Real road rage
We are well aware that we are the lucky ones… while floodwaters have rushed through our lives, through our fences, through our property and caused the odd bovine-related headache so far, we have gotten off lightly. So many have lost their homes, their belongings, stock and (in a couple of tragic cases) their lives.
We are lucky. While we have not yet seen all our stock to be sure, no carcasses have been washed downstream that we have seen. We hope that three-day sickness has not taken a toll on those animals we have not yet sighted. As we start to explore further afield, we are beginning to realise that it’s not just the normal fence repairs that we need to do in creeks and at the river banks where the water has torn the posts from the ground.
Our roads have also suffered some damage…
As we travelled along this paddock road, I thought this washout was impressive enough to stop for photos…
Then we started to realise that it might take more than a grader to fix the damage…
Violet explores the new little ‘canyon’ in the road…
Getting deeper Mum!
Gads… not much of the road left at all here.
But then Mr Incredible drove a little further on…
And found something that makes my eyes water…
Something we cannot just drive around…
THIS:
That pipe is a big concrete pipe almost a foot in diameter.
Yup.
I reckon you’d almost fit a Toyota ute in that hole.
We have no idea what is above this gully crossing.
We can’t get there to find out.
Time to buy a four-wheeler for getting places, and think about hiring people who rebuild roads.
Gives me a headache just thinking about it.
-oooo-
Signing off with a wry smile and probably needing a hug
(and a front end loader and a truck if you have them handy.)
BB
13 Comments
jeanie
I was going to make a smartipants comment about fastening seat belts back at you – but I think more safety equipment than reinforced web-bing material may be called for.
jeanie´s last blog post ..2011 – bring it on!!!
sara perkins
Consider yourself hugged BB. You’ll have to ride the horses up there to check things out. 🙂
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Amanda
Hugs.
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Trish
(hugs) So sorry you have to endure this too. The floods and inundation of water has done so much damage it is hard to comprehend what the clean up will involve for so many devastated farmers & communities in QLD.
I can’t imagine it.
Ours (from a month a go in Dubbo, NSW) isn’t and wasn’t this bad thankfully but still involves graders /bulldozer and many man hours. We still have 2 tractors, a truck and a car to unbog this weekend, it was just too wet 2 weeks ago, they got them out but bogged again.
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Mikey
Awww, big hug your way! That’s just so incredible, the amount of rain you’ve gotten. Glad everyone is safe though, that’s what’s important!
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Kelly
((hugs))
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Pencil Writer
BB! Hugs and more hugs! I’m with Sara Perkins–time to saddle up and check it out. I only saw this morning how northern Australia is flooded so badly! (Brought New Orleans via Katrina ’05 to mind.) Prayers are with you and your fellow countrymen during this very challenging time. The weather is going all-awry all over the place (read: globe). Great pictures on your watery conditions–yours/cousins/friends. Love the one of the thistle with rain drop in the foreground/new lake in the background.
So happy your challenges–though on-going–were not more dire as some Australians have had and will have to cope with.
Leenie
HOLY CRAP!!!! HOLY COW CRAP!! Your geology is showing. Looks like you could use the tree roots as vines to swing across those canyons. And you and yours will have to cough up what it takes to fix that mess. Yes, I see a four wheeler in the future. Heavy equipment will probably be in high demand in your part of the world for a long time.
At least you’ve got horses so Mr. I. can inspect. Make sure he takes a camera.
So glad it’s not worse. Condolences to all who are hurting in Queensland. And a hug for you from Idaho.
Linda
OH! MY! GOODNESS! I am so sorry for you and those around your area! I have been following you for some time, not commenting. But I do want you to know that prayers are coming your way and hugs. I wish we could just drive over and help.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
A Novel Woman
I can send hugs. No front end loader in my garage, unfortunately. What a job!
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Kate
Wow ~ kept getting worse and worse in the photos. Amazing damage there. So glad you’re all ok, though.
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Nancy in Iowa
Oh, my word. BB, that looks more like an earthquake struck the paddock road – the first shots of the shallower place remind me of the part of the San Andreas Fault you can still see in California. Dash and Violet are fearless explorers! Of course, it helps to have Dad there.
debby
My gosh. What a mess! These roads are your own, and maintained by you?
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