Newcastle
Date: 11 June 2007 11:13:05
Please continue to remember the residents of the Hunter and the Central Coast in your prayers: I believe the wild weather over the long weekend [Queen's Birthday] has made the news headlines overseas. Damage is expected to reach the millions; many people are still without power -- and may be for up to a week; I'm not sure of the sewerage and water situation, but I imagine it may be similar; many homes and farms remain under water -- I saw many farms with cows up to their knees or stomachs in water; many businesses have had stock, and computer systems, destroyed by water -- many shops in Newcastle were closed and in clean-up mode when I walked around Sunday. While forced evacuations may not be necessary at Newcastle, other areas are still on alert. And, of course, there are those who are injured and those who have died: may their memories be eternal!, and may God comfort those grieving.
Despite the drama, I did have a wonderful time: the services at Christ Church Cathedral for Corpus Christi were wondrous [and not only as my favourite anthem was sung!] -- but more on that in a post later this week; there was the drama of storms and floods and a grounded bulk carrier; and then there was just the pleasantness of walking around Newcastle -- when the sun did show itself for a few minutes here and there.
Various photos from my weekend are here. Ever prepared [not!], I forgot to charge my camera's battery, which gave its last gasp Sunday afternoon -- so visits to Stockton and some other places this morning are brain memories only.
First stop on my way up was the town of Belmont (map), where Lake Macquarie had overflowed as can be seen from the photo on the left, this photo of the wharf, submerged, and this photo also. I detoured through Swansea, Belmont and Charlestown as I had a bit of time to spare. On the way from Belmont to Newcastle it was clear to see many places were without power, and the NSW Police were doing a fine job at many intersections where the traffic signals were not working. May God bless their, and all emergency workers', work.
As I drove into Newcastle (map), it was clear to see the destruction that had happened Friday evening: cars were left abandoned on roads and scenes like this of fallen trees and leaves and branches strewn about were all-too common. An interesting display, with an interesting message on its series of them -- given the state of the trees in the city -- is the ClimateCam, which shows greenhouse gas emissions by Newcastle residents. As I walked past several of the city's churches, and some of its buildings and attractions such as the Obelisk, Customs House, the brewery and the Town Hall, damage, not only to nature but to homes, cars and businesses, was ever evident.
The big attraction, however, was the Pasha Bulker, a 40,000 ton bulk carrier ship which had grounded itself on a sandbar just off Nobby's Beach, one of Newcastle's most popular beaches, while it was awaiting its turn to load coal. Crowds continually came to take a look and usually empty streets, or at least streets with very light traffic, had queues stretching back kilometres. Luckily I could walk down to it. Though, I will say, iit was a sight: a huge ship, being pounded and pounded by waves, with the occasional helicopter landing on it or dropping something off and news helicopters circling it. And, joy of joys, a volleyball court with no-one on it [you need to know my dear friend Ramsin and his love of the sport, and insistence that all play it, to understand my relief at an empty court: I can't stand volleyball].
I came back this morning [Monday], detouring via the City to see my friends who were recently married and who have returned from their holiday in NYC -- bearing gifts of Godiva chocolate! Can't wait to get into that. It was wonderful to see them again, and to catch up: we had lunch at the scrumptious -- and very busy -- Pancakes on the Rocks [where the Second Sydney Wibmeet was held -- speaking of such things, surely we are due for another one soon] before heading back to their apartment for coffee and more chatting.
A very pleasant weekend, amidst some chaos. As I mentioned, I'll bore you with information and photos of Christ Church Cathedral later in the week.