WE ARE SAFE

We had a worrying time but its all over and we are safe and our unit did not get any damage. The worst was the waiting for Tropical Cyclone Alfred to cross the coast. It was a category 2 but moving very slowly. so we were living in apprehension for three days or more. We saw it tearing the Gold Coast to shreds and it was scary thinking that would happen to us. Finally, Alfred crept slowly towards us and started losing power as it hit the coastal islands. We had howling winds and pouring rain but luckily we stayed safe. Our unit didn't leak and nothing was damaged outside. The worst part was that we were without power all of the next day. So many trees had blown down electricity wires. There was 350 thousand homes without power. Some are still waiting to be reconnected. 

We had cold turkey sandwiches and sparkling water for tea/dinner. We played board games in candlelight to pass the time. The next day it just poured rain non stop all day and night. The cyclone had turned into a low pressure and it was stationary over Brisbane. Many creeks and rivers flooded. Silly people drove through flood waters and had to be rescued. Only one life was lost but many houses ruined by flood water. People were madly filling sand bags to stop the water entering homes and businesses.

I drove to the doctor today (check up after cataract surgery 3 weeks ago.) On the way I saw many huge trees on the ground. Some houses were flattened by fallen trees. We were so lucky to have missed the bullet.

When the rain eased a little I walked down the hill from our unit to the front of the village and took a few photos my shoes and jeans got soaking wet even with a big umbrella.