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Hi from Bundaberg, Queensland which over the last week has become a disaster area due to the aftereffects of a cyclone, which included tornado damage and major floods. I came to the library hoping to get some belated photos uploaded, but the internet isn't handling anything very well in town, apparently (which is what I discovered at my friend's place where I have been safe and dry throughout the whole affair--thus the library visit!) So, no photos, sorry, only commentary!

It has been another amazing week, after a non-eventful journey from Bellingen to Buderim, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast just north of Brisbane, and then in the rain north to Bundaberg. That was the start of the storm, which went on all last weekend. It dropped 500 mm (that's almost 2 feet) of rain in about 72 hours, and the winds were so high that at one point I'm sure we were at the edge of a tornado. That was Australia Day, when I was trying to celebrate 5 years as Australian. Needless to say all festivities were cancelled!

My hosts had water pouring in from a gutter that was blocked, and lost one big tree on their property as well as numerous branches. That was nothing compared to the tornados that hit the local beach town 15 km away, Bargara, and a couple of other coastal spots. And then came the floods--the local Burnett River peaked at 9.5 metres above its usual height and 7000 people were evacuated from homes--many airlifted from their roofs by the Australian Defence Forces who were called in on this state of emergency. Lots of that happened on my birthday so I hope that's not foreshadowing the year.

I've never been in a disaster area before and it was amazing to see all the damage, as well as how the Australians cope, chip in, band together to help out, and generally care so well for each other. The mopping up has just started here as the flood waters recede, and while roads are washed out, many businesses in Queensland are devastated as this is the 2nd big floods that have happened in 3 years, and lots of people couldn't get flood insurance after the first flood, you can just see that they are all survivors and will work hard to overcome adversity. Not to mention that lots of work will be created to fix things up again.

Meanwhile I have started work on a commissioned painting of a beautiful old Queenslander built in the late 1800s. When I get photo capability I'll upload some images of the house, and possibly of my first sketches. I still have lots of prints to show you too, when all systems are working again. Hope it won't be too long before that happens. I must say I am grateful to be alive and unscathed by this event, and again realize what good fortune and friends I have around me.