Saturday, February 14th, 2009 – DAY EIGHT Happy Valentine’s Day! Love is in the air….or is that smoke? The situation at the relief donations warehouse is out of control. We receive countless truckloads of generous donations, and despite requests to the contrary, lots of it is still used. Gently used clothing is one thing; bleach [...]
Thursday, February 12th, 2009 – DAY SIX 12:20am We have accepted the generous hospitality of some friends who happen to have two dogs and a cat. Although the animals spend very little time in the house, I go to bed to an awful allergy-induced asthma attack. And where is my inhaler? At the home we [...]
One of the many trucks of donations being unloaded at the warehouse for sorting and distribution to those affected by the bush fires. Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 – DAY FIVE 7:00am We are heading back to the show grounds for another real meal to start off our busy day at the relief donations warehouse. We [...]
Kelly sporting a pair of pants donated for bush fire relief…exactly who will benefit from them remains to be seen! Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 – DAY FOUR 7:10am I sleep like a log on the floor of a back room at the local pub in Alexandra. It is amazing how we can make a home [...]
An exhausted SES (Special Emergency Services) volunteer tries to call home. Monday, February 9th, 2009 – DAY THREE 8:25am We sleep solidly, despite lightning in the area (a big risk for additional fires). I snap awake with a start, with very little transition between my peaceful dreams and the stark reality of our smoky motel [...]
Looking directly at the sun is no problem with the smoke as thick as it is. Sunday, February 10th, 2009 7:00am We receive a text message from Melbourne that they are getting heavy rains. They sadly have not come yet here in Mansfield or any other affected area. Taggerty held off the fires last night [...]
It’s so hot today, even the candelabra has melted. Saturday, February 7th, 2009 We are prepared for a forecasted day of dense sweltering heat. Temperatures in excess of 48 degrees are on tap. Although I love the heat, I am also keenly aware that with forecasted winds of 100 kilometres per hour, this is heat [...]
Things have been crazy in Victoria, among the raging bushfires that seem to be everywhere. We are still safe, but have not yet returned home and don’t know when we will or what we’ll return to. We are now stationed in Alexandra, where we are coordinating clothing, toiletries, linens, bedding, and whatever else we can [...]
Hi All. This is a quick note written while I steal some precious internet time. Between the thick smoke, power outages, and overuse of limited mobile and wireless resources, access is limited. The State of Victoria is on fire. Yesterday I evacuated my home with my laptop, passport, and clothes on my back and don’t [...]
