Into the rain

It's been a perversely good day here.  Some of you may be aware that the Bureau of Meteorology was forecasting bad weather for much of the state for the late weekend and early week.  For the most part, they've been right.  Late Sunday night, this is what the weather was throwing at us:

I was genuinely surprised the pager didn't go off that night.  I was lying there in a warm bed almost wishing it would: I wanted to get out of the way the cold shock of getting up and putting my overalls on.  Anyway, go off it did not.  I spent most of Monday going to and from Wagga Wagga (to be covered in a later post), and the weather actually wasn't unpleasant.  Nevertheless, I was still copied in on a press release from the SES's regional office which read in part -

A Severe Weather Warning is now in place for the North East weather district. Winds will ease today but are forecast to pick up speed again tomorrow morning with possible gusts of 90-110 km/h. These strong winds are expected to continue for most of Tuesday before easing early Wednesday morning and are likely to bring down trees onto roads, buildings and powerlines. ... Slow, steady rainfall of 20-40 mm is forecast for Tuesday into Wednesday. This will continue to saturate the soil and increase the chance of trees blowing or falling over in the soggy soil ....

It didn't disappoint.  By this morning the rain that had fallen elsewhere was percolating through the catchment and the farm had a brand new lake.  I gave the dog a walk on as much high ground as we could find and stocked up the wood for the fire while the going was good.

About midday the wind began to crank up with short, sharp bursts of rain, and about 1300 when the old boy and I were going down to Nagambie to get in some cattle on the place there, my pager started beeping like crazy with trees coming down on roads and on people's property and so on.  The soaked ground really left them exposed to being toppled by wind.  By 2pm my Unit's Facebook page included this alert -

I was clear of the cattle by about 1500 and went over to Tatura to get stuck in.  I met the crew that was already out there and we got underway by getting a fallen tree off somebody's nearly-new Chrysler.  Then, a couple more trees down on roads, and a trip up to Congupna to a report of a tree fallen on the railway line (we couldn't locate that one: presumably one of the railway company's crews had already attended to it), then back to Shepparton to a tree fallen on a fence.  All the while as we were driving around more jobs were coming in.  It was a fairly jumbled mix of communicating by radio, pager and phone (fear of flattening my battery meant that I didn't take any photos, aside from the fact that there really wasn't time).

It's been a satisfying evening.  People have been kept safe.  The roads are clear (as far as I know).  And everyone in the team did the work they were trained to do and did it well.  We do a lot of great stuff in the SES, and this is one of those times where I'm dead proud of the team.

Who upset Queen Elsa? Severe cold weather preparedness

A number of parts of the world are experiencing particularly cold weather conditions at present.  In some areas, even brutally cold weather is not unexpected.  In others, even moderately icy conditions can be a significant hazard .  With that in mind, a post on cold weather preparedness seems worthwhile.

Before the ice sets in

Some long term preparation prior to winter is sensible.  New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defence recommends having chimneys inspected annually and cleaned when necessary.  The same agency recommends having your home properly insulated and caulking doors and windows against cold air.  The International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO) suggests fitting out a particularly well insulated room (ideally without windows) as a living room for your family.

Additional supplies should be laid in.  You might want to consider buying emergency heating equipment (like a kerosene heater), and ensuring you have adequate supplies of fuel for both your standard and emergency means of heating.  Remember to consider means of ventilation to prevent toxic fumes building up.  You might also want to consider acquiring a generator, and if you have livestock or pets, consider whether you have enough food for them.

Image from here

Water pipes are at particular risk during freezing temperatures.  They can be protected by wrapping them in insulating material (layered newspaper if necessary) and then wrapping them in plastic.  Ensure you are able to close the main water valve if necessary.

The ICDO strongly recommends also ensuring that your car carries a spade, snow chains, a torch, spare clothes and other emergency supplies.

During a cold snap

When a below-zero snap is imminent, drain the water and central hearing pipes to reduce the risk of damage should they freeze.  Move livestock to shelter (whether this is a treed area or a building) and ensure they have sufficient feed and water.  While undertaking activity, ensure that you eat regularly and drink ample fluids.  Avoid coffee and alcohol which tend to dehydrate you.

Avoid opening doors and windows in your house for as long as possible, so as to retain warmth as long as possible,.

If you need to travel, exercise such are as the conditions require.  It may be prudent to stick to main roads, ensure others are aware of your movements, and if necessary fit tyre chains.  Keeping a full fuel tank will prevent ice in the fuel tank and lines, and ensure that the battery and antifreeze levels have been checked.  The Jordanian Civil Defence Directorate particularly recommends keeping a safe distance from the car in front.

Image from here

If things go wrong

Monitor yourself and others for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.  Frostbite requires medical attention and may be indicated by numbness and paleness in the fingers, toes, ear lobes, and nose.  Hypothermia is suggested by severe shivering, loss of normal cognitive skills and apparent exhaustion.  Medical care is needed, but in the first instance the sufferer should be made warm and given a warm non-alcoholic drink.

Where your water pipes have frozen remove any insulation and wrap them in rags.  Turn the taps on and begin to pour warm water over the pipes from whatever appears to be the coldest point.

If you have been in your car and become stranded, remain in the vehicle.  Ventilate it by opening a window on the sheltered side.  It may be safest not to run the engine if you are trapped in snow, as a blocked- or partly blocked exhaust  pipe may lead to buildup of carbon monoxide fumes.  Keep your limbs, hands and feet moving and avoid sleeping because of the risk of frostbite.

Image from here

Following a cold snap

If you are able, check for people in your area who may be in difficulties and if necessary alert the authorities.  If the electricity has gone out, check that the system at your house is in working order before restoring power.

Cold Air, Tea and Pasta

Hi everyone,

 

This is my update on yesterday; I'll probably start drafting today directly after and post it after SES this evening.

 

 

So yesterday was another bitterly cold morning.  These are the times when I make dead certain the dog has something warm to eat to start the day: this time it was bread, chow, old milk and warm water.  As he was going to be on the chain most of the day I gave him a decent walk before I got ready for work.  We caught a gorgeous sunrise as we were going.

 

The chilly air seemed somehow even clearer than usual - as if any moisture in the air was on the ground in the form of ice.

 

My day at work itself was unexceptional, aside for the first job (probing around on Facebook trying to work out if a person who ran into one of our bridges is working and might be able to pay for the damage).  I kept it fun by sampling the boxes of tea I bought for a dollar each from Woolworths the other night (the tea I drank at the weekend clearly left a mark).  I'm afraid I can't get into Darjeeling tea - it seems to have no flavour at all.  Prefer English Breakfast and Australian Afternoon - they have plenty of flavour.  And Lady Grey (which seems to be a new blend) has a lot of appeal: a light floral taste, but without the bergamot being as overpowering as it is with Earl Grey.

 

 

I went to seem Mum at the hospital in the evening and then headed for the farm.  Dad had gotten back from Flinders and was waiting for me - he needed another person to help in the yards to get some cattle drenched.  I've had jobs I enjoyed more: they were stirry and kept wanting to jump the gate; I needed to take a VERY softly-softly approach to make them do what I wanted.

 

I'm a bit worried about Dad: without Mum about he seems a bit helpless.  When I got home last night he'd gotten the fire lit, but hadn't turned the TV on - I don't think he knows how and (this is troubling) somehow seems to lack the confidence to try.  The lack of confidence may also explain why he hadn't fed the dog or cat: he may have been unsure what in the fridge was to be fed to them and what is for human consumption.  Lord knows what he's been eating while he's been away, but to ake sure he had something good I suggested he watch the local news while I whipped up a rough-and-ready pasta out of some Latina Fresh along with lettuce, tomatoes and cheese.

 

It looks mucky but came out delicious!

 

Anyway, I'll just have to keep a close but loving eye on Dad and try and smooth his path as best I'm able.  Like most farmers, he's a proud man and temperamentally stubborn as Hell.  If I try and force him to do anything, he'll dig his heels in immediately, but if I can let him do things in the way that best protects him, all will be well.  The joys of family!

 

More shortly

Meet John Gnomebo

Hi everyone,

It's been a hit-and-miss sort of day here in my world.  It was a warmer morning here than yesterday at least, thank God.

The morning was spent juggling an exchange of emails with my sisters while also sorting out some billing and financial reporting things.  As regular readers know, I am not one of nature's multitaskers and so I was dead tired by lunch.  It felt great to slow down!

I struggled to focus in the afternoon and so work output was a bit of a scrappy affair: too easily distracted.  I left in enough time to see mum at the hospital. Nonetheless, as a son/employee/brother/whatever I still felt about as credible as the mascot of a neighbouring work unit, John Gnomebo

What is the problem to which John Gnomebo is the solution?

Mum, I'm pleased to report, thinks she's improving, albeit in baby steps.  She has a tiny bit more mobility in her hand, but not much change with her leg.  Speech quite slurred but she also seemed terribly tired, so I guess that's not to be wondered at. Any progress is good progress.

Hot dogs and potatoes for dinner again.  Someone may need to have a chat with dad about nutrition.  Needs to be fine delicately though - kind of a raw nerve.

Another chilly night here.  Roll on Spring.!

Hope all is well with you.

Catching you up

Hi everyone,

 

Quick catchup post before I leave the office.  Sorry I've been e-communicado for a few days.  Truthfully, it's simply because I've been dead tired in the evenings when I usually post: I fall asleep before I can write.

 

Anyway, by way of an update (and because I'd already uploaded a bunch of photos to a draft post):  The most exciting bit of Friday was a walk around town during lunch hour, to try and walk off a farewell morning tea for a member of the legal unit who has gone to greener pastures.  These were the sorts of things I saw -

 

Street out the back of work 

 

The service station I usually go to

  

City Limits

 

Anglican Church near work

 

The day finished, predictably you might say, with a trip to the gym to try and sweat off the aforesaid morning tea!

 

On Saturday, Second Oldest Sister came up with her husband for her birthday lunch and dinner.  She's doing well and it was great to see her.  The only odd thing was that somehow little sister's now-ex-partner came over for dinner - I think Dad invited him.  He was in a pretty sulky mood and was still bossing little sister about in the way he did when they were together (I don't think he quite understands why she left him!).  Frankly, it was awkward with a tincture of weird, and honestly I thought it was inappropriate for him to be there.  Certainly if he keeps trying to bully little sister it might be necessary for someone to speak with him about what is and isn't appropriate.  I express myself tentatively because the family politics are a little fraught.

 

 

 

Sunday the weather turned cold, but nevertheless in the afternoon the parental units, little sister and I went over to her ex's farm to load some of the parents cattle to send to market.

 

 

It was blowing a stiff and cold wind the whole while.  I can tell you that a hot cup of tea was the most comforting thing in the world afterwards.

 

Today has been a straightforward day at work: bills being paid, files reviewed, and generally living that paralegal life.  I'm about to head back to the farm now and hopefully for a solid night's sleep tonight.  God willing I'll get to the gym tomorrow.

 

Will probably post again later this evening.  Hope all's well for yourselves.

Cold air and an idea

Hi everyone,

Another chilly start to the day here.  They're worrying me less and less; that said, when you can't feel your fingers it's a problem!

The day itself went smoothly if slowly.  A couple of hefty pieces of work got out the door; that's as much as I have to brags about.  I finished the day off with the Blood Bank in Shepparton (which reminds me: I need to book a new appointment tomorrow).

Today at work I found myself appointed the fire and emergency warden for our section.  I duly rattled through the online training course the company supplies.  This got me to considering trying a spell with the Country Fire Authority (CFA), in addition to what I do with the SES.

I'll need to think it through.  It would mean some unhappiness here at the farm (the old boy has a genuine but weird antipathy to the CFA), and from all I hear  it's quite a different body to the SES.  I might be better to double my general emergency skills.

There's a few thoughts in my head about why I'm so obsessed with volunteering at the moment.  Still percolating; I might share them in a later post.

No more for now.  Happy Monday!