This time last year, I was bemoaning the chilly summer days in our new country home, wondering if we'd ever be properly warm again. After the past few weeks, I realise that dead-of-winter cold isn't the only thing this region does well.
A pre-planned trip to Sydney with my girls meant we were in the big city for yesterday's outrageous 43-degree day. It also meant we inadvertently avoided a "catastrophic fire danger" in our village.
We kept cool with a trip to the aquarium, a splash in a water park, and easy time and catch-ups in the air-conditioned kitchens of friends. Oh, how I love to while away time in the kitchens of friends, cup of coffee or glass of wine in front of me, children playing happily (or otherwise) nearby.
I had a fright in the middle of the day, a text message from a local friend saying there was a fire on our street. I imagined the worst. I've seen the news for enough summers in this country.
It was a grass fire, quickly contained, a couple of blocks from our home. A near escape. Others haven't been so lucky. Thank goodness for the cool change today.
I had a fright in the middle of the day, a text message from a local friend saying there was a fire on our street. I imagined the worst. I've seen the news for enough summers in this country.
It was a grass fire, quickly contained, a couple of blocks from our home. A near escape. Others haven't been so lucky. Thank goodness for the cool change today.
It looks like you all had a lovely watery day.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pics!
I grew up on the North Shore of Sydney we had national park at the bottom of the garden and fire at the back door several times.... but we were so lucky not once did we have damage to the house. I remember after one fire all the swimming pools ours included were empty, the firies had pumped out the water to fight the fire.
Have a beautiful week and keep cool
xo
So relieved to breathe all that fresh air today. I have to say I used the word 'chilly' more than once as my mum and I went for a walk at a nearby beach!
ReplyDeleteit does look lovely - and from a decidedly chilly (and damp) January day in London, in my thermals, the Australian summer seems like a dream.
ReplyDeleteI am glad your local fire did not do too much damage. It must be frightening for that to be a real possibility.
(and my kiddo, G, also loves those push down water fountains in the playground - I've given up trying to stop him when it's cold and wet, now I just put him in the waterproof suit and let him have at it.)
Things are just heating up here in Brisbane...and it is supposed to remain hot and sticky until Monday.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I should be used to it after six years here but I must admit that I am a bit jealous hearing about the cool breezes a bit further south!
seems like most of australia is sweltering right now. we haven't had it too bad where we are getting a sea breeze each day but i am sure our share of hot northerly winds are yet to come, probably in feb when school goes back. keep cool x
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear the fire was quickly contained. All the fires in Australia are so scary! Hope the temperature drops a bit - that sort of heat must be unbearable.x
ReplyDeleteOh I hope the fire danger stays very far away from you. Lovely photos of it being so hot out. It's going to be 46 degrees here today but that is in fahrenheit!!!
ReplyDeleteYour intense heat has been making our news here, I'm glad there's some relief on its way.
ReplyDeleteStay safe!
I heard on the news this morning that the weather reporters there are putting a new color on their maps to represent the heat. I don't know what it is in Celsius, but in Fahrenheit they were saying 120-129--yowsers! Stay cool and stay safe!
ReplyDeleteI have been watching the fire maps worrying about friends in your area, I can't get over how hot it is there! May the cool change and under control fires last!
ReplyDeleteThe heat is certainly becoming unbearable isn't it? Sounds like you made the best of the day though...thank goodness the fire wasn't worse...can only imagine the fear you felt x
ReplyDeleteOoosh, the heat certainly is very extreme. Your photos look like you spent it in the nicest possible way - they look lovely. So glad you escaped the fires. We are surrounded by smoke at the moment but the two fires in the vicinity are small and contained. So hoping for a big rain and some cool!
ReplyDeleteI've just recently found your blog via Christina and I've really enjoyed reading through your archives, I love your writing and your photos are gorgeous. I'm a mum of twins also, my girls are 8 years old now, and your sweet girls remind me a lot of their younger days...they certainly make life interesting don't they?! I'm reading a book on Shetland lace and it's got a passage on how the Shetland knitters strapped their knitting to themselves so they could knit while getting on with all their crofting chores - it reminded me of one of your posts :)
ReplyDeleteI was wondering how you guys were faring with the fires. SO pleased to hear danger was averted and you all managed to keep reasonably cool & composed :-) Belinda x
ReplyDeleteBoy it was hot. And how scary about the fire. Happy happy new year to you, Greer. Kellie xx
ReplyDelete43 degrees, wow, that's hot. Really hot! You've been in my thoughts lately as the bush fires have been headline news over here. How frightening for you. But thank goodness you're all ok. x
ReplyDeleteGlad your house was okay Greer x
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