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message 7401:
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Dale
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Jan 07, 2013 03:08PM
Same - I love where we live too Elaine. I gues it's a case of for every advantage there are some disadvantages.This is the first time in the over five years we have lived here, we have been issued with warnings like this.Makes you realise what a beautiful but volatile land we live in.Expected to drop back by tomorrow. So we just have to get through today safely.
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Im happy for once it might rain in Melbourne now I get to use my new umbrella :)
which I finally got after living here almost 6months :S
Mod
Things have eased for them Gina thanks. Was talking to her last night, and then again this morning. As long as the winds don't change they will be fine. The CFA map shows them as being in the clear at the moment, thank goodness.
I've just come in from watering the garden thoroughly, trying to save it's life...it's blowing a gale here, really nasty. If any fires occur here today, we'll be in trouble.
A bad one near Canberra at the moment too:( It's such a terrible worry!
How are things for you now Gina?
Mod
Stay safe and cool Dale. I hope there's some cool relief coming your ..."
It's something you can't help stressing about Elaine, it's so fast and final sometimes! Glad you're having better weather today too...
Great! Hoping conditions keep improving for them! I think things have eased here too. Yay! Not to say people won't be struggling to pick up the pieces now. I can see the blue sky without haze for the first time in days, and it's a wonderful sight.
The hot wind makes everything so much worse, doesn't it? My parents live on the south coast N.S.W and have been preparing for summer fires for a while. They get them regularly, but my dad's ex army, logistics, so if anyone is going to be on top of the situation it's him. They have back up generators, face guards, sprinklers on the roof, and a get away boat to launch into the estuary if they have to. I always worry about them though. I'll be ringing them during the day.
In 2007 we had a heatwave at our place just out of Cobargo, we had a couple of 49s, a 48 and a couple of weeks of mid 40 days. The hills turned brown, our creeks dried up, the dam too. That was the year of the Vic bushfires, and I found it truly terrifying. I think we have to prepare for hotter summers and more fires, especially in terms of caring for our elderly. They suffer the most.
Hoping that everyone manages to stay cool and safe today!
The hot wind makes everything so much worse, doesn't it? My parents live on the south coast N.S.W and have been preparing for summer fires for a while. They get them regularly, but my dad's ex army, logistics, so if anyone is going to be on top of the situation it's him. They have back up generators, face guards, sprinklers on the roof, and a get away boat to launch into the estuary if they have to. I always worry about them though. I'll be ringing them during the day.
In 2007 we had a heatwave at our place just out of Cobargo, we had a couple of 49s, a 48 and a couple of weeks of mid 40 days. The hills turned brown, our creeks dried up, the dam too. That was the year of the Vic bushfires, and I found it truly terrifying. I think we have to prepare for hotter summers and more fires, especially in terms of caring for our elderly. They suffer the most.
Hoping that everyone manages to stay cool and safe today!
Mod
I hope your Mum and Dad stay ok, it certainly sounds like they are well prepared.
I hope everyone gets through this day without any dramas, and the temperatures and conditions are much better tomorrow!
Well, someone has just cut off our water without prior warning. And there's scarcely a drop in the house.... I hope they're quick about fixing whatever it is.....
My friends didn't believe me about the temperatures, because I was reading about climate change at the time, and they thought I was a panic merchant. However we had been measuring and recording both rainfall, and heatwaves since our arrival at our property, so I knew it to be true.
The year after (the year we left Froggy Bottom) they reached 49 again, and I believe they have since too. It's not common, but Cobargo is inland (near Bega) and extremes are the way. On the hottest days we all just lay on the floor inside the house. The sun was scorching, and it was up in the high thirties by 9am (I kid you not--again, I was measuring it). My daughter was very young, and my son a toddler, so it was harder on them.
Margaret, hoping they get your water back on soon!
The year after (the year we left Froggy Bottom) they reached 49 again, and I believe they have since too. It's not common, but Cobargo is inland (near Bega) and extremes are the way. On the hottest days we all just lay on the floor inside the house. The sun was scorching, and it was up in the high thirties by 9am (I kid you not--again, I was measuring it). My daughter was very young, and my son a toddler, so it was harder on them.
Margaret, hoping they get your water back on soon!
Have to add we were on a north facing property with very few trees, so I think it was a bit of a heat trap!
Have a look at this: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-08...
Poor Oodnadatta!
Have a look at this: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-08...
Poor Oodnadatta!
Mod
Oh that's really bad Margaret! Good luck with it coming back on soon:)
Mod
Have a look at this: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-08......"
Oh my!!! Not a good place to live at all!!! Thanks for sharing that Gina.
Mod
I can understand why people didn't believe you...it's so hard to comprehend temperatures of that magnitude!
Yes. Those sort of temperatures are horrendous! I just checked again with my husband, who said, yes, he remembers it too (he's a level headed person, while I'm given to flights of fancy :)).
Plants withered and died (including many of the tiny trees I was attempting to grow) magpies sat under the few trees we had, panting. The grass died before our eyes, the ground was dusty. I smoked in those days, and one day, standing on the veranda, I watched the ash from my cigarette hit the ground and begin to burn, although there was no almost grass to ignite. I ran down and stomped it out, but it was amazing how quickly it started. Days like that it doesn't take much for fires to start, even broken glass can do it. It was the year we decided to move as far south as we could!
Plants withered and died (including many of the tiny trees I was attempting to grow) magpies sat under the few trees we had, panting. The grass died before our eyes, the ground was dusty. I smoked in those days, and one day, standing on the veranda, I watched the ash from my cigarette hit the ground and begin to burn, although there was no almost grass to ignite. I ran down and stomped it out, but it was amazing how quickly it started. Days like that it doesn't take much for fires to start, even broken glass can do it. It was the year we decided to move as far south as we could!
I'm still praying earnestly for some relief from the heat and a safe end to the fires. Please keep us updated here about your safety and that of your loved ones :)
Brenda wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Well, someone has just cut off our water without prior warning. And there's scarcely a drop in the house.... I hope they're quick about fixing whatever it is....."Oh that's reall..."
Thanks, Brenda! It's back on, now. It was nasty, turning on the tap in these conditions, and nothing forthcoming....
Michael wrote: "Your not wrong about the plants Georgia. I have had a hell of a time with the ones out the front and even with me watering them each day they are looking worse for ware.
I heard that none of the T..."
They are pyromaniacs. And yes, I think it should be treated in the same way as attempted murder. I really do. Intentionally lit fires kill humans and animals, and cause extreme grief and loss. I can't believe people intentionally lighting them aren't aware of that. And so many of Australia's fires are purposefully lit. The cigarette butt, not quite out, thrown from a car window, is up there with the most stupid things to do too. We saw it the other day. Someone throwing down a still burning ciggie, which my son then stomped out quickly. He's eight and he figured it could start a fire, why couldn't the guy who threw it away have come to that conclusion. And burning off in a total fire ban! You wouldn't believe the number of times I've seen that too. I've heard the excuses as well--"But I'm careful, and I know what I'm doing." Yeah...right...:(
Glad your water is back on, Margaret!
I heard that none of the T..."
They are pyromaniacs. And yes, I think it should be treated in the same way as attempted murder. I really do. Intentionally lit fires kill humans and animals, and cause extreme grief and loss. I can't believe people intentionally lighting them aren't aware of that. And so many of Australia's fires are purposefully lit. The cigarette butt, not quite out, thrown from a car window, is up there with the most stupid things to do too. We saw it the other day. Someone throwing down a still burning ciggie, which my son then stomped out quickly. He's eight and he figured it could start a fire, why couldn't the guy who threw it away have come to that conclusion. And burning off in a total fire ban! You wouldn't believe the number of times I've seen that too. I've heard the excuses as well--"But I'm careful, and I know what I'm doing." Yeah...right...:(
Glad your water is back on, Margaret!
I had to call 000 to report a fire in my neighbour's backyard today. It was started by sparks from a powerline arcing after long strips of bark from a nearby gumtree were blown onto the lines. I heard a loud bang which at first i thought was something blowing in the wind, but then I smelled smoke and looked out the window and saw it. The grass, bushes and fence must have gone up in flames in seconds. I called the fireys and my husband ran to alert the neighbours and help put it out. We have 38 degrees and high winds today in Canberra so it's really nerve-wracking. I'm so glad I was at home. Who knows what could have happened if no one was around to see it?
Thank goodness you were there, Amber!
Mod
Oh my goodness Amber!!! Thank heaven you were there! How easily does it happen! Well done.
I think subtle hints about bottles of champagne and boxes of chocolates is in order...
One of my best friends was a volunteer fire fighter in N.S.W for many years. He said they have to screen them very well because the occupation also draws pyros. Like large animal mascots and kids (if that's not too tasteless to bring up).
It was ... wasn't it? Hate to accuse falsely...
My prayers are with all of you who are near the fires....I myself am dreading the end of the week when my area, Mt. Tamborine, is expected to reach 40 degrees.The winter was way too dry and the summer too hot.
Me neither...I'll just edit my post to remove any slander. Would feel terrible if it wasn't...Will change it to 'large animal mascot', which should cover all bases.
Mod
Have been chatting to friends about it on facebook. They think it was FC too, but one did mention Elmo, which fits, because he is too cute by half!
Our hapless neighbour just came over with a case of beer for my husband, to thank us for calling the fireys and helping with the fire. The poor guy still looks shell shocked. He's fairly young, he and his wife have a newborn baby, they'd just decided to have a lie down to catch up on sleep when my husband bashed their door down! Nice way to meet new neighbours :-) I think we'll have them over for a (safe) BBQ soon.
No chocolates for you? Oh, I know the new born baby thing, that creates shell shock in itself. I used to stagger around like a zombie (minus the craving for brains). Proves the bit about power lines and trees though, doesn't it. Good on you Amber. :)
Georgina wrote: "No chocolates for you? Oh, I know the new born baby thing, that creates shell shock in itself. I used to stagger around like a zombie (minus the craving for brains). Proves the bit about power line..."Chocolates would have been nice! Oh well.
Yes I can understand the sleep deprivation too, been there twice myself. Ha! I like your zombie analogy :-)
Mod
The poor things! How extremely grateful to you and your hubby they would be!
Thank goodness you acted fast and saw it early, Amber! My thoughts are with all of you in Tassie, and anyone else affected by fires. We're sitting here in Syd listless and drained from the heat.
Today Mum and I had to transfer everything we own downstairs (we're getting the floors polished). Not fun.
Today Mum and I had to transfer everything we own downstairs (we're getting the floors polished). Not fun.
It's great that you were there Amber - the thought of what might have been doesn't bear thinking about [if that makes any sense].I love this country, I really do and I know how lucky we are but it's hard to appreciate everything we have at times like this when it's so easy for so many people to lose everything they have.
The heat is so draining: even after one day of it here in Sydney, I'm feeling below par. I'll welcome autumn!
Agreed, Tracey! And yes, Margaret, bring on autumn and some damn rain!!
Just to show how weird Tassie weather is, it's cold today, so we had to light our stove...
Just to show how weird Tassie weather is, it's cold today, so we had to light our stove...
Mod
Tasmania--four seasons in one day. :)
Poor Queensland.
Poor Queensland.
Mod
I'm in Queensland and after all that the rest of the country's been through, I don't feel like I should complain too much, but I do feel like I lost the will to live since about 11.30 this morning! I escaped to a shopping centre after lunch for a little while but am home now, breathing in smoke from fires and reluctantly contemplating dinner!! And I so agree - bring on autumn!
Here in Sydney, March is often warm, and we really have to wait till April for lovely cool weather.
Mod
Oh Kathryn, you poor thing! My brother lives in Ipswich and he said it was 44 out on their back verandah today:(
Your poor brother, Brenda!! I really shouldn't complain - I'm in Brisbane but my neck of the woods didn't approach anywhere near 44C. I just don't have a very high threshold for heat tolerance when not surrounded by air-con at home, work and car! Heaven help me if I find work in the outback somewhere!!
We had a lovely cool change in Melbourne. I hope it finds you all soon!
Mod
I'm the same Kathryn! Can't stand the heat, prefer the winter (though spring and autumn are my favourite months) over summer!!
Mod
We had a cool change too Emily..today as well. It's wonderful, but not looking forward to tomorrow onward for the next week..high 30s and low 40s predicted again:(
I escaped to the beach today. It was still hot, but there was a breeze and the surf to jump into and it was just nice to be out of the house!Hope the fires have settled down for everybody. Good luck to everyone trying to keep cool.
This is from Get Up about the heatwave days, and fires:
"The Bureau of Meteorology added a new colour to its heat mapping index this week to represent temperatures above 50 degrees."
http://www.getup.org.au/our-new-norma...
The insurance companies are sharks. I bet they wriggle their way out of as many loopholes as they can find. It it the way of the cooperation. Pass the buck, no recourse. Dodgy. Whoops off on a rant...
Extremely relieved no lives lost!
"The Bureau of Meteorology added a new colour to its heat mapping index this week to represent temperatures above 50 degrees."
http://www.getup.org.au/our-new-norma...
The insurance companies are sharks. I bet they wriggle their way out of as many loopholes as they can find. It it the way of the cooperation. Pass the buck, no recourse. Dodgy. Whoops off on a rant...
Extremely relieved no lives lost!
Mod
Hope the fires have settled down for everybody. Good l..."
Nice, cool and relaxing! The heat will hit here again tomorrow I'm afraid...40 predicted:( Higher for Saturday:(:(
Mod
Wonderful no lives have been lost in any of the bushfire stricken states:)
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