Fires engulf much of eastern Australia
I can’t let today pass without commenting on the horrific fires in Australia. As I write, nine are dead, four are missing, hundreds of homes have been destroyed.
The news is grim and going to get worse. We’re still in Taiwan, so are living out the drama long-distance, but we fear for our beach house in South Rosedale.
North and South Rosedale make up a small community about four-hours’ drive south of Sydney. The two parts are surrounded by trees and divided by a small creek. North Rosedale was wiped out on New Years Eve. More than a hundred people sheltered on the beach and watched as 50 or more homes burned. I’m guessing that fewer than 20 homes are left there.
South Rosedale got off easier. Maybe 15 homes burned. We just don’t know. So far our house still stands.
But Saturday lies ahead. The temperature will hit 41°C (106°F) and the winds will pick up. The Rural Fire Service is advising everyone—tourists and homeowners—to get out. That’s a challenge in itself. Fuel is in short supply. Roads are closed. Traffic is backed up for kilometres.
Our friend, Chloe, who was staying at our beach house with her dog and ours, managed to drive out about 5am on New Years Eve. She had an easy run. Because of road closures what should have taken two hours took almost six.
I’ve added some video footage here. It’s all from Rosedale. My thanks to those who took these images (borrowed from Twitter). I’m not 100 per cent sure who to credit (Julian Evans and Daniel Sutton?). Here’s a segment from the news.
Huge thanks also to neighbours, Peter, Sue, Terry and Deb, who have been keeping an eye out for spot fires.
If you are interested in following what happens to Rosedale, here is a comprehensive Twitter feed. With thanks to Associate Professor Gemma Carey for carrying the burden.
Where to next? 
Can’t click ‘like’ for this post. The news is just so awful and as you say, there’s more to come. I hope your beach house survives.
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Thanks. I’ll keep everyone posted. Hope the news is good.
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terrifying – the only word that comes to mind. The pictures and news coverage are almost beyond comprehension.
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It is terrifying. I can’t imagine how firefighters and other witnesses.
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Dear Peggy,
Please know that this too shall pass. They say the darkest hour is before the dawn. Take heart from the fact that your house is ok, and I shall pray that that continues to be the case. So glad to read that you are safe. I pray for the safety of your neighbors and friends too. You remain in my thoughts Sending positive vibes your way. Take good care.
Lots of love and hugs.
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Thanks. We know it will pass but when and at what cost. We need rain and it’s unlikely to come before the end of January.
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I know -easier said than done-will keep you in my prayers.
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The whole world is watching and trying to support Australians as this happens. Not a day goes by that I don’t see another news article about the aid that is going – the non-tangible things like thoughts and prayers all the way up to firefighters taking time to fly to Australia and help. I’m glad your friend and dogs were able to get to safety! Hoping for relief to come!
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We so appreciate the contribution being made by Canadian firefighters.
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xoxo
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As noted above, “like” does not work in these situations. On top of everything else, it must be having a bad effect on your ability to enjoy Taiwan. You all – you, John and every one in Australia – have our greatest sympathy.
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Many thanks. I’ve spent too much time watching the news.
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Tears flowing as this apolcalyptic event hits home to us. We are witnessing the forerunner of what may happen in other parts of the world. And still nothing from the leaders…unconscionable betrayal of the people by someone who preached Christianity and his puppets.
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Australia is sorely short of any governmental leadership. I wish the public could give a vote of no-confidence.
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Sadly, we tend to voice our opinion from the armchair only, via social media, these days. Who would bother to write a letter to politicians?
How are things in Rosedale?
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Poor John writes a lot of letters. We’re waiting to see how Rosedale goes tomorrow.
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Things are going from bad to worse here – and the weekend is looking ghastly. Fingers crossed for your beach house, Peggy. xxx
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Thanks Amanda, the weekend does look ghastly. I know South Australia is suffering too. Hope your place remains unscathed.
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Hello Peggy,
I watched the video in your blog, and such scary video footage and people commenting on losing their homes… and with reporters boldly going into dangerous fire areas. And of course the brave firefighters risking their lives to help.
Glad to read that your friend Chole and dogs decided to leave your beach home, and they should have left earlier. However, good that they are in a safer area now.
These fires in NSW Australia is a huge area and hard to comprehend. What is worse is that with the extreme heat (for the next few months), it is difficult to contain any of the bush fires. And with many fires surprisingly “springing up” in unforeseen areas.
I was happy to read that you, Poor John and your two daughters (one from Sydney) are currently in Taiwan. Maybe you can extend your vacation/travels and stay there for a few months? And then go back to Canberra in the near future; I know a difficult decision to make. Hoping your two homes are not in “harm’s way” and your friends/neighbors are safe from all these horrific fires, destruction and loss of life.
Sighing Sy S.
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Oh Sy, the fire front is unbelievable, stretching hundred of kilometres. We head home this weekend and we intend to get to work helping any way we can.
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https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/01/australia/australia-fires-explainer-intl-hnk-scli/index.html
The loss of life is terrifying. I can’t imagine how frightening this is and how worried you are. We are glad that a group of Canadian firefighters left to help. They certainly have experience after the Fort MvMurray fire here in Alberta. God Bess.
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Thanks Phyllis, we are so grateful to your Canadian firefighters for coming to help. Now to get through Saturday.
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I’ve been in tears for days Peggy, like you only able to watch the unfolding from afar. The south coast – Canberra’s coast – has been part of my life since I was 12. Just about every summer holiday has been spent there in Guerilla Bay, Mossy Point, Broulee, Malua Bay, Batehaven. The earlier fires had me crying for my country but the fires of the past couple of days have brought it very close to home. I have a nephew who lives on the south coast. I’ve not heard any news of him (will call my sis in Canberra tonight) but I would imagine he and his son are doing what everyone else is doing – fighting the fires.
It’s good to know you and yours are safe and that your house survived. And that your friend and dogs are safe.
Praying for rain!
Alison
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Thanks Alison. Hope your nephew and his son are okay. Please let me know. Hope the country can make it through Saturday.
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You know I am grinding my teeth over this. When are the climate-change deniers going to wake up?
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Our government is led by climate deniers. Hopeless!
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I suspect it will. not be for much longer.
A.
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Hi Peggy, I am so, so sorry to hear about this but good to know you and your family are safe. I hope rain comes soon, soon, soon. All the very best to you, your family and friends and to all Australians.
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Thanks so much. Sadly, we aren’t expecting rain until the end of January.
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I’m thinking of all our east coast friends during this tough time. As a west Aussie I know that bushfire season is scary at the best of times, but this has been next level scary! X
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Yep, next level scary is an apt description. Hope Western Australia isn’t hit any harder.
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How awful and how safe Taiwan must feel compared with the inhabitants, communities and holiday makers on the South coast. It is so scary.
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Taiwan has felt safe in many ways. Hoping the South Coast can regain that feeling.
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This ABC article shows the most dramatic video I have seen with firefighters escaping in their burning truck, and also shows them and their truck later https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-01/fire-fighters-survive-after-being-trapped-in-burning-fire-truck/11836474?
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Thanks Murray. We’ve watched a lot of news here and saw this shocking video. It’s all so unbelievable.
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I like, that you and yours are safe for now. Let us hope, it will continue this way, Peggy.
I read about the fires in Australia all over the news in Europe too. It is so sad, that so many lives are lost, both humans and animals.
We may ask for rain and lots of it, as this should help the situation to get it under control.
Take good care of yourself.
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It’s all so sad. We desperately need rain but none is predicted until the end of this month.
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We need to do more rain-dance Peggy, I will try from here and hope, that everything help.
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Many thanks.
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The tragic news about people and animals killed in these fires overwhelms me. I can’t imagine the magnitude nor the consequences of what has happened and is yet to take place. We expect West Coast fire seasons here in the US, with terrible losses a given, yet the fires in your country this year seem greater, with impacts on wildlife (like koalas) that threaten their very existence as species. I hope rains come to help put these fires out! I understand December through March is the rainy season.
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It’s all so tragic. Seventeen Victorians are missing and Saturday promises horrific weather. Rains aren’t expected until the end of this month. They reckon 8000 koalas have died along with millions of other animals, including insects.
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Gad! And the poor koalas already had some survival challenges without this tragedy. I imagine they aren’t the only species perilously affected by fires.
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The loss of any life is heartbreaking. And we have months of fire season ahead.
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I agree with all the comments posted here. It’s a disaster. I feel so sorry for everyone caught up in it. I watched a video yesterday posted by a guy sitting in his boat off the coast, watching the fire…most of what he said had the words “F*ck” every other word. Utterly understandable under the circumstances.
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Yep, utterly understandable under the circumstances.
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So dreadful, and that little boy receiving his Dad’s medal broke my heart. Stay safe Peggy.
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It’s all so heartbreaking. Hope we can make it through the weekend.
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Been reading about the fires. So heartbreaking and gut wrenching. Every year around “fire season’ we hold our breath as one of our sons lives in Northern California where the fires have raged hard. Such is our new climate reality all over the world with more fires, droughts, floods, disease. Was just reading about all the koalas that have perished in the fire too. So sad.
Peta
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This is the beginning of our fire season. I reckon we’ll be holding our breath for months to come.
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Those fires have been covered extensively on the BBC here, and are tragic indeed. In England, we cannot begin to comprehend the scale of such natural disasters. I hope that your house and those kind neighbours are safe and well, Peggy.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, I’ll do my best to keep everyone posted.
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Very bad news, be safe Peggy. Hope your NSW home is safe as well.
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Thanks Michael. We owe the firefighters (and our fine neighbours) so much.
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We’ve been hearing about those fires here in Florida. We get bad ones every summer, so we can relate – but I think this year Australia has been having far more than their share!! What I’ve been seeing and reading is just horrendous!!
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Australia is being hit hard. On the South Coast alone there is a 250-kilometre-long evacuation zone.
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Whoa!!
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Awful
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That pretty much sums it up.
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Hello Peggy and others reading this blog,
In The NY Times this Morning’s Briefing (Jan 2, 2020) is an article worth reading on what is happening in the Australian fires.
>>Record-breaking temperatures, extended drought and strong winds have converged to create disastrous fire conditions.<<
Scary beyond words to describe it all…. All the lose of lives, homes, land and animals.
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Thanks for that Sy. I’m glad there is some international coverage. We subscribe to the NY Times so will see this in the morning.
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Devasting. Mother earth is not happy!
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Not at all happy.
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Just sick in my heart watching your beautiful country in flames.
Love
S
Sent from my iPad
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Let’s hope the remaining houses can make it through Saturday.
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The news in the US has been keeping everyone posted. We are praying for everyone’s safety.
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Thanks. The future is looking rather grim.
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So sad
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This is just pathetic. Sorry. Inexcusable. Australians pay taxes for…what? Leadership is not up in arms, not mobilizing every asset available from military to civilian? This is deplorable. More so that every other country with an asset hasn’t stepped up. I promise you if England or France or Israel were on fire there would be an international outpouring of assistance. What is wrong with our world and its leadership? Arrrrr.
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Our government is pathetic but, to be fair, firefighters are coming from overseas. I know there are some from Canada and the USA.
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Just devastating, Peggy. I do so hope your beach house survived, but there’s still Saturday’s surge in temperatures and winds to get through……..and all happening with 2 months of Summer still to go.
So glad to hear Chloe and the dogs got out earlier. They must have been terrified at your house.
I can only imagine what nightmares the young children will be facing for days to come having witnessed all this, let alone the adults and firefighters.
My thoughts are with all those affected.
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Thanks Vicki. The whole thing is terrifying. Sunday can’t come too soon. The end of the fire season can’t come too soon.
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Indeed Peggy, Sandy and I have been keen to know of your & P. John’s status in this maelstrom. Many thanks for the updates and all best wishes, naturally. Yes, coverage has been considerable. BBC World Serv, one of my main resources, has just done a big segment on just what you’re referring to. Because of the California & other fires, the link with Oz is uncanny. A friend who lives in Chico said the population of the town mushroomed when nearby Paradise was destroyed. We in Kittitas county were subjected a few years back to fires, and there were evacuations a mere mile north of us. The insecure humans who are ‘leaders’ always resist change until the awfulness of severe ‘lessons’ on what not to do in life have been enacted. It’s tempting to get ‘biblical’ in describing this stuff, but this is sheer science in action, particularly chemistry and physics. In other words, no mystery. Laws are being demonstrated, not theories. At any rate, the ‘anti-leaders’ of today, Morrison, The Donald & Co. are the last gasp of a doomed power structure. We’ve made progress with Dumping Donald, but as we know all too well, it’s the corporate edifice that commands the power. At any rate, best wishes, and kindly keep us apprised as you are able. With love, Brian & Sandy
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Thanks Brian and Sandy. How appropriate that you mention science. Wonder when your leader and ours will begin to accept the science in this?
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Incredible sad news. Keeping you and your house in my positive thoughts. Thinking of those massive gum trees which historically live through fires makes me wonder how anything can survive the incredible flames shown online.
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We wonder too, Dave. Will keep you posted.
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I am concerned for you in Rosedale – and for all my dear friends in Sydney. i pray to the universe to take care of all of you there. continue…
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Last night I remembered that years ago a Tibetan monk blessed the house in Rosedale. Hope that does the trick.
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We have watched with fear and horror. Part of why we moved from California was due to fires. Can’t imagine this rage. But we all need to be aware.
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Tomorrow is going to be a terrible day with high temperatures and high winds. In New South Wales alone, there is a 250-kilometre-long potential fire front.
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Really, really shocking. This is a wake up call for the world.
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The general public seems to be paying more attention than many world ‘leaders’.
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This is a sad, scary, and downright dangerous situation. We are following as best we can, but I’m sure our brief reports tell us precious little. Such is the way with news traveling from country to country. Prayers for all. I hope your home is spared and truly feel for anyone whose home or business isn’t.
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Tomorrow is going to be the scariest day of all with high temperatures and high winds. We can only hope for the best.
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Hopes and prayers for all. 🙏
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Truly awful and terrifying, Peggy. Keeping my fingers crossed for your house and sending even more heartfelt wishes for all of the Australians caught up in this terrible situation.
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Thanks so much. Already 19 people have died and 29 are missing, millions of animals have died and 1400 homes have burned. Hope those figures doesn’t rise.
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Have been thinking of you Peggy. It is just horrendous, it feels like the whole country is on fire. Louise
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Thanks Louise. It does feel like the whole country is on fire, or at least has the potential to be on fire. Hoping to make it through tomorrow.
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Yes tomorrow will be the real test…
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I feel sick just thinking about it.
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To All:
I hate to take away LeggyPeggy’s “Thunder” so to speak. But she emailed me and I read it this morning (NYC, Friday). In the past I had suggested that she should stay in Taiwan, but she is now back in Sydney (her daughter’s city). And planning on travelling to Canberra today or tomorrow I believe. I know it is so hard to stay away from her home, friends/neighbors, dog… I again, urged her to stay away from Canberra ?? !! Weather/fire conditions are predicted to be worse then a few days ago.
Never-the less, I hope she, P. John, fiends/neighbors and dog are SAFE!
Sighing For Sure, Sy
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Thanks so much for worrying about us. We’ll get to Canberra later today. Except for it being quite smoky, it is a bit more protected from fires. Our worry today is the coast. Here’s hoping for an uneventful day. I’ll keep everyone posted.
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It’s been heartbreaking to watch all of this and feel so powerless. I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like for you and everyone else who are connected to Australia. I hope this all ends soon.
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Yes Scott, it’s that feeling of powerlessness that is so frustrating. Here’s hoping that today remains uneventful.
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It truly is heartbreaking. I hope you will be all right.
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Thanks so much. We hope so too.
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You are welcome.
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Hi Peggy
We feel slightly guilty being in NZ while many friends are experiencing the horrendous bushfires in many different ways. Good to get positive news about your house in Rosedale so far but there are months and months to go.
We’ve had smoke here the past couple of days and the glaciers in NZ have turned from orange to ash coloured.
We were horrified by the intensity of the fires on our trip to Brisbane in early December. Up via the coast road and back via Coonabarabran. Lake Tabourie had a lucky escape during this trip. Our friends who were with us own a house there.
We knew things were going to get worse when we left for NZ on 17 December but had no idea how much worse they could get. And when we get back a the end of January it won’t be over. Hopefully, the catastrophe will bring about the changes we need to have to cope with the ongoing world we are going to have to survive in in coming years.
Virtually everyone in Australia has now had either direct or indirect impact from the bushfires. One hopes a change in consciousness is emerging.
All the best. Will catch up in the new year.
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You’re right. It won’t be over at the end of January. Won’t be over until it rains—big time. Our coast house still stands, but there are a couple of months to go. It could go poof anytime. Living life at a frightening edge. Enjoy being where you are.
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Dear Peggy and John. I add my thoughts and hopes all is well for your beach house. Try to enjoy your holiday in Taiwan. Big hugs.
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Thanks Robert. If the house survives, a bunch of us need to go down there to celebrate. Interested?
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Oh, Peggy. I’m so sorry to hear this. I don’t watch the news, but I have heard about the fires, so I know they must be serious. I hope your beach house is spared.
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Thanks so much. So far our house is still standing, but we have months of fire season ahead. Heartbroken for those who have lost their homes.
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Fires engulf large parts of eastern Australia, igal but it is very important that they and their family are well-behaved homes after built people do not live, all good for them. healthy new 2020 retrospectively.
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Thanks. New homes will be built to stricter standards regarding fire. But this fire was so fierce, not much could survive.
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Hi Peggy
Traumatic day with family & friends evacuated from Southern Highlands. Also sadly found out we know a couple of people whose homes were lost at Rosedale. It is going to be a long summer.
All the best
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It’s going to be a very long summer. Anything we can do to support your friends who lost their homes?
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Hello Peggy, this is a devastating news. I’m sorry for you and your countryfolks. You all are in my thoughts and prayers at the moment. Please take care. ❤
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Thanks so much. We’re living one day at a time.
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Thanks for updating your blog about your situation. I had thought about so often lately. It’s so hard to take in the scope of the tragedy. I am hoping for more help for your situation in Australia.
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Thanks so much. What we really need is about 200ml (8 inches) of rain.
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That’s what I hope for you!
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This is so awful. I hope they get those fires put out soon. I salute the firefighters, too. I know this has got to be rough on them but also on the entire country. I hope the fires go out real soon. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for stopping by and commenting. The firefighters have been amazing. We’ve been lucky to have overseas firefighters (especially from New Zealand, Canada and the USA) come to give them some relief. I fear we have a long fire season ahead.
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I am so sorry about everything, Peggy. I can’t bear to watch the news anymore but pray for a change in the weather. We had forest fires about 20 miles away in the last decade and it is so much more frightening and devastating than the floods. Thinking of you and sending you love. K x
PS We had Australian firefighters join us when we needed them and glad that some of ours are returning the favor.
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Thanks Kerry. We have another horrendous weather day ahead tomorrow, then some cooler days. I’d like to get to the coast, but the power is still out and the officials are urging us to stay away for now. Delighted to have your firefighters here.
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May it rain…❤️🌧️
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Peggy and Others FYI-
NY Times Article viewed on 1-8-20 USA
https://tinyurl.com/yzhlx2zy (I hope the URL works)
“Koala Mittens and Baby Bottles: Saving Australia’s Animals After Fires
Millions of animals, many found on no other continent, may have perished, and Australians are taking care of survivors.”
It is terrible enough to hear about lives lost, houses destroyed, land burned… drought, no water or
big time rain storms to help put out bush fires. How about all the farm livestock lost, farm lands with produce lost… air pollution, to name a few problems! And how about people trying to go back to work and the economic lost to them.. and older people to take care of.. and all the CHILDREN AS WELL; health wise, being safe from fires, not going to school..).
Sy
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Oh Sy, the loss of so many animals (they think more than a billion) and their habitat and food sources is just horrible. And we still have a couple of months of fire season ahead of us. I plan to drive to the coast as soon as the power is back on (officials have asked us to stay away until then). I plan to scatter seed for birds and sweet potatoes and other practical food stuffs for other wildlife. Have also donated to our wildlife rescue organisation. https://www.wires.org.au/blog/emergency-donations-to-help-wildlife.
P.S. Your link doesn’t work, but I found a similar article.
https://10daily.com.au/news/a200107szpkb/the-world-is-knitting-clothes-for-australias-injured-wildlife-and-darn-the-pics-are-cute-20200107
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Google- “Koala Mittens and Baby Bottles … and the URL for the NY Times article will show up. Aside- hope people will not need a subscription to view (P. John has one).
I did read the link you provided… The World is Knitting Cloths…
Great that you will try to disperse seeds for birds and sweet potatoes… getting water for animals is also an important concern as well..
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Thanks for the reminder, Sy. I will also be putting out pans of water at the coast. I have six scattered around our garden in Canberra.
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This is so awful!
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It certainly is and we have more months of fire season ahead.
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It’s a devastating time for so many. Hope your beach house still stands. Prayers and thoughts 🙏
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Thanks Miriam. The house is standing for now. Too many months of fire season ahead. Hope to get down there soon.
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It is all so terrible, hope your house goes unharmed Peggy.
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Thanks so much. It’s okay for now. A long fire season ahead of us.
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Fires, floods, ferocious storms–so much devastation and our governments fight the obvious. Heartbreaking.
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Such a pity when a government is a big part of the problem.
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I can’t imagine what those is the path of the flames are going through. I hope your house was not affected.
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Thanks so much. Our house is still standing and we are offering it to someone who lost theirs.
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That’s a very good move on your part. Thank you
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terrible, terrible…Morrison must be another right-wing puppet. stay safe. continue…
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Yes, and Pentacostal too.
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and now huge hailstones?? stay safe Peggy and Poor John. continue…
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