Monday, January 5, 2015

OUR WORLD & SkyWatch - A fiery start to the New Year


The afternoon sun breaking through a smoke cloud
on the 3rd. January


the paddock behind my house


but the fire still was two townships away.
Next morning  there was just a small smoke cloud in the area and 
we thought the worst was averted

until late afternoon when there was smoke everywhere
and my daughter packed me into my car and 
sent me away to Angaston, 35 km away.

A lonely night in an old-fashioned hotel with no news
except for a text from my daughter that our local 
hospital had been evacuated and it was raining ash at home.
Since the power was out on the farm and due to the thick smoke
satellite reception for the mobile was intermittent,
it was hard to communicate with the children.

Had the situation not been so dire, I would have sought 
shelter at the hospital but that would not have been 
an option in this case.


a fiery sunset from the hotel car park
when I went to release my dog from the car and take
him for a walk.


Luckily the wind changed and I could go home yesterday 
morning.

For the moment the fire is being roughly contained but the 
hospital is still empty for the next few days
as the temperatures are soaring again tomorrow.
Lightning storms forecast for Wednesday with temps 
into the 40's C.

My car is packed, the few old photos, my husband's violin,
documents, my trinkets, receipts for the farm tax return, 
a few clothes, dog food and some art materials to ward off 
boredom during the time of uncertainty, and water.

I would prefer to stay and fight but he grandchildren 
don't want to have to worry about me as well as
fighting the fire and keeping the animals safe
if I hang around
and all I want, is for them to be safe.

What a start to the New Year

Hope yours was a little less dramatic!

Linking with 


64 comments:

  1. i am so sorry it is that close - and very worrisome!

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    1. Hey Theresa, no big deal, it is worrying but we've had it all turn to ashes once so it would not be anything new.

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  2. Oh, this is so frightening, Arija!! I'm so glad you are safe!! Wonderful, dramatic skies, but don't take any chances!! What a scary beginning to the new year!!

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    1. Yes Sylvia, it was no great pleasure to start the year in this way but we have expected really big blaze for the last five years. The last really big one was 31 years ago and the fuel load has really built up since then. I just hope and pray the g-children stay safe through this fire season.

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  3. Oh Arija, what a stressful start to your year. I pray every blessing for 2015 and a safe return to your home. Jo

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    1. Thank you dear Jo. We can use all the blessings we can gather this fire season.

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  4. as i am danish i do not know to theese terribel hot summers and violent fire , stay safe Arija and all your family , India also live in the south, good you all take care of each other

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    1. India and I live on the same farm, only in different houses. Thank you Bodi for caring.

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  5. I am so so very sorry. Not a good start at all. I am glad you are OK and I know your family is caring for your ( and their) place, but how worrying to be out of touch. That must have been terrible. It is awful not to KNOW! Thoughts are with you; we all wish we could do more.

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    1. Sallie, you certainly read it right. It was the not knowing that was the hardest to take.
      We have been through it all before so I am sure we will weather this summer also. Just all in the Lap of the Gods until then.

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  6. Oh my, Arija! I hope and pray for you, your family and your home remains safe.. That is scary..The sky shot is beautiful though! Take care!

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    1. Thanks Eileen, with so many prayers, blessings and good wishes, I am sure we will come through it all. Material possessions are not important as long as everyone stays alive.

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  7. What a terrible start to the year! I hope it gets better! Stay safe! I am finding that one of the worst things about growing older is that I can no longer be in the thick of the action but am spending more time watching others :-(

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    1. You are so right Mick, from being the racing driver, suddenly we are securely strapped into the back seat. Not easy when you have been the Alpha female for more than half a century.

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  8. Holy noodles that is hot temps! wow

    Glad to hear you and your pets made to safety thanks to your daughter hopefully it'll all pass soon and end the worrying.

    What a way to start the New Year is right. =0/

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    1. Marie, today was even hotter and a lot of my hardiest plants ended up with crisp leaves.

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  9. Be safe and so glad you have a family that is watching out for you ~ lots of hugs to you and your dog ~ great shots!

    Happy New Year to you, (it's gotta get better)
    artmusedog and carol

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    1. Thank you for the good wishes Carol and a great New Year to you as well.

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  10. I have freinds Sydney way, and they say they it is always a stressful time of year dealing with forest fires. Stay safe.

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  11. Hugs. I worried for you, and will continue to do so.
    And for everyone else. An annual terror.

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    1. My dear, pray for us please but please do not worry. In fact, I would greatly appreciate a prayer or two that everyone affected by the fires stays alive.

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  12. Oh my, that IS a rough start to the New Year. Glad you are remaining safe and hope it all settles down for good with minimal harm. This has made me wonder what possessions I would take out of harm’s way under such circumstances.

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    1. Always good to think of these things Penelope. I have had experience both in the war, having to flee at two hours notice and with fires. Only take things that cannot be replaces.

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  13. Have been worrying about you and yours, a very worrying time for all, hope the next few days will resolve things.

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    1. Thanks Penny, as you know, there is no real resolution until the end of the fire season.

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  14. Cannot imagine what it must be like to lose everything. Let's hope the worst is over and you can return home soon.

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    1. Once you've been there and done it, you no longer worry about loosing the new set of material possessions, you just pray the family stays alive and not too badly hurt.

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  15. Oh my goodness, Arija! I can understand why your family would worry if you stayed to fight the fire. I wish you all the best!

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  16. Pleased to know you are ok Arija, I have been worrying about you. My daughters and their family were all evacuated Friday night but are back in their homes now..Yes indeed! not a nice start to the new-year and today is going to be another scorcher. Keep safe

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    1. Thanks Dianne, looks like tomorrow will be much worse than today with the possibility of lightning strike fires as well. Oh well, we'll see . . .

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  17. Yes, glad you are safe Arija. As traumatic as these fires are, it is a blessing that there has been no loss of human life so far (although distressing news about the lost pets). Praying that you will be able to return to an intact home soon.

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    1. Valerie, I've been home since Sunday but who knows what the morrow brings . . .

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  18. I'm glad you're safe. That must be so difficult. I hope you can go home soon safely.

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    1. I am at home but there is no saying if/when I may have to leave again.

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  20. I do hope and pray that all will be kept safe.

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  21. Having recently been through fire and seeing people's losses I learned that life is the most important to protect. Pray that all are safe.

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    1. I'm sorry for reminding you of your recent events.
      You are so right, only life itself matters.

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  22. Oh my goodness Arija, how scary! Your pictures are amazing, and I hope you are safe as is your house and animals. Please keep me posted.{{HUGS}} Prayers coming..

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    1. Becky, for the moment all is well but tomorrow will be a scorcher and only my granddaughter and I on the farm. Could become interesting.

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  23. I hope the fire gets contained or smothered or stopped somehow. Arija, I am so sorry for the complete stress of this terrible thing .. It was on the radio here today and I wondered if it had affected you. Please take care and stay as safe as you can.

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    1. Gwen dear, I am only stressed about the safety of my daughter and grandchildren and animals of course. As you know well, one can always start again with the rest.

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  24. Oh gosh - I hope they contain the fire!

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  25. Wildfires are always scary and glad you are safe for now. We can get some big wildfires going here too and so I know what you're dealing with. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.

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    1. Thank you Elaine, all prayers very welcome.

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  26. Not a good way to start the year. Hard to know what to sat, apart from I'm glad you are safe. These kinds of events are what keeps me in the suburbs - although I miss living in a rural area. One day maybe I will again.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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    1. It is so much safer to live in the city while the children still need looking after.

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  27. Such a scary thing, and the worst was not getting news. - Margy

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  28. Oh my dear friend, what an awful frightening thing to have to endure. I shall think upon you and those around you often. That has to be such a very agonizing experience and thankfully you are safe with your dog. If this is the New Year, than we must hope the remainder shall be smooth sailing, following such a bad start. Hugs to you~

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  29. It is not really so bad Mary, as long as everyone is left alive and not badly injured, I can't full about losing things. We can't take them with us in the end anyway and it is probably easier in the end to leave it all behind when one has lost all a couple of times before.

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  30. be well, arija, this post was sobering.

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  31. The miracle of it all is how you have maintained a calm acceptance of what is. That is remarkable inner strength. It is probably the best ammunition to deal with the unknown. Wishing you continuing strength in the days ahead.

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  32. It does look like it's on fire! Beautiful sky shots!

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  33. That is so scary ...but does make for some beautiful sunsets and sunrises. Stay safe!!

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  34. Just a note to let you know you're in my thoughts.

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  35. Such amazing colors of the sky !

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  36. Oh dear Arija! What an ordeal! Sorry I didn't realise that you were in the middle of bushfires. I shall think of you and all the people with you.

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  37. What a terrible situation when fire is approaching ! Nevertheless your pictures are beautiful !

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