-
Flooding in Australia - Source: ONE News
I did a very male Australian thing at the weekend. So Australian, it involved the dreaded S word.
Yes, I wore Speedos.
Now, being from the foggy Waikato, I'm not usually one to slip into this type of swimwear. But I found myself walking down Brighton beach pier on a chilly Melbourne Sunday, wearing nothing but a skimpy blue version of the iconic Aussie swimwear.
My only saving grace was that I wasn't alone.
My mate 'Melbourne Mick', who managed to twist my arm into taking part in the Brighton Ice Breakers Sunday swim, was right there with me.
Ice Breaker swim clubs are dotted around this vast country, where people of all ages take a dip, no matter what the weather and what time of year it is.
I wasn't really aware that we were the only two people dressed in the tiny briefs as we walked past others on the pier, who were more appropriately dressed in jackets and scarves.
"Now I won't lie to you" said Mick. "It's going to be cold, really cold".
As far as I was concerned that was the understatement of the year.
A water temp of 13 degrees felt more like minus 13, as I flapped about in front of bemused Asian tourists eating hot chips.
As my cheeks, hands and feet quickly numbed, we set out on the 1.5 km swim course.
I took some comfort in the fact that, according to Mick, we were doing this for our own good and if it got too unbearable, I could just swim over to the pier, hop out and walk back!
Unfortunately, for thousands of Australians experiencing another form of wet further north, this wasn't the case.
While my discomfort lasted merely half an hour, those affected by the wild weather that has caused havoc in Northern New South Wales and Queensland, would be facing adversity for days, if not weeks.
The bulging rivers up there topped seven metre high levees, flooding towns and properties.
Some parts of the region chalked up their worst floods since 1974. Thousands of people are still living in temporary housing after evacuating their home towns.
Queensland is the first to count the cost of the natural disaster. The bill could be so much that the state government is reportedly considering selling off key assets to help pay for it.
Before this storm, the Queensland government had already spent $335 million on disaster assistance this financial year. Its budget was just $150 million.
TVNZ's Australia based camera operator, Jason Hull saw it for himself.
He managed to get a cheap flight with his partner for a Gold Coast weekend get- away.
No wonder the flights were cheap.
Storm surges had completely destroyed the famed golden beaches. Curious sight seers peered over cliff faces, staring at the raging seas buffeting the coast, where sun bathers lay the previous week.
Back in Victoria, as I hauled myself back onto Brighton Pier, my body blue and my teeth chattering, I realised, I was over the worst of it.
Unfortunately that's not the case for Australia's flood victims.
Got an opinion on Steve's blogs? Share your thoughts on the message board below.
World News Video
-
Dangerous rush to Everest summit (1:59)
-
Dozens killed in Syrian massacre (2:09)
-
'King of Romance' competes in Eurovision (1:46)
Add a Comment:
Post new commentRedLady said on 2009-05-30 @ 07:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
I prefer the Shankley quote: " Even If Everton were playing down the bottom of my garden, I'd draw the curtains.” Hahah. Great blog and good luck to the Toffees!