I planted my new palms today, after re-digging the holes my neighbour so thoughtfully filled in. I had the sprinkler on the spot for half an hour last night, making sure that the ground stayed moist and easy to dig, and then we had rain overnight and this morning as well so it was lovely and damp. I'm quite pleased with them, and am considering ( Read more... )

This time last week I was bemoaning the fact that my back lawn was brown and crispy, with only a green rectangle to show where I washed my car. Since then the rain has come, thanks to ex-tropical cyclone Oswald, my lawn is lovely and green, and I'm starting to feel somewhat mildewy ( Read more... )

I do recall saying here, on Sunday night, that a good storm would be most welcome. Shortly afterwards we had a brief shower. A few hours later the rain began in earnest, and it hasn't really stopped since. Only twelve months ago my city was under water; in some lower-lying areas it's happening again. Weatherzone report here from earlier tonight. ( Read more... )

Allan Moffat, advertising the new Ford 335 Boss GT. To steal the catchphrase from Ford's opposition - I just want one!


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The death toll from the floods keeps rising. Now two-thirds of Queensland - a state comprising 715000 square miles - has been declared a disaster zone. Both Brisbane City and Ipswich are on high alert, as the Brisbane River and Bremer River are expected to peak during the night / tomorrow morning. CBD workers were sent home today; Ipswich residents ( Read more... )

Rain, that is. It's barely stopped for months, and both North Qld and western NSW are under water. Some photos of the floods can be found here; they attempt to convey the scope of the devastation.

Locally it's not that bad, although the rain hasn't stopped. I had to giggle over the story about a Tanah Merah taxi driver - silly man - rescuers ( Read more... )