In remembrance of the victims of the victorian bushfires

We are trying to create a sea of yellow ribbons across the world in remembrance of the victims of the Victorian Bushfires.

So please copy the ribbon and put it on your blog in remembrance of the victims.

The count has started again 181 lives lost and expectations of over 300 in total.

Fires have also taken off in the Healsville area again with a gust of strong winds pushing them toward the Dandenong ranges. So we are again on alert to evacuate :-(

our fragile lives
inscribed on pages of time
but for one night
and a breath of fire

words unspoken, bonds broken
pages turn and pages burned
all that remains are the cinders
and perished victims


flames of heat,unforgiving
no second thoughts permitted
what were they thinking?
lives gone, familys seperated
ashes all that remain

reckless, helpless, senseless
How could they do this?
for the fascination of a flame
or just a silly game

Safe and well

The last of my family has been found safe and well :-)

For those interested the closest fires are 38 kilometres (26 Mile) away from me at this stage.
We still have 22 fires burnng and the latest under threat is Healesville which is 38 k (23Mile) away. Unless the fire is trapped in a gully and pushed along by winds we should be ok.

words escape me.

My Aunt (Dads twin sister) was found in her car sadly she didnt make it. However 6 of my cousins are alive and well and have made it to my parents home.
Shocked and a little battle scarred but ok except for a few minor cuts and bruises.
We are just waiting on news of the last uncle and his family now.
They have 2 people in custody possibly being charged with arson and murder. News reports so far havent been able to state wether they are witnessess or the guilty.

I don't know how to feel at this point. I am happy to have cousins back but saddened at the loss of Uncles and Aunts. In total we had 20 relatives in the area.

2 Uncles and 3 Aunts have died.
6 cousins alive and well.
Waiting on 9 more family members to turn up alive and well.
My father is devastated as these are all his brothers and sisters.
I cant imagine losing so many siblings all at once.
He has headed to the area to try and find the others. Hoping they are in some of the temporary shelters that have been made available.

Life turns to ashes and from the ashes comes new life

Sadly two uncles and their wives have been found.

We still have no news of their children or my other Uncle, his family and my fathers twin sister and her family that live in the area.
google earth have images of before and after in Marysville victoria for anyone interested.


It was too quick to escape even in cars


A wall of smoke covers the flames speading toward the car


The loss of a whole town


Ashes still burning the search begins


Sad and beautiful at the same time

Fires

The fires are not near me.

I have been so busy lately with finishing my course and daily life and waiting the arrival of Blaze as I was meant ot fly to Sydney when he was born however I am still at home with a house full of guests.
Two Uncles their wives and children (6 kids). They both lost homes in Marysville and we are grateful they got out in time. Other relatives are staying at various family homes. We have spread them through as many homes as possible.
The fires have taken two towns as well as a lot of smaller towns that have only one or two homes there. Many bodies wont be found because the extreme heat has completely destroyed them.
We are waiting on other relatives to register on the safe lists however we have heard nothing after 4 days. Many cars were engulfed in fire as people were trying to escape and have not been accounted for. A lot went off track to drive around the fires but with 96km hour (60) mile winds temperatures up to 113 F and having been in drought for so long all the underbrush is dry not to mention that the Eucalypt is highly flammable so the Eucalypt trees just burn and the fires unpredictable jumping across roads in huge flames not in embers.

We have 35 still burning and towns under threat, lives still being lost.
We are all exhausted but are gathering together clothes and food hampers to send off to family's in the areas and firefighters.

I think most of victoria is in shock and have gone into overdrive to try and do something to help. Not that there is a lot.
We are now facing the problem of looters in the towns that are gone.
The person responsible for lightingthe fire will be charged with murder and reports indicate is close to being arrested. We can live in hope.

With all this however the fires are in time going to do the australian bush good. It self ignites over time to replenish. We have had a long drought and this will help generate new growth and take the strain off of the vegetation.

It will not help with the loss of wildlife and other animals.

We are hoping my Uncles and their families register sometime today or are found safe somewhere but it isnt lookng good for them.

Graunty Mandy

51.5cm (20.28inches) long 4.1 kilogrames (9.61 lb) and 35cm (13.78)head circum. A lot smaller than grandpa originally said lol.

2-15 sunday 8th feb my Nephews wife gave birth to Blaze Ivan Sean...A big name for a little boy. I don't know where the name comes from except sean is my Nephews name..
I have been named graunty for great Aunt.
According to my brother in law who being a new grandfathor first time was barely understandable he was 10 stome with a head circumfrance of 50cm. I will wait to talk to my sister and get the correct details. LOL

Squirrel Massage

One for you Iggy...