TheBanyanTree: Wet, wet, wet

[Anita Gmail]

Yes, it's pretty wet in Western Victoria. What with the locust plague, they're having a somewhat biblical time. And coverage of the northern floods doesn't stop people from doing silly things, like trying to drive through flood waters. People who do this should be given a smack on the behind after being rescued!
   
Locally, we've had lots of rain and uncharacteristic humidity, so the usual Melburnian favourite topic of conversation, the weather, is extended with the wondering "How on earth do they get their washing dry up north?!". I'm guessing they wait till the sun comes out!
   
An unexpected side-effect of all the rain has been the speedy spread of myxomatosis among the local pet rabbits, spread by the mosquitos who are having a good breeding season.

A friend who is a wedding celebrant told us last night that some couples have been caught out by the rain, not having organised sufficient shelter for their outdoor ceremonies, but it hasn't dampened the urge to wed (sorry!) - he is booked solid every weekend till June.

In the meantime, Queenslanders deal with the shock of what happened to them, and we down south are providing as much support as we can. The media is making a meal of it, as per usual, and unfortunately there have been a couple of tragic deaths that they are enjoying describing in graphic, heartrending detail.

My husband and I, who will be moving in time to a valley location closely surrounded by mountains and therefore potentially prone to the flood funnel effect experienced in Toowoomba, will be taking this into account in building our home well off the ground. This year, though, we're moving to Kinglake, one of the towns hit hard by the 2009 wildfire. Aint nowhere safe, you just need to try and understand what you're up against. and it could be so much worse - just ask the Brazilians.

   Anita