This was the view that greeted us as we drove home after work on Monday night. Our house is somewhere in all of that smoke.
The mass exodus of cars leaving the mountain. We must have seemed crazy to them driving up the mountain.
We made it home, this is the smoke from the top of our street. We put our fire plan into action again, it's become a routine now. Hosed down the house and garden and waited, it was a very long night. During the daylight hours you're comforted by the sounds of the helicopter water bombers over head, while they're working you know lots of water's quelling the fire, but once nightfall approaches they have to stop as they can't work in the dark and the pressure is on. It's hard to see the burning embers in the dark until they actually catch a hold.
We were very lucky the wind kept the fire to the west of us and with 300 fire fighters working through the night they had it contained by morning. It's still burning at present but is well under control, the test returns on Friday when the temperature is set to rise to 38c and the winds are from the north, I'm not sure yet if we'll hang around to fight it, depends on the day.
Luckily no lives were lost in this fire, three fire officers were burnt but not badly, buildings were lost and the photo above from our local newspaper shows what's left of one of the fire trucks. Luckily no one was injured when it caught on fire.
There's a new slogan going around at the moment 'you have to have nerves of steel to live in Victoria' and I think it's starting to take it's toll on all of us. Hurry up winter.
I still managed to get a commission finished. The necklace was for Jo to wear for the opening of her exhibition with Janette, Carolyn, Trish and Cathy. We went to the opening tonight, it was fabulous, such a wonderful variety of work from five very talented ladies. It was great to see lots of red dots on the works too in the current economic situation. It's not hard to see why, the standard of the work was brilliant. The ladies all looked resplendent in their opening finery. A great turn out of people too.
40 comments:
It must be awful for you...it's just been so long now that Victorians have been living with the strain of fires...hope things improve quickly...
The necklace is wonderful...just the sort of accessory to wear to an exhibition opening..
Saying a prayer for your safety and the safety of your home.
(((hugs)))
oo Ro you make me shudder with your report. What a strain on you all. It's amazing you manage to be creative at all with all that constant pressure. Beautiful necklace btw.
How terrifying!!! I know just how this feels!! I can remember seeing tornado's bearing down on the area where our home was located in OKLahoma- your heart is in your throat!!! I just pray that the temps stay down and the helicopters and firefighters can get to the fires quickly!! Keep carving your glorious stamps and creating your wonderful wrapped beads!! you are in my thoughts and prayers and you WILL get through this!!
Big Hugs!
Elizabeth
There is a resolve about you; keeping your home safe, finishing Jo’s stunning necklace, keeping up with your life, keeping a watchful eye on the fires. We are having rain today and I wish I could send some your way. I send positive thoughts for you, your family and neighbors, and your homes.
Ro I am so very sorry that you are facing this yet again. My heart and prayers go out to you. What a beautiful necklace you have created in the midst of this pressure filled time.
Oh dear me, I don't know what to say except thank goodness this time you are safe. I pray for all.
Prayers from all of us here in Oregon. I so hope there is a reprieve in your predicted temperatures. "Nerves of steel." - borne of fire? You could work the slogan into your work, because I'm sure your nerves are strong. The necklace is lovely, btw, and I envy the wearer. It is sure to be one of the hits of the show (even though not part of it) and hopefully get you notices, too.
dear Ro - so horrifying- this constant fear on a daily basis and still your life must go on - stay safe - you are in our prayers daily - on a lighter side, your creation for Jo is just amazing! how happy it must have made her....
Praying for your and yours to be save. That your home will be spared and that of many others too. I am soo sorry for all that's happening out there.....please be save?!
Andrea.
Oh be safe - I cannot say more than that I will be thinking of you. How brave to sit there and finish your commission when you must have been terrified.
Be strong Ro and stay safe--let's hope the weather forcasters got it wrong for Friday.
Oh Ro - how terrible for you! I have been thinking of you a lot this week and praying you (and your home) were safe.
Thank you for sharing photo's and letting us know what is happening.
It must be very hard to sleep with all of this going on.
I am so pleased you are continuing to create art. The necklace you created for your friend is stunning!
Take good care
Dot xx
I echo your call to roll on winter. I don't know how you are coping with this worry. I pray that you and your home will keep safe.
I heard on the grapevine, that you were going through this terror yet again, but to see it in pictures brings it all to life, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband, lets hope that tomorrow doesn't dish up anymore nightmares.
I love the necklace Ro and I'm sure that Jo must be thrilled with the end result.
Oh my goodness. I hope you stay safe. I don't know how you can concentrate on creativity under such conditions.
i cant even imagine what this must be like for you ro, i feel helpless watching you guys go through this, stay safe chickie!!!
this latest jewelry piece is stunning, your best yet i think :)) xx
take good care of yourself and your family.
what a fabulous necklace. wow!!! and, thank you for stopping by my blog today.
Oh Ro, I was so hoping this was over for you all. How fearful this must be. And tiring. My thoughts are with you. I'm hoping you and yours are spared.
The necklace is really cool! They look like museum pieces.
OMG...Ro, where have I been? Not checking blogs, certainly.
I am so sorry to hear that you have had such a difficult time. No pun intended, but you seem to have "weathered" it well, with creativity and spirit.
Your necklace for Jo is spectacular. I LOVE the wrapped beads. The color and texture are superb.
I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
xxoo Karen
I am so glad you are safe. The necklace for Jo is outstanding! Awesome piece, but I would expect nothing but the best! Just wanted to get a smile out of you. :-)
Your Nerves of Steel are certainly in demand right now. I hope the trauma is soon over for you and that life becomes safe again.
Awful to hear the fire news. I hope you get a chance to rest those nerves of steel once this is all over.
Really love the necklace you made for Jo. It's perfect.
Thankyou for coming on Wed. Jo's necklace was perfect.It was such a special and emotional night.
You know you are in my thoughts today
If I could I'll share some rain with you. I hope you are safe.
Gorgeous necklace, love the fabric beads!
Ro, this makes me cry. I'm very sorry. I wish you all the best through this and lots of hugs.
That commissioned piece is really gorgeous. Lucky Jo. I wear your bracelet all the time and get lots of compliments. It's so comfortable and a stand-out. You are a kind and generous soul, and you don't need me to tell you how talented you are!
Such an awful situation. So glad you are safe and sound.
I am so glad you and your house are safe! Your nerves must be raw by now. I am praying for you too, and the necklace you made is too beautiful for words... I wish for you a cooler weekend and the smoke to dissipate... Roxanne
It is no fun what you are going through. I live in the hills in
central Calif USA near Yosemite.
Last summer we had major fires.
I hope this all ends soon for you.
Keeping you in my prayers
My heart really goes out to all of the people and animals who have been affected by these terrible fires. It is just so heartbreaking.
I haven't been around much of late but you have been in my thoughts.
Stay well and safe.
hugs
xo
Oh Ro I cannot believe your house was somewhere in that smoke ,Im grateful you are okay.We had a bad fire up here at Daylesford the smoke plume was frightening
Jen
How sad for you to be on red alert constantly! Please keep us informed on your world.
Ro...what a roller coaster we have all been through...that fire was just too close to you, thank goodness your OK.
Having a cup of tea with you the night before the show was really wonderful. I could have chatted all night.
And your necklace is just the most beautiful piece. I felt very special wearing it. I love it...thank you lovely Ro.
You really must have nerves of steel. As another commenter said - a resolve to still be able to work and create with that worry! Lovely necklace. Stay safe.
Kathleen (New Zealand)
Oh goodness I really hope you are OK, it must be having a devastating effect on you with all the destruction around and so close. To close for comfort that's for sure!!!! It is really hard that you have to go through this again. Please look after yourself!
The fire news is so disturbing Ro. It must be extremely stressful for you.
Jo's necklace is a masterpiece. I'm sure it brought her a combination of calm, joy and luck on opening night.
Thank goodness for the reduced fire danger now due to the lower temperatures...do you usually have fires in winter or is it more these awful temperatures?
Lovely necklace...glad to see you had some fun things to do as well. Hope your next project survived the weather too.
doesn't Johnny Depp wear some of these in "Pirates of the Caribbean"?
Hi Nabeel, come to think of it I think he does wear something similar, I loved how he looked so maybe subconsciously I incorporated it into this piece.
Oh! Ro
How terrible for you!
God bless you.
Thank you for sharing photo's and letting us know what is happening.
It must be very hard time.
I am so pleased that you and your home were safe.
Take care
<:(
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