Oh What a Night - Part Two

After the excitement of the exhibition opening, we headed off to one of the local pubs in Ballarat for dinner.

It was a really hot and balmy Friday night, so the pub was quite packed inside and out.... and then the heavens opened.

Not long after the storm and torrential rain hit, the downlights went out, and water started pouring through them onto tables, and the kitchen was flooded. Thank goodness we still managed to get our dinner (because of course, we were just thinking about food)!

Then my sister received an emergency SMS from the SES to expect flash flooding in Clunes.... which unfortunately was our cue to leave and get back home before any of the roads were cut off.

The creek which keeps flooding runs along where those new trees have been planted

So after driving at snails pace through the storm, we were about five kilometres from home, and the rain suddenly stopped.

We decided to sit on the verandah, drink hot milo, listen to the radio, and wait and watch the creek.

Around midnight, the CFA went into action delivering sand, checking water levels and doorknocking the low lying houses and business owners from the main street, warning them of an impending flood (which would have been the third one in 6 months). There were house lights on, torches in backyards, and a few cars being loaded with posessions.

At 1 AM we decided to give up on Operation Creek Watch and go to bed.

The water must have peaked some time early in the morning, because thankfully the creek didn't break the banks this time, and water levels slowly subsided throughout Sunday.

To celebrate the Non-flood event, we headed off down the main street for some brekkie.

I thought it was very cute that this little doggie had his very own rather nice retro couch out the front.

I had yummy sour dough toast with quince paste and raspberry jam.

We headed off down the main street for a little spot of shopping. There's a lovely shop in the old State Bank Building which has a mix of vintage and new goodies. I found myself a couple of lovely vintage tablecloths.

They also have a great photo board with pics from when the Ned Kelly film was shot there a few years ago (including photos of Heath Ledger). It was really interesting to see.

Unfortunately a couple of the second hand shops weren't open, but that just means I'll have to get back there soon for another shopping trip!

A half starter.... and spreading some Hope

I seem to be having some attention deficit problems at the moment. I'm blaming the increased steroids.

I keep starting new crafty projects. I started five separate things on Sunday afternoon. I'm yet to finish any of them. What on earth was I thinking?


The ideas just keep swirling around in my brain. Getting those ideas into action is a completely different story.

In the meantime, I do, at least, have two nearly finished Hope Softies.

It's just a tiny little drop in the ocean, but it might make someone smile after the last horrendous week.

If you think that you could also make a softie, pop on over to see Steph at Mon Petit Poppet and sign up here. If you're looking for a free pattern to use, Fuzzy Bear can be found over on my tutorials page.

It was also announced yesterday that the Red Cross has launched an appeal for the thousands of people currently affected by the Victorian Floods. If you can help, you can make a donation here.

....and it just keeps raining

Photo taken from my sisters driveway thismorning

This weather is just crazy. Now parts of Victoria are flooding too.

This is the Historic Hut in the park across the road from my sisters house at 7AM.....

..... and then at 9AM.

The creek usually ends down below those trees in the distance.

Luckily they're on the high side of the street and their house is built up high also, but Dear Mother Nature - please STOP now!

Nice weather for ducks

I headed off to the country today with Mr X and Moo Moo in tow, to celebrate my mums birthday

Gypsy the mini shetland

It was cold and windy and wet....

...but inside, the wood burning stove was nice and warm, and there was a yummy roast lunch (and birthday cake) for everyone.

Before and After

Luckily, mum hadn't experienced the flooding rains that my sister and BIL had yesterday.

 Before and After

They live right across the road from the local park where the creek runs through the middle of town...

Before and After

...which is currently a swimming pool (and these photos were taken before the peak of the water)!

Here's the actual pool!