Oktoberfest

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

It seems just yesterday I was espousing the glories of spring and contemplating the simple joys of picking blackberries down a rustic country lane whilst skylarks chirped overhead and ... well never mind all that. The realities of global warming and a planet turned sour by the insanity of humankind hit home yesterday and today with two of the hottest Oktober days ever recorded down here, and consequently an early start to the devastating bushfire season.

Yesterday the flames came within 300 metres of my home, and today the other side of the river burned with a fury seldom seen... see the pics for glorious detail...

Needless to say, all thoughts of training were curtailed by the need to keep a constant eye on the fire situation, and (today at least) a flat out day at work broadcasting fire warnings and traffic alerts to a city of workers on tenterhooks trying desperately to return across one narrow bridge to the other side of the river Derwent, to protect (at the behest of the authorities) their homes...

I hate fire. Nasty stuff...

And the one special day? Well that can wait until tomorrow...


The two pics show today's fires as seen from my verandah; one at dusk and one just after nightfall; threatening the suburbs on the other side of the river from me (we had our turn yesterday). Like I said, I hate fire.