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memorable for all the wrong reasons
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Yesterday will be memorable for all the wrong reasons.
The fact that I stupidly set off for the Red Hill markets at 4.30 am (in the morning!) on a day of total fire ban with a sick husband.
That it was forecast to be 44 degrees and ended up being a record-breaking 46.4 degrees and I forced us both outside in the heat of the day, with the sun, dust and ferocious wind.
That we sold very little and almost lost the market tent and stock in the gusts of winds at the market.
The fact that there was a bushfire at the bottom of the mountain next to the very dry national park (less than 10 km for us) that closed the main road for hours, and burnt out the railway line.
The fact that at 4.30pm (we'd only be home from the market about 2 hrs) the CFA issued an Urgent Alert message for Dandenong Ranges telling residents to implement their bushfire plans, be aware of dense smoke and ember attack. Our bushfire plan involved evacuating (we are renting and are not going to risk life and limb for the landlord), so in about 15 mins flat we had packed the budgie, some food and water, cash, passports, and a few clothes, and drove off the mountain in the opposite direction. We could smell the smoke, the air was thick and grey with smoke, and the winds were the wildest we have ever experienced. As I drove leaves, strips of bark, and branches were blowing across our path.
Several hours later, when it was clear the 14-appliance, 74-firefighter strong effort had the fire controlled, we returned home to an uneasy and sleepless night listening to the ABC radio coverage to hear the latest in the bushfire emergency.
Now as I write this post we are preparing for the week ahead, ready for me to return to work tomorrow. We are thankful that although there have been several incidents around the mountain and a few on the mountain, we have emerged unscathed but a little shaken.
Hundreds of others have not been so fortunate this weekend. Thirty-six confirmed deaths. Everyone is expecting many more. Lifestock burned to death. Hundreds of homes burned to the ground. Several townships destroyed. Thousand of hectares of land consumed by fire. And the end is not in sight.
And some of these fires were deliberately lit! What is the world coming to?
Update: as of Monday morning, 108 confirmed deaths and everyone is expecting the number to climb. The stories that have emerged are so sad and tragic. I hope that people you know and love are safe.
Update: as of Monday morning, 108 confirmed deaths and everyone is expecting the number to climb. The stories that have emerged are so sad and tragic. I hope that people you know and love are safe.
I was worried about you... but breathed a sigh of relief when i saw you back on flickr.
It has been such an awful, shocking few weeks. Glad to hear you are well though.
xp
Posted by: Hannah | Sunday, 01 March 2009 at 08:27 PM
stay safe
Posted by: jamsandwich | Wednesday, 11 February 2009 at 09:00 AM
too close for comfort hay! it's all just to horriable for words.
Posted by: fiona | Tuesday, 10 February 2009 at 01:04 PM
It's just dreadful, isn't it. I can't comprehend the loss.
Glad to hear you're well; I wasn't sure which region you lived in but I worried about you anyway.
Posted by: Anna | Tuesday, 10 February 2009 at 12:36 AM
So relieved to hear that you are okay! I came here to check in and make sure. The news has been devastating. Take care, M!
Posted by: Janet | Tuesday, 10 February 2009 at 12:34 AM
Glad to hear you are ok, such awful and sad news.
Stay safe.
Posted by: French Knots | Monday, 09 February 2009 at 11:09 PM
hi M,
it is so horribly sad. 138.
my good friends live in Warandyte and he has a business in Healsville and they too like you have been a little too close for comfort.
keep safe....and insure your beautiful wool!! (:)
Posted by: Tiel | Monday, 09 February 2009 at 10:48 PM
I hope you are alright petal, thinking of both of you, just read everything on the BBC news site, I can't even begin to imagine what it is like for you at the moment :(
Posted by: raspberry | Monday, 09 February 2009 at 10:39 PM
blimey!
Posted by: pominoz | Monday, 09 February 2009 at 03:51 PM
I was wondering about you when I looked at the maps of the fires. Very glad you are OK.
Posted by: Ali | Monday, 09 February 2009 at 12:17 PM
I am so glad that you are safe. Thank you for posting. i have been thinking about you.
Best wishes from a long time reader who rarely comments.....
Posted by: Carol | Monday, 09 February 2009 at 10:17 AM
Scary scary. Thinking of you.
Posted by: Ali | Monday, 09 February 2009 at 12:34 AM
Glad to hear that you're okay! It's been an awful couple of days-it feels like the whole state is on fire!
Posted by: joyflea | Sunday, 08 February 2009 at 11:27 PM
utterly horrific, isn't it?!
glad to hear you are both safe. and i think that leaving is the ONLY course of action after seeing the devestation wreaked on marysville. too fast, too intense.
terribly frightening and so very, very sad.
take care.
xx
Posted by: kirsten | Sunday, 08 February 2009 at 09:17 PM