General Chat

(((((HUGS))))) Mick. I've already put my comment on FB, but we're thinking of you. You're a brave and strong man, but you're allowed to feel too. Take all the time you need. xxx

Thank you all for your kind thoughts.

I have just forced myself to watch the documentary on TV
tonight - "Inside the Firestorm".

xxxxxxx mick

Yes......best wishes Mick, and to all those who lost family and friends in the Victorian Black Saturday fires.

Black Saturday 2009
Bushfires erupted in areas to the north and east of the state capital of Melbourne, razing 450,000 hectares (1.1 million acres) of land as temperatures soared as high as 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit). Fanned by winds as strong as 125 kilometers (78 miles) an hour, the fires gutted more than 2,000 homes,injuring 5,000 and killing 173 people in Australia’s Victoria state.

February 7 will forever be etched in the nation’s memory as a day of mourning, but also one of tremendous spirit and inspiration,” The tragedy brought out the best of the Australian character and inspired countless acts of bravery and generosity.”

Just to put into perspective, the area razed ( 450,000 hectares ) is approx the same land area in hectares of Co.Kerry in Ireland ( 481,494 )

A sad day for all Aussies.....God bless all those that perished.


Tony ( Victoria )

The anniversary has been in our paper here today Mick and on our TV tonight - I still can't get over the fact how hard the fires hit Kinglake and Marysville as I had only been there five months earlier on a visit.

I can understand how you feel today - and may Victoria or anywhere else never have to go through that again. I hope that things can only get better for you now.
As Allan says " What a hell of an anniversary"

Perse from across the ditch.

I am so glad you are still with us, Mick and what a struggle the last year must have been for you. BC XX

Mick,

my thoughts are with you and all those affected by the fires of last year.

What a h*ll of an anniversary.

Take care Mate!

Allan

Best wishes for a fire-free life, Mick.

Huia.

Mick, I am glad you are still around to post messages and hope you never again have to go through what you and all your friends and fellow countrymen suffered last year. Sad though it is, I suppose people will feel safer in their steel and sandstone house and that's the main thing but losing picturesque and familiar buildings etc is heartbreaking.

Glad you have managed to rebuild most of the things you lost - even tho they may look a bit characterless at the mo, in a few years they will have blended into their surroundings as the other buildings and fence did I hope. At least your shack is purpose built and you can spend time away from the main house again.

take care
Lizxxx

Bless you,Mick-at least you survived those terrible fires on Black Saturday last year,and have managed to rebuild your life,house,outbuildings,goat sheds,fences etc. again,like Phoenix from the ashes.Let's hope that terrible day is never repeated again.I hope your goats are enjoying their new home,lol,:)))

Best wishes, Margot.

((((((hugs)))))))

Can't imagine what you went through, just so pleased that we've had your company for the last year :)

Take care xxxx

It will take time to all come back together Mick. I can't believe it is a year. The main thing is that you were safe. Nature being what it is more trees will grow, and pray it doesn't happen again.

((((((hugs))))))

One year since the Apocalypse.

Everything looks so green from the good summer rains this year.
But there are so many dead trees everywhere.

I have a new farm shed, a new goat shed, new fences – though the
fences will never be as good as they were before the fires –
You can’t redo 20 years work in a few months..

I built a little shack down the paddock to replace my old caravan,
And often spend the night down there.

There are some new houses around me, but most people
are still living in sheds and caravans.

A lovely little timber house on the edge of the burnt forest
has been rebuilt in steel and sandstone
– they will never burn again!

But I just feel so sad – I really don’t want to go anywhere or see anyone today.


Xxxxxxx mick

Good luck with the new goat shed......you may find you've got a few visitors with those amenities lol

Hi Mick, glad you are getting straight again, can I book a goat shed, one with ensuite please lol

Lizx

Are there different breeds of goat in australia? We used to keep Saanen and Anglo nubian. One of my favourite creatures.

Great to hear from you Mick. Glad things are getting better for you. It's lots of hard work but it will be worth it. Lucky goats by the way.

Take care hun.

Dianne xx

Delighted you have finished the fencing, Mick, and as for the planned luxury goatsheds.....well it makes me sorry I am not a goat:-)) Take care. BC X

Hi there Mick.

I have been wondering how you have been getting on. If it wasnt for my OH's alzheimers I would love to offer to have you or anybody else who needs a holiday from the charred landscape to come over here. Best of luck for the future.

Huia.

Hi Mick
Glad things are getting back to some sort of normality for you. Hope that goes for your neighbours as well. Lovely to have an update.
Tina x

Just to let you know that after 65 days,

I have finally finished repairing my fences!

(or at least all I can be bothered doing this millenium!)

Some kind people with a tractor took away the charred
remains of my caravan and stock trailer today.

Now I just have to build a new goat shed before 1/6/09.
This one will be bigger and better with ensuites to each stall
cable TV, and sauna and swiimming pool.

xxxxx mick