Welcome to Ridgy-Didge!

Ridgy-Didge is Australian colloquial for 'just right' or rather 'fair dinkum!'

When we bought the property over 7 years ago, it only had a number and no name. It needed a name as the place certainly has a personality. Well, it sits on a ridge with a grand view northwards to the Bunya Mountains, so what could be more 'all right' than sitting on the veranda with that view, whilst you have your breakfast or in the evenings with a glass of Australian wine? Or even watching the amazing stars at night or the tail-end of a storm as the lightning flashs in the vaste banks of clouds. Or maybe seeing a pair of Wedge-tail eagles as they soar in circles in the high thermals of the vasteness of the azure sky?

This house is a 100 year old Queenslander cottage. Quite small and unpretentious, but it has a gentle atmosphere and we have had many friends and family members come to stay and have enjoyed the peace and quiet of the place.

Sunday 26 December 2010

A Very Soggy Christmas.



I have changed the background of this Blog to bring some colour into our lives!

There is so much rain, even wetter than 10 days ago.
In the last 24 hours we have had 5 inches of rain and it is still pouring down. So far this month we have had 13 inches.

The lane next to us is a deep ford and now flowing down the slope under our trees. There is a leak dripping into our sitting room too, so far only a gentle one. John reckons it's due to the wind blowing the rain under the roof. Looking at the weather chart it should slacken off this evening. It is a good thing we don't have to go anywhere, as I am sure we couldn't get far along the road. Also we have plenty of food due to having just celebrated Christmas. So - no worries- hopefully!

We did have a very gently Christmas, just the 2 of us. Had a small branch as a tree, which, thanks to the cool weather hasn't dropped any needles. We are leaving turkey dinner until New Year's Eve to share with some friends. That is IF they can get here. They may need an ark.
Happy New Year to you all, may you be safe, healthy and happy.

P.S. Who dares to watch the Ashes?

Thursday 16 December 2010

A Day of Storms.



So far we have not had floods where we live. After to day I wonder if they could be imminent!The grass is ankle deep with water and there is a pretty little stream running, rather quickly - along the edge of out garden. This morning I drove into Toowoomba and back with the roof down on our Eos. I was back for barely 5 minutes when the first storm started. Thunder and lightning came too along with a navy blue sky.In the afternoon we had a repeat performance but with louder thunder and the gutters where overflowing. Then this evening looking out we saw hailstones across the grass and the rain was so heavy it was as though we were sitting under a waterfall. Looking out from the veranda I noticed the water pouring from the junction in the lane, down through our garden at a very brisk speed. We had this 7 years ago I remember, though the thunder and storms are part of the Queensland summer. Most of the rivers are flooding on the eastern side of Australia. Unfortunately the huge expected harvest has been washed away, so though the drought is over it brings other problems instead.

Saturday 11 December 2010

Getting Hotter!

I can't believe I haven't written up for so long. It has been a busy few weeks too. To day it's very tropical and the cicadas have been chirping since early morning. I think we are in for another storm. It's 25 degrees which is becoming more like an Aussie summer temperature.
We had an un-necessary trip to Brisbane last week. Well, not really but poor J went through an op just to be told the next morning that they hadn't completed it as it was too dangerous. There was an artery too near his spine. So he may go back early next year to have it done another way.
I did see a fantastic Christmas Tree in St George's Square in Brisbane. It was solar powered and when I first went past it was quite interesting, but when I came back after dark it was fantastic. All alight in shining colours.