A Week of Floods, Mud, and Big Changes

Well, apologies, everyone! I had planned to have this post up on Sunday, but life had other ideas. A few things popped up, and honestly, I just forgot until now.

Last Sunday—not the one just gone, but the week before—we were watching the river closely after some rain upstream. I had that gut feeling that something was going to happen, and maybe quicker than we thought. So, I went down to check things out. We’d had 20mls of rain at the house, while the south side of the river had copped 40mls.

I had planned to head out Monday to start my trip to Brisbane via Townsville, but with all the rain around from Saturday night, those plans had to change. The creek was starting to rise—not much at first—but I made the call to pack my bag fast. Hubby got me across the river in the tractor, and once on the other side, I threw everything in my car, gave him a quick goodbye, and hit the road. Little did we know, within 20 minutes, the river would rise two meters!

Unfortunately, that left hubby stuck on the wrong side with no way to call for a lift—because, of course, I had the Starlink with me. He had to ride out to a paddock with Wi-Fi at the watering point just to call and let me know. Long story short, we had to organize a chopper to come pick him up and fly him across the river. That was his adventure for the day! Mine? Just 70km of wet black, red, and white soil to battle through on my way to town. The Hilux was covered in mud by the time I hit the bitumen, and I won’t lie—there were moments I seriously doubted I’d make it. But my little Lux pulled through!

Once in town, I stayed with my sister for the night, but the flooding meant Monday’s plans had to change big time. I had to beg my sister for a huge favour—picking up my new dog. Originally, hubby was meant to collect her while I drove to Townsville, but with the rivers up, that wasn’t happening. Instead, I collected her, dropped her at the vet for overnight boarding, and my sister picked her up the next day to look after her.

Meanwhile, I had to get to Brisbane for the Queensland Women in Agriculture Leadership Program (QWAL)—the 12-month program I won a spot in! Flying out of Townsville on Tuesday, I left the rain behind… only to land in Brisbane, where it was also raining.

Tuesday afternoon was spent studying WHS processes and policies over way too many cups of tea and coffee while waiting for my hotel check-in. Wednesday was the first day of the program, and wow—what a day! Meeting 14 other incredible women doing amazing things in their communities and the ag industry was overwhelming but inspiring. I had a real ‘pinch me’ moment—how did I even make the cut to be here? It was the start of some amazing friendships, and I can already see how much growth we’ll all experience over the next year.

Thursday was another big day of learning, including deep dives into personality traits, what makes us tick, and how our brains work. It was a lot to take in, but so valuable. That evening, I caught up with some close family friends—it had been longer than I thought since we last saw each other. Isn’t it funny how time flies the older (and busier) we get?

Friday, I was up before the birds to catch my flight back to Townsville. Brisbane Airport’s layout had changed, and thank goodness a few people had warned me, or I’d have been lost! I barely had 30 minutes before boarding—just enough time to inhale my eggs benedict (which should never be inhaled).

Back in Townsville, I checked a few creeks and rivers to see if I could make it home. No luck—two were still over. So, I grabbed my IVF medication (more on that soon), booked a motel, and crashed with a killer headache. By 6pm, the road home was open… but I decided to wait until morning.

Saturday morning, up before the birds again and back on the road. Somewhere along the way, I may have earned myself a speeding ticket (guess I’ll find out in the mail!). I was in a hurry to beat the rising creeks. I made it just in time to attend the local Turf Club meeting—where I somehow (in a good way) ended up as the new secretary. Excited? Nervous? Both! There’s so much to learn. Have you ever taken on a role like this in your local community?

With both rivers still flooded, I’ve been stuck at my sister’s, crossing my fingers for a chopper flight home with my new dog tomorrow. The rain has been a blessing, but I feel for those out west facing devastating floods. Stock losses, machinery damage, and lost memories—it’s heartbreaking. If you’re reading this and have been affected, my thoughts are with you.

Now, about that IVF medication… yes, we’re officially starting our first round! So many emotions, but I’m staying positive while keeping a realistic mindset. I gave myself my first injection on Saturday—on the side of the road at Homestead. Not exactly how I pictured it! I’ve never had to inject myself before, and it took some serious psyching up. Now, on Day 4, I’m getting better, though I still have to pause, breathe, and mentally prepare each time.

Everyone’s journey is different, and while it’s ‘just a needle,’ it’s still a challenge for me. The first day hit me a bit, but each day is getting easier. It’s overwhelming, but I don’t feel frazzled—just focused on the positives and moving forward.

If you’ve made it this far—thank you! If you’ve struggled with fertility or want to know more about our IVF journey, let me know. I’m thinking about writing a post about what led us here. Would you be interested in reading it?

Till next time, fingers crossed for a flight home and some dry weather ahead!