Eromsil Gnome Goonellabah, New South Wales, Australia
By Renroc on 01-Dec-10. Waypoint GA2785

Exploring the area in search of GCA caches and trigs today. Your cache was in our target area and one we found along the way.

Eromsil Gnome was very welcoming and we found him keeping watch over the porch.

Many thanks Renroc for placing this cache and adding to our geocaching experience today.

Rated: for Overall Experience

I have been meaning to visit Eromsil for a while. It only dawned on me this morning that the gnome's name is Lismore backwards. I knocked on the door and called out hello to meet Eromsil's owner. Maybe another time we will meet. I practised my best gnome selfie. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.

You weren't home when we knocked, and we got a bit of a funny look from the woman next door, but it was nice finding this cache : )

As per my write note log earlier we had planned a GC trip to Lismore once we were allowed out. Well this one just HAD to be on the list as it was an accidental find in Google and then we were stopping just up the road for a GC cache and the rest is yrotsih.

TFTC and the meet and brief catchup. Please apologise to your neighbours across the road incase they thought they were being invaded by scrub bashers hahaha

Rated: for Overall Experience

On our trip (which you can read about on GC) this was the first GCA cache we found today, planned to do 4 but only managed 2. although we did find 45 GC caches. We pulled up here and went looking, no gnome to be seen. until GayeNT realised we were at the wrong house!!! across the road we go and spot Eromsil sitting on the varanda, but there was no log!! sent a message to CO and waited a minute. No response. oh well in the car we get and then the front door opens, out walks Renroc. She didnt even see my message but just happened to be heading out at the right time to catch us. gave Eromsil a replacement log with our names on them and had a chat before heading off. TFTC!

Rated: for Overall Experience

I was looking around for towns spelled in reverse for a Locationless Cache and came across this cute little Eromsil gnome. Then I saw another listing for Eromsil on Google and this is what came up
I hope you dont mind me sharing it I just thought it was funny.

Selective Schools and Scholarship General Ability Tests
Here are some facts about the population of towns.
Aggaw is larger than Eromsil. Allaru is smaller than Eladimra. Eromsil is larger than Eladimra. Which town is the smallest?
A Aggaw
B Eromsil
C Allaru
D Eladimra

Well that was rather exciting. I think I like online events because last night I attended one and got to meet a heap of lovely geocachers from all over Australia and even a couple from Norfolk Island. It was an event organised by my owner' friend No Tomorrow for GCA's birthday. I was not at all shy about appearing in front of the computer screen (camera) and sat in front of Renroc while she was chatting away to everyone. It was great fun to see so many people all at once. Look at how many signed my log book. I posted the log for everyone to see.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Found with permission from the owner during the virtual event tonight. Thank you so much !

Rated: for Overall Experience

Found this nice old moveable during the virtual event tonight. Thanks to the CO for letting us find it.

Rated: for Overall Experience

We remember rescuing this gnome when wanderlust had him heading north to Brisbane without his owners consent. Being an old 'log and leave' gnome, we'd seen his stationary icon on the map for years. And now he'd moved. I think it was during one of GCA's games that we were in sunny Qld and picked him up, dropping him back where he belonged. His name's Eromsil not Enabsirb. Nice to see him (and his owner) at the Happy B'day GCA (online event).

Rated: for Overall Experience

A virtual find at a virtual event thanks for sharing Eromsil Gnome with us tonight

Rated: for Overall Experience

Thanks for sharing Reneoc.
Discovered while in the company of No Tomorrow and friends.

Another one I never saw for real during the races in question, but a virtual find at a virtual event for a bonus. Will take every smiley I can while we are in semi lock down. Thanks for sharing Renroc.

Found at the Happy Birthday GCA event hosted by No_Tomorrow. Thanks Renroc for resurrecting Eromsil. We've had a great day caching while in Home Isolation!

Great to see this little guy pop up in our virtual event tonight.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Saw it online at the event held by No Tomorrow.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Saw your cute little gnome on Happy Bday GCA Event. Thanks for the opportunity to discover.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Saw your cute little gnome on Happy Bday GCA Event. Thanks for the opportunity to discover.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Watawieh from Norfolk Island
Saw you online on the GA14515 Happy B'day GCA (online event)
Thanks for sharing

My first virtual find of a moveable! Huge thanks for sharing it!

Saw your cute little gnome on Happy Bday GCA Event. Thanks for the opportunity to discover.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Discovered during the birthday Zoom event

Found via Zoom on GCAs birthday. Enjpy you retirement

Found while attending the GA event tonight - thanks for sharing

Looks like this is a stay at home moveable now. If this is the case, the posted co-ords and description should be updated to reflect this. This is to avoid cachers looking for a cache that is not at the listed co-ords.

An update is requested within 28 days...

He is a rather handsome SES volunteer.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Well you've spent long enough at my place Eromsil. He's been busy on duty the last week watching out for what could have been a very busy period for the SES with TC Oma looming in on the East Coast. Luckly, Eromsil wasn't to phased by the event, and stayed perched up on the veranda table, watching the winds blow. Tonite, a bunch of geocachers were getting together, and Renroc was going to be present, so it was the best opportunity him to return home. I'll miss seeing this little orange gnome as I water the garden now - but luckily he's not to far away. I don't imagine this is the last time I'll see him!

He is rather cute but needs a paint job. TFTC

Rated: for Overall Experience

So glad to finally put a mark in this little guys log, rather cute. TFTC

At an Event at Goonellabah

Found at an event in the hands of MattyRX.

ḀṮṮḕṆṮḭṏṆ: ḭḟ ẏṏṳ ḕṼḕṙ ẇḀṆṮ Ṯṏ Ṡḕḕ ẏṏṳṙ ḠṆṏṁḕ ḀḠḀḭṆ, ṖḶḕḀṠḕ ḟṏṙẇḀṙḊ 1 Ẍ ṖḶḀṆḕ ṮḭḉḲḕṮ Ṯṏ ṖḀḶḀṳ Ṯṏ ṁḀṮṮẏṙẌ. ḧḕ ẇḭḶḶ ṮḧḕṆ ḃḕ ṙḕṮṳṙṆḕḊ ṳṆḧḀṙṁḕḊ.

Joking. Eromsil landed right on my doorstep last night. Must have needed to stretch his legs and have a short break from being on duty. But his sense of duty has returned, and he would like to be posted back at his owners place, to keep an eye out for summer storms. Great to see you again Eromsil!

Rated: for Overall Experience

It seems we picked up a homesick gnome; Eromsil couldn't wait to get back to Lismore. Guess his wanderlust has been satisfied for the time being.....

We're guessing Eromsil was getting bored... wanting to have adventures and see places like the good old days.... and ducked off while his owner wasn't looking. One can only wonder what he's been up to when he was found hiding behind the SES building with a dinosaur. No, we don't want to know either.. But now the party's over and we've picked up Eromsil and Willifindyousaurus to move along.... south..... maybe Lismore.... TFTM Renroc.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Eromsil Gnome is nestled safe and sound behind the State Emergency Service at Logan Village Queensland. Not far from where we live so we can keep on eye on him until he moves on to the next part of his journey. He has a companion di nosaur GA12937 attached to him to take him on his journey as well. TFTC.

We have retrieved Ermosil. He will spend Christmas with us with family in Lismore and we will relocate him on our journey back home to Brisbane. Merry Christmas. Tftc

Rated: for Overall Experience

Periodically the Geocaching Australia review team checks moveable caches that haven’t been found or moved in over 90 days.

This moveable fits that brief, however reading previous logs it seems to still be at the posted co-ords and is just sitting there waiting for the next finder to give it a go.

So, if you’re in area why not stop by and help it on its way.....

I was driving past today, so thought I should stop by and see Eromsil. It's been such a long time. His bionic orange has certainly faded a bit, but he still looks as ready for action since the day I first found him. What a life he's had, and the things he has seen. Brisbane flooding, and numerous Lismore floods - and he's still with us. I hope he stays active for a long time to come. I didn't relocate him, so he is still at the listed co-ordinates should anyone else want to visit him.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Owner has already updated the co-ords in the description of this cache. He is ready to be found.

Coordinates have been updated in the listing text by the cache owner. Ideally the cache owner will edit the cache listing to correct the coordinates so this cache shows up on maps and GPS at the correct location.
New coordinates are S28° 48.941' E153° 20.363
This location is 86m from the previous listed coordinates.

Go find him.

Renroc

Could the previous hider of this cache please provide more accurate coordinates to avoid people searching the front yards of the wrong house?

I was with Sol de lune when this cache was DNFd on an earlier visit, but after the update by the CO found myself back here again today. Sadly, it was another DNF after giving one front yard a fair bit of attention after the door bell went unanswered. Also knocked on the door of the house closest to the posted coords, but the lady who answered the door had no idea what I was talking about. I hope little Ermsil has been picked up and is on the move, but if not, perhaps a little more information might be needed if he is ever to leave home Thanks anyway renroc

Glad to hear the cache is still there, but with the comment that 'it is not at the posted co-ords, but not far away', it's hard to tell which house I should be looking at. A photo of the herb garden or better co-ords will help finders know where to look. It's been a long time between finds and I'm sure this would help a few finders make a find.....

This gnome is in the owner's front herb garden. Please feel free to find him. Drop in and say hello to renroc the owner (If I'm home)

It looks like this cache has gone walk-about.
We're archiving it to stop it showing up on the map. If it reappears the cache owner can reactivate it by logging an "unarchive" against it.

Time for Eromsil to go unfortunately....

Headed past this one to check it out while in the area today LuckyL10n...

7 years since it was found. The area around GZ is all private homes and there is no way the moveable could be hidden in someones front garden in 2011 and still be there waiting for a finder to come by.

As the moveable was dropped with the comment....'not at the posted co-ords, but not far away' and that certainly doesn't help, I think its time for this one to go....

Looked at GZ today, but like previous cachers didn't feel ok investigating a private garden.

We stopped to locate the gnome but felt uncomfortable looking in someone's garden

Oh dear how slack has Eromsil been? He has been back home since late on the afternoon of the Frog Hop but did not update his location. Doing that now.

He is not at the co-ordinates listed but is not too far away.

Found Eromsil at the frog hop bbq this weekend.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Finally got to catch up with Eromsil at the frog hop bbq this weekend.

It was nice to see Eromsil at yet another event. He’s always smiling and so hospitable. He was keeping a good eye over the collection of frogs that would soon start a journey in similar circumstances to him, 12 months ago. I wonder how many of our frogs will be back in our hands in 12 months? After a good feed at the Frog Hop and BBQ event, I snapped a pic of Eromsil to add to the gallery, and claim another find on him. Hope it’s not too long before we meet again. If our frogs only have half the adventure Eromsil’s had they will be lucky

Rated: for Overall Experience

Eromsil has such fun at the NR Geocaching Christmas Party which was held at his local pub that he decided to join many of the same crew out at the Frog Hop and BBQ on Saturday. Being a seasoned travelling cache with a number of dangerous locations under his belt (*note we won't mention safety harnesses which should be worn when leaping from cars on to solid surfaces) he figures he will be able to give any frogs who are hoping to enter this moving cache race for 2011/12 some sage advice.

He will be available for consultation and advice (free of charge) to any frogs or even frog owners who care to venture to the frog hop. One day only appearance though.

Surprisingly, I did find Eromsil at the listed co-ords tonight . He was waiting patiently for the guests to arrive at the Northern Rivers 2011 Christmas Party. It’s good to see that with all this talk of frogs, that gnomes haven’t been dusted under the rug!

It’s also nice to see that Eromsil had been able to have a good rest, what with being almost washed into Morton Bay in the Brisbane floods, and then there was his two broken legs…. I suppose you’ve got to take the good with the bad when your head gnome in the SES.

Eromsil sat in prime position on the table for the event, but as it wrapped up he went home with mum, so can no longer be found at the listed coordinates.

We’ll see you again soon, buddy.

Rated: for Overall Experience

I was at the Main Beach BBQ event enjoying the sun and company, and who should gatecrash – none other than Ermosil the Gnome . My kids were amazed to see him again – it’s been quite a while since we took him on his trip from Lismore to Coolangatta. He really looks a picture of health though. His orange is still as bright as a bionic carrot, and his repair job is nothing short of professional. Thanks to Renroc for bringing him up to mingle with the cachers at the Gold Coast. Hopefully it won’t be too long before we meet again. Maybe you’ll get a frog or two as company this year ! I didn't move Eromsil, but left him to go back with mum. No doubt to the Hilltop Pub in which he spends some long hours telling patrons of his adventures around the country.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Home again after a trip to a QLD event cache. He is back at the co-ords of his nearest pub. BUT not able to be found.

After a long rest at home Eromsil has ventured out again. He visited the event at Main Beach on the Gold Coast today and met a number of new cachers. Then he came home again.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Thanks to MattyRX Eromsil has arrived home. Matt was the first person to move him and the one to bring him home.
Eromsil has had a wonderful adventure. He nearly drowned in Brisbane floods. Lept from a car and required major reconstructive surgery on his legs. Probably many other things I don't yet know about.

At this stage he will be having a rest and then more than likely be put out as a fixed cache somewhere close to home.

Many thanks for all those who assisted him along the way.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Eromsil is not at the listed co-ordinates above. These are the co-ordinates for his local pub. Eromsil is home! Back in Lismore from where he first ventured out into the world back on December 1. Back with mum! I left him in Renroc's garden, waiting patiently for her to get home. It's been fun little fella! Hope you have had fun visiting different SES units, and that you were able to learn heaps on your journey!

I decided to take the long way back to the office today and stop in and search for my old buddy, Eromsil. I searched for a while and just couldn’t find the little fellow. So I had my sandwich and then tried again. He turned up in about 30 seconds! It was great to see him again – it has been quite a while since we last met. I asked him if he wanted to jump in for a ride, and the offer was accepted.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Had an email from Browngang who moved Eromsil but couldn't work out how to enter the details of his new location. SO here they are.

Good to see he is almost home. I just cast my gnome adrift after the race.

Eromsil has just left the building. He has left with geowife in a car full of women on their way up to the Goldie for a girls/sisters weekend. They will leave him somewhere near a Lismore turn off, off the Pacific Highway. New co-ordinates to be posted soon.

So Fluffyfish is your garden the scene of his accident? I am glad he has been able to continue. He is heading home now and is not too far away at the moment.
Thanks for looking after him with Tunea

I found his toe in my garden. Poor fellow....

Found this little SES volo on our dinner table. We were at the "Boozy Rouge" restaurant in Port Macqaurie, with teams pprass and blackie_71. We will further him on up the north coast towards home ASAP.

Spotted this one hiding in a car at the HAVOC Watagans event.

Ok - we have this midget Santa Clause looking statue in our apartment now and we are not sure what to do with it/him?
Do we just plant it/him out in the wild, or just palm it/him onto someone else who will have the same problem? I think I just answered my own question - hehehe.
Good luck little Santa gnome - hope you get to your destination soon

Discovered at 5th South Coast Cache Event

Finally meet 4 gnomes at the event Illawarra/South Coast Get-together Thanks.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Discovered at 5th South Coast Cache Event

Rated: for Overall Experience

I saw this gnome as he spent the day at the annual south coast event. Thanks. Albida.

Haven't seen any gnomes during the complete race but now 4 gnomes visited at 5th Annual Illawarra/South Coast Get-together Event Thanks

Rated: for Overall Experience

Finally track this one down after Tuena conspired to keep this one from me during the race. Found at the 5th Annual Illawarra/South Coast Get-together. Thanks for the gnome.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Found at the 5th Annual Illawarra Event. Great to finally catch up with Eromsil, haveing heard so much about him (all good, of course!).


Wendy

Rated: for Overall Experience

Being a SES member myself I couldn't sleep before seeing this one today!!

Attended a GC event today & handed Eromsil over to The Rats. He will be dropped off at the SES State HQ as requested. I placed a VirginBlue tag around Er's waist giving directions ie SES Lismore c/- of yourself. Over & Out.

Repaired & base painted in a brownish tinge. In my front yard behind a white lion. Will move him to Kiama once race is over as there are SES volunteers up that way. Over & out.

Love it... thanks for the effort. Doesn't really matter what colour it gets painted. Had a thought that perhaps he had gone through a roof.... maybe painted like corrugated iron to be aussie or make it tiles or even perhaps just green for the grass.... doing a landsearch in long grass. Or even a bright yellow flood boat with black letters on the side SES FB Tunea???? or Wollongong seeing that's where it happened? What ever comes to you will be fine.

Cheers

On the mend. Given his injury I thought it appropriate he should have a slight limp. Base is still moist so will paint (and hide) tomorrow. He's in the kitchen listening to ABC radio in case there are any disasters he should know about. I think he realizers though the biggest disaster is watching The Terminator not so far away.

Renroc

He's at home with me so will rehide him near Berry. There are several cachers in the Illawarra who are in the SES so once the race is finished I'll take him back up that way.

Hi there,
Please speak sternly to this gnome . It appears that he did not heed his SES Take 5 safety training and leapt into a dangerous situation before fully assessing the risks. He knows that when working at heights he should wear his harness and be attached to a safety line at all times.

If his injuries are only to his feet he should be able to continue the last few days of the race. Then he can come home for R&R (retraining and repatriation) Actually if he doesn't leave Wollongong someone might be able to take him in to the SES state HQ. Someone there will bring him up here next time they come up. They are in Regent St Wollongong. Tell them he needs to go back to Lismore.

Cheers

Purchased some plaster of paris today so will attempt to repair his base. If that doesn't work I have a tupperware coffin for him. Will rehide by day's end as the end of days is near!

fluffyfish

Quite a gnome party in my front yard!

Long drive back from a failed gnome hunt to find this. I was worried the gnome was on private property but it was a Kingsford Smith Memorial. Didn't go in as I was still gnome hunting. Thanks for the clue as he was well hidden and I was in a rush. Despite his proximity to the airport, this gnome came south the hard way. My sixth cache for the day.
TFTC
#324

Rated: for Overall Experience

Eromsil's missing gnome status has been weighing heavily on my mind in recent days and the fact that neither the army, nor the Queensland Police Service have been out searching for him had really ticked me off, so we decided to mount our own search and rescue mission!

After a good breakfast, we headed north and after an hour or so's contemplation of Eromsil's possible fate, the general location of his last known whereabouts came into view. What would we find? Or more importantly what wouldn't we find?

As our GPSr counted down the metres to GZ, certain signs became apparent - "hey, there are the tracking signs I left as a clue, they are more or less intact". "What's this? Looks like the old piece of styrofoam I used for camo". "Wait a minute, I see a flash of orange". I pulled away the foliage and there he was - ALIVE!! (Well, as alive as a plaster gnome can be). The relief was measurable!

"What are doing!" he demanded, "YOU are not meant to find me. I've been waiting here for over a week and Anna hasn't left on her plane and now, just as the Queensland Police plane flies in, you blow my cover. I'd hoped to catch a lift back to wherever it came from."

"We were worried about you", was our answer. "You know that Brisbane has just experienced a flood almost as big as '74. We were concerned that you'd been swept away and were now at the bottom of Moreton Bay with the Drift Restaurant, several boats, and any number of riverside cache containers. We want to move you to a safer location."

"Stupid humans! I am an SES trained gnome, I know about deep water rescue and I have good survival skills. Besides which, this is a very safe place!"

"You think so huh!", was our reply, "Come for a drive with us to check out the river and if you think its ok, we'll bring you back here. We'd also like to let you know that there is a king tide due in a couple of days, and the long range weather forecast predicts more rain (as much as we had to cause the flood) and several cyclones."

So we took Eromsil down to a nearby park overlooking the river. While the road itself was clear, seeing the substation sandbagged was sobering, and the amount of debris caught on the banks astonishing. Four days after the flood peak, the river was still flowing very swiftly.

"Do you want to go back to near Anna's Hanger?” we asked.

"Err no", was his reply. "The river is too fast and if the security guards who encouraged us to leave the park are right and that bulk carrier over the river at Fisherman Island is the first ship into port then the river must have been very very fast. I don't want to stick around if it happens again".

"So where are you going to take me?" he asked. I whispered the location into his ear and his response was "Great idea, let’s go". So we left.

Renroc, Bronnie_1990

He might need his ses training to survive. But he isn't able to self evacuate and I think his mobile phone battery is dead and I am afraid that he does not have a PDF in his survival kit. Good luck Eromsil. BUT your life is expendable compared to humans in the area.

We tried to find a way for Eromsil to head out to St George or Rockhampton. We thought that if he waited patiently at the Southern Cross Memorial at the airport he might be able to catch a lift with one of the relief SES crews coming in from Victoria or New Zealand. Unfortunately, despite several attempts, we could not work out to get on the appropriate bit of Airport Drive to get into the Memorial carpark.

To cool off (we were getting very frustrated), we drove down Lomandra Drive to check out a visiting international air freighter, while we puzzled over Eromsil's dilemma. One of the other gnomes in the back seat suggested perhaps Eromsil might be able to catch a lift with Anna, next time she visits one of the flood affected areas. Good idea gnome, how could she resist such a cute face! Thus we left Eromsil cooling his heals just opposite the Queensland Government's hanger on Pandanus Ave.

Perhaps next time you see the Queensland Premier hold a press conference you might just notice a familiar orange fellow in the background.

We were driving past Nerang when we heard a familiar voice calling...

"oh hello", we said when Eromsil revealed his hiding spot, "what have you been up to?"

"Well", he replied "I've had an awesome Christmas and New Year and I've spent the last couple of days convincing the Nerang Scouts that they should join the SES when they are old enough, but I've been hearing about the flooding in various parts of Queensland. I think I need to go up and help. Can you help me?"

"Well," we offered. "We're only going to Brisbane but we may be able to get you in a better spot where you can get a lift to one of the disaster areas. Hop in."

So Eromsil hopped in and did up his seatbelt. "Oh", he added, "I spent New Years with a couple of other gnomes. Can we give them a lift somewhere?"

"Sure", we said.

To be continued....

Rated: for Overall Experience

Eromsil had a good time over New Year at my place with new gnome friends. They went to the beach, ate me out of house and home, and generally acted like a bunch of adolescents let loose on the Gold Coast. But Eromsil could not forget his mission, and was always trying to get us to do Something Useful. Then this morning he received an invitation to do some lectures on survival techniques at the Nerang Scouts so he's gone out there to wait for them to open up.
He's hiding behind a tree near the scout den. There's some bark for him to shelter beneath. You're looking for a big blackened tree to the south of the scout hall. The grass is long at present so watch out for snakes.

Staying up with muggle brother's family. Saw that my little mate Eromsil was not too far away. Persuaded geonephew to come with me and we found the gnome just where Crew153 had parked him. Uh oh - just heard a yell from front verandah. That'll be muggle brother having just discovered Eromsil sitting out there.Don't worry little mate, I'll have you on your way within the required timeframe. Meanwhile hang with me and RhinoHIDE at unsunny Brighton.For some reason site not accepting my photos at present so will upload later.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Renroc

Eromsil was going to spend Xmas with the Crew but his sense of duty prevailed and he is now on traffic watch on a busy intersection.

I hope he can get some time off over the holidays.

An interesting location I hadn't been to before. So this is where the choppers come from is it.

Found the little guy smelling the flowers.

It was a struggle to get the log out of the container. It is now in two pieces but is now in a bit looser than before.

He asked if he could spend Xmas with the Crew so we will see if we can find a (flower) bed for him at our house.

We took Eromsil to the Southern SES group HQ at Salisbury, but they were all closed up and Eromsil did not feel safe staying alone, waiting for them.

“Can we drive around a bit”, Eromsil asked. “Sure,” we replied.

We continued our journey about the area coming across Emergency Management Queensland’s Helicopter Rescue base at Archerfield Airport. “Please stop here”, Eromsil requested, “I am sure they have heaps to tell me about their methods of aerial search and rescue, and how we can better support them on the ground. I used to live just across from the Lismore Helicopter Rescue base so this should be fun."

So we stopped the car and Eromsil hopped out to talk to the guys and girls here about their important role in rescue.

Goodbye Eromsil, it was nice catching up with you.

We were travelling north on the M1 when around Beenleigh we heard a familiar voice. We turned in the direction of that voice to find Eromsil with his thumb stuck out outside the Beenleigh SES waiting for a lift.

“Hello”, we said “Its been a while since we last saw you. How have you been?”

Eromsil said that he was great, although the three storms he endured in recent days had been a bit of a bother. He then proceeded to retell some of his adventures since we left him two weeks ago.

“Wow”, we said, “your fact finding mission seems to be going well. How can we help?”

“Well”, he said, “are you heading up the highway”.

“Yes,” we replied, “we want to do some Christmas shopping and catch up with some friends.”

“Do you think you can give me a lift to an SES building in Brisbane?” Eromsil asked.

“I think so”, we replied, “ hop in”.

So Eromsil jumped in and fastened his seat belt. “Let’s roll”, he stated, “time to get this show on the road. I learned a lot at Beenleigh but with the hail storms that have been hitting Brisbane I’m sure I’ll learn must more”.

To be continued ....

Rated: for Overall Experience

Left it until this morning to go look for a new post for the gnome. First we called at the Southport Ambulance, then the Fire Station. Made a short visit to SEQ HQ at Lahrs Road near Yatala. Then continued north. Rain coming down in buckets by the time we got to Beenleigh. Drove around looking for any emergency service at all, stopped to refuel and found out where the services were clustered on the other side of the motorway. Found SES, Ambulance, and Fire Station. Eromsil very excited to see another SES. Begged to be let out then and there. Said he didn't mind the weather, just wanted to be there when the guys/gals rocked up next. I said with all this rain he might need to be reSEScued pretty soon. Please give him a good wipe down when you find him, he could be wet and rather dirty. [I didn't write in the log, it was too tight to extract and I didn't want to rip it.]Sad to leave my little buddy, I'd grown quite attached. Silly isn't it, but I felt a lot of affection for the little guy. He's a real trooper.

petan

Eromsil went out to see the smart new Nerang Fire and Rescue Station. He peeked into the parking bays for the Fire Engines. He loved the boots left ready at the cabin doors. It's a great idea. Next he expressed a desire to see one of our Rural Fire Brigades so we drove out to Clagiraba behind the Gold Coast, where although the building was locked up, Eromsil could see the countryside. As a special favour to Bristracker, Eromsil checked over her ICE kit, and offered some helpful advice. This was a touchy subject with Eromsil, aware that so many of his buddies were flat out helping in the flooded areas of NSW. When he heard on the radio that people were being advised to grab their emergency packs, he asked Bristracker if she was ready for an evacuation. She had to admit her 72 hour pack was not fully prepared and promised to get right onto it real soon.
Much of the day was spent by the radio listening to the news bulletins out of NSW and I think Eromsil made some phone calls. I think he was wishing he could do more himself, but right now his mission is here in SEQ.

Renroc

Up early (5am) to go meet the GeGnome from Lismore. I'd written down the wrong coo-ords so had to do some clever substitution and working from Radnoski's log I figured out where he had to be. Sure enough he was waiting patiently for his next lift. After we got the preliminaries over (check ID, do up the seatbelt) we proceeded to GC2Y0E "Doug Jennings" which is named for a former local MLA for Southport. (Ever noticed how quickly we forget their names once their reign is over? Perhaps that's why they need parks named after them). The Gnome (can't bring myself to call him Eromsil - it sounds like a cold sore cream) said that politicians were alright in their place - raising funds for SES centres, opening new SES centres -but he isn't intimidated by big names or celebrities.
Next he very graciously took part in a photo shoot with a whole pile of trackables that are about to leave the Gold Coast. Finally we stopped at the Fishermen's CoOp where the trawlers sell direct to the public. We bought a 1/2 kilo of cooked prawns for lunch, and the Gnome was delighted to find their colour nicely complimented his own uniform.
Today we're off up the motorway looking for likely places of interest for a visiting SES Gnome. He says to say hello to all the guys and girls at Lismore.

Rated: for Overall Experience

I spent the last couple of days trekking around the place with Eromsil Gnome. He also hung out at work and got in to the Christmas spirit. (I have taken some photos)

We visited the Southport SES headquarters but Eromsil decided it was way too muggley. (They appear to be digging up huge parts of Queen Street for the new Rapid Transit / Light Rail transport system)

We went in search of the Runaway Bay SES but couldn't actually find it. (Supposedly somewhere on "Sports Drive" but Gnowhere to be found)

We were running out of time. (Must re-hide within two days)

What to do?

Eromsil says "Hey lets check out other emergency services". (Yes it was the gnome's idea)

We headed up to the end of "The Spit" and found the tower for the Voluntary Marine Rescue (VRM). Ermosil decided to stay and have a chat about procedures and all that stuff.

He tells me that he will duck around the back and find a place to sleep in the nearby trees.

See ya little guy.

(Hint: Base of tree hidden by big bits of bark)

Rated: for Overall Experience