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The aftermath of the flood wasn’t pretty. Tom had been out surveying more damage in the lower paddocks. Fences compromised, two of his pumps ruined, and more stock losses than initially thought. And although the water was receding, it was doing so at a snail’s pace, stalling the cleanup process. Thankfully the steps in the flood management plan he had taken to protect the sheds and machinery had worked. Small mercies.
Tom checked on the couple of new calves that had survived, pleased they were okay. Then, he made his way back to the house to order fencing supplies and feed. As he pulled the farm Ute to a bumpy halt behind the house, Tom noticed an unfamiliar vehicle making its way down the long gravel driveway. The midday sun reflected off the windshield, making it difficult to see wh
