Cyclone Debbie update

Five months on from Cyclone Debbie and I’ve been wondering if the furniture sculpture in the dining room will become a permanent feature. After many weeks of the scope of work (yes, one learns all the lingo of insurance claims after a natural disaster) going backwards and forwards from the builder to the insurer, an agreement on house repairs has arrived. As for the fate of our battered shed, well that’s another story.

2-3 months to strip out and rebuild

Goodbye flooring

There were suggestions of work commencing on the house this week, so we phoned a friend with a truck and in one afternoon moved all our furniture into the middle of the shed. Now that the race car has gone to a new owner, we have created a cosy nook in one corner with a laptop set up on the workbench, another on a plastic table, and the kettle, microwave, fridge and freezer spread around the perimeter. Lizards, frogs, rats and I dare say snakes are our new found flat mates, but hey the view out the side door is rather lovely and we have power and access to water (great for doing a load of washing). The sleeping arrangements in Delvy, our fully self-contained motorhome parked alongside out of everyone’s way, remain sans reptiles and the bed is as comfortable as ever. Why we ever left her in the first place…

View from the shed's office nook

New camp area

Come afternoon the shed, and Delvy, get a bit warm so I am now ensconced in a camp chair in the roller door entrance catching the breeze. I’m facing the “No Unauthorised Entry” builder’s sign which has been leaning up against the garden wall for the last few days. Perhaps it will eventually make its way outside the driveway entrance – after all, they have 60 to 90 days to get the job done so why hurry? 

Rebuild begins

A new addition to my garden art collection arrived this morning – a gigantic skip bin - but the delivery driver had to wait his turn out on the street as another large truck was unloading roof sheeting. It’s all systems go! I am relaxing into the dulcet tones of hammering, sawing, loud music and general cussing as the demolition guys today began to tear out the whole flooring of our once beautiful home.

Construction zone

For the first time in a few years we are having a true dry season. The weather has been sensational for weeks - dry, sunny with a light south easterly breeze. Unfortunately the grounds and garden are parched and it will be a matter of survival of the fittest due to lowering tank levels. There is now also the threat of bushfires, one breaking out at the bottom of our street last week.

Pineapples at last!

On a more positive note for the town, the swimming lagoon finally reopened last week with much celebration – the heart of Airlie Beach is back – and the regular influx of cruise ship passengers bring a welcome boost. Although there are still many broken buildings and closed businesses, the town is making progress.

Airlie Beach lagoon

And so this is our life over the next few weeks. A housesitting offer for a month next month will be a welcome change from the construction site, so too will a brief holiday to New Zealand and the odd night in a caravan park – if there is ever a vacancy. Accommodation is in high demand as Airlie Beach locals and tourists alike compete with the tradies. However, we are also happy to have a Delvy adventure in between work commitments, so if you have a flat piece of land then you may just find a big white bus parked on it one night.

Outdoor dining area