Thank you for all your thoughts on our fires that I mentioned in the comments. I decided to put together a post about the weekend that we've been through here in Victoria, Australia.
Not wanting to go near the fires to interfere with the many fire fighters, volunteers & other personnel involved in the ongoing operations, I've relied on the internet to supply a few photos, mainly from the news channels. I was trying to find decent maps, but not much luck (or tech knowledge), so I've supplied 2 & although I don't exactly mention where we live, this time I just may, to give you an idea of where they are related to us.
Today, the smoke is really thick & I've tried my best to take a few photos & the situation immediately west of us, has eased somewhat, but we are in for, the weather bureau thinks, a windy change this afternoon. The fires in the high country have worsened throughout the day, though.
MAPS.
This map shows an overview of the eastern part of the state & we live in the mustard area of Baw Baw. I have tried to mark in where the fires are. You should be able to see Bunyip fire on the far left.
I've marked 2 others (not clearly though), to the right with a ring & little arrows.
This one shows the Bunyip complex of fires all started from lightening strikes on Friday. As we've had so little rain this summer, our bushland/forests are tinder dry. The green road snaking through from Melbourne is the Prince's Freeway, the main thoroughfare to the east coast. It has been closed now between Drouin & Pakenham since Friday, along with the railway which runs parallel to it. They are running trains from the east to Warragul (us), then buses to Melbourne, the long way round or from Pakenham on the electrified service.
A FEW PHOTOS.
I tried making a collage of a few from the internet. Theses are from the Bunyip fires. In the top right one, you can see a helicopter with a bucket of water hanging below, which is just one method of the many that they use.
Now for a few I've taken from home on Saturday & today.
Looking down our street & beyond at lunchtime..
Saturday.
Today.
On a lighter note, we've tried to stay busy & not be too uptight. We can't go anywhere, unless we detour, but don't want to hinder the people who need to travel to Melbourne or elsewhere, so keeping out of the way is best.
ME.
I've worked on this quilt & will show also, my messy way of designing/sewing.
Nearly all sewn up on Saturday, but it got way too hot in my sewing room.
Sunday saw the main body of the quilt sewn together & testing the border. I really think it needs a small spacer of a pinky/mauve or pale blue, before the focus fabric border?
One of the weird ways I work, with the graphpad drawn design on the floor surrounded by all manner of bits'n'bobs, including the fabric I was working with. I've realised I must have designed this all of 10+ years ago. I've not been able to find the exact same block, although some come close.
And, what was I watching on the TV?
A DVD called, "A Walk in the Countryside", which is beautiful scenery in the UK, set to music.
K. was busy making me this little beauty, that I've already named Whooty. He's not finished yet, as he needs varnishing, but I just had to take a photo.
Sometime through the week I'll compile a crafty catchup of what we've got up to over the last couple of months. I also need to post a day we had out, before our next big one, which is the Lost Trades Fair with our DD & family & also her in-laws.
Before I go, I did snap this earlier today. I've tried to capture the doves or sparrows at the feeder many times, but they always fly off when I go to snap them. Wheeeeeeeee, I got 2.
That's all from me & hopefully this fire weather will ease soon & we are all praying for rain, though the weather bureau are saying there is none for the next week or so. Please, we need it!!!!
Take care all & huggles.
