98 - We survived cyclone Yasi

Hi folks


Been a while since we posted, as we have only just come up for air after battening down for cyclone Yasi.


We left Mackay on Monday 31st August, initial the plan was to overnight Bowen, two nights in Ayr, leave the van here at a mates motel, then two weeks in Cairns to see the kidz then back to Ayr, to either take over the management of a tourist park at Alva Beach on the 15th or head somewhere south.


Well cyclone Anthony gave us a little touch up in Mackay, no big deal, although our plan to stay in Bowen on the night of the 31st was then changed. We decided to give  Bowen the flick and head straight to Ayr. For those not to sure of this part of the world, Ayr is about 100kms south of Townsville.


So straight to the motel, and then cyclone Yasi was starting to raise its ugly head. All predictions it was going to make landfall over such a huge area, very hard to make any decisions about moving on. So we bunkered down in Ayr, secured the Retroliner and the Val, and got ourselves into a real flash room. Then the waiting game started.


I am sure you have all seen, and read what happened with cyclone Yasi. No need to go there. We at  Ayr experienced I would say cat 2 strength, which was fairly unpleasant. Ayr got out of this with quite a few trees down, power off, sails on car parks ripped to shreds, but all in all, we just got the edge.


The following morning we inspected the area. The RetroIiner didn't move, and with the tarp over it...not an issue. The Val survived and all the cars parked in the parking area, all was okay as well.


We did loose power about 8pm when Yasi was heading towards Mission Beach and associated areas. However we did come out of the whole show, unharmed with no loss of property or limb. We feel for all those folks who have been decimated by this event, and although we went through cyclone Steve while we managed a property at Trinity Beach, cat 3 that went right over the top us in 2000, absolutely demolishing the old Queensland pub next to us....that was bad enough. We didn't have power for four days.....that's nothing to what all these poor buggers are going through now. Our hearts and thoughts are with you.


So here it is Sunday 6th and we are still in Ayr. Can't get through to Cairns anyway, no highway left at Cardwell. For those who have travelled that route will know, the highway in that part runs right along the shore line. Its all gone!!!!!!!!


Our son and his family copped a battering in Cairns loosing their front and back patios, and have since learned thee roof actually lifted............if you go to YouTube, search for midnight cyclone yasi smithfield, and check it out. I pick up today that they are having to move out as the house is not structurally sound. They are renters, so I pity the wroth the estate agent is going to cop from the daughter in law.


So as it stands....we aren't going to Cairns. The Tourist park is a mess, and really don't want to sit around for weeks on end to get it cleaned up, so by say mid week we may return south......stay toooooooned for that. The general buzz at the moment is there is another monster brewing in the same birthing grounds as Yasi, expecting to hit the Queensland coast next week....feeeeeeerk!!!!!. Hey Shell we are coming to Kalgoorlie!!!


Here are a few photies for you.

The RetroLiner and the Val ready for Yasi behing the Ayr Travellers motel

The tourist park we are looking at

Just a bit of tree damage (he he!!!)

The bride getting blown away the day after Yasi

Mmmmmmmmmmm!

Woolies car park in Ayr

Second hand cheap sails anybody

Stay tooooned for the next adventure