I’m writing this post offline as I’m flying from Sydney to Brisbane. After working in Sydney for 2 days last week, I thought it would be a great idea to spend the long Australia Day weekend swanning around the beautiful city of Sydney, going from seeing a superb showing of the Kubrick/Clarke classic 2001: A Space Odyssey complemented by the Philharmonic Orchestra and choir at the iconic Opera House, to a free concert of classical music in the Domain (in the botanical gardens). Lots of great food and spectacular weather…for a while anyway. (pic – view from my hotel)
The day I left Brisbane, the sun was blasting and those south of home were busy trying to drown out the hundreds of fires that had sparked because of the extremely dry weather we’ve had for months. There was even talk of cancelling our national day celebrations because fireworks might set of more fires. There was a dangerous cyclone off the north/east coast of Qld, but it seemed so far away, particularly with such hot weather! Then by the time my work in Sydney was done, Brisbane was bracing for floods from the weather coming south, and there was talk of a repeat of the horrendous floods that hit home this time 2 years ago. Oh dear!
So now it is Monday, and I’m on the plane, and I’m scared! I’ve been looking out the window for the past 30 minutes of flying and it is white wash. Cannot see a single thing. I’ve never experienced a flight like this, and I now fly a lot. It’s surprisingly not too bumpy, but I don’t get how the pilot can see anything either! Thank goodness for good tech equipment!! My fingernails are slowly disappearing, and I’m hoping we make it back ok. I’m also hoping our house isn’t flooded and that my kitty cat is not too wet and out of sorts as he has been outside in all the rain, wind, tornadoes and the rest of the craziness. I’m imagining he will be very grumpy (and deservedly so!).
I’m trying to distract myself by reading and listening to loud music, but I’m still worried about all my friends and family back home, I feel so disconnected being away. Thanks at least to social media keeping me in touch. There were rumours at Sydney airport that Brisbane airport was closed, but somehow I still managed to get on my flight. I’m sending him good vibes to everyone stuck because the weather is supposed to hit Sydney later today after moving down the coast 
Hearing stories of people being rescued and caught up in flood waters is distressing. I simply don’t understand why people go out driving to look at the rising flood waters when they are told over and over again not to leave home for unessential travel. Yet they do it, constantly. Sorry if I offend, but I think it is really selfish to put yourself at risk, and to then to put the lives of rescuers at risk if you find yourself in trouble (which can happen so easily and quickly). I can’t imagine being an emergency services worker, toughest job ever. People are told to evacuate as a precaution, but many refuse, thinking that the flood waters won’t reach them. Then a day later the lives of rescue workers are put at risk to save those same people when the water does often inevitably rise, but obviously it is now much more dangerous. I really just don’t get it….
So I’m hoping we will land in 30 minutes time, and that I can get home from the airport to the other side of the city. Whoever still questions that global warming exists needs to visit the east coast of Australia. Even as the flooding is continuing right down the Qld and NSW coasts, there are fires blazing across Victoria and many people are losing their homes. I’m just really sad, anxious and on edge, and wishing that everyone stays safe at this very scary time x
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Go girls.
