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.
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