FIRE!!!

Oh lord where do I begin?

Record temperatures scorched Melbourne yesterday and we awoke to a breeze coming through the tiny shed window , which unusually didn't give that cool waft we are used to. Instead I can only describe it as... hot.

Throughout the morning the breeze turned to almost gale force, and really hot. We had fires on either side of us but each about maybe 30km away but hard to tell. There had been a big fire about 20km away last week but somehow with the freakish wind and branches falling everywhere this felt more ominous.

At this point I can not tell you how beautiful the people are here. Although I do mention ealirer how over excited these Victorians get over sport (I say this in fun) the country folk here are just wonderful and so grounded in a crisis. By midday two neighbours had visited to check on the "newbies"and make sure we are prepared with good advice for what to look out for. Another two phone calls come with offers to come to their place , who are more fire prepared than us. I am so thankful to be with these generous people; they are kind and thoughtful and nothing is too much trouble. (Although I must admit to calling my cousin Mark from the UK, who migrated here 18 months ago and living nearby, and ask what the "f#@*" have we done to our lives moving here mate? He laughs!)

At this point Greg and I decide to get fire ready as the real threat is embers flying from the fire and starting another spot fire, as the fire comes closer, perhaps 12km away. The sun goes red and the smoke gets thick and there is black ash falling. My eyes sting from the smoke and my throat hurts and we sweat under the heavy clothing you need to wear should fire break out (although counting the calories I am burning by running around in 40 degree temperature in denim jeans and praying my thighs will get thinner). We can hear the fire choppers in the distance as the wind drops and an eery silence envelops the gully

I'm not scared as there is no great threat but you have to be ready to go in a moment (I am still trying to figure out how we would get 8 people, 2 bunnies, a galah, an axolotyl, a snake , two lizards and our 2 alpacas into the van but you haven't seen me pack a suitcase!) We clear the veranda, flood the gutters with water and keep a vigilant eye on the gully , one ember and the whole place would be up in a flash.

For every 10 degrees of slope uphill the fire speed doubles and ours is a bloody steep slope. I am apprehensive and cautious. I am also muttering and cursing my real estate agent for his comments about "never having a bushfire here in at least 80 years" , oh and my favourite "it doesn't get too hot here, especially on top of the hill like you are" my arse! If I had of known it gets this hot I'd have bought a house with a pool!

I don't want to be overly dramatic here as so many have lost their lives, and many more their homes, and many more again needed evacuation and saw the horror first hand. Our only view of the fires was from the top of the property, ironically where we hope to build our home, and as the sun dropped, in the darkness the glow in the distance was unmistakable.

The Ulladulla factor

You might be wondering what on earth is Sue on about now, what is an Ulladulla factor? I'll enlighten you...

My brother, Robert, lives on the south coast of NSW in a rural town called Ulladulla. He coined this term and now I will steal it from him and embellish it a little

He has often spoken of people in his small town getting very excited about their children's accomplishments in sport (nothing wrong with that to a degree), with the belief that their child is destined for sporting fame, if they are successful in their country town. He often speaks of how kids from Sydney might visit his town , say for a tennis comp, and the country child prodigy then gets smashed by the city sider, and everone is left perplexed and heart broken.

My kids are swimmers and coming from Sydney they, and I, know what sort of competition is out there, so we are lucky . However, I can't help but feel sorry for all these great kids doing well at their sport, here in country Victoria, and bewildered when the family and friends get over excited about it. Perhaps it has something to do with the enormous celebrations and chanting before the swim meet begins? I feel like I am a rebel breakaway in a scientology cult.

Its a big, big world out there and I see other parents looking at Greg and I, perplexed at our lack of excitement at our kids recent achievements at the Country Swim Championships, when they are in tears when their child medals in a relay. Don't get me wrong, any kid participating in sport is fantastic in my view, but I refer to the sporting parent who believes their child will be the next Michael Phelps for winning gold at a local meet and booking their tickets for the London 2012 games....The Ulladulla factor.

Its not just us avoiding the Ulladulla factor but a cultural difference .You see here they are mad AFL fans (yes I know I am too) but the mad cheering you see on the TV isn't just reserved for the AFL but for basically anything! Yep, anything. Even the smallest of achievements gets a grandstand full of parents screaming and cheering like its the AFL grandfinal. I am convinced if there were 2 flies walking up a handrail the crowd would start baracking and cheering on one or the other to make it to the top first. Some even had mega phones,no lie, to cheer their child on from the bleechers! This is nice... I think?... In fact to be honest I am not sure. I dont know if I am just the big city reserved type or if I am just more realistic and aware of the big world out there so reluctant to get too excited.

Anyway I can finally relate to what my brother has been bewidered about for ages. You defiantly see the world as much bigger when you move from city to country. I just hope the bubbles don't burst too soon and they enjoy it while it lasts.