleteI know just the feeling of having close family overseas. My son and daughter-in-law live in Panama City where Covid is rife however despite being a third world country both her parents have received both shots of the Vaccine. I too despair and wonder when we will see them again. It will be 2 years in August. Like you I have another son in Sydney and we are hoping to meet here in Brisbane in June for my husband’s 70th birthday. Still hoping to get to Canberra but I must admit I’m finding it very hard to get motivated to plan, as you say the events of the past year have left their mark. Keep safe. Lindsey.
Oh my, a personal waterfall! It was definitely a week of books, music and a piece of cake... Now the sun shines brightly and our area is abuzz with the sound of gardening, as everyone tidies up. So sad to have family overseas, and Panama City would be scary. I hope they are all safe, and you too Lindsey.
DeleteOh, those jacaranda trees hit home for me, as I used to see them grace the towns where I used to live in So Calif. I'm so sorry that your daughter's area had another wave of the virus, Patricia. And I'm so sorry to hear about the flooding in these areas with so many people having lost everything. The picture you shared looks like a fierce storm. I haven't been to the movies in a very long time either - I don't dare go to them yet. But in time, all will return to normal I believe. Hang in there, dear friend, and thinking about you here in Northern California. : )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
How lovely that there are Jacaranda trees in California. Such a big state, with large climate variations. Seems to me it is always Summer in So Calif, but I prefer a gentler climate. We went to Oregon once, and I really liked that. No movies for either of us for a while :)
DeleteOh I did see on the news of the terrible flooding in Australia. I am thankful you and your husband are safe. You are lucky with the Covid rates though, your leaders were very wise. Take care. x
ReplyDeleteYes, we are high and safe here, Kay. But things change in an instant, and we are going in to lockdown again today, at eight hours notice! The virus has escaped into the community again, and we are locking down for three days while they try to find and contain it! Just did my Easter shopping in very tense crowds. Take care. x
DeletePatricia, so glad to hear you might have an Easter Zoom with your family. Yes, it's fun to have a theme to go with the Zoom meets, and you could add bunnies and treats and whatever you want. It's hard for us to not see the grandkids weekly, so we grandmothers have to do what we can to make it all fun. I'm glad you liked the post, dear friend. : )
ReplyDeleteAustralia has been in the news for its poor handling of environmental issues, but it does sound as if it has handled the Covid situation very well. If the population can be vaccinated without having to endure the full blast of the pandemic, how wonderful that will be! I am sure your family in Canada are being as safe as they can and the good thing is that people in younger age groups do seem to be less at risk. I am sure that as soon as it is practicable people will be resuming international travel, there is a huge pent up demand for it now and too much economically depending on it. Enjoy your Easter ZOom. Isn't it wonderful to think of being able to see and hear people in real time on the other side of the world? I still can't quite believe it is true, even after all these years!
ReplyDelete