Hey all, I haven't checked in for a few days. Busy days and early nights. a few updates via twitter and facebook.
I won't go into much as I am exhausted. Suffice to say we're all fine. In the grand scheme of things, we have come out of this very well. We'll be displaced for a little while, perhaps a month, but we have friends and neighbours who have lost the lot.
I am stunned by the sentiment of naza, and the many in agreance, as to a fund to support me, but there are so many more deserving people.
We didn't have flood insurance, but I think we'll come out well regardless. Having a father in law and brother in law who are builders (and who built our house) has proved, and will continue to prove, a huge advantage.
I have seen some horrendous stuff out there. I'll never forget swimming away from my house Wed morning, not knowing if I'd get to spend another night there, and then being shocked to reality when I realised I was swimming past the top of my street sign.
Waking up that morning and seeing how far the water had risen, was just spooky. We then sat in the street for a couple of hours just watching it advance.
Then we I returned Thursday morning, on a borrowed surfboard, it was like a hollywood movie. No one was around, just me paddling through the streets to see what damage there was.
Yesterday evening we left the house, clean, on a dingy. This morning I arrived by car and the streets were packed with cars, the footpaths were lined with destroyed furniture and the military were patrolling the streets. Patrolling, but also helping out.
I must say the Mayour Campbell Newman and the Premier Anna Bligh have been awesome, and the emergency services (police etc), the millitary have been sensational. Even the bloody surflifesavers came up from the Goldy with their rubber duckies and were patrolling the flood waters.
A humbling experience all round. A real check in. QLD will take a LONG time to recover from this one. If you feel helpless, don't worry as there will be plenty of opportunity (and need) for assistance down the track.
Again, thanks for all the support. I've been blown away by the offers. We truly are a lucky country, and a great community. And the rugby community is particularly supportive.
Cheers
Reg