It is going from bad to worse.

Thank you to all those who have left comments here, or emailed me to express concern about the bushfires here in Victoria. I guess I don't need to tell you much, as I believe we are making headlines around the world, but being right here where events are unfolding before our eyes, it is a terrible time to be living through. Nearly 200 people dead, approximately 5000 homeless, and an enormous area of our State has been completely burnt out. The only positive aspect of the bush being burnt, is that in Australia, it is nature's way of regenerating new growth in our native trees and plants. They rely on fire to do this.

Like 9/11, the media is playing everything over and over, full on - videos of the fires, burnt out houses and cars, people in the burns unit of the hospital, animals being brought into care - birds with their feathers burnt off, animals with burnt paws and singed fur, and interviews with survivors.

Ken went down to our local CFA (Country Fire Authority) last night, to see if they need any extra 'hands on deck', and the man he spoke to said if Eltham comes under ember attack from the nearest fires on a windy day, we'll go up in flames like Kinglake. We live among so many trees, and everything is so dry after years of drought. The fires are creeping closer to us whenever there is a windchange in our direction - town by town.
I have a list of things to pack if it comes to the crunch:
Cat in her carry cage.
Handbag containing wallet, cheque book, keys, diary, address book.
Mobile Phone and charger
Ken’s laptop. My computer memory stick.
Torches
Bottled water or other drinks, and energy snacks.
Medications and scripts.
Briefcase containing important papers such as:
Birth certificate
Wedding certificate
Current Insurance Policies
Current car and bike registrations
Utilities receipts, rates notice
Current bank statements.
Essential clothing for both of us - undies, slacks, tops, waterproof jackets
My framed embroidered pictures off the wall.
As much of my antique linen as I can pack into cardboard boxes
Have I forgotten anything?

Ken says he would have to open his aviaries to let the birds free to fend for themselves. I'll never forget seeing film of a bird breeder whose aviaries were destroyed in a bushfire a few years ago; he was crying over the loss of his beloved birds which had been all burnt alive in their cages..I told Ken we could put them all in boxes or carry cages, but he said it would take too long to catch them all. Sometimes you've only got minutes to evacuate your home.

I know many of my blog friends have deep religious beliefs. Would you consider praying for us? We need lots of rain, and we don't need wind at all. That's it - not too much to ask, is it? Thank you.