Still keeping a photographic log of the river level at Jubilee Park - but I won't bore everyone with constant updates here. When it has subsided to normal level, I will measure (using the post that I have made infamous) the final distance and post that.
However, we were just down at the jetties to take the latest series of photos when one of them, badly damaged, suddenly and with a great "thud" fell back to something approaching normality. The two pictures included here show that transition. The really unfortunate thing was that I had just finished taking a video (using my new HD Digital Video camera) when it all happened, so I JUST missed getting the whole thing on film - or these days, should that be in memory?
But, it does show why the authorities cordon off these areas. If anyone had been clambering over the structure at the time, they could have been seriously hurt.
These are the somewhat random and often scattered thoughts of the Marr family members about almost anything - what we are currently doing on the web, recent outings (as distinct from being 'let out'), any interesting stoushes we have had or are trying to have with any one or thing that annoys us, things happening around us, etc. etc.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
What goes up, must come down ......
Monday, 8.30am |
Did a bit of a drive around Allansford. A lot of the sandbagged areas have been opened up, and the S.E.S is busy collecting all the bags - no doubt for storage so they are ready to be used again, if needed.
It would seem that the pending crisis is over.
As a matter of interest, I have purchased an HD Digital Video Camera - so any future movies should be excellent quality when compared with what's available on the mobile phone.
As a matter of interest, I have purchased an HD Digital Video Camera - so any future movies should be excellent quality when compared with what's available on the mobile phone.
Monday, January 17, 2011
You just can't help the timing ......
Level at 0845am |
Level at 5.00pm |
Robbie & I went down to check the level of the river at 5 pm. I reckon it has subsided by about 30cm, or one foot since this morning (see two pictures). In the first, the post on which the Jetty floats has all but disappeared; whereas in the second, it is starting to protrude through the end of the Jetty.
However, that is not the point of this story. On our way back, there was a Real Estate Agent (Lucas Wilson, to be exact - but I won't mention any names) showing a couple through one of the houses that is for sale on the Estate.
Agent: "You'll love the environment here - so peaceful and quiet."
Prospects: "Yes, it's nice to be so near the river, my husband loves fishing. By the way, what are all those people doing down at the river's edge?"
Agent: "Oh, they are just checking on the condition of the water."
Prospects: "And why would they be doing that?"
Agent: "Well, ah, aaaaaah, I guess they are worried that the whole place is about to flood."
As Sherwyn from 'The Big Bang Theory' would say - BAZINGA!!
Things that go bump in the night .......
Swollen River at Allansford |
"What the hell is that, I thought?" A check of the bedside clock shows it's just a little after 5 am. Go to window (in jocks and T-shirt), and there is Teresa, one of the Park Managers. "Well," I thought, "if it's my body she's after for an early morning romp, she's definitely got poor timing - Robbie was snoozing not 10 feet away."
Princes Highway Bridge, Allansford |
Now, this is not the best of news for a notoriously bad morning person like myself. So, bleary eyed and bushy-tailed it was a flurry of activity - well as flurry as the Marr's can get. Shower, pack the computer (most important thing to save), a few clothes, all of our combined tablets and that was about it. We walked down to the river and though it was certainly higher than in the deluge of August last year, it was not looking as if it was of any immediate concern.
Overlooking Hopkins Falls |
Upstream from Hopkins Falls |
With nothing really to do, we decided to do a bit of a tour. We had heard that parts of Allansford were preparing for evacuation so went to have a look around our old stamping ground. The level was certainly up on last August, almost up to the road bridge on the highway. There was some sand bagging in the town, but apart from one house, there didn't seem to be any imminent danger to other houses. From there, we took some back roads to check out the Hopkins Falls. These were certainly running a lot faster than last time, in fact it was more like a series of rapids coming down the river, rather than a waterfall.
Not so Floating Jetty, Jubilee Park |
Rowing Club Gear High & Dry |
River Cutting into Sand Dunes at mouth |
River Mouth - no longer blocked |
Included below are three videos (phone quality only):
Allansford Bridge:
House on River Bank under Pressure:
Hopkins River Falls:
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Did Santa arrive - depends on whether I was good .........
Christmas Tree & Presents |
Well, the festive season for 2010 has been and gone. We did the usual things (are we in a rut?) - Chrissy tree with all the presents scattered around underneath and a bang-up Christmas luncheon/dinner with the family with FAR too much food on hand, but we'll get through it eventually. I know what I'll be getting for lunch for the next month.
Weather Station with Temporary Fixings |
This means you can check out the weather here whenever you want to. You just go to:
http://www.ianmarr.net.au/Weather/
Check it out, you'll just be beside yourself and filled with awe, fascination and envy.
Had the usual, but not usual, New Year's eve. Usual in that we had an "open house" for any friends to drop in. Had a great turn-up (once everyone managed to find the house in the middle of what is currently a crowded Caravan Park). Very pleasant company and a great night. Unusual in that it was our first at the new house, and the Park management had put on (for the first time) a DJ with light show for the evening. Robbie reckons they did this especially to welcome her to the Park. This provided a great backdrop to our own celebrations. We all wandered over there for the countdown to midnight so we could blanket the place with our sparklers. Certainly a different New Year's eve for us.
Adrian & Chrissy are visiting for a week, so there is always something on the go. Kermond's hamburgers for lunch is popular. Golf, fishing and a well known blood sport called tennis. Blood sport? I hear you say. Well the way they play it, there is no other way to describe it. Just to prove the point, in their last game, Chrissy pulled a calf muscle or ligament. Had to be helped back to the house where ice-pack and bandaging didn't do much to help. And, of course, the Gallery Nightclub (or "The Gal") will take several months to recover.
That's about it for this year's festivities, I guess. Now just need the chance for everything to get back to normal. Happy New Year to everyone.
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