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14 January 2011

After the rains.

After more than 200mm of rain and crazy winds, we left the safety of our home on the hill this morning to survey the scene.

The girls were just happy to be outside after days and days inside the house.

We found a smashed up poly tunnel,

an underwater car park,

lakes and more lakes where once were paddocks ready for the full moon planting out.

Artichokes ready to be picked but impossible to get to.

Rows of ripe berries and currants again impossible to get to to pick.

Wet.

Another reason why we wont be opening our farm gate stall this year.


Farmer Bren in his fancy pants.

That corner is the furthermost corner of the market garden. Gone. Washed down the creek. All that precious top soil, gone.

Seems ridiculous to find a sprinkler in the midst of it all.

And bush land that had a bush fire rip through it two years ago, now is full of heavy, wet, soggy and fallen trees. This is the part that really terrifies me living in the middle of the bush.

Despite the loss of income, the loss of years worth of carefully maintained top soil, the loss of the chance to express our true passion and plant an heirloom vegie crop and so much devastation, the truth is we know we are the lucky ones. In a few days the waters will subside and we will clean up and move on. We have a dry house to return to and chooks that were moved to higher country and still seem happy enough to lay eggs despite the wet.

Our thoughts go out to all those less fortunate.

Stay safe.

25 comments:

Sue said...

I agree Kate. The sun is actually shining here today so I have begun doing the laundry. I cant believe how much rain everyone has been having and here we were complaining about the drought, well I think that has truly broken now. I hope you can get your caravan out for your trip this year, otherwise it might float away. Maybe you should think about having a trout farm!

Anonymous said...

Hi ya Kate + Brendan + girls, yep we have been stranded here at springmount but luckily our property is on a hill and we are grazing this year so no soil lost. Feel for you guys, but like you said it could have been far worse. Our chooks are loving the influx of snails and slugs and the foals are playing in the water.
Give us a hoy if you need anything. I too have just put the washing out...it's so sunny now!
Nats Jono + Ruby

Catherine said...

I'm so glad you, your family and your home (and your chickens too!) are safe and OK, but still... let us know if there's anything we can do to help xx

Julie said...

Devastating Kate but at least you all have each other. I hope you can recover enough to put some crops in later in the year.

PS. Hubby milks in the same fancy pants except we call them his Telly Tubby pants.

Hazel said...

It is heatbreaking. The creek here was up and full of dead wattle trees (burnt in the 2009 bushfires). They were going at tremendous speed! Then the sun came out and the mozzies. But as you say, not as bad as some other places.

Christina Lowry said...

Thinking of you and so inspired to hear your level of positivity. It's been a difficult time indeed for so many. Glad you are all safe, the girls are happy and the chooks are still laying. Hope the end is in sight.

xx

Tracy said...

Thinking of you all.

Thea said...

I feel for you. I am pleased that your family and animals are safe. Fancy-pants Bren made me smile. Stay strong - you have the right attitude! x

Anonymous said...

our thoughts (hubby enjoys your D.O. updates) are so often with you & so many others. I LOVE how the smiles can't be wiped!

teddybearswednesday said...

Your postivity and strength amazes me. I'm so happy you all safe and OK, and have a dry house. ANd the chookies are OK too.
But I'm with Catherine, if there is any thing we can do to help let us know. I know a lot of people who would love to.
big love and hugs to you all. xoxo
PS Love Bren's fancy pants.

Chris Burrows said...

That is amazing Kate, I am glad you have such a positive attitude to the devastation. It is brutal to see the force of nature. I know Farmdoc still struggles with the aftermath of that huge windstorm.
But a dry home and healthy family are great, good on the chooks too.

Minni Mum said...

I couldn't count the number of times in the past year or so I've thanked the Universe that we don't manage a farm, so my heart goes out to you and everyone else affected. I can't believe it's almost 2 years since Black Saturday, what extremes Mother Nature can dish out! I'm glad you still sound relatively upbeat about it all I hope the waters retreat ASAP.

Sweet Birdy Love said...

Hey Kate, love the photo of Farmer Bren, swinging on the tyre and smiling. That sort of attitude in the face of tragedy and devastation is what gets us Aussies through times like this( types she, sitting in her home on a hill top and no water to be seen....)
Hope the water drains quickly and the sun dries things up and damage is minimal.
Good on the 'girls' at least there's fresh eggs.....

Claire X

Anonymous said...

Your positivity Kate is really inspiring.
Your carefully managed top soil will come back and your beautifully grown heirloom veges will be even sweeter.

Anonymous said...

Your positivity Kate is really inspiring.
Your carefully managed top soil will come back and your beautifully grown heirloom veges will be even sweeter.
xx

Chantal said...

Kate, I hope that you and your family recover well and that you have a better year ahead. I'm also hoping there will be some organisation to contribute to who will aid the recovery of North West and Central Vic. Pls let me know if you have any suggestions.

Becky said...

Bugger. Glad you are all still smiling.

Mr. H. said...

I can't begin to express how badly I feel for you and the huge set back this wet weather has caused your farm...so sorry. Keep that chin up.

michelle said...

you are a brick! i absolutely love your pick yourself up attitude.

Mary said...

Oh Kate,I'm so sorry for the loss of your farm for the year; but I am so glad that your family is safe. There is nothing I can say, except that my prayers are with you and all effected by this terrible devastation.God bless you all.

Cath @ chunkychooky said...

xxx

Leonie @ Cuppa and Cake said...

Cath sends you kisses I'll send you hugs (((ooooooooooo))))

Killiecrankie Farm said...

Gordon Bennet Kate !
I get your comment now !

Carli said...

Hi Kate, my heart is hurting for your loss, the loss of what could have been. I know things will get brighter, thanks for sharing x

Amy said...

I'll send kisses and hugs and a flood of love ...instead of water.

xx