We have just returned from a quick (Flying) trip to Bowen in NQ for a family funeral. Not a sad one, sure a tear or two was shed but it was really a Celebration of a great life.
CYCLONE DAMAGE ...
It was good to see that most of the recent cyclone damage had been repaired & all or most facilities were up & running. The place was looking good.
So if you are thinking about migrating north for the winter, in our experience you should not be concerned about cyclone damage. Perfect time to go to a perfect location. The locals might appreciate the tourist dollars too.
We stayed with relos at beautiful Queens beach and the CP at the town end of the Esplanade was quickly filling up and the weather was magic.
We may need to return there in Sept for a wedding, but will go slowly & take the van I think. Can't wait to again enjoy all the great Crays, reef fish, along with all the other gourmet food & drink and most of all the great company.
For now, back on a rigorous diet & off the booze until the weight is back in control, that is assuming that I survive today's Stress Echo Test!
Cyclones are Natures way of tidying places up.
Keeping areas not so messy with human "stuff" for a better word.
Very similar to the blackfella's "Burn offs " annually
in the Top End.
Keeping tropical\Grasses, growth under control.
Basically. Just "cleaning up the back yard".
For Nature, and By nature.
In. Bang. Gone. Tidy up.. Next one?...
The old Queenslanders up on stilts, and modern material homes
don't normally feel it much. (Cat 3 build)
maybe a loosely fastened roof, shed, trampoline.
The only damage, Really. Is the old and tired.
And pergolas\canopy's etc that some leave up to claim on Ins.
Trees and nature mainly, just bend over and let it past.
Again. Apart from the old and tired stuff.
Unfortunately. You can't say the same for further down South.
With the flooding and major damages.
They cop it really bad at times.
Their weather occurrences last longer. Enough to do much more damage.
bringing more water\flooding, to stay around for longer.
If governments\Councils had had enough custard between their ears. Originally.
Nothing would ever had been built on Flood Plains. Natures Runoff channels.
and beachfronts.
There should be a 20mtr Nature strip along ALL beachfronts.
Like some are doing now.
Where people build\built, with NO forethought. Is where 90% of damage takes place.
Not nice and terrible losses of life at times.
Specially the loss of children..
But really.
Mostly avoidable, If some had thought a long time ago.
Greased palms mainly. Or were they really that dumb.
Just my thorts as I look at some of the news items and such.
All. Or a lot of. So bloody avoidable.
Governments should look at Levee banks (Look at Holland.)
and winrows.
They. would save Billions of $$$'s in damage costs alone.
I was involved with them in England. and Holland,
Repairs mainly, with draglines and dozers.
Dozing round low lying homes, Estates, and such. Could easily do same here.
With pumps for water extraction when necessary.
They are Sooooo Stupid and backwards with some things
in this country I call home. I could cry.
And don't start me on the roads here.
I worked on the original Motorways and bridges in UK in Early '60's.
Here it's Patch up. Patch up. every yr.
Build it once. Properly then re-lay every 30 yrs or so in sections.
Nahhh. Too bloody dumb.
On my way up to Townsville along Bruce Hwy from the Sunshine Coast, QLD the only place I actually noticed any evidence of the Cyclone was where flooding had covered Waverley Creek Rest Area, 160km north of Rockhampton. There was weeds etc full height of fence next to the creek. Showed how high the water actually came up and over carpark area. No damage that I noticed though.
One house near the Bowen turn off along the Bruce with a tarp still over the roof, nothing else all way to Townsville. That I noticed anyway.
Mmmm, Rump Steak with salad overlooking 'The Strand' for this little black duck for lunch today. Yeh! I know, it's hard out here.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Townsville is it's usual - fine weather, coolish nights, calm seas - paradise foror the travelling nomads, I guess that is what they want.
But for us - YIPPEE! They say we are going TO GET RAIN in two days time! RAIN is that wet stuff that falls out of the sky, they tell me!
We've had heaps of sunshine but NO WET SEASONS for four years now! So hopefully this might ease the strain on our gardens & the two dams.
Warren
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Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
Who would have thought that a sleepy town like Bowen could support such a vibrant venue.
Perhaps not a Grey Nomad style of place though. But it is quiet during the day & has a 'grand view' from the upstairs verandah, looking out over some of that famous scenery from the movie Australia.
At least one businessman in Bowen is making a motza.
