And The Rain Continued...

Welcome To A Journey Involving
A Bridge's Struggle With The Continuous Rain Affecting Queensland Australia
Visiting Reader,

 
                 To my surprise I'm here again. Certainly didn't expect to be, but the pictures a close Friend sent me today via phone is the reason am doing this. Appreciate immensely the permission granted to Post them on my Spot to share with you.

         I began December 2010 writing about Australia's Summer heat and thunderstorms. The heat did not happen, the thunderstorms have been minimum, but as for rain.... since the 15th of this December there have been about three days without.... 16th, 20th and 25th in the area of Queensland I live. Only two of them willing to let the Sun's brightness in, and Christmas Day was not one of them. Though the mere fact the rain eased for the day was a gift. It is like all the wishes, prayers, and longings folk expressed for rain of years passed accumulated into being answered this year, this Summer.

         I am fortunate at this stage where I am. I have only reached the point where it is not a good idea to stand still on the grass. To do so means to begin sinking into the spot. Too long, and it's an effort to convince the ground to return one's feet to one. Mud between the toes and up to the ankle at least if barefoot is assured with walking on the grass. Unique squelching experience it is. Not overly recommended.

        For others, the being lighthearted on the subject would not be likely, and difficult to feel with their homes, livelihoods, and much else under water. One area is so flooded only rooftops of businesses and homes are visible. Another town is deprived of fresh water after the flood waters flowed into their supply. Some towns have become isolated by the flood waters now surrounding them. Other areas are still waiting for what will happen as the flowing waters keep coming causing still further rises of rivers.

        The rain keeps pouring onto already overfilled waterways travelling their flooding path. The continual flowing waters spreading and journeying fill further, causing more overflow. Once the flooding waters have spread as far as needed to ease the excess from the main flow, the debris collected along the way is deposited and to be discovered once the waters settle. The aftermath is in its way worse than having to concede to the flood. The clean-up being about the drying process and about mud and organic matter the water left. The debris and mud in its way compounds upon what already is ruined, and of course needs more water for the clean-up. In a way the cleaning process is Homeopathic. Treat a problem with the problem. Won't be as simple as I've written for the folk facing the ordeal.

         When I Posted photos of my local area's bridge in Gympie "Heavy Rain Wake" 21 Dec 2010 - Title actively links, I mentioned it was not heavily flooded. That bridge spans quite low, so the weather really only needs to have a good decent sneeze and that bridge will flood.

        I also mentioned about the Mary River travelling North, well this is a photo of a bridge along that Northern journey. About and hour's drive North from me. (I think it's a great photo. Phone done too. Today's phones are a useful, versatile asset.)

        My Friend mentioned this is the third time this month the bridge has flooded.

        Now this bridge is about 7metres (about23ft) above the Mary in normal times, and right now what you are seeing is the water level being around 11metres (about 36ft). At least underwater life have a bridge they can utilize for a change.

        Where the cluster of trees are on the left far side, you can just make out the road one would reach when accessing the bridge when its not having a swim.

        The opening between the left far tree cluster and the near left tree cluster is the Mary flowing from South - my direction - on its way North, the view looking towards the back, between the Trees on left and right. 

        My sense of placement is a little lost with all the water. Will communicate with my Friend and provide better information for the remaining description. (being able to edit after publishing is a blessing.)   Have since chatted with my Friend and now am able to add to the view being seen (am pleased I had done okay ). Have added The Mary's flow in previous paragraph, and can now also add that the little opening on the right leads to a Recreation Park. 

There are more photos if you care to continue....

This is looking towards the left far tree cluster and the near left tree cluster of the previous photo. You can see the Mary's current between them. How still and calm is the water in the foreground. Probably quite comfortably letting go of it's load to look so clean. When it recedes will rejoin the Mary quite free of debris. Nice for the Mary, not too flash for the roadway.

The Recreation Park near the bridge. Kind of tucked back off the road. I lived near there before here. A nice area to visit when not busy. Is a place for picnics as can be noted by what is cooking facilities on left near the tipping bin and seating to the right of them both. The Mary usually flows past the park, not on it.

The beautiful trees are Eucalyptus. I very much love their aroma, variety, bark shedding. I find they have a deep quiet energy. I feel vast distances moving to and from when am in their company.

From the cooking area would lead down to where the boat ramp is, well is there still. Maybe gaining slime to assist boats slide in easier, though probably becoming slippery for vehicles.

Once the waters recede and the surfaces again interact with Air and Sun, it will all settle, and this scene will be but a memory as folk again enjoy the Park as a Park, cleansed, nourished and refreshed by the Mary's dance with heavy rain.

               

       Thank you for your visit, and the giving of your time to read my Story and View my Friend's photos.

Introductory Image is from -
   http://www.animated-gifs.eu

Photos remain the Property of my close Friend.

Until soon and probably sooner, Magda

Update... 2 January 2011

And the flood begins to recede...

         Quite a different perspective. Apologize for my lateness with this update in now being the 6 Jan 2011. You can now see the bridge. This bridge is spooky to cross too. There are no railings, just a little concrete lip on both outer edges. When the River is its usual self the view down looks a long way if one is brave enough to peak when being the driver as one crosses. It is a one way only, hence the 'Give Way' sign. Would not like to have to reverse if timed going foward wrongly. I feel it's one of Human Nature's curiosities in the deciding outcome of who goes first when two vehicles simultaneously arrive at both sides to cross. To my knowledge courtesy reigns. At the deciding moment an inner something happens, and no calamities over who is first. The happening happens without mishap. 

         My Friend informed me this Bridge had moved 4inches (10.16 centimetres) from being flooded in March 2010. The Mary gave only about 6metres of extra water that time. Naturally bridge closed for repairs. Reopened in August 2010.

        The vehicle and folk you can see on other side are work crew inspecting the revealed bridge. A grader was used to clear mud and debris to enable traffic usage.

Thank you again for your visit and in reading this Story,

Until soon or sooner, from Magda

PS: Spare a moment if you have time for those who have lost so much or all they had to the recent flooding. And especially the loss to death of too many Animals.