Sunday

Valentine's Day

Spreading some country love... 
because we all need a little love in our lives.

Wednesday

McKillops Bridge

Whilst in the Victorian High Country we drove to see the historic McKillops Bridge over the Snowy River in the Deddick Valley, Snowy River National Park, near the NSW/Victoria border. 

And what a spectacular drive it was. 
The road is considered to be one of the most dangerous roads in Australia… it is steep with sheer drops, narrow with tight bends... not one for the faint hearted. 

The deck on McKillops Bridge is 255m (836ft) long and was initially built in 1933 but 11 days before its opening a flash flood that exceeded the historical river height washed it away. It was rebuilt 5m higher and officially opened in 1935.  

A herd of 700 cattle were used to test the bridge, to approximate the bridge design load and test for movement, as the traditionally used steam rollers and traction engines could not be used due to steep terrain and remote location. 

Flash floods still occur along this part of the river despite the construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme and large dams that were built in the mountains to divert water inland. 

The Snowy River is one the wildest and most unpredictable rivers in Australia. 

Monday

February 8, 2021

Always happy to add to my list of bird sightings on the farm – this little one is an Australasian Pipit.
And yes… you’ll have to look hard to see him.

Saturday

February 6, 2021

Incoming… yesterday… 
the first of a series of stormcells that came through. 

Thursday

Black Summer

The summer of 2019-2020 became known as Black Summer because of the intensity and severity of fires through-out Australia. In January 2020 three major fires in the Victorian High Country joined to become the Snowy Complex fire. It burnt 663,000ha. 

 It was through this area that we travelled on the weekend. 

Amongst such devastation...

there is beauty… 

there is hope.