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.
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