I’ve been chef tonight at my son’s 18th birthday party. Just basic things like toasted cheese, pineapple, ham and egg sandwiches. And mince pies. Strawberries and dipping chocolate. Muffins. Sausage rolls. Punch. The birthday cakes were cheesecakes.
Tags: Dining, Family, food, Home Front
Got home from an overnight stay in Redcliffe to find the house flooded again. The Gold Coast has had record rainfall over the last 24 hours. So it’s not too much wonder we’re affected by flash flooding coming off the hill behind us and settling into our end rooms, including the library, study and Lachlan’s bedroom (with carpet). So it was four hours of moving furniture and books to allow the carpet people access when they get here.
This happened at the end of last year so we know what to do. Move everything quickly. Call the insurance company immediately so they can get the carpet cleaner and assessment agent on the job. I’m not too sure how much will be affected. I do know the slide projector, keyboard amp/speaker and couch were all affected. Two study desks and a bookcase as well.
Looking at the news tonight we’ve fared lightly compared with many on lower ground. There’s been between 400 and 500 mm of rain in 24 hours. All over the Gold Coast major public services have been closed - roads, airport, and shopping centres like Pacific Fair. It appears as though a couple drowned as they were swept off a causeway on the Coomera River.
I’m flying out to the Emerging Mission Church Summit in Melbourne tomorrow. Hopefully the roads are OK to get to the airport. And then it looks as though the storm’s heading down Melbourne way from here.
Tags: Family, Gold Coast, Home Front
I took Barbara (sister), Eric (brother-in-law) and Lachlan (son) to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday afternoon. It was an opportunity to connect with Australian wildlife in a safe environment. Saltwater and freshwater crocodiles, pythons, a Tasmanian Devil, kangaroos, wombats, koalas and so on.
Highlight of the afternoon would have to be the feeding of the wild rainbow lorikeets. At 4 pm they fly back to the coast from their feeding forays, to roost in their night colonies. On the way a huge number of them call into Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for a drink. It’s a bit like six o’clock swill at the pub. The attendants hand out aluminium plates to the onlookers and then fill them with the ’swill’.
This particular day there were hundreds waiting for a feed. It’s winter here so perhaps they’re getting hungrier than usual. I took this photo with three lorikeets on my head, a couple on each arm and eight drinking out of the plate.
Tags: Australia, Family, Gold Coast, Home Front
