It Never Rains but it Pours!
What a fitting expression ‘it never rains but it pours’.
Today we can take it literally.
We’ve gone from months of little rain (even though it’s summer; and here in the sub-tropics we usually get most of our rain in the summer) and a great risk of wild fire; to flooding rains from ex-tropical cyclone Oswald.
There is heavy rain and wind and towns experiencing flash flooding and road closures. This is not unusual for Queensland in summer – the season of the monsoon in the north of Australia.
It was, however, unexpected that the rain depression would travel south – even the BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) was taken off guard.
Personally I think naming the cyclone Oswald was a mistake š The cyclone was unimpressed.
Oswald – I mean really! What were they thinking.
Our dam is overflowing (yayayay) and our water tanks are full. These are good things.
I managed to get supplies from the shops before the roads got too flooded to go into town. Andy the Great got the day off work from his boss, who realised the roads would soon be cut-off.
It’s a long weekend (Australia Day is celebrated on Monday) and we are dry, have food and drink, and the water is not coming in the house (and fingers crossed it won’t – we are told the house was dry during the 2011 floods).
Biggest problem at the moment is the frogs š
I thought we had a lot of frogs in Woodgate (on the shores of Hervey Bay) but nothing compares to the number and variety of frogs we have here in our secret acreage location (somewhere North of Bundaberg).
I have closed all the doors and windows because the noise emanating from the frog symphony is deafening (not joking).
Every window has at least 3 to 4 gorgeous frogs plastered on the glass (many are tiny but noisy as hell). If you go near them, they jump out of reach like a grasshopper. I may have to do another audio recording (you might remember my previous frog recording – that was loud :)).
We have a pool and this morning I extracted at least 15 frogs from the water with my net.
I won’t even mention the dastardly toads.
Above is a picture of our moat š – a channel around half the property where flood waters travel to the dam out the back. That is about 1.5 metres deep (it was dry yesterday).
A beautiful sight indeed.
I love the rain but hope it stops pouring sometime soon – we need to get the kids to school on Tuesday and won’t be able to get there if the roads are still cut-off.
Not that they would mind š
Happy Australia Day for next Monday everybody.
Rage on regardless.
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ps. The wild fires are still burning all over the place further south and our thoughts are with these people (and their property) and animals who are endangered.
Gabe Feathers McGee 
Yep – that looks like overdoing the damp, a bit. We had some of it which spread the crocodiles from crocodile farms over a wide area, which did not cause amusement.
It would be interesting to run a competition between our frogs and toads and yours. Where do I track down your previous recording?
I’m sure those crocs were not amusing colonialist (they on the other hand may have been having a bit of a croc chuckle š ). Here is a link to the frog audio: https://gabriellebryden.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/then-the-frogs-came/
Very interesting to listen to that. Not at all like our sound.
There are literally thousands of frog sounds (so they tell us š and only one goes ribit ribit (and that frog lives in the hills of Hollywood – they used the sound bite in all the movies – haha) – thanks for listening colonialist.
Oh, the possibilities for drawing and painting in your wonderful new homestead! Thousands of very vocal frogs! Oh, to draw them! (With earplugs available, of course.) You write about it so evocatively, I think I can almost hear them here in chilly Washington DC! Hello froggies!!! Can you hear me now ….??????
hahaha froggie hellos and prayers from Aletha – what more could we want š
Looks like a lot of rain, a few degrees down and you would have the same white view as we have. I am glad for you that the citern and the dam are full. How long it will last you?
Have fun with all these froggies, send some pictures when you have time.
We have 3 tanks and a dam full of water so that will last a long time! I couldn’t believe how quickly the tanks filled up and then the water was flowing out like a waterfall (might need to get a couple more tanks so we don’t waste any of the wet stuff) š
That is indeed a lot of water…you may need a seasonal boat just to get the kids to school…can’t wait to see photos of your frogs….stay dry.
I was wishing we did have a boat during that cloudburst Charles š
Wow. 1.5 metres in 24 hours! Stay safe, Gabrielle,and hope the whole family enjoys Australia Day!
Most of the water was run-off from the road and farm across the way – must work out a way of capturing all that rain safely in the future š thanks Kate
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of flooding rain…
Of toads and frogs and crawly things
They’re driving me insane!
love it š thanks for the laugh Staffo! You have the right idea on that boat of yours Noah š
I love frogs but the invasion you’re having sounds a bit Hitchcock-like šÆ Happy Australa Day, Gabe – looks like a good weekend for card and board games up your way. Rain is forecast down here too, but with sweltering temps.
haha – crows (no, it’s the frogs) š It was a good weekend for running around like a chook with it’s head cut-off trying to make things safe.
Enjoy the frog song Gabe and try and stay dry!!!
We managed to stay dry inside the house, but can’t say the same for the outside Graham š
We’ve got the sea at our door and you’ve got a lake! There is about a metre drop to the beach.
sounds like Woodgate – haha š
The cyclone was pissed off with its name? I can’t blame it! But keep safe. Although Australia’s always had extreme weather, is it become even more extreme and unpredictable? It seems that the scientists are saying yes. Which is a worry. A real worry.
We need to start listening to scientists š thanks Nigel
Just seen the news – hope you’re safe and dry
thanks for thinking of us bb š safe and dry we did remain thank goodness
Oswald just doesn’t sound intimidating, does it.
I remember the frogs down south where I grew up, so I can imagine the serenade they’re giving you right now.
So much for a sunny Australia Day ;p
haha yes, Oswald is a ridiculous name for a cyclone (reminds me of the Oswald in Keeping up Appearances – in his blue singlet and beer gut š )
Happy Australia / Invasion Day to you all! Good to have the rain tanks full, & the threat of surrounding bush fires damped down. I especially love the sound of rain on a tin roof at night . The cicadas on Mt Cootha have been so loud, our ear drums hurt, when bush walking last week. Good luck with Oswald over the next couple of days.
Those cicadas can compete with the froggies that’s for sure š Jane – you must be practising for your trek in the mountains! One good thing about the floods – the threat of fire went out the window – and good riddance (much rather get flooded than burnt).
looks beautiful and amazing.
take care and stay dry and happy.
Thanks Dhyan – we picked a good spot for keeping dry (apparently) š
Wow, you are so right, Gabe. We are having our share here. Some areas are worse hit than others. Dreadful for all who are affected.
Not you as well adeeyoyo – hope all is well now!
omg mother nature up to her tricks. she sure has a way of keeping us on our toes! – so glad to know that you are safe and dry, whew! about the frogs – wow, maybe it’s raining frogs as well! stay safe, xxx
we also had fish in our flooded backyard – haha – weird days my friend š ps. why do you have someone elses photo in your gravatar – haha – or is there something you are not telling me!
I hope you and your family and pets are OK, Gabe š¦
We’re safe on higher ground bb (ie., our property is higher than flooded areas) – but not far from mandatory evacuation centre (which is now evacuated) – the peak of the river flood is coming tonight – we nearly got flooded two days ago (flash flood – not river flood) and winds were incredible (like a category 1 cyclone) – we have been flat out trying to get stuff up high and trying to find out what is going on – but we have enough info now – the power may go out this afternoon (and the internet has been dropping out a lot) – we have no telephones working – Andy the Great is out now looking for a passable road (we are isolated from shops and town willl be blocked off for days – school is cancelled until further notice) – we have enough food supplies for a few days (as long as the power stays on) – we have our own water supplies. Will let people know more, after the flood peak – 4 people have already died in the floods š¦ including a three year old kid – too sad – and huge number of animals are floating down the river. If I am quiet for a while it means the power is still out. We are the lucky ones among all this devastation.
So glad you are OK. Thanks for replying. The footage has shown unbelievable scenes and I can’t imagine what it must be like to be in the middle of it. I saw the news about the little boy š¦ Stay safe – hope the sun comes out tomorrow. xoxoxo
thanks bb – the sun did come out the next day, but the river kept rising – really weird when that happens (but still better than continual rain).