28 March 2021 Deluge, Floods, and Back to the Bush

A week ago we experienced 5 days straight of unending and at times torrential rains through many parts of New South Wales.  We thought a run to the shops would compensate for having to stay inside all weekend.  Apparently everyone else thought the same thing and we were happy to get home.  Rivers flooded and several areas were totally inundated with flood waters.  It will take weeks of clean-up.  We were fortunate as we live in a higher area.  One river bed that has been dry for the last three years due to drought is now over-flowing and spilling over its banks.  

The picture on the right is how the reserve area near our home looked when we arrived last year.  The picture on the left is after the rain stopped but the stream was full and flowing fast.  Don and I walked over the day the sun came back out; our feet and shoes were saturated as we had to carefully maneuver across the flowing waters to see the waterfall.  

Our drive was like having buckets being poured constantly over the car.  This lasted for 5 days-Don said this much have been what Lewis and Clark experienced during their year long stay at Fort Clatsop!  Over 7 inches of rain a day in some areas near us and it just kept coming down. 

The start of our walk climbing over branches that gave way during the storms.

Generally, this is just a damp, tiny rivulet, but not last week

The Falls

This past weekend our assignment took us back over the mountains and out to some bush country to visit the church members in the town of Dubbo, about a 5 hour drive northwest.  We left on Friday afternoon and then met up with another missionary couple, Mel and Nina Anderson, on Saturday morning at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo.  

The Taronga Western Plains Zoo is large plains zoo which was developed to provide more space and open range areas and breeding facilities for large plains dwelling animals which the zoo in Sydney could not accommodate.  Over 300 hectares, approximately 742 acres, provide woodland and grassland areas.  Berms and concealed moats create the atmosphere of viewing animals in the wild.   

We rented bikes for our 4 hour ride surveying mostly Asian and African animals.  Some familiar Australia animals and island primates in addition to Giant Galapagos tortoises from South Africa make up most of the animals.  I told Don we should have stayed at the Zoofari Lodge which mimics a safari experience when you sleep in the wild near the animals.  Sounded fun, but sadly, we didn't check it out before booking our motel.   

Mostly familiar animals one sees at any zoo, but one we loved watching and hearing were the Siamang.  Largest of gibbon primates, we were astounded to hear their calls.  The have a throat sac that enlarges as they call to other another.  They can be heard over large distances which is how we knew where to find them.  Swinging in the trees and barks and screams entertained many visitors.   

Berms are built up high enough that many of the fences and barriers are not seen from the paths unless you stand closer.  Though we have visited many zoos over the years with our children and the grands, we loved that the animals have vast land area for grazing and roaming here.

Taronga has world class conservation and breeding programs.  

Entering the Pride Lands

We finished up our visit with the Giant Galapagos Tortoises.  

Australia's own wallabies, ostriches, echindas, koalas, possums, emus, camels and other indigenous animals are also present. 

Baobab tree

We went to the tiny branch of the church on Sunday where we both spoke and visited with the few people attending.  It is our hope that soon the international borders will open again and some of our young missionaries will be called here to continue serving and working in these outlying areas.  The branch president was literally doing everything and must feel overwhelmed at times.  

Due to the flooding earlier in the week and the clean-up taking place, there was only one road open through the mountains to return to Sydney and that is just a two-lane road.  Five hours turned into a bit longer drive so we were especially happy to finally make it home.  

Easter week begins.  The employees will have Good Friday and Easter Monday off.  The news from Queensland is a snap lockdown due to a new outbreak.  We have missionaries that are to leave on Wednesday and now we wonder if they will be able to go home or if the new ones will arrive as planned.  It is very difficult to make any plans as changes happen so rapidly.  

 

14 March 2021 A Great "P" Day!

Our technology missionary sisters, Sister Abel and Sister Forbes, planned a special outing for this week's preparation day or "P" day as it's always been known by missionaries.  Though cleaning apartments, laundry, shopping and checking in with home still had to be done, most of the day was planned for all the young female missionaries to be together. The senior sisters were invited to join in.  

Half of us met at Woolrich Wharf and took the ferry to Circular Quay in the city.  The other group met up with us there.  Then, the entire group boarded the "fast" ferry and took off for Watson's Bay on the South Head peninsula. The view from the cliffs are stunning and all of us loved hiking around the area.  For most of the young missionaries this was their first time to see these sights while serving in Sydney.  

Watching a ray swim in the shallows as we waited for the ferry

Everyone was so excited to be together for the day.  The missionaries were able to meet up with their former companions and friends from throughout the mission.  We loved getting to visit and enjoy the beautiful sites.  

Sister Missionaries of Sydney Australia

Views from the cliffside looking southward 

Cockatoos sunning under some rock cliffs

Looking northward 

 A pudgy bodied Kookaburra

"The Tree of Knowledge" fig tree at Watson's Bay and back on the ferry for our return trip. 

Returning to Woolrich Wharf , we drove to a local park not far from the mission office for a BBQ and afternoon of food and games.  Hamburgers, sausages, fruit, chips, and drinks had been prepared for us by Karen and Amelia Scott and Jennifer Chandler.  A little basketball, lots of volleyball and even more lounging and visiting as the weather changed.  Fortunately, not a lot of rain until later that evening. 

That evening everyone met at President and Sister Runia's home for some more food!  Sister Runia prepares amazing meals for the missionaries and again, we were not disappointed.  Everyone spent some time writing positive affirmations and then the Senior Sisters were all invited to be on a panel answering questions the younger missionaries had submitted.  With Sister Runia as  moderator, and President Runia adding his insights, we laughed and gave all the advice we could muster.  Questions ranged from higher education to working to marriage and motherhood to service to time management to challenges like widowhood and mental illness.  Serious questions but still lots of laughter and fun together.  Seeing that it was International Women's Day also, we loved sharing that sisterhood has no age limits.

Beautiful young ladies and all committed to serving as missionaries at this time in their lives. 

And the wisdom of the ages! (or it is aged?!)

Jennifer Chandler, Nina Anderson, Gail Pollard, Arouma Mata'utai, Geneive Ormsby, Theresa Thomas, Yvonne Pownall, and me

All the senior couples along with President and Sister Runia had another dinner later in the week to say good-bye to our good friends, Mike and Theresa Thomas.  They have completed their 18 months of service and are returning home. However, they don't know where that will be since they sold their house and have to find a new home! But they are not worrying about it.   For the time being, they plan to stay with a daughter, get acquainted with a new daughter-in-law they acquired while in Australia, play with grandkids and get all their seven children and families together at the end of the month.    

Don and I met them our first day in Australia as they came and picked us up at the airport.  We have lived two houses apart, shared many wonderful hours working along side daily, and planning walks and outings together along with the other senior couples.  It is hard to see them leave as they have become such dear friends and confidants.  But I did inherit their breadmaker, so I will see if I can do as well as Mike in turning out delicious loaves.  

 

Saturday, Mel and Nina Anderson joined us to spend time at Manly on the beach.  Back at Circular Quay, we enjoyed these men performing traditional aboriginal music with a didgeridoo and other authentic instruments.  The weather was great for a beach day outing.  We enjoyed the rock pool for a little while but the ocean was calling.  Good waves to enjoy with a little body surfing.   A decent burger and milkshake at Betty's Burgers and we all returned home rejuvenated.  

Enjoy a quick listen!