The FastDay Forum

Hi everyone, well yes I had a nice day with the sweet little preschoolers so I'm glad I went. Hubby and sons have been removing dry growth and potential fuel all day and are buggered. Ive got home and we've all packed the cars with photos, important documents and clothes and now I'm about to hop in spa with a big ol glass of wine but can't have too much in case we have to leave if the fire comes up the valley our way. My gut tells me it'll be OK but better to be ready just in case. Every one who lives in the blue mountains know someone who has lost a house. My son sais that 5 kids in his class have lost their homes. Its so sad. We have the best firefighters and they are heroes.Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers from all over the world it means so much.
Xxx julianna

[Debs]

Hi Julianna,
I feel for you; we pack up our 'valuables' every summer and make sure we are ready to go as we live right in the bush, and I worked with the emergency services in the Vic bush fires for several years so I can completely empathise with you.
Glad to hear you are prepared and ready to go, houses can be rebuilt, loved ones can't.

Reading this thread has really brought home to me how lucky we are in the UK and has made me ashamed of moaning about our weather. I cannot begin to imagine how it must feel to lose your home, or worse loved ones to bush fires, floods or other natural phenomena. We don't know we're born here and my heart goes out to all forum members who live under similar conditions. x

Thanks Deb and Callyanna and everyone else. I know people must think 'why would you live there with such a regular threat' but it really is a natural paradise so I feel like an aboriginal person must feel who loves their mother land and accepts that bushfires are a part of the environment here and we make room for them and work around them. Houses can be rebuilt if need be. Xxx

@GMH are you ok as fires up your way too. Let's us know all is well with you.

And Gillmary, where exactly is Shoalhaven? Are you out of danger? What about people up Newcastle way?

Crikey I used to live near Newcastle (NSW) as a kid. A little town called Wallsend.

This picture says it all. Smoke seen at the beach in Sydney.
http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/nsw/ ... tedImage=1

Reading this thread has really brought home to me how lucky we are in the UK and has made me ashamed of moaning about our weather. I cannot begin to imagine how it must feel to lose your home, or worse loved ones to bush fires, floods or other natural phenomena. We don't know we're born here and my heart goes out to all forum members who live under similar conditions. x

I totally agree....

Shoalhaven is 2.5 hours south of Sydney and we have massive forrest around somewhat like Blue Mountains so summers are always hairy. This year the fires are earlier, the scrub is drier and more frequent hot dry windy days. Just have to be permanently prepared Sallyo

Crikey I used to live near Newcastle (NSW) as a kid. A little town called Wallsend.

This picture says it all. Smoke seen at the beach in Sydney.
http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/nsw/ ... tedImage=1

I looked at these pictures before I went to sleep last night and had horrendously vivid dreams about being there.. The kind of dreams that stay with you! Probably even my worst nightmare doesn't compare to the tragic reality though....

OMG everyone, stay safe, be safe, hoping for the best for you all {{{+}}}

Thanks everyone. Its been an emotionally exhausting few days but feeling good now as we just popped out to a quick dinner at local club for my sons 15 the birthday tomorrow as the weather conditions tonight were good- cool and not windy whereas tomorrow well need to stay at home as the conditions will be much hotter. They've been water bombing all day about 500 meters from our house and back burning boundaries near us to stop further spread of the fire. I know our area is not mentioned on the official hazardous fires but just knowing they're so close and hearing the choppers all day has been emotionally exhausting. Just got back from dinner and hubs says let's all go down to the oval and look at the fire in the valley ( like we did last night) I started to get ready to go and I thought I just can't go again. It worries me. I've been reading the forum lots today as it feels normal and I find it comforting so thanks everyone. But you'll all be reassured to know that we probably have the most protected house around thanks to my clever hubby. He has cleared all the potential dry stuff ( fuel) around the house, we have 2 sprinklers on the roof connected to our 5000 later water tank which has a pump and hoses for front and back yard attached, a generator, and a water misting system in the garage roof' so we don't rely on town water or power. So we are prepared. They're back from they're walk. Thanks for listening guys. Goodnight. Xxx

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Happy birthday to your son Julianna. My son was 21 last Sunday. I'm a bit luckier with the fires as we're on the other side of the highway. I have a good friend in your street who backs onto the bush so scary for her too. Try not to stress too much tomorrow I'm sure all will be ok.

Thinking of everyone

You guys are the best. Thanks for you your thoughts and prayers. One more sex and the city and off to bed. Xx
X juliannz