Catching up with some family who had come over to Melbourne from Adelaide. What a hot weekend for them to visit.

Tahlia catching bubbles

Nate blowing bubbles

Some hope amongst the bushfires. A rainbow amongst the smoke. Nige took this photo.

Renee had a birthday this week. Just celebrated with a quiet evening at home and after all the hype and stress of the bushfires we sat down and enjoyed a movie. Nige made a black forest cake and everyone enjoyed his masterpiece.

Happy birthday mummy! The girls.

Nige has been in training for his tri-athalon which is this weekend. He has to be there at 5:30am!! So there is no way we can get the kids up at that time so sad to say Renee and the kids will not be able to watch him preform. Will have to get some of his team mates to get some pics.

Also Happy Birthday to Nanny, Grandad, Aunty Karen, great Aunty Gayle, great cousion Leonie (21st birthday) and hope you all had a wonderful day... love Nate and Tahlia...

Fires are still burning and we have had some days with smoke and others you would not even know there was a fire. Other then when you hear a fire engine screaming down the street.

Monday there was major fires in the Dandenongs and today there were risks with the weather but it was a good day and no major fires. Have had Elvis fly directly over our place a few times, so much so that the kids now think every helicopter is Elivs and Nate keeps saying " I love Elivs" (the helicopter not the singer)...

Please keep the fire fighters in our prayers as they continue to battle these blazes. And also to those who may be at risk. And also for some much needed rain. Everything is just so dry.

Black Saturday 7th Feb 2009

I am sure most of you have heard about the heartache that Black Saturday as it has been called brought on Victoria about a week or so go now. How can you not miss it, it has been all over the news, newspapers, and a topic of conversations when you meet people. Each have their own story to tell on that day. And we want to share ours. Nothing compared to what those who were in the middle of the flames.

I am sure it is not one we are ever going to forget. Such sorrow, loss to both homes, families and our native wildlife. It will take a long time to rebuild the towns such as Narbathong, Marysville and Kinglake (and surrounds) which were wiped out in the bushfires.

On the Thursday before the fires they were saying Saturday was to be 32 and fine. I remember Grandma (great-grandma to the kids) was supposed to be heading down to Wilson's Prom for a day trip with the group she attends. The Prom is still on fire as l type.

Then Friday came and the weather report changed saying it was to be 42, with severe heat, strong winds and could even be a day worse then Ash Wednesday. I do not remember Ash Wednesday as l would have been about 4 or 5 at the time when it hit Victoria. 75 lost their lives that day, 40 of them being from Victoria. And back in 1939 we had Black Friday where about 70 lost their lives.

They kept reporting the weather when they could and advising to stay indoors if possible as it would be too hot and to stay off the road if possible.

We thought we would take the kids to the pools in the morning to cool off and to make the most of the fact that it was a weekend and Nige could come along with us (too hard for me to take 2 kids to the pools on my own). So we went to the pools for a few hours and were back at home by 11:30am.

I remember thinking it was hot on the way to the pools and by 9am it was already in the high 30s and very windy. You know that hot wind that blows in the face and makes your eyes water. It was still very windy when we came out and in fact could have even picked up as it was blowing bark and leaves off the trees everywhere. And seeing we had already had 3 days of 43 a week or so back the leaves on trees had dried up. It looked like autumn was early with leaves scattered all over the road.

We got back home and went to check outside. The wind was howling in the yard and the sky was a dark dusty colour. On exploring the yard l was shocked to find embers on the grass. Bits of blackened leaves and bark from the fires. And they still had the burnt stentch on them. The kids had fun picking up bits and pieces and stored them in a jar. We just could not believe we had bits of ember and no idea where they had come from. But also was not surprised as the wind was very very strong.

The wind howling and the dark grey sky about 12noon on Black Saturday


We had lunch and then after that we were all worn out from the pools so everyone had an afternoon nap. Woke around 3pm to find the wind still howling and the sky an eerie red colour. I have never seen anything like it before.

I am sure it was then that we knew there were bushfires in Kilmore, but l do not think we ever knew the drama that was occuring and how it would effect both us, Victoria and the world.

The Sky got darker and red.

We took the next lot while we went out to get dinner. Little did we know just how bad and how many lives were lost at the time while we were out. No-one knew at the time just have serious the fires were at this time.

Looking over the Yarra Valley, smoke fills the sky... it was dark but l can't even imagine how dark it would have been up in kinglake.

Fire Eninge on the move.. out to fight the fire.

Some smoke over near Healesville.

Got home with our chips and chicken to find a small blaze up behind us. Was a bit too close to home and not a ncie way to end the day.

But over the next few days we learnt just what the fire left or did not leave in its path as it roared through much bushland, homes, towns and lives.

A day we will not forget in a long time. Thinking of those who have suffered from this terrible day and to our brave fire fighters.... God bless you all.

Wonnangatta weekend Day 1

Over the Australia Day long weekend we took off to the High Country for a fun filled 4 day weekend in the bush. We had a convoy of 6 cars. This is the first time we have been away for a weekend with a group of people. It was a lot of fun and can't wait to go again.

Left around 8am and drove to Renee's mum & dad's to meet them there. Headed off to Tralagong Vic, where we stopped to get more fuel, have our lunch and buy some more supplies for the weekend. No shops where we were going.

Chilling out with Uncle

Caught up with the rest of our crew (well almost, we kept moving as the kids were cranky and due for a nap). So we all met up in Licola.

The river at Licola.

Got to Licola and it was rather warm there already. So everyone made the most of the little general store and grabbed some ice-creams. Licola is a small town consisting of a general store, a caravan park and a camp. It is the last stop for fuel and food before you head up into the high country either to Howitt or Jamieson.

This little town has suffered a lot lately, with the bushfires that raged through back 2007. As well as the floods which washed away the only way into town. They have suffered a lot as tourists have not been able to get in or out of the town. Hopefully that will soon change and business will pick up for them.

The convoy

Once everyone had filled up with fuel and cooled down with either an ice cream or drink we were on our way for the first stop at Howitt Hut. Was a lot cooler up on the mountain then it was down in Licola. First stop was a look out. Stopped here and let the tyres down and took some photos of the amazing views. it was such a clear day.

The wonderful views across to Lake Tali Karng

Headed back further up the mountain and stopped at another look out (can't remember the name) but some amazing views and you felt like you were on the edge of the world.

Another lookout view (with Nige and Dave at the tip of the cliff).




Nige and Renee



Amazing views.

Arrived at Howitt Hut in the late afternoon. Set up camp and then explored Howitt Hut and surrounds. Howitt Hut was built in the 1900s by the Byrce family who used it for shelter when moving their cattle.

Now days horsemen/women, 4x4'ers or hikers are able to use the hut to shelter in from the sudden change in weather that is rather common in these parts of the mountains.

Howitt Hut

No electricty here.

Nanny, Tahlia and Aunty Tori.

After dinner around the fire place, and Nate (spiderman) and Tahlia in bed worn out after a busy day we sat around toasting marshmallows and enjoying the clear star filled sky. Now you do not get this in the suburbs.

Tahlia admiring the wild flowers

We were even given a amazing light show with a thunder storm in the early hours of the next morning. Its amazing being out in the high country during one of these storms. But we did wake with a clear and sunny start to the next day.