I wish everyone a Happy and healthy New Year.
Made this graphic the other morning. It can be used as a Wallpaper. Size is 1440 x 900
Yes, it's the Outback.
Winton is a town in Central West Queensland, Australia, 177 kms northwest of Longreach. The main industries of the area are sheep and cattle raising.
Why would I post a photo of people in the mud?
Mum and her two children - the mother's face says it all.
You see, there has been a very long drought in this area, and it RAINED! causing lots of floods, but it rained in the areas where needed for the farmers. These people live on a Station east of Winton.
Borrowed photo and was taken I believe on December 29, 2015.
The photos below I took in 2006 when we visited Winton.
The first photo is of the caravan park. Was a drought back then too.
Banjo Patterson who wrote the poem Waltzing Matilda, The Man from Snowy River, and Clancey of the Overflow to name a few.
Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Patterson was born in 1864 in the town Orange, Queensland.
The centre was burnt down in June this 2015 and it's planned to rebuild it.
The main Street in Winton, and below - there is a dinosaur in the building.
Great post, my friend. That mud picture is delightful. We are used to droughts in Texas, but this year we have lakes full and rivers running....very unusual weather patterns.
ReplyDeleteLinda Kay, Australia is very used to droughts, flood and fires. Our country thrives on them, it's what we are about really.
DeleteThere is a marvelous poem by Dorothea McKeller OBE, an Australian Women who wrote this poem: http://www.dorotheamackellar.com.au/archive/mycountry.htm
That's the link if you hsve time to read the poem.
It's wonderful the lakes and rivers are running after droughts.
Yes-- a great post. Lots of similarities and lots of differences between there and the Western US. While it was never that dry where we live, December did bring an end to drought conditions here. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI presume in this world there are many places with similar scenery, similar conditions thus reminding us of various places.
DeleteGood you had the end of the drought in your area, life can move on.
I'd like to play in the mud with my grandson someday.
ReplyDeleteWell John, when you see mud and you have your grandson with you, just sit down in the mud and go for it :)
DeleteMargaret your graphisc is nice. I really like daises. The photo in the mud is fantastic. I admire the blue sky but I think is very hot there. Have a great year 2016 for you all your family members
ReplyDeleteThanks Gosia re graphic, I enjoy making graphics when I get in the mood to do so :)
DeleteOh it would be hot in Winton and many places in Australia being summer.
Happy New Year to you too and your family..
Mud, mud, glorious mud. Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood.
ReplyDeleteLove that photo and suspect the youngest of the children may never have seen rain.
I don't reckon those children have seen rain, or felt rain. The mum just says it all, the pleasure on her face - they can know doubt eat again :)
DeleteSo glad they got the rain.
ReplyDeleteWe're having flooding here, especially the St. Louis area.
Oh goodness, floods are not good. Australia has their fare share of floods too..
DeleteIt's wonderful those areas in north-western Queensland are getting much needed water! The poor beggars certainly need it...badly. Some areas haven't seen a drop for four or so years.
ReplyDeleteTypical Australian weather...floods, drought and bushfires. Dorothea Mackellar was a smart 19 year old young lady when she wrote "My Country" back in 1904. Nothing changes, except the dates.
Happy New Year, Helsie to you and yours. I hope 2016 treats you kindly. :)
Thanks Lee and same to you re New Year.
DeleteDorothea Mackellar couldn't have written a more fitting poem for Australia, it's exactly how it is written.
I reckon there would be plenty of "cow cocky" families out wallowing in the
ReplyDeleterain, flooding and glorious mud at present in FNWQ and to the south in the outback. "Huey" has delivered their best Christmas and New Year present possible - RAIN!
The "Georgina, Diamantina and Barcoo" are running/flowing again and will bring smiles to people further south. "EC" above is no doubt correct - some of these rural kids out there can wait a few years after being born before they see real rain.
I'm sure those who presently are inconvenienced being flood bound are not in the least worried.
C'mon "Huey" get 'er rip!
Winton certainly was dry back in 2006.
Great post.
Cheers
Colin
Just checked Winton forecast - 90% possibility of rain next 4 days.
DeleteThat will "Green" the paddocks up and bring a few smiles all around.
Colin
Lots of celebrations for the New Year for those that received the rain Colin. Many children would not have seen rain. I recall speaking to several children when we visited those towns and areas some years ago (a few trips over the years to those places) and the children didn't know what rain was or felt like.
DeleteI say as you do, Huey, send it down..
I know there has been plenty of rain in the north but I hope it has been falling in the right places. It seems like Winton really needed the rain. Happy 2016 to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Andrew.
DeleteI do believe many places that need the rain have got it and are getting it, so that's excellent news. Some places have missed out, it's their turn next time :)
I like your graphic and I love that old building in the last photo, but best of all is mum and the kids playing in the mud. Such a welcome relief to get rain after a drought. I hope this new year they get much more rain in all areas that need it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if that's why weather patterns are so crazy all over the world? Is mother Nature trying to even things out?
Thank you regarding graphic.
DeleteSo many people have benefited from the 'rain', as it's been a very long drought in all areas.
Maybe mother nature is trying to even things out. I also remember years and years ago there were dreadful droughts, then rain. Much the same as it is today. The young people don't realize that is was so hot in Australia back then, they were not alive, they were not told, so they think it's all new these days!
Love the mud picture, can I paint it or a simular one.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year to you.
Merle...................
Of course you can paint it.
DeleteIt's not my photo, nor is it signed as being anyone's actually.
A great moment for those people in it.
Thanks Merle, and Happy New Year to you too.
Have a great New Year
ReplyDeleteThanks Adam, and you too.
DeleteThat mud photo is wonderful! I recall making mud pies in puddles out the front of my grandma's home as a kid. They are some of my happiest memories. :-)
ReplyDeleteHa! I used to make mud pies at my grandma's house too :) fun times.
DeleteGreat post, and the photos made me smile, Margaret, thanks so much for sharing. I hope that 2016 will be a wonderful year for you! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda...and for you too..
Deletehi Margaret, i'd like to wish you and your family a very happy, healthy and safe new year. i hope it's a good one for you all. as usual another great post. i love reading your blog, sometimes i feel like i'm there too. :) xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you F. Same to you and your family...
DeleteThanks :)
xxx
Lovely graphic Margaret. I can understand why people would celebrate a heavy rain in such a dry location. sheer joy. Best wishes to you and your family for 2016!
ReplyDeleteThank you Craig, I do like making graphics at times.
DeleteHappy Nrew Year to you too...
Hello Margaret,
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice pictures. Funny shot with the kids in the mud.
I wish you all the best, luck and health for 2016!!
Sweet greetings,
Marco
Thank you Marco.
DeleteThose children and their mum are really having a ball...the drought has broken..
Wishing you a happy 2016 Margaret, and my our friendship across the miles continue.
ReplyDeleteThe graphic that you made is lovely, and I love the happiness that exudes from the first photograph.
Thank you Rosemary.
DeleteHappy New Year to you across the miles..
Happy new Year to you too !!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ela...Happy New Year to you too..
DeleteThat is such an awesome mud photo. It makes me smile every time I see it.
ReplyDeleteRain is glorious!!
Happy New Year!
Rain is gorious when it falls in the right places.
DeleteHappy New Year..
Beautiful post. Love the mud pics, so fun and enjoyable too. Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy. Happy New Year to you too.
DeleteWinton is on my bucket list of places to see especially the dinosaur relics and the Matilda Centre when it has been rebuilt. Love your graphic and the pic of the mum in the mud. I bet those kids have never seen rain.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea to visit Winton.
DeleteThanks re graphic..and I'm sure those children have never seen rain before..