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I feel incredibly privileged to have such wonderful friends on my flist. I want to hug all of you.
The fires here have been utterly devastating. And came way too close for comfort! Back in 1983, during the Ash Wednesday fires, ash and embers were carrying all the way from Anglesea to the city centre. I remember standing outside work (in East Melbourne), watching the ash fall. It scared the shit out of me then, and felt like the end of the world. So I was well aware how far ahead of the main fire the ash and embers could fly... and we were definitely in range this time. Fortunately for us, the wind was blowing it east of us, but what a subjective fortune. :~( The lives lost are almost inconprehensible. 181 people dead so far.
My friend, June, who breeds birds, and whom we bought Buffy from, had only recently moved to Kinglake West, lost her house, 3 cats, an eclectus, and a 4wk old sun conure. But thankfully she and her family are alive, as are most of her flock.
I found out tonight, that a friend of a friend, who no one could contact for days and we were all imagining the worst, finally got through on the phone. She and her family are fine, and they managed to save their house! But their neighbours were not so lucky: they fled at the last minute and were part of the 4 car pile-up on one of the roads. The tragic irony is that the neighbour's house survived. So if he had stayed with it, he'd still be alive. :~(
This photo was taken from Carmel's house by her daughter a couple of nights ago. Bushfire cloud hanging overhead.
The fires here have been utterly devastating. And came way too close for comfort! Back in 1983, during the Ash Wednesday fires, ash and embers were carrying all the way from Anglesea to the city centre. I remember standing outside work (in East Melbourne), watching the ash fall. It scared the shit out of me then, and felt like the end of the world. So I was well aware how far ahead of the main fire the ash and embers could fly... and we were definitely in range this time. Fortunately for us, the wind was blowing it east of us, but what a subjective fortune. :~( The lives lost are almost inconprehensible. 181 people dead so far.
My friend, June, who breeds birds, and whom we bought Buffy from, had only recently moved to Kinglake West, lost her house, 3 cats, an eclectus, and a 4wk old sun conure. But thankfully she and her family are alive, as are most of her flock.
I found out tonight, that a friend of a friend, who no one could contact for days and we were all imagining the worst, finally got through on the phone. She and her family are fine, and they managed to save their house! But their neighbours were not so lucky: they fled at the last minute and were part of the 4 car pile-up on one of the roads. The tragic irony is that the neighbour's house survived. So if he had stayed with it, he'd still be alive. :~(
This photo was taken from Carmel's house by her daughter a couple of nights ago. Bushfire cloud hanging overhead.
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It's just so, so awful.
I've heard back from all our family and friends in Melbourne and they're all okay but I just feel so heartsick.
I feel so useless.
I was so pleased to hear that your friend and her family survived with most of her animals.
I feel so helpless up here. I've been part of the walking parties that go through the burnt out areas looking for injured wildlife up here in the past.
I wish you and Carmel speedy recoveries
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It's terrible about her home, cats and birds, but at least she's safe.
*hugs you gently*
Hope you're recovering well.
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it's good to hear from you, leela.
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(((hugs and never lets go)))
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*so many hugs*
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It must be quite horrible to live through something like this...
Wishing you the best!
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And a larger hug from a Southern California transplant who understands a tiny piece of what your region is going through.
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Thanks for the update, sweetie. Stay safe!
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The news, pictures and reports in TV are devastating. What a tragedy for Austaralia. I'm so sorry.
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*hugs you*
oh my god, if embers were raining down around me i would feel like it was the end of the world as well! oh man. oh man. i hope you stay safe! :(
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We'll pray for those who died from these fires, as well as their families.
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Look at that picture. Scary. And the video people have shot when they were in their houses that has been popping up on current affairs shows - absolutely terrifying.
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