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!

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