I'm in no danger, but am terrified.

I am a long way (2000 miles) from where Cyclone Yasi is expected to land within the next 24 hours, but I can't begin to imagine how the people in Qld. must be feeling. Ken and I called all our friends up there tonight. Most of them live in the southern end of Qld, and said they should be okay, but one of my friends lives in Charters Towers, which is nearly 100 miles inland, but on a direct path of the cyclone. Mary is like so many other Queenslanders, philosophical because 'they live with cyclones' as she said. But she admitted that this one has her very frightened. She lives on her own, but said her sister is picking her up tonight and taking her to their home. Not that it would be any safer - they are in the same town, but Mary thinks her sister just wants them to be together.


I am not a religious person, but in my own way I'll be praying tonight and tomorrow for the state of Qld. and its people. Anyone reading this who has any beliefs at all, I beg you also to add your prayers. They are going to need more than prayers, and the rest of Australia will be there to help pick up the pieces, but after seeing what happened in New Orleans after Katrina, it will take many years to recover.

The Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's heritage sites - might not exist after this week.