GIVE THEM AN INCH AND THEY’LL TAKE A MILE!

Area covering Scenic Rim

The above two pics are what was, until Thursday, the John Muntz Bridge across the causeway on the Tamborine-Oxenford Road that leads up here to Tamborine Mountain

Beaudesert Area

A rescue at Lismore, Northern New South Wales

Before continuing with this new post, I feel a further addendum to my previous post is necessary....a postscript....or a post-postscript...

Cyclone Debbie and her lengthy, seemingly endless aftermath brought devastation and heartache to thousands.  After she finished throwing her tantrum in the northern areas of our wonderful state, Debbie decided she wasn’t satisfied.  She wasn’t finished playing her games. Cyclone Debbie may have changed her methods, but she continued spreading havoc far and wide.  Turning into a relentless, unforgiving rain depression Debbie dumped flooding rains, not caring where they fell.  

From Tuesday forth, the destructive weather system engulfed a wide area of Queensland, extending from north Queensland, through coastal and inland areas down to the southern Queensland border, into northern areas of New South Wales.   

Thousands throughout Queensland and areas in northern New South Wales are still suffering from the cyclone’s catastrophic effects.  Five people are reported to have lost their lives. Three are, at time of my writing, missing.  The number of animals - pets, native and livestock - that have perished is unknown...and I don’t want to know. 

The ex-tropical cyclone was forecast to turn into a low pressure system and move inland, taking along with her heavy rain. But no one expected how fast or how far south it would reach, or how much rain it would dump on those areas in its path.

Debbie brought wind gusts of up to 263 km/h an hour and widespread wind damage and coastal inundation due to storm surge when it struck the Whitsunday region of Queensland and surrounding towns on Tuesday. There are not yet precise estimates of the damage bill, but it will be in the billions, most likely.  

In 48 hours, Springbrook, in the Gold Coast Hinterland received 900mm (35 inches) of rain.   Here on Tamborine Mountain we received a similar amount of rain (400mm/16 inches) in a 24 hour period on Thursday last. 

We were/are very fortunate up here on the hill...we’re not suffering the flooding and destruction many other areas are.

Beaudesert, a country town 34kms (21 miles) south-west  of Tamborine Mountain is presently surrounded by floodwaters.

In 24 hours, Lismore in northern NSW received in excess of 400mm (16 inches approx).

My heart goes out to those people everywhere who are victims of Debbie’s callous behaviour.

To continue with my new post......

Being the age I am I was brought up in the old school of imperial measurements. 

A friend pointed out to me the other day that I always use inches, etc.  She didn’t mean it in a rood way, though, unlike Nauti Cal. He’s purposely rood all the time. 

My friend didn’t realise she’d put her foot in it. I didn’t give her comment an ounce of thought - not furlong anyway.

The young ones today are in a league of their own, aren’t they? There’s a ton of things they don’t know.  If they knew a quarter of what we do how much easier everything would be. They create a rod for their own back because they’re not interested in the tonnes of useful information we oldies have stored in our brains.  I’ve just about given up trying to fathom them. 

The comment made to me by my friend was but one brief link of a chain of pleasant moments.

At the time we were sitting in the yard talking while sipping on a pint or two feeling like we were miles away from everything and everyone. We had a gallon of matters to discuss, but we’d only touched the tip of the barrel when Hectare from across the way, like a beady-eyed raven sitting on a perch, called out to me, his rather square foot tapping the ground.  I began to inch away. 

Hectare can be such a pest.  I wanted to pick up a stone and throw it at him, but that wouldn’t have been a very neighbourly thing to do.  Instead, through gritted teeth I smiled and waved.  I then proceeded to ignore him, giving his annoying behaviour no currency. 

Hectare is a prime example of “give them an inch and they’ll take a mile” – or - “give them a centimetre and they’ll take a kilometre”.  See what I mean?  Hence, in my defence, the former statement makes far more sense than second convoluted one. 

Succinct, unlike imperial in this country, is not extinct! 

I’d had enough.  My head began to pound thinking about the acres and acres of chores awaiting my attention.  The mere thought of what needed doing made me feel like I had a hundredweight hanging around my neck.  It was time for a cup of Bushels tea (sic).

When I attended school, primary and secondary, I was taught the imperial system for measurements - the system inherited from the UK (blame Dampier, Cook and Governor Phillip, not me)! 

Decimal currency wasn’t introduced to Australia until 14^th February, 1966 (St. Valentine carries the weight for that one, not me)! 

No longer a scholar, I’d already been working for six years by the time the holler for an Australian dollar was heard and obeyed.  In for a penny, in for a pound – and, not giving tuppence - it was out with the penny; out with the pound, and in with the dollar and cents. 

From 1970 until 1988 when the total conversion was completed in its entirety imperial units were finally withdrawn from the mainstream, but not entirely from my brain.  Other than it being what I was taught, I give no excuses for still thinking in the old system. 

Unashamedly, I admit I’m old-fashioned - too old to change.  For younger readers of this article, perhaps, a translator will be necessary.

Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Scones: Preheat oven 190C. Line baking tray with baking paper. Sift 2c S.R. flour into bowl; mix in 2tbs raw sugar; using fingers, rub in 2tbs cold butter until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add 1 egg, 1tbs milk and 1c mashed cooked pumpkin; fold through. Turn dough onto floured surface; with floured hands pat it out to about 2-3cm thickness (1 to 1-1/2inches – not a mile). Use floured cutter to cut out rounds; place onto tray so scones are just touching. Gently pat excess dough together; let it rest a few minutes; then pat out and cut more circles. Bake scones, 10-15mins or until golden.

Nana’s Cranberry Scones:  Preheat oven 190C.  Combine 1-1/2c plain flour, 1/2tsp baking soda, 1/4tsp salt, 2tbs sugar and 1tsp cream of tartar. Cut in 3tbs cold butter cut into pieces, rub in the old-fashioned way, using fingertips until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in 2/3c dried cranberries and 2tsp grated orange rind; add 3/4c buttermilk; stir just until moistened. Turn dough onto floured surface; knead 4-5 times. Divide into 2 portions; pat each into 5-inch circle on prepared baking sheet; cut each circle into 4 wedges; don’t cut through to bottom. Sprinkle evenly with sugar. Bake 20mins or until golden.

Coconut Cream Pound Cake: Preheat oven 162C. Coat a 10 cup bundt pan with non-stick spray; lightly dust with flour, tapping off excess. Set aside. In the bowl of stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat 1c butter and 240g cream cheese on med-speed until smooth; add 3c sugar; mix 2mins until light and fluffy. Add 6 eggs, one at a time, 2tsp vanilla extract, 1tsp salt, and1tsp baking powder until mixed, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Turn mixer to low; add 3c plain flour, mixing until just incorporated; stir in 2c shredded coconut. Spread batter into pan; bake 70-80mins. Allow cake to cool in pan 10-15mins; invert onto wire rack. Glaze: Whisk  2c icing sugar and 2-3tbs milk until smooth. Pour glaze on top of cake while it's still warm.