[SOC] We are all alive

[Paul Bartlett]

Thoughts are with you.

Paul
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ian C. Purdie" <ianpurdie@integritynet.com.au>
To: <soc@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, December 06, 2002 9:11 PM
Subject: Re: [SOC] We are all alive


> Bruce Rattray wrote:
>
> > How are YOU doing considering the fire situation Ian?...
>
> Well yesterday was all bathed in smoke. We have to keep the twins inside
> because of asthma attacks. A daughter in Sydney was so bad it looked like
a
> trip to hospital was on the cards.
>
> Thankfully weather conditions are milder today but ahead of a predicted
torrid
> day tomorrow [Sunday]. There's feverish back burning going on today and as
I
> write the breeze is picking up with more smoke coming through. It's a bit
like
> having fog in the daytime [something we don't normally have except early
on
> winter mornings].
>
> The problem with fires like these, in sweltering weather conditions and
with
> high winds, is that the burning bark from "scribbly gums" as one example,
can
> travel for miles and start another fire. Surprisingly this hasn't happened
so
> far as no fires have jumped wide rivers or lakes. Ash and embers are
called
> black snow. In 1994 when I lived in Sydney, everyone's house had ash
throughout
> the houses. You could open cupboards months later and smell smoke. I
actually
> like the smell, very Australian.
>
> I was a plumber back then and it's amazing the number of burnt leaves and
bark
> I'd find in the roof cavity of customers houses even years later.
>
> A fire can start anywhere, anytime.
>
> We badly need rain. We had these fires two weeks ago and miraculously it
sort
> of decently rained for a full day and put them out. Two days later it was
if
> there had been no rain and of course here we go again.
>
> We'll be right, thanks for asking. We have a terrific community spirit
where
> everyone pitches in. We haven't got the stage this time where fire
headquarters
> drowns under an avalanche of tonnes of sandwiches and soft drinks.
>
> Carolyn has a contingency plan to head for the lake [3 minutes away] with
the
> kids. Not an idea I like. Taking refuge in water is dangerous and
definitely
> not advisable for swimming pools. Back in 1994 a whole family were broiled
> alive in their pool.
>
> They haven't converted petrol [gas] tankers to water tankers yet. Maybe..
>
> Hmmm, an interesting day in the OZ bush...
>
> Thanks
>
>
> 72/73's
>
> Ian C. Purdie
> Budgewoi N.S.W. Australia - Co-ords S33�14', E151�34'
> VK2TIP "I'll give ya the TIP mate" QRP-L #1978. SOC #171 FP#91
> http://www.electronics-tutorials.com/
>
>
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