Deadly Tropical Cyclones in West Pacific

Saturday, Tropical Depression Meari and the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Haima were located just west of the Korean Peninsula and over northern Laos, respectively.

Meari has continued to weaken as it encountered cooler waters and less favorable wind shear. The storm, however, brought flooding rainfall to northern and eastern parts of the Philippines Thursday and Friday then farther north across Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands Friday night into Saturday. Ambulong, in the northern Philippines, recorded more than 10 inches of rain since Wednesday. Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan recorded more than 4 inches of rain along with wind gusts near 40 mph.

More than 300,000 people have been affected by the recent flooding in the Philippines. At least 15 people have been reported missing since the storm hit the area.

Over 50 flights were canceled out of Manila due to the unsettled weather. Several ports were also closed due to heavy rain, strong winds and high seas associated with the storm.

Heavy rainfall has also drenched the Korean Peninsula over the past several days as the storm approached. Widespread rainfall of 1-3 inches has already occurred, while more than 7 inches has fallen since Friday in Ulsan, South Korea. At least 13 people have been killed or reported missing since the storm hit the area. Locally heavy rainfall will continue in these areas through Monday.

Meanwhile, Haima has become a remnant low pressure after making landfall in Vietnam. Thanh Hoa received more than 10 inches of rain over the past couple of days due to this storm.

Haima also brought heavy rainfall to southern China, including Hainan, over the past couple of days. Tung Fang, in western Hainan, recorded more than 5 inches of rain during this time.

The heavy rainfall across the region has resulted widespread flooding. Reports indicate that at least seven people have been killed in northern Vietnam from this storm and more remain missing. More than 5,000 people have been evacuated from their homes; meanwhile, at least 900 homes have been destroyed.

Heavy rain over the weekend has shifted into northern Laos where widespread 2-5 inch rainfall occurred. Heavy rain soaked Phonhong where more than 8 inches of rain fell in a 24 hour period from Saturday into Sunday. Heavy rain is expected over the next couple days across Indochina as the remnant low weakens.

Hurricane Beatriz weakened into a tropical storm

MANZANILLO, Mexico – Hurricane Beatriz weakened into a tropical storm and headed out to sea Tuesday after pounding Mexico's resort-studded Pacific coast with heavy rains and winds

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Mexico's government had discontinued a hurricane warning for a stretch of coastline from La Fortuna to Cabo Corrientes. Beatriz is expected to continue weakening

Beatriz's maximum sustained winds have dropped to near 60 mph (95 kph). It is about 110 miles (175 kilometers) south-southwest Cabo Corrientes and moving west into the Pacific at near 12 mph (19 kph).

No injuries or major damage were reported in Manzanillo, said David Sanchez, Manzanillo's civil protection director. He said authorities saw two palm trees that had been knocked over.

About 150 Mexican soldiers were deployed on a rescue mission in case homes needed to be evacuated in Acapulco

Authorities say 100 homes were flooded, 20 trees fell and some avenues in the tourist district were also flooded because of the heavy rains. About 30 parked vehicles were swept by the current.

Whale Watching .....

Took myself to the Central Coast on Sunday to do a little whale watching.  Drove to Copacabana - Captain Cooks Lookout; was only a short walk uphill to the lookout from the car park.

Saw lots of whales - about 40 + and what I think may have been a pod of dolphin.

Not 100% sure because they were a fair way out; they may have been whales because of the distance away and the size of them.

Anyway, I thought it was wonderful.

Early in the morning the whales were fairly close to the coast but as the day progressed they went out further so the photos were not that good.

I was really excited that I got to see a 'breach'!!  There were about a dozen people watching and we all got so excited when the whale burst from the water.

Even the splash was exciting ..... rotfl.












The only downside was there was nowhere to sit - I stood for hours, sometimes hunched over as I had my camera resting on the corner of the safety fence - the next day my feet were soooo sore but it was worth it all.

Think I will have to take myself on the whale watch tour I mentioned before - leaves from Sans Souci.  I just love watching them; so majestic, so wonderful.

I am sure my Dad would be having a big giggle over my raptures on whales.

My Dad was a professional fisherman trawling all along the eastern coast of Australia.   When I was around 10 my parents told me that Dad had been offered a job as a whaling captain and we would move to Norfolk Island.

I was horrified, I can remember crying and pleading with my father not to kill whales.

Well, as it turned out my Dad decided not to take the job, probably nothing to do with my carry on, but I can remember thinking that he didn't go because I didn't want the whales hurt.  Actually he made a wise decision because by 1978 whaling had stopped in Australia.

Sadly there were estimated only 200 to 500 humpbacks left in 1962.  But thankfully Humpback whale numbers are recovering slowly and now there are thought to be up to 11 - 13,000 breeding in Australian waters.
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A Sad Day .....

I am so sad ...crying like a baby.

I just had to have my dear cat  she had a lump on her jaw that I found a couple of weeks ago.  It grew bigger ove the last two weeks and I took her to the vet, dreading what he would say.  It was cancer in her jaw and she would not last.

She was my companion for the last 20 years.  So sad.

Chalk Up One ......

Navau Reserve

Chalk up my first outing.  Decided yesterday that as long as it wasn't raining I was going out today.  Was overcast and the weather report was for cloud increasing with showers but I figured I would go out anyway.

Took myself on a sightseeing tour of Grose Wold and Yarramundi - about 50 mins drive but then I couldn't find the nature reserve I was looking for in the middle of nowhere.  Had to resort to the street directory but I managed to find it.

I had heard of Navau Reserve on the Grose River last year and thought it might have some nice scenery that I could use in my paintings.

Navau Reserve

 I noticed some people on the other side of the river so figured there had to be a way in.

So after driving for about 30 minutes I found myself on the opposite bank and was able to take pictures looking back.

Discovered that it is easier to reach from the other side - at Yarramundi - where the Grose River flows into the Hawkesbury/Nepean River system.

Yarramundi

The water on the Grose River was flowing but looked so still.  There were some amazing reflections on the water.

Yarramundi

It was really pretty - sadly it was overcast but on a sunny day it would have been beautiful!  Plus it was rather cool - 14 degrees!

I came back the long way - via Wimalee and Springwood, the lower Blue Mountains.  Did consider driving up to Katoomba but the clouds were getting darker and I had a few spots of rain on the windscreen so decided to call it a day.

Was very happy with myself.  Called into a McD's on the way back for a nature stop and I had something to eat and drink.

I even ate in the store!  Alone!  By myself!   ROTFL!!!

So I think I managed about 40 photos which I will be able to use.  Also would like to go back there when the day is warmer and do some plien air work.

The water here split around a small island and when it meet it was bubbling and moving quite fast.

Seriously considering doing a whale watch cruise - just not sure if I can handle doing that on my own.  Will need to think carefully before I book because 4 hours on a boat alone with strangers is way, way, way out of my comfort zone.

Still all in all a very successful first attempt - bring 'em on!!!  Yahoo ...... rotfl.

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Crossroads ......

Have you ever reached a point in your life when you just don't know which way to go?

I am at that at the moment .... I feel I have to rethink my life and decide where I want it to go.

I have lived alone for the last 3 1/2 yrs and now feel that I have put my past grief, pain and horrors behind me.  I think it is time to take stock and make some decisions. 

I don't mean that I am going to do anything drastic like sell up an move to a hippy commune or become a hermit in a cave on a mountain; what I think is I want to evaluate my life and get out of the rut I have found myself in.  My life is filled with the same thing - day in, day out and it is my own doing.  I want a change and I intend to find it ..... lol

From fear of leaving the house I have become a hermit (without the mountain cave) but I need to take charge and push away from that fear.  This all stems from when Philip was alive and I had 6 years where I could rarely leave - so that means for almost 10 years I have locked myself inside my house - I rarely go out now.

I am 62 in  six weeks and I want to make changes before I get so ingrained in how I am that I can't.  I am sure there are wonders in front of me; there are dreams that I can grab; people I can meet; places to go and life to live.

So look out - I have decided before I turn 63 that I am going to turn over a new leaf - new hopes, new dreams, new people, new life and new fun!!

Hopefully there will some great paintings to come from my metamorphosis ....lol

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