Adelaide Hills Bushfire

MFS fire crew battle a fire on Wattle Rd, Kersbrook, South Australia. Picture: Campbell Brodie.

I have been almost glued to the news and social media for the past few days trying to find out and read as much info about the fire in the Adelaide hills and the fires here in Victoria. It is always heartbreaking to see any fire but even more so when it involves people, home and animals.

I cried when I heard about a Boarding Kennel and Cattery burning down. About 40 of the dogs were save but none of the cats where. It is just horrible. Some families have lost their homes, including some othat belong to the CFS (Country Fire Service) Volunteers.

Most of my family & friends live in Adelaide. Some of my family even live in the Adelaide hills. Sadly though I am not all that close to them, we never really have been, so I am unsure as to how they are faring or even how close the fire is in relation to where they live. I just pray that they are all safe from harm wherever they are,

Let me tell you I have shed a few tears over this already. Angus wants to ban me from watching the news because I get so upset. Not happening kiddo. I shall continue to watch but thanks for your concern all the same.

Weather conditions have eased over night, The bushfires here in Victoria have all been downgraded. The fire in the Adelaide hills still continues, There has even been mention of it continuing for weeks. I shudder at that thought. I am praying the weather remains calm enough for the CFS to get a good handle on things before the weather changes midweek when the wind is due to pick up again.

If you wish to find out more about the fires check out the following links
Adelaide Now
ABC News

For now I am enjoying the cool change that arrived overnight and the refreshing showers that have come along with it. I have opened my home up in order to let it really cool down, And of course I shall be keeping an eye on the news in regards to the Adelaide hills fire.

Photos From The Morwell Area (Post-Fire Pics)

On Saturday afternoon Brodie and I went shopping in Morwell. On the way to and from Morwell I asked Brodie to take a few snaps using both his mobile phone and mine. I thought that since I had mentioned the fires a few times it was only fair that I took some photos to show what the area looks like now.

The first two photos are of the Hazelwood open cut mine. Sadly the photos are a bit blurry (we were driving down the freeway at the time) but all that dark stuff is the coal and that is what was on fire for all of those weeks (around 5 ½ weeks in total) before it was finally declared safe. 

The next two photos were taken just before we got in to Morwell. You can see how burnt things are but how quickly the grass comes back to life.  A few of the trees have new growth on them now. It's been just over two months since the fire went through here.

It's Officially Autumn!

Today is the official start of Autumn! You know what that means?! I survived another Summer! I really don't like summer. I just hate the heat. it's funny when you're a kid you love it. It means a long school holiday break, lazy days playing with friends, swimming, reading and just having fun! These days it means long HOT days in front of the air-conditioner and horribly high electricity bills! I am so glad that it is now Autumn. I am looking forward to seeing all the pretty coloured leaves on the trees and I know that cooler weather is on its way.

Speaking of cooler weather, it has been so helpful for the firefighters that are still fighting the fire at the coalmine in Morwell/Hazelwood. I cannot believe that today is day 20 and it is still burning. I drove Angus to work placement in Morwell yesterday morning. He starts at 7:30 am. We drive on the freeway right past the open cut mine on the way there. The smoke that is floating up from the pit looked so eerie and it smells horrible. I feel so bad for the people in Morwell who have to put up with this. It is just heart breaking knowing that they have to put up with the smell and smoke again.

The state government has offered families $500 to use towards accommodation if they want to get out of town. Not a lot of help really. It wont stretch very far for families. Get this they are SELLING not giving away masks for residents. I think they should be free for all who want them! I also think that any medical visits that are required as a result of the smoke (there is a lot of carbon monoxide being given off by the fire) should be free too but of course it isn't. It's been THREE weeks Mr Napthine (he's our state premier) get your act into gear and HELP these people. Mr Abbott, for crying out loud pull your finger out and OFFER the WHOLE town of Morwell free doctors visits if their illness is a direct result from the fire and smoke. HELP these people they need it!!

I could stay on this soapbox all day and rant about how bad things are and how little is being done about it but I wont. I'll just pray for more rain and that the firefighters are able to extinguish this fire and declare it safe.

Work Placement And The Open Cut Mine Fire

photo of the smoke from the fire at the open cut mine, Morwell.  picture is from yahoo news

I drove Angus into Morwell this morning. He started his first day of work placement today. We had to drive past the open cut mine on the way to his work place. The smoke and the smell was horrible. It is no wonder that the people of Morwell are complaining and that some of the schools and child care centres are busing kids out to other towns for the day. It is also no wonder that so many people are having problems with their health as well.

Just driving towards the town itself broke my heart. The damage that the bushfire caused in the area is so awful. The blackened landscape, the road signs were non-existant, the damage on both sides of the freeway. I can totally see why the freeway was closed for a while and that you need to slow down around the township. Luckily visibility was good this morning but I bet when the wind blows just right you wont be able to see across the road at all. Today is day 11 of the fire in the open cut mine. Officials are still unsure as to how much longer it will burn.

I will be thinking of my baby all day and wondering how he is going at work and how he is coping with the smoke and the smell. His work place is only 5 - 10 minutes from the open cut mine. Luckily he finishes work at 1:30 pm and he will be heading to the train station to come home. Sadly the railway track was damaged during the fire so it will be a bus trip for some of the way, although they may have fixed the track by now. I think he'll be able to get the train from Moe to come home. I guess I will find out when he eventually gets home this afternoon.

I am crossing my singers and sending lots or good thoughts and prayers to the people near the fire. I may even do a rain dance and pray it pours over Morwell.

I'm Stuck For A Project

When I had to stop taking my anti-inflammatory medication for several days I was itching to begin a new crochet project. Now that I have been back on my medication for a couple of days I haven't been able to find a project that I want to begin.

I'm going to blame the weather (o_0) it has been so humid lately and it makes our home feel so stuffy. Like there is no air flowing through the house. The smoke haze doesn't help either. The fires that began last weekend near Morwell and the Yarra Valley, the two that are the closest to where I live, are still burning. The rain that was forecast hasn't arrived yet. I am crossing my fingers that the rain will reach us tonight or tomorrow.

I am hoping that I am able to find a new project soon. My fingers are getting itchy ...

Smoke Filled Skies

I took this photo from our front yard at 8:30 am today.

I opened the front door this morning and all I could smell was smoke. The fire I mentioned yesterday is still going in Morwell although I did read that it isn't as bad as yesterday. They had a lot of aircraft dumping water on the open cut mine. There is another fire still raging from the weekend at Mickleham where more than 25 homes have been lost. It's heart breaking. The fire in the Yarra Valley has been downgraded but with the winds due to pick up people have been asked to keep checking the CFA website.

The Latrobe Valley Express (a newspaper) shared some incredible photos of the fire near Morwell. If you're interested here's the link http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/2077316/hernes-oak-and-driffield-fires/?cs=1210#slide=1

I am just hoping that by the end of the week, when we are expecting some rain, that the fires will finally be under control or completely extinguished and all areas are declared safe.

Bushfires

I can smell smoke outside this morning. If I can smell it and the fires aren't that close by I can only just imagine how bad it is for the people who live near the fires. Although there were quite a few fires around our area yesterday but nothing like some other parts of the state. I read somewhere that quite a few homes had been lost :-( It always breaks my heart when I hear things like that. 

Photo by Jason Edwards, Herald Sun newspaper.

Yesterday afternoon a BIG blaze started near Morwell, which is about 70 km (43 miles) from our town, and was dangerously close to the power station in Hazelwood. Last night the power went out at around 9:30 pm. I had visions of it being off for at least 24 hours or more. I even thought that the fire may have reached the power station after all. I am still unsure if it did but there were power poles/lines that came down due to the fire. 

It's funny what goes through your mind when something like this happens. Do we have enough cash? How far would we have to travel to get money, food and fuel for the car? How widespread is the power failure? I pictured us having to cook and all the food from the freezer rather than throwing it into the rubbish bins.

It turns out that most of West Gippsland had no power. From Morwell/Moe right through to Narre Warren (an outer suburb of Melbourne). I can't even imagine how large an area it covered in terms of kilometres but believe me when I say its a VERY BIG. The electricity supply company stated on their website that they did not expect the power to be back on until 5 pm today. Lucky us it came back on at around 3 am this morning.

Photo by Jason Edwards, Herald Sun newspaper.

The highway between Moe and Morwell is closed off to traffic as are many other roads. Who knows how long they will remain that way. I know that fires can sometimes burn for weeks before they are completely extinguished. Angus has work placement in Morwell starting this Friday and I will be driving him there. I am wondering if the fire was in the industrial estate where his work placement will be.

It will be interesting to find out whether the highway will be opened by then. I know that VicRoads will need to inspect the road for damage before giving the all clear. It will also be interesting to see how bad the fire damage is when I finally am able to get down that way.

Cross your fingers and toes for all the people affected by the fires. Do a rain dance if you can. Who knows it may help. 

Another Hot Spell

I'm melting! We are in another hot spell at the moment. Thank goodness it isn't as hot as last weekend or the week or so before that. A dry cool change is expected later today. I will be so glad when it arrives but I am not looking forward to all the wind that will accompany it.

Photo of the fire at Hernes Oak taken by Bernie and shared on Facebook.

There are several fires around the state at the moment and these winds will cause nothing but problems for the CFA (Country Fire Authority). On particular fire I am concerned with is about 50 - 60 km away in Hernes Oak but it's where a few Church members live from our ward. Our Chapel is just the other side of the freeway in Moe/Newborough.

Our Firies do a wonderful job, especially during summer and even more so during heatwaves. I am crossing my fingers, toes and whatever else I can cross and I am praying that the fires around the state will be under control soon.

I heard on the news yesterday that our state is the driest it has been since the Black Saturday bushfires on Feb 7 2009. It's not surprising we have had no rain for weeks. We desperately need good soaking rains. Sadly it doesn't look like we are going to get any for a while.

What Do You Do With Yourself? And Summer Heat *yuck*

When we caught up with Mark's Dad and Step-mum last month I was asked what I did as far as work was concerned. I had just heard the SIL talk about her new job and I thought what do I do? I felt awkward to be honest. I didn't know what to say. What do I actually do other than be a Mum and a carer? So I mentioned how I knit and crochet for charity.

Since that day I have though about what I actually do. I am a financial advisor, banker, fibre artist (knitter/crocheter), designer, chef, laundress, seamstress, chauffeur, personal assistant, trade assistant, housekeeper, cleaner, teacher, reader, listener, pharmacist, wife, mother and student. There are probably some more things that I could list that I just cannot think of right now.

Next time I get asked what I do I wont feel so bad when I say I am a Mum and Carer.

I just had to share the picture above. It seems so appropriate for this past weeks weather. Today is the 5th day of heatwave. For the past three days we have had temperatures in the 40's (over 102F) and today is no different. We are expecting a top of 44F (111F). Thank goodness there is a cool change which is meant to come in tonight. I just hope that it isn't a late change. I think after all this heat it would be lovely if the change arrived in the afternoon but knowing my luck that wont happen.

I am also hoping that this cool change brings lots of rain with no thunderstorms or strong winds. There have been quite a few bushfires about the state this week. The closest one to us is around 40km away (just under 25 miles). There was a lot of smoke blown our way but that cleared up last night. Thankfully that one was downgraded last night but residents were still under a watch and act warning. I'm crossing my fingers and toes that everyone stays safe wherever the fires are.

Early Bushfire Season

image from www.smh.com.au

Bushfire season has started early in Australia with New South Wales being hit really hard with around 56 fires burning around the state. Only 12 of them have been contained. It really is heart breaking to watch the news. Black Saturday is still relatively fresh in my mind even though it has been over 4 years since that happened.

Go HERE if you want to find out more about the fires. This article was published this morning so it's sort of up-to-date.

Knit4Charities (K4C) member Dawn and some of her friends are collecting crocheted/knitted acrylic squares to me made in to other blankets along with other craft supplies to be given to those in need. If you would like to help out let me know and I can send you the details or you could even join the K4C yahoo group.

If you could spare a thought or a prayer for those affected by the fires or those who are fighting the fires I am sure they would appreciate it.

Weather, From One Extreme To Another

Australia has had a whole bunch of seasons within a matter of days. While the weather is much cooler here in Victoria, where I live at least, there are still bushfires burning and not a lot of rain in the forecast. At the opposite end of the scale in Queensland and northern New South Wales they are facing what is left of T.C. Oswald and massive flooding. A lot of the areas affected today were also affected by flooding from T.C. Yasi back in 2011.

This morning I had been watching the news on TV. Schedule shows have been postponed to show live coverage from Queensland and what's going on around that state.

I managed to find some video on youtube that shows a little of what's going on up in Brisbane.

With all this rain, I know its probably not possible, but it would be nice if it made its way down the coast and in to Victoria so that it can put out the fires.

♫♪ We're Having A Heatwave, A Tropical Heatwave ♫♪

BOM new style of map showing possible temperatures for the day

The Bureau of Meteorology has a new style of map that shows us how hot it will be during the day. This coming weekend there are parts of Australia where the temperature may reach 48 - 50C (118 - 122F)

I don't even want to think about how hot that truly is. 

Where I live isn't suffering from a heatwave most of the country is. We are fortunate enough that things have been cooling down in between those super hot fire danger days.

If it is cold in your part of the world please think of us here in Australia and please pray that there are no new bushfires starting up and that the ones already going will be contained and extinguished.

I tried to share an animated gif but it wasn't playing nice :( 

If you would like to see how hot it will be for us over the next few days go HERE to the ABC's website. They have an animated gif you can watch.

Summer Heat

Summer is well and truly here. The mercury has told us so. With temperatures topping 41C yesterday (that's around 105F in the old scale) and a minor cool change arriving in the early hours of the morning providing some relief but there is more heat on the way. Along with the heat comes the risk of bushfires. Sadly that has happened in quite a few places over the past couple of days.

A eucalptus tree ignites near Dunalley, Tasmania. PIC:: Richard Jupe (courtesy of news.com.au) 

Fires are being fought across several hot spots in Tasmania. Lots of homes have been lost. It's devastating and it brings back vivid memories of Black Saturday (Feb 7 2009). It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

My heart goes out to those affected by the fires across Tassie and those in Victoria. There's a total fire-ban in New South Wales tomorrow and no doubt across South Australia too (they've already had several extremely hot fire danger days and more are expected next week). I'm crossing my fingers, sending good thoughts and saying prayers that the fires will be under control soon and that no more occur. I'm not sure if it will work but it doesn't hurt, right?

It makes me wonder if it is a wise decision to drive across to Adelaide next week. I can't change the dates for our trip away not if I want to take the boys with me. We need to be back for medical appointments towards the end of January and preparing for the beginning of the new school year. I'll be hoping and praying that the roads are clear and that there are no fires when we travel. It also makes me wish even more that Mark could go with us. I would feel much happier and safer if he did.

More Floods

Carisbrook Victoria
Photo from news.com.au

While things have settled down some for Queensland and the residents there are able to begin cleaning up in some places here in Victoria things are just heating up. Western Victoria had rain falls of up to 280mm (over 11 inches) in some places. That's equivalent to 6 months worth of rain in a day or two. Some rivers have hit their peak flood levels while others are still rising and will hit their peak early next week. Around one third of Victoria is affected by floods.

Five states have now been affected by floods (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia) and Western Australia has had bushfires. My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by these tragic events.

While I have already mentioned the Qld Flood Appeal Auctions there are some other amazing people out there organising things for other people in the crafting community.

• Gun Tree Designers are organising "New Beginnings" sewing kits for Quilters who have lost everything. Click HERE to find out more.
• There's a group on Ravelry called Restash Queensland/NNSW aimed at helping RAVers who have lost their stash.

I am sure that there are more people in the bloggosphere or the knitting/crochet world that are quietly helping out. I just love the Aussie spirit that rises up every time there is a crisis. The way Aussies, and our overseas friends, just pitch in and help. It shows just how amazing people can be towards one another in times of need. I think it brings us another step closer to that utopian Star Trek world I wish existed.

If you wish to check out some photos of the floods in Victoria click HERE. The photos are from Halls Gap & the Grampians.

Twitter tags are #vicrains, #vicfloods, #qldfloods, #nswfloods, #tasfloods, #wabushfires

30 Day Meme - A Photo That Makes You Angry/Sad

I took this photo a few days after the Black Saturday bushfire last year. Behind me is the boys Primary School, just a few metres down the road. Thankfully the school was saved. Elvis (fire-fighting helicopter) dumped a whole heap of water on it.
Yep, this photo definitely makes me feel sad. Especially when I think about the fact that the fire was deliberately lit.

I often get to drive through the areas around our town there were burnt and think how lucky we were that day. You can still see where the fire had been. Some of the trees still look black but the majority of them have lots of new growth. Come to think of it even some of the ones with the new growth still have black trunks. It will be a very long time before I can forget about that day.

Bushfire Info

With todays temperature hitting 42C (around 106F) I thought that it might be an idea to place some of the more important links in one post that you may need during a CODE RED day.

Victoria's CFA Incident Summary
South Australia's CFS Current Incidents
New South Wales RFS Current Incidents

CFA Related links http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/links.htm - this page includes links for other states and their fire authorities. Also Victorian shire websites. Plus others.

VicRoads Bushfire Road Closures

And not to forget the Bureau of Meteorology

Let's hope that the weather settles soon and we have some nice cooler weather with no risk of fires.

Bushfire Photos

These photos were taken just a few days after "Black Saturday" (Feb 7th). The picture above was taken just down the road from the boys old Primary School. The school was safe because Elvis was able to dump water on it.

This is the road the Caravan Park, where we used to live.

What you can see in the sky isn't cloud but smoke that is coming from Bunyip State Forest. The fire went for approximately 6 weeks before they went completely out with some decent rains we had around 10 days ago.

This photo was one I took on Black Saturday from our front yard. The smoke was so thick. We were under ember attack at the time. If you look at the house on the right and see how brown the grass is. That was what the whole area looked like. As dry and as brown as anything. In all the years I have lived here I had never seen it so dry as it had been this past summer.

With the rain we have had the other weekend every thing has come up so green. It looks so much more alive now than it has been in months.
I must remember to take some photos near Brodie's bus stop. The trees are burnt but the grass is beginning to come back. It's still surreal looking but at least things are beginning to grow again.

Bushfires

Here it is six days after what they are now calling Black Saturday and the fires are still going. They got way too close to home if you ask me but there are still people in town here that have no idea how close it got. I heard a couple of old ladies talking the other day about the fire but they didn't seem to understand how close it was for our town.

The picture above, well part of a pdf file, from the CFA site that shows the areas burnt in out area. We live near the one that shows the Bunyip State Part/Forest.

Brodie's school was closed all week due to the fires. We even got a phone call today so tell us that it will still be closed on Monday. At this stage they have no idea about the rest of next week. There was a mention that they will be teaching the kids in Warragul if the school is still closed on Tuesday. They will let us know if that happens.

There are still some road closures in our area and these roads are only open to local residents. I've been checking the CFA website and there are still lots of fires around here. Poor Angus cringes every time he hears about the fire or when he sees the website. He's relieved though, as the rest of us are, that the death toll hasn't risen (181) for a few days although that is still expected to climb. There are around 2000 homes lost with about 7000 people now made homeless.

I've still not hear from my g/f since last Saturday night. I know that she was okay then but I would love to hear from her. I've tried her mobile a couple of times but its probably flat now as I doubt she would've had her charger with her when she left town. I could try again later I suppose or just wait a bit longer. I just want to know how hey are coping and if I can help with anything.

School is Closed

I used to whinge about all the days that Brodie gets off of school due to the school closures or pupil free days that they have at his High School. Well due to the bushfires there are 38 schools closed just in Gippsland alone let alone the rest of the state. Sadly the list seems to be growing and growing.

Yesterday I received a phone call from Brodie's HS principal stating that the school would be closed today due to the fires. He said we should listen to the ABC radio to find out if school is back on for Tuesday because at this stage he didn't know.

Shortly afterward that phone call I got one from Angus's school to let me know that the Camp at Rawson that was due to start today was cancelled and hopefully would be on at a later date. I was also told that all buses to his school would be cancelled because they were currently being used to transport the fire fighters. If I wanted Angus to attend school I needed to either let him walk or drive him in.
I also got an email from Angus's HS stating that they could not contact all of the 500 families and that if I knew how to contact any they would be grateful if we could pass on the message. At that stage I found how that 11 local schools would be closed. I didn't realise it would grow to such an extensive list for our area. I heard them call out up to 20 school for West Gippsland alone.

I learnt later that the school closures could be because of the road closures in the area, possible water contamination, structural damage or they could still at risk due to fire.

Angus went to school today. I thought it would be best that he had as normal a day as possible. Plus with Brodie home it could have been a lot louder and tense with both of being home. They started getting on each others nerves. I'm not too worried about Angus being at school today. If anything were to happen he is only 2.5 kms away and it would be easy to go and get him but I am sure everything will be fine.

A Weekend of Bushfires

OMGosh what a weekend it has been. One full of shattered dreams, smoke, tears and fear. Even we were touched by the horrific bushfires on Saturday. A day which is now known as the worst in Victorian history and much, much worse than the Ash Wednesday fires of February 1983. saturday was a day where temperatures reached at least 46C (114.8F) in most areas, including ours.

Our day started pretty much as anyone's did in preparation for another really hot day. I had made salads in the morning so I didn't have to cook that night. We put the air-conditioner on early to keep the house cool, well as cool as we could considering how hot it was going to be. The boys were in their bedroom watching DVD's on their laptops. Mark was resting on the couch and I went back to my computer for a bit of fun on facebook and to check my email.

I got an email aorund 1pm from a dear friend saying how she and hubby had been monitoring things with the CFA (hubby is very involved in the CFA) and that there were fires near us and she wanted to know if we were okay. I didn't notice anything and read the email to Mark. After I had read it aloud I swear I could smell smoke. I thought it was just because I had finished reading what was in my email. I sent an email back to my friend thanking her for letting us know and that we were okay for now. I decided to get up and look out the lounge window. The blinds were down to help keep the heat out so we didn't notice anything before. I was shocked by what I saw. Mark went outside to check and I followed him. The sky was full of smoke and the smell was horrible.

I told Mark that I was going inside to start packing. I wanted to be prepared to leave just in case. I truly didn't think that we would be in danger but I wanted to be ready. I said it was the Girl Guide in me that said be prepared. I checked the CFA website for alerts and updates.
I went back outside to speak with Mark. His brother (who lives next door) and our neighbour came outside too. We were seeing small bits of blackened leaves and ash landing in our front yard. I was glad that the boys were inside and oblivious to all that was happenening outside.

The boys eventually found out about the smoke and the fires. How could they not really. The smell of smoke was so strong. I made some phone calls to friends to check on them as they lived where the fires were. I didn't even think that they may have already evacuated. I worried about them of course and I have still not heard back from all of them. Nothing I have heard on the news indicated that they have been hurt so that's a good thing.

Of course Brodie starts to panic a bit. It must be the Aspergers. Angus was worried too. I tried so hard to keep my cool so that they would see I was not worried and I calmly asked them to get some clothing ready for our suitcase just in case we needed to leave. I explained to the boys not to panic that Mark would let us know when we would need to go and that if things got really bad for our street that the police would tell us to get out.

As the day progressed the smoke got worse, the sky darkened, the air felt thicker, the embers came more frequently. Mark kept checking outside for spot fires from the ember attack. Our neighbour bought a hose to use, cost him a fortune as it was the last one in the hardware store, and he began to water the near dead lawn and dampen the roof.
I continued preparing to get things ready to leave and talked to friends online to let them know what was going on and updating them on what we would do if we had to leave.

I am so glad that I did get things ready. We kept listening to the local radio station to find out what was going on. There were updates every 15 minutes. The roads were being closed all about us. People were on alert in the area where we used to live. The fires were around the Primary School the boys went to. The radio kept saying what we needed to do to 'survive' - to drink lots of water, to have a woollen blanket if we were stuck in the car, to check for spot fires from the embers.

Around 5 pm Mark decided that it was time the boys and I left. He was staying with our neighbour and his brother to defend the homes. That's when it hit me. This is real. Mark isn't coming with me. I hated the idea and it scared me to death. I burst into tears. I held it together but it hit me that this was it. We needed to go. More to keep the boys safe, Brodie wasn't listening to instrucions and kept going outdoors when he was told not to.
We phoned a family from Church, well Mark did I couldn't talk due to my crying. They said that we could stay with them. They were 40 km away in Moe, 25 minutes down the freeway.

I can't even remember when we arrived there. All I remember is driiving carefully and I didn't care that there were some cars flying past us on the freeway. I wanted to get there in one piece. It seemed surreal while we were travelling. The sky looked eerie and dark. The smoke was thick.
We stayed overnight and thanked theem profusely for allowing us to stay. We arrived home around 10:15 this morning. It seemed like it didn't happen. The freeway was closed and we had to travel the back way to get home from Warragul, the same way we travelled to get out of town yesterday.

My girlfriend that I had phoned earlier in the day managed tophone me last night. They had left their farm on Friday night taking their horses with them. They were safe in Cranbourne. Her Step-Dad stayed at the farm but sadly they had lost it. I don't know if her Dad was hurt. I am sure she would have told me if he was. I was so relieved to find out that she was safe and that was all that mattered to me.
Then I got thinking about the friends the boys made from school. How did they fare? Were they okay? Did they lose anything? I have no way of knowing as I don't know if they are home or not. I know one family lost their chicken farm. I can't even go for a drive to check as the roads are still closed. I'll definitely take my camera when I can eventually got for a drive.

66 people have now been confirmed dead. I keep watching the news in shock and then I realise that I have tears streaming down my face. Even now as I type this I get all teary thinking about all the people affeted by this. And I think how can there be people out there that deliberately start this .. why? I hope they catch them and give them life in prison.