Sometime ago, I marked in my diary scheduled visits by these 2 ladies. The first being Wednesday afternoon for a coffee stop on their journey across the border with the intention to attend the SCQuilters retreat at Lilydale. They had planned to travel across country north of Melbourne city and down to Lilydale, and stay at Number 8 on their return trip Monday evening. They drove through a lot of rain to get to my place, and across the border there was more.
Leaving here mid afternoon they made it to Horsham for the first night stay. Next morning they set off across country. Photos were sent of the wet countryside.
They made it to St Arnaud, and were planning to head to Bendigo, but further up the road they came to a stop. I have "borrowed" some comments from their facebook page which tell more of the story.....
"cant’ go over it, can’t go under it, can’t go around it… and the nice policeman said not to go through it!"
" every which way was blocked by water over the road - couldn’t get through to Bendigo - now can’t get anywhere so sitting in a motel playing patience!"
I received a message telling me they were coming back to SA and would stay here for their "retreat" if they couldn't get through to Lilydale. Raylene had arrived since they had called in the day before so we were looking forward to their company. The beds were made, the wood barrow filled and I put a roast in the oven to cook ready for their arrival!! They made an attempt to drive back to Horsham and return to SA but............
"the nice policeman did say the road to Horsham was open! And it didn’t look that bad/far until we got into it! ..... And the nice man in the ute cleared the water for us and was there to haul us out… together with the 4WD in front of him!"
".........back in last night’s room at the motel! They hadn’t even had time to change the sheets!"
I probably added insult to injury when I sent them a photo that evening of Raylene enjoying the yummy roast lamb that I had cooked for them! (and do notice that she has to eat while on the job!!)
Saturday morning I received this message...... we're up and dressed and leading the high life...... have been to IGA, now drinking coffee in the local shop.....very hospitable people.... chatting up the locals about the roads and when we say we're trying to get back to SA, they just groan and look sympathetic!......
After 2 nights in the motel at St Arnaud and playing tourist, they discovered someone who told them of a road that was passable to get them back to SA. The road to Horsham was still closed but they went by a roundabout route through Donald, Warracknabeal and down to Dimboola, so they hurriedly packed their gear, for the second day in a row, and headed off. But this time they didn't tell me of their plans until they were safely passed the road they were worried about, and on the road close to Horsham!
The Vic maps that detailed road closures were followed carefully for the latest updates............as the were lots of places with flooding............
About 6pm Saturday evening, 3 days after they had left they returned to Number 8, (instead of the planned 5 nights after).
They had packed quilts for Show and Tell at the SCQuilters conference, so we photographed them here and they posted them to the facebook page of the SCQuilters. Some amazing work in these quilts!!
There was lots of relaxing and time with the screens, and note that one lady is working hard!
I had my collection of Batiks sitting on the table ready for some cutting, and Dot spent time colour coordinating them for me. I had planned to cut a lot for sale, but after her doing such a good job, I have put some back on the shelf with a kit in mind instead.
After a couple of nights in Bordertown they packed up again and headed back to the city. Although it wasn't quite the trip they had planned, it was definitely a good story to tell.
While this flood story has a good ending, we are mindful that there are many stories with not such good endings. Our sympathy goes out to those whose houses have been flooded and those who have lost income from flooded crops and business'.
Blessings, From Jude
10 comments:
Disappointing to miss the Retreat, but what an adventure. Wonderful to hear the local folk of St. Arnuad were extremely friendly & helpful in their hour of need. Other travellers helped too. The situation could have been so much worse as we’ve seen, created by the floods, which have caused so much heart-ache. We enjoyed their company at our mini retreat. đ„
Sad the ladies missed the retreat but pleased they were ok and had a lovely time at Number 8.
The two quilts are amazing…
A disappointing trip for them, but good that you were able to offer a safe and dry haven.
It's certainly hard with these floods and we are feeling for so many. Glad they were sensible & got home safely, although disappointed a little from missing their retreat. We are lucky to live in an area that is hilly and with no major river system, but it is still very, very muddy & wet underfoot, but oh so green through the South Gippy hills. Take care & hugs.
The ladies certainly do have a story to tell. At least they were able to spend some fun time at Number 8. We do feel for those very many affected by this flooding.
It's sad that they missed the scquilters retreat but lovely that they were able to have a lovely time with you & that they got back to Sa safe & sound.
Pity they missed their other retreat, but better safe than sorry and I am sure they had a good time with you :) There were terrible floods around where we live, not being there I was stressing a bit from afar while hubby dug trenches to get rid of the water....... xx
For your friends - all's well that ends well - but yes - a lot of sympathy to farmers & those who have lost everything.
and I love the pixelated portraits!
what an adventurous trip for them...........nice you got a spend a few days with them in the end..........
So much destruction and crop losses......no end in sight yet for many..
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