Hi all

Not sure if you all realise that my state of Queensland has just experienced or is experiencing some devastating floods. Well, as a volunteer with our emergency services I have been utilised in my capacity as a flood boat operator both here in my home town of Rockhampton and on deployment prior to this in a western town called Theodore. Anyway, for those interested, I have done a few blog entries that may show a different perspective as to what is happening down here at this time.


2011 – An Update and Theodore Floods � TravellingStrom Theodore deployment entry

Rockhampton Flood Update � TravellingStrom my hometown entry



Cheers
Travelling(by boat)Strom

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www.travellingstrom.com

It's THE top news story in England mate. [Well .. not counting the 5th Ashes Test hammering you guys are getting right now! .. ]

Good luck, eh

Keith & Ellen

PS - We luv ya, really ..


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Right Way Round ...

About the ashes, you poms need a win every now and again so we can have some competition!


Back on the floods...

Here in Switzerland the floods in Rocky got front page news on the local paper! Probably because of the pictures of crocs and snakes more than anything else.

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www.riding2up.net, blog.riding2up.net

Tis a top story here in Canada.

I lived in Holloway's Beach from 1975 to 79 and worked in Gordonvale. Went through a couple of real 'wets' including watching the Mulgrave and Barron Rivers flood well over the highway bridges. But it seems nothing like the current events, especially near Rockhampton.

What I remember most about the previous floods is the real sense of community support to one another that everyone showed - whether it was sharing water...er ..., food, helping people across flooded bridges, preventing people form trying to cross flooded rivers, or any of many other acts of assistance.

Lots of thoughts for everyone along the 'deep north' and hope that things dry out a little soon.

Stephen

We were in the Outback Queensland when the water started coming up. Many flooded roads, we would go one way get stopped by water then try another. Got cornered in Roma for two days then road 1000k to get around it and make our flight out on Sunday. Been watching the news and it looks like many places got hit hard. Best of luck in digging out and we will be back in May when I hope the rain has stopped. Anyone wanting to ride in these flood events should maybe rethink their plans as it seemed real easy to get trapped somewhere.

But loved the country, rain, floods, kangaroo and all, wish we had a year to see it all.

RJT

Well, when the water goes down, I am sure there are many roads which will not be open for a long time after. Some of the flow of water was so great that whole sections dissapeared.

If you do plan on coming for a ride, the main highway may be the best bet. Some of the country towns will be so devastated that having visitors may overwhelm them, even though they need them for the money injection. One of them catch 22's I guess.

Take care if riding out here for the next year.

Cheers
TS

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A coincidence!

@ TS: I've literally just exchanged email messages with a Adelaide-based mate. He has warned me about the roads and bridges up your way - and suggested that I regularly check the conditions by visiting this site: Road Conditions | Travel | RACQ

BTW, my answer to him was: "I'm hoping - indeed 'expecting' - that the floods will have receded by the time I get up there, around April time. But I'm prepared to take whatever comes my way with regards to the roads and bridges in that region, aftermath. If I'm forced to alter my route up to Darwin .. then so be it.

The QLD economy will have taken a real bashing from all this - and will be looking for a fast recovery. If my tourist dollars can help, then that's fine by me .. logistics permitting, of course." [as you say, the Catch22]

Having said that, any info and updates you can give would be appreciated TS, especially in view of your first-hand 'on-the-ground' knowledge.

Best wishes

KEITH

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Right Way Round ...

Had an excess of and some fine conversation with a beautiful young woman--who turned out to be thoroughly married--in your town just a couple of decades ago. It's a good place with a lot of heart. Good luck to you and yours!

Mark

I want to go and visit my mate Richard in Rocky (300km) I have a F650gs single I can take, so I need a couple of modifications first so can any body suggest what floatation devices work best with this model (2007) also I know the back wheel has to come off, however I can't make up my mind what brand of propeller to use. All so should I attach a sidecar and remove the wheels, so I can carry a spare (paddle that is) also I could put my and rum there to, Bugger it I'll make the Misses come she can sit in there and pass the to me and paddle as well this way I can get there twice as fast.
She could also hold the umbrella up to shield me in case it RAINS.
Back to the brolly can anybody advise what size I would need for this kind of trip ?
Thanking you in advance for your input into my proposed trip !!
Cheers
Paul:http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...lies/beach.gif

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www.globetrekkers.net.au

Keith, let me be the first to say, but the RACQ site is a tad out of date. Specifically, if you are waiting for a road to open and using their site or planning a route based on their site, then make sure you have time up your sleeve. I have travelled a few times in extreme bad weather(once to Cairns in a cyclone with me old m8 Alan and just recently to Theodore for a start) and both times, the info is absolutely useless.

Why, because they do not have sources on the ground next to the trouble spots, so they are basing their data on people calling in. As you know, creeks rise and fall, so if there are travellers out at that creek but the road is opened, no new data gets inputed because rarely do the general public call in with an all clear, only a bad situation. This in my case meant waiting for hours(Cairns trip) because it said the road was closed, meanwhile traffic was flowing freely in both directions. In this recent time(Theodore), nothing was said about a particular crossing, meanwhile, the water was up and over the road by 4m and flowing at about 20 knots!!!

But, we will need all the Euros we can get, so come on down, just watch out for man eating potholes


Mark - I think I have suffered from the same problem but managed to survive, both the booze and the husbands


PaulD- Anytime m8, and if it is with a bike modified with a snorkle, then bloody goodonya

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www.travellingstrom.com

Keith, let me be the first to say, but the RACQ site is a tad out of date. Specifically, if you are waiting for a road to open and using their site or planning a route based on their site, then make sure you have time up your sleeve. I have travelled a few times in extreme bad weather(once to Cairns in a cyclone with me old m8 Alan and just recently to Theodore for a start) and both times, the info is absolutely useless.

Why, because they do not have sources on the ground next to the trouble spots, so they are basing their data on people calling in. As you know, creeks rise and fall, so if there are travellers out at that creek but the road is opened, no new data gets inputed because rarely do the general public call in with an all clear, only a bad situation. This in my case meant waiting for hours(Cairns trip) because it said the road was closed, meanwhile traffic was flowing freely in both directions. In this recent time(Theodore), nothing was said about a particular crossing, meanwhile, the water was up and over the road by 4m and flowing at about 20 knots!!!

But, we will need all the Euros we can get, so come on down, just watch out for man eating potholes


Mark - I think I have suffered from the same problem but managed to survive, both the booze and the husbands


PaulD- Anytime m8, and if it is with a bike modified with a snorkle, then bloody goodonya



Oh, btw, I had a day off with dry feet and managed to churn out some more dribble and photos

*[url=http://travellingstrom.com/2011/01/04/]2011 January 04

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