The breeze whispers through the top of the
gum trees and the kookaburras are silent now, smoke haze fills the air. It is mid-morning
and a small fire-sun glows brightly through the thick clouds above, the pungent
stench of bushfire scratches our throats as we breathe in. This is holidaying
in East Gippsland at the moment. Fortunate enough to be able to still enjoy a
break by the beach, I am joined by my husband, daughter Bek, son Haydn and his
family Belinda (partner) and daughters Milah and Tyla, along with friends Carol
and Zac.
Earlier in the week, I left the caravan
park, as the fires encroached on the perimeter of the township, expecting to return
later that night. It would be 48 hours later before were able to get through
after emergency services re-opened the highway. Many towns are still under imminent
fire threat and isolated from main centres. With temperatures again set to soar
on Saturday, bringing strong northerly winds and creating a potential catastrophe
for firefighters and communities, the threat is far from over. Photos flood Facebook
and social media sites, depicting black skies in the middle of the day; town
centres decimated by fire and firefighters exhausted from their ongoing battles
against the ferocity of nature.
The tourist towns are not only impacted by
embers, fear and grief but will also suffer financial loss due to the evacuation
of thousands of tourists. This will have a ripple of effects for months to come
and all our hearts ache for the many people who suffer at the hands of this natural
disaster. To date, three people have lost their lives and four are unaccounted
for, homes and structures have also burnt. The number of animals perished is
impossible to count. Farmers forced to euthanise scorched livestock is heart
wrenching and another factor in the increasing suicide rate. The hurt is
unrelenting. While we sit here around our recycled timber trestle table playing
with play-dough, reading a novel and scrolling through phones, emergency alerts
in the background remind us of the plights of our fellow families who will not
have the luxury of rest or relaxation this Christmas season.
As I type away, my granddaughter is busy
creating with play-dough, her sister sleeps soundly inside the van. Life is slow
paced here. A nice reprieve from normal day to day that seems to function on
fast forward. It is hard to imagine that I will start a new job in a few days
and commence a new professional adventure. I am not sure how ready I am for
this. On the home front, renovations are incomplete and Daryl and I will get
stuck into the remaining painting after this week. Without a lounge room and
painting paraphernalia on every other surface it is frustrating to live in this
space. Daryl is mindful of the need to focus on some more outside tasks, fencing,
and wood clearing a priority. To date, we have had six Tiger snakes near our
house or chook pen, they have been relocated and are not welcome in these zones.
With more extreme heat expected over the
course of the next two months our cattle are always of concern, thankfully
enjoying the shade and protection of the morass at this time, our 18 remaining
cows and 14 calves are looking healthy and content. Water is our highest priority
at this time of year, for stock, gardens and trees. Keeping them well hydrated
is the difference between them surviving or not. Our two cats, who were
boarding at our neighbours cattery, were returned home the other day as temperatures
soared into the low 40’s. Unable to keep cool they retreated to the air-conditioning
in our bedroom for a brief period. This probably saved them. Our dogs were
brought inside and happily snoozed on the concrete as a nice respite from the
hot winds, gusting through the property. Even the alpacas came running for
water they could lie in. The bees battled the heat, despite the gazebo overtop
to shade them, which eventually was shredded in the relenting wind. Our bees
have also provided us with more honey, pure liquid gold. Daryl was able to use
his new bee keeper suit, which he got for Christmas, and for the first time did
not get stung for his efforts.
Daryl and Milah with Zac have gone for a
stroll on the beach. No doubt another batch of shells will be brought back to add to the collection. The smoke haze is still settled, with the tree tops barely
swaying in the breeze, the magpies warbling is the only music we can hear for
now. Farming, work and responsibilities are far from our minds. For now, it is
about family and friends and filling our minds and bodies with mindfulness and
fun.
Until next time,
N
