I made this video on the 12.Feb 2008 after the heavy rainfalls of the monsoon had cleared up for the first time. Until then it had rained for nearly 48 hours straight. Where we drive is actually on the wrong side of the road since the other (flooded side) was closed.

Luckily enough the road is double lined so traffic was still able to flow past the gap. This drive is on Farnborough Road heading toward Byfield along the beachfront in Yeppoon.

Yeppoon Chronicle

On a recent flight from Brisbane to Rockhampton a Virgin aircraft had to take 3 attempts to be able to finally touch down. A female passenger reported that she left her home in Brisbane at 7 AM on Thursday 13.Feb 2008 and didn’t get to Yeppoon until 4 PM that same day. A journey which normally only takes 50 minutes became an all day event.

Due to the excessive monsoonal rain that was flooding many roads in the area, the Virgin aircraft simply couldn’t land and had to do 2 return trips to Brisbane, each time trying to touch down in Rockhampton before unsuccessfully returning back to Brisbane again. Only on the 3rd attempt did they finally manage to land the aircraft in Rockhampton.

This is a true virgin-merry-go-round that eventually ended in a safe landing and shows how particular commercial aircraft pilots really are when it comes to the safety of their passengers.

The named passenger mentioned how they prepared themselves for the landing twice, only "to be pulled up at the last minute again".

Yeppoon Chronicle

This speech has marked a truly memorable moment in Australian history to bring together a nation across divides that have spanned many decades. The foundation for the bridge has been laid and healing can finally begin.

Yeppoon Chronicle

The road to Emu Park was closed, as well as the road to Rockhampton for some time. Roslyn Bay was cut off from the rest of the world whichresulted in many people being stuck at work. Beaches restaurant got a direct hit with lots of electrical damage that seeped into the kitchen wrecking havoc with electrical appliances. Since the electrician couldn’t access the place due to road closures, the restaurant was only able to serve pizza’s tonight.

Other Yeppoon residents who work in Rockhampton couldn’t go to work, because of road closures. The official weather site (BOM) has recorded massive amounts of rain within a short timespan today. From 9AM Tuesday we had 130mm of rain within 24 hours. This was due to a tropical monsoon trough which battered many coastal and inland towns in Queensland today and yesterday.

Lucky enough it didn’t eventuate into a full blown cyclone which apparently is a little different from a monsoon.

Here is what weather[dot]com has to say about the difference of the two:

CYCLONE

An area of closed pressure circulation with rotating and converging winds, the center of which is a relative pressure minimum. The circulation is counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Also called a low pressure system and the term used for a tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean. Other phenomena with cyclonic flow may be referred to by this term, such as dust devils, tornadoes, and tropical and extra-tropical systems. The opposite of an anticyclone or a high pressure system.

MONSOON

The seasonal shift of winds created by the great annual temperature variation that occurs over large land areas in contrast with associated ocean surfaces. The monsoon is associated primarily with the moisture and copious rains that arrive with the southwest flow across southern India. The name is derived from the word mausim, Arabic for season. This pattern is most evident on the southern and eastern sides of Asia, although it does occur elsewhere, such as in the southwestern United States.

The system has now moved further south with the Sunshine Coast and the inland being next on the agenda. Flash floods have resulted into many people being stranded.

Yeppoon Chronicle

Did you know that vinegar is a powerful natural healer that not only saves us money, but also aids in the process of healing, reducing fever, make our hair shinier and lots more. As a matter of fact, vinegar was a powerful commodity in ancient times and was worth more than gold.

Valued by traders around the world it eventually found its way into our households in times when grandparents were still young. My Nan used to make me vinegar socks to pull the fever out of me when I had the flu as a child.

It worked wonders and I’m still using it now - only that I hardly get sick these days.

Vinegar Has Many Healing Properties

1. Eliminates coughing at night by resting your head on a moist towel that has been soaked in vinegar.
2. Helps to get rid of sore throat by using vinegar water to gargle.
3. If you have trouble breathing, you can wrap a vinegar soaked strip of fabric around your wrists.
4. Loose excess fat by drinking a mixture of water with some added vinegar.
5. Itchy skin can be soothed by rubbing with vinegar.
6. Beat the flu by wearing vinegar socks (towels soaked in cold vinegar water wrapped around your feet and covered with plastic bags to sweat out the fever. Change frequently (when towels get hot) until fever diminishes.

Vinegar Can Also Clean

Vinegar is a fantastic cleaning aid that helps to get rid of stains, smells, marks and more. It has been said to have been a cleaning aid to many for some 10,000 years and is not only very powerful, but also cheap and environmentally friendly. To use vinegar for cleaning, you can clean:

• Rubbish Bins
• Clothes
• Copper
• Glass
• Wooden chopping boards
• Drains
• Working surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom
• and more

Vinegars is a under utilised agent that is so readily available to us and has so many functions. If you are strapped for cash, then vinegar will be the perfect all round household cleaner and first aid helper.

Yeppoon Chronicle

Great Keppel island is a dream holiday destination in the best of times and a great day trip (or more) for visitors and locals alike. The island offers unsurpassed views back to the mainland and an ideal sub tropical climate. Surrounded by 28 km of gorgeous beaches and isolated bays, one would be forgiven to never want to leave Great Keppel island again.

The first recorded person to have discovered this jewel in the Tropic of Capricorn region was Captain Cook in 1770. Named after Admiral Keppel of the Royal Navy, the island is part of a group of 14 islands named the Keppel group.

The boat trip from Roslyn Bay harbor only takes some 30-40 minutes depending on the weather. Currently the round trip by boat is costing some $37. Many locals take advantage of Great Keppel island to spend a leisurely weekend.

Once you are on Keppel, there is much to do. You can be as adventurous as you like and jump out of an airplane to land on the beach or else simply snuggle up and read a book. From snorkeling, cruises, waters sports, ball games, having a relaxing massage, walk in nature or even getting dropped off at a secluded beach with a picnic hamper is all possible on great Keppel plus much more.

Great Keppel island is also an ideal place to get married as I can attest from personal experience. What better place to tie the knot than with ocean gently lapping on your bare feet, the birds chirping in the endless blue sky and the sun gently folding its rays around you.

If you have some spare time, then a visit to Great Keppel island is an absolute must.

Yeppoon Chronicle

On the beach front local band Busby Marou from Rockhampton was belting out their unique Acoustic / Roots Music / Bluegrass music. I was instantly hooked by their melodious tunes that also contained a hint of rock. Awesome guys! I reckon they will be signed to a record label before we know it, because they certainly have the “it”.

Many onlookers got into the swing of things and many sported the famous Aussie garb in the form of wearing a flag, t-shirts or shorts. It reminded me of the times not so long ago when I received my Australian citizen ship on Australia day. The memory always makes me kind of mushy.

Many revelers will probably come home tonight only to find themselves painfully sunburned as it was a stinking hot day. There was plenty of entertainment for all ages.

All in all we couldn’t have asked for a better day to celebrate our roots and being a nation of many. The stalls were packed and so were the shops. We won’t mention the local waterhole either as this is always a popular spot to meet and have a coldie (beer) or two.

Australians certainly know how to celebrate in style with lots of fun and laughter. All in all it was a great day and my scooter happily guided me home again after sampling those impressions.

PS: I left the beer for home

Let us know if you have some memories to share about Australia Day.

Yeppoon Chronicle

This will give Rockhampton residents a chance to find out whether their area might be affected from the possible floods and help them to prepare themselves. The Rockhampton race course will no doubt be affected since it always is when there is some minor flooding.

10,000 sand bags have been transported from Brisbane to use as strategic defense against rising waters if need be.

Below is an updated video from the effect the floods had in Emerald.

Yeppoon Chronicle

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a statement where they predict the Fitzroy River to rise some seven or eight meters. Rockhampton residents are urged to keep watch on the local news to stay informed upfront on the development of the potential floods.

Weather forecasts for early next week predict thunderstorms and more rain.

Yeppoon Chronicle

This could mean some worrying sleepless nights for some of Rockhampton’s residents.

At present this is only a guess and whether it will eventuate (let’s hope not) will be revealed tomorrow.

Image:Sky News Australia

The current floods have also affected major Queensland mining industries which are costing them millions of dollars. At this stage it is unclear of when affected mines will be opening up for operation again which of course is totally water related.

The estimated damaged bill so far on the Emerald flood victims is 1 billion dollars and rising. Charleville residents are also battling their situation with levee (sand bag walls) being erected all around the town. State emergency services have acted super fast and from the moment they decided to erect those levee’s to the actual implementation no more than 20 hours past by.

Luckily the rain has stopped for now but forecasts are predicting more rain in the coming days. Rockhampton floods are a threat that we will have to deal with, if it eventuates at all.

Yeppoon Chronicle