One Computer Two

Farmdoc's computer died last week. It was five years old - about quarter of a century in computer years. Fortunately he'd learned from a false alarm about 18 months ago, so he'd backed up just about everything. But still there are ongoing problems, in part because things have changed so much in the computer world over the last five years.

Yesterday our friend Craig, who in a previous life was an IT guy, turned up to save the day, armed with equipment, know-how, sympathy, and a box of assorted home grown potatoes. Each variety came in its own labelled brown paper bag -  

Spunta, Seymour Gold, Innovator, Royal Blue, Kipfler, King Edward, Salad Rose

and that special variety - Unsure what these are.

Farmdoc and I adore potatoes - cooked any way you can think of - but more than its value as comfort food, we appreciate the gift as a comforting gesture. I can't wait to bake, mash, chip and cube. Have I left anything out? What's your favourite way of cooking spuds?

Thanks, Craig and Sue, vegetable gardeners extraordinaire. We're glad you won the battle with your property's hungry wildlife population.

Flood

This time last year it was bush fires we were afraid of. In the end they came close to Onemilebridge and the air was full of their smoky breath but fortunately we weren't directly affected.

In the twelve months since then there have been wild winds that brought down dozens of fine old trees on our property but otherwise left us unscathed.

Now it's floods. Again the devastation suffered by others has passed us by. We are so grateful for our good fortune and our hearts go out to those affected. The survivors will have a long road to recovery, I know, and all we can do is wish them well and send donations. Our talented daughter Kate and many of her fellow craft bloggers are organising auctions of their work to raise money. I'll be bidding.

Yesterday at Onemilebridge Home Paddock developed a waterfall

and a stream.


The creek rose to the level of the timber supports of our bridge but left the structure itself unscathed. Our neighbour (who is also the bridge builder) said he saw it shake with the rushing of the water, but it stood firm. Thank heavens!


Some of the residents of Mole Creek weren't as lucky. These people have no other access to their property:

Water rose from the creek and across the main road, flooding a couple of houses. The post office and the pub were sandbagged.

Late in the afternoon, after the rain stopped, Farmdoc and I walked down into the village. It's always a friendly place. Drivers wave at each other (or at least raise one finger in recognition in what we call the Mole Creek salute). But yesterday friendliness was in the air. Strangers waved and stopped to chat. On our way home a driver pulled alongside us and asked if we wanted a lift anywhere.

It's nice to know that in difficult times neighbours are there for each other. It makes us feel less helpless and less alone. And actually, when it comes to Mother Nature we're all neighbours.