Flood cleanup

After days of being stuck inside because of the rain we decided to get out and about and have a walk on the beach at Sandgate. We were so not prepared for what we were confronted with when we got out of the car. After having watched endless footage on TV of the unfolding dramas in the city area affected by flood, we didn't stop to think where all of the debris that we had seen flowing down the Brisbane River had gone. We found the answer for some of - the once lovely Sandgate foreshore.

Cleanup was in progress and obviously had been for some time, but the devastation was still very evident. We took a short walk and a few photos which we thought you might find interesting given our time living out there, but the smell was pretty bad and the debris was full dangerous things that we weren't sure were dead or not (ie stonefish, snakes, toads ...)

One of the first things we came across was this watertank - I can only imagine how far this thing has travelled over the last few days

There were trucks coming every couple of minutes to take debris away

We saw LOTS of these things - very poisonous apparently so we kept well clear

Also I lost count of the number of pumpkins we saw ... I guess someones vege shop or truck of veg got washed out

I think this was previously a pontoon on the Brisbane river in the city

More pontoon

Yet another piece of pontoon or boardwalk or whatever it was

And some more ...

I kid you not I was watching footage of the Brisbane river in the city and actually saw this (or at least one exactly like it) flow under the Gateway Bridge

There were bulldozers ...

The water is just pure mud - like Sophie so eloquently put it - this place looks like a dump

The smell emanating from this was overwhelmingly bad

Sophie and I surveying the mess in disbelief

All this is nothing though in comparison to what thousands of people not far from us are going back home to now. Whole suburbs have been wiped out and are just a heaving mess of mud and debris, and people are literally standing with just the clothes on their backs and little else.

We feel so lucky to have escaped the flood waters at our place and feel the pain of those who weren't so lucky.

Rick has registered to go and help clean up peoples homes over the weekend and I can't begin to imagine the sights he will be seeing.

Back soon with another update

Kerrie

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Holiday ramblings ...

It's been a very wet Christmas and New Year here in Brisbane - we can't complain too much though as half of Queensland is currently under water and we have been lucky enough to escape that here.

We had a lovely Christmas. Sophie and Toby loved all of their presents that everyone sent for them, thank you to you all. Here's a selection of pictures of what we have been up to over the last couple of weeks ....

Rick and Ella catching up with each other

Her foot is about the same size as his thumb!

All of the rain has meant that things are growing furiously, and unfortunately the palm tree started to move the fence which meant all sorts of good things started happening - like the electronic gate would not shut! This called for drastic measures and after much deliberation we came to one conclusion - the palm had to go. Why we decided to do this on a 32 degree day that was very steamy I have no idea but it certainly is not an experience I would care to repeat. Bit by bit I carried that whole tree to the trailor! Can I just say that it seemed so much bigger than what it looks.

A before shot ....

Rick armed and ready to go

bit by bit it came down

oops this picture should have been first!

The after shot ... it looks a little bit naked now don't you think. The good news now though is that after realigning the gate it now shuts and movement should not be a problem anymore.

Welcome to the world ...Ella May Knight

Little Ella May has arrived and we were delighted to be able to spend some time with her yesterday. Ange is looking fabulous, despite being a little short on sleep!

Ange and Ella

The boys with their little sister

Ella May

Sophie having a cuddle

Proud Aunty Kerrie

Congratulations to Ange and Zane, she is lovely.

Kerrie

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Grammy is here ... and it's Halloween!!

There has been much excitement here lately, with the long awaited arrival of Grammy and to top it off Halloween. The kids (and I) have had a great time catching up on everything that has happened since her last visit and we all had fun getting ready for an evening of trick or treating.

It was witches and ghouls galore ....

Toby with his friends getting ready for a big evening

The fake blood took a bit of scrubbing to get off afterwards but looked pretty realistic

Tricky is smiling on the inside

Sophie all make-upped up and ready to go

Less photos Mum - lets get going!

She did all the makeup herself and was pretty pleased with the end result.

They trick or treated to their hearts content with their friends and came home laden with goodies, along with the odd piece of fruit! Then it was into the shower for both of them to scrub off the evenings festivities ready for school the next morning (while I hid all the lollies on the top shelf of the pantry - but somehow I don't think they will be forgetting about them!

Hope everyone is well

Kerrie

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Rick's Birthday

Tricky celebrated another birthday recently

Liam wishing his Uncle Rick a happy birthday

The boys checking out the birthday pressies

To mark the occasion we went out to the V8 Supercar race track

where Rick got to do a few laps ...

Registered and ready to go

Meanwhile Sophie passed the time by doing a bit of reading

(wearing her Mr Magoo specs)

Heading out to the track

Off on the test lap

Toby watching his progress

Moving in for the overtake

Nine laps completed

Question time afterwards

Done