robrep
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Post by robrep on Jan 27, 2011 6:06:26 GMT
Gee not much activity on here over the last few days, does it often get like this. perhaps you could post some more jokes Richard. Ive got some news anyway, The floods are hitting us hard, there is one metre of water hitting the side of the house, the rain is pelting down and the wind is howling, my mother has done nothing but stare through the kitchen window for hours, if it gets any worse I might have to let her in. Regards Rob
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robrep
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Posts: 62
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Post by robrep on Jan 27, 2011 5:59:36 GMT
Welcome to Hayley's forum Elsa. are there many Hayley fans in Switzerland that your aware of personally? There few and far between in Australia. Regards Rob.
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robrep
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Post by robrep on Jan 27, 2011 5:55:28 GMT
hello Joe. I can sought of see the resemblance, definitely the hair and a similar shaped face. very pretty though Oh I'd better say not as pretty as Trace though, I don't want to get into trouble do I Regards Rob
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robrep
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Post by robrep on Jan 23, 2011 11:02:53 GMT
HI Tracy A free spirit is someone who marches to their own drummer and doesn't necessarily conform to what the "norms" of society are. They also have a great sense of humor. Like the girl that wears her watch in her hat.lol.. Larry xx Hi Larry. THAT is definitely Tracy.
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robrep
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Post by robrep on Jan 23, 2011 10:58:29 GMT
Hello Richard. You know if there is one thing Tracy doesn’t need it’s a compass, she has been teaching me how to tell N.S.E.W. by the stars and the sun, it’s absolutely amazing, just by holding your arm at arm’s length and placing your thumb on the furthest pointer star of the southern cross here in Australia and your finger on bottom star of the southern cross star system then twisting your hand so your thumb points to the ground you can get perfect south every time. I guess the old sailors used to use it but I am amazed at it. It’s too complicated to explain without a picture but you can work out due north using your watch and the suns position, no wonder these folks out here never get lost. The other thing I find fascinating out here is how these people know how much rain they are going to get, if you look at the ants nests out here just before it rains the ants build the opening to the nests up like a chimney, they always build it high enough so the water wont flow in, so if the nest hole is 3 cm high you know you are going to get 3cm of rain. How the ants know just how much rain is going to fall is a mystery but they do. but its amazing how the people out here learn to read the signs of nature and live by natures rules. I have so much to learn. Regards Rob.
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robrep
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Posts: 62
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Post by robrep on Jan 18, 2011 11:31:45 GMT
Hello everyone. I'm sure the people in Queensland appreciate your donation Larry and every bit helps, I feel very deeply for all those people in Brazil and the lives lost is staggering, I am not really familiar with their standard of living in normal times but it must be horrendous there at the moment. And Martin, your right, Trace is quite a girl, more then I previously realized. Grant as Tracy said to me, rounding up the cattle was nothing as she was born and raised doing exactly that, thats her living so she can't take any credit for any outstanding achievements, again her words NOT mine. its funny Bill your comment on the man from snowy river because when I first saw Tracy in her work clothes I said the same thing , and i just have to tell you a funny story that I was told. A couple of years ago Tracy was droving some cattle back from up east of her place and she had to cross the Silver City Highway just a couple of K from Packsaddle, as she hadn't had a home cooked meal for a few days she staked out her dogs and bedded the cattle down for the night and rode into Packsaddle for a good meal, as she rode up she noticed two tourist coaches parked outside the truck stop but didn't think much about it, she tied Flame up outside and took her rifle in its saddle holster and slung it over her back, she put her stock whip over her shoulder as not knowing who is around its her responsibility to keep that equipment safe and dressed in her dry-as-a-bone coat, hat jeans and riding boots with a huge bowie knife that she carries in a special pouch across her chest, the reason for that is she can get it out in a fraction of a second in case of croc attack, anyway she could hear a lot of chatter going on in the restaurant so just marched on in, the place was full of Japanese tourists discovering outback Australia, she said as she walked through the door you could have heard a pin drop and as she walked over to the service bar the only sound was the sound of her boots and no one moved a muscle, she said when she turned to face everyone they all smiled simultaneously with the look on their face as if to say, don't shoot me I'm friendly . but then one of the tour guides asked Tracy if she would meet some of them and they all wanted to touch her, but a couple of them asked her if she was a matrix and at that stage trace had never seen the movie the matrix. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall there that day. ok enough about that the clean up is going really well even though Ipswitch has been hit with another storm, Brisbane has been lashed again and houses blacked out again. we are heading off in two days, we have did our bit and I have to say that I think I will remember this for the rest of my life, so much heartache but so much courage and we have made so many friends, we will head back up here someday for a holiday as the carpet of welcome has been well and truly laid out. We went out for dinner tonight as a family that Trace has personally helped pulled out all stoppers to put on a wonderful feast just for us,As for me keeping up with Trace, I'm definitely trying Larry, definitely trying. regards Rob.
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robrep
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Posts: 62
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Post by robrep on Jan 17, 2011 4:50:42 GMT
Just a quick update from the war zone, So much cleaning up up here in what is now again sunny Queensland, things are going really well as far as the clean up goes around here, an interesting little story though, Tracy rescued some cattle stranded in a paddock too afraid to move and pushed them to higher ground, the owner was so impressed and was absolutely flawed that a small snip of a girl (his words NOT mine) could handle stock so well that he gave her a really old hand made stock whip and said that if there was anyone in this world who deserved to inherit it then it was her, he has no children or anyone to pass things onto and said that he knows Tracy will appreciate such a gift because he hasn't seen anyone for many years so capable of handling a stock whip like Trace, now I really have to behave myself until such time I can hide the damn thing. I do hope you have been able to recover from all this Jillian, and really hope you haven't suffered to much loss. I must be devastating as it is for so many others up here that have lost so much. Its almost indescribable the amount of damage that water can do, to see railway lines made of such heavy steel twisted like strips of card board and huge cement tanks that must weigh quiet a few tons sitting in the middle of a road way no where near where they originated from, the power of water is phenomenal. Anyway back to work for me, Trace says to say Hi to everyone and we should be heading home Thursday. She is out servicing her chopper at the moment, I have had trouble with internet and phone since I have been up here. regards Rob.
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robrep
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Posts: 62
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Post by robrep on Jan 14, 2011 0:04:02 GMT
Hello Jillian. So glad to see you posting again , thank God your safe and happy to see you can raise a smiley :)even though you must be feeling pretty down, I.m not on twitter but have followed what others have reported here about your tweets. Its really bad and so many people have lost so much, I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to go home to see all your belongings and memories destroyed. I hope Hayley can tweet you a message. I hope Your family are all well even though thats small comfort to what your going through. This will take some time to get through so keep strong and know we here are thinking of you. Trace has moved further up North and a friend of mine and myself are heading off in the morning and I am going to give her a hand up there. she said she will probably be up there for a few days yet so I have let my partner take over here and I will fly home with Trace when we are through, she sounds so tired, A message to anyone going up to volunteer make sure you register with a group, don't just head off with out a plan. There is now a lot of flash flooding down in Vic and there have evacuated 5 towns down there, so tragic. Again Jillian so glad your safe at least. still be careful though and don't take chances, the water is still dangerous but I'm sure you know that . regards Rob.
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robrep
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Post by robrep on Jan 13, 2011 8:34:47 GMT
It has not been a good start for the new year weather-wise. Flooding in Australia, Sri Lanka and Brazil. And all of the states in the USA apart from Florida is under snow. Luckily New Zealand weather has been nice lately. hello Ross. To be honest mate I think you should be enjoying the good weather as I think you guys have had your fair share of issues with the earth quakes and mine collapse, I just heard on the news that some area in Brazile has just had a huge landslide killing over 200 people, geee I hope this isn't an indication of the year to come. regards Rob
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robrep
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Posts: 62
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Post by robrep on Jan 13, 2011 2:23:57 GMT
Hello everyone, particularly our Australian friends Just got back from an evening at the pub with friends. Sky news on the TV was 90% about the flooding in Queensland. Several times, the caption came up "the helicopters are still flying...." and my heart swelled with pride in the knowledge that I know one of those selfless pilots working with the SES to make life more bearable for the people caught up in this tragedy. Go Tracy - do what you have to do but please God, keep her safe. Much Love Grant Hello Grant, Larry and others. I hope I'm not harping on this but I feel very caught up in it at the moment, so if anyone wants to know anything please PM me. I feel so bad for Jillian, this must be so horrific for her and her family, yes there safe but the damage to their home and belongings must be devastating. talking to Trace on the phone she was crying when she told me of a family that lost their son two years ago and now all their belonging including their memorabilia of him has been washed away, the heart break for so many people and the loss of life and loved ones for so many, I know its just a part of life but to hear of it from someone close is heart breaking. More bad news as flash flooding is now expected in Wimmera down in Victoria and Victoria is bracing for more flash flooding, Tasmania is experiencing really bad storms and they expect flooding there as well, further to this heavy storms are now downloading in North Western NSW (Tracy's area) but as she says her place has no issues with floods accept for small causeways and crossings. It wasn't that long ago we where sending aid to our New Zealand neighbors and its so great that they have responded with emergency personnel etc etc and and I have to say we are so GRATEFUL for their help. they should send us Hayley though that would cheer us up Trace is up in Grafton NSW at the moment flying supplies to outposts and I don't know how long she will be there but she says she is in no danger at all but most of the roads and highway round there are flooded, Trace said when the weather is to bad to fly she is helping to pack boxes for aerial drops by the big Herculie's choppers, she said her little R44 is no good for rescue work as it payload is to small but OK for ferrying small payloads and volunteers to where their needed. Trace said that two of her neighbors with their choppers are up there with her so she isn't alone and she laughed when she said its rather exciting to fly in a convoy even though at one stage they flew in heavy storm and she lost site of the other choppers for about 15 minutes which was a bit scary, geeeee she is a worry. but she said so many people are there offering their services, time and energy and she feels she would love to be able to do more but fuel is a bit of an issue apparently but she said they have a good ground crew and she is OK. I have told Trace that I am keeping people updated here but she says PLEASE don't make out like I'm some sort of hero as there are so many people giving so much and taking huge risks to rescue people and putting their lives on the line, she is just glad she can do her little bit to help. regards Rob.
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robrep
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Post by robrep on Jan 12, 2011 10:35:51 GMT
Ok the floods will peak in Brisbane tonight at around 4am BUT that peak level wont recede until Saturday according to the latest reports, basically on the news most of the news coverage is concentrated in Queenland where the worst of the flooding is located, but it is really wide spread, A friend of mine has just evacuated his home in Wimmera down in Victoria as the floods there are rising, as the water levels start to recede the water is heading down into NSW, Rockhampton up the top end of Queensland is now receding fairly well but a relative of mine in Moree NSW said the water there is rising so the north west area of NSW is under threat, In NSW there are around 4.500 people that have been isolated, these floods are devastateing. Tracy is safe thank goodness but heading out again tomorrow morning doing food relief for the red cross and has a SES officer travelling with her as she ferries food etc to the red cross bases, so she isn't going into the really bad areas, phewwww. regards Rob. Oh i think I had better add that Tracy is actually quite an experienced little pilot, she has been LEARNING to fly choppers since she was 15, but thats not legal is it perhaps I should say that she has been flying assisting experienced pilots since she was 15 :wink: OUTBACK folk have their own way of doing things
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robrep
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Posts: 62
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Post by robrep on Jan 12, 2011 0:05:08 GMT
Just to update from this end and so glad your safe Jillian, thats sad news about your home my thoughts are with you and your family and friends, this flood and rain is unbelievable as it has affected 5 states in our country. The rain covers the entire east coast of OZ right down to Tasmania and as far inland as Alice Springs which is experiencing massive thunder storms as I type this. The worst areas affected are Queensland, northern NSW and minor flooding has been reported right around the coastline around into Adelaide and as far around the top end as Darwin. I spoke to Trace before she flew out before daybreak this morning, she was refueling in Broken Hill and assisting in ferrying food supplies to the north, please Trace don't be a hero, I know what outback people are like when it comes to pulling together in an emergency and your a gutsy little do'a but be careful. So many lives have been lost already. Just watching the news, Darwin and Adelaide are bracing for heavy down pours, thousands and thousands of people have been evacuated and its already described as the worst natural disaster in our history, hundreds of people are missing and its just getting worse. The dryout period after this is expected to take months, so much water and now the great Barrier Reef is under threat from the current runoff. Authorities expect at least 19,000 homes to be flooded in Brisbane and thousands more around OZ, power is out for thousands and thousands of people, this is really testing us as a nation. Please be careful Trace. regards Rob.
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robrep
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Posts: 62
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Post by robrep on Jan 10, 2011 6:19:28 GMT
OK I'm hooked. I think New Zealand has a secret plot to take over the world, they are going to capture us by taking our ears, eyes and heart, resistance is futile. I promise to go quietly HAYLEY for President, TONI for chief Commander. What is it with these New Zealand girls, WOW WOW WOW. Rob. Hi Rob You certainly have very good tastes in female sopranos. Toni is something special. As a matter of fact your taste in women in general is very, very good. Larry Haha, gee Larry you make me sound like a philanderer, nothing could be further from the truth. But its interesting as Tracy has just flown home this morning, (feeling a bit low now ) but Tracy's grand parents hail from New Zealand, her Grand father was a shearer in NZ before migrating to Australia and buying the property that is now Tracy's home. So Tracy has quite a bit NZ blood in her family tree. why is it always so lonely when visitors leave ? gee. regards Rob.
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robrep
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Post by robrep on Jan 7, 2011 22:39:37 GMT
OK I'm hooked. I think New Zealand has a secret plot to take over the world, they are going to capture us by taking our ears, eyes and heart, resistance is futile. I promise to go quietly HAYLEY for President, TONI for chief Commander. What is it with these New Zealand girls, WOW WOW WOW. Rob.
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robrep
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Posts: 62
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Post by robrep on Dec 24, 2010 7:34:05 GMT
Thanks Joe. I'll also take this opportunity to wish all members a very Merry Christmas and I hope you all have a safe one. And Merry Christmas to Hayley and her family and friends. regards Rob. (we need some Christmas smilies)
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