[SOC] Ian is wanted

[Ian C. Purdie]

f5pbl wrote:

> This one is just to know if Ian is singing in the rain or not.
> Early morning (around 0300 LT), they said on the radio that rains were
> awaited in Sydney & area for today (Monday).
> I hope Ian has had the opportunity to do some funny thing "a la Gene
> Kelly" ...

Not quite, just started about 40 mins ago, quite pathetic, stopped. Started
again 10 minutes ago and lasted about 2 minutes of light rain.

However, conditions for fire fighting have improved and will give them a rest.

OTOH we went through this whole scenario about 3 weeks ago, bad fires and a
week later two days of moderately decent rain. Two days later it was as if it
never rained, everything parched.

Of course the fires returned with a vengeance. At last count there were over 80
different bush fires throughout the state. Sadly on Sunday they lost an
historical home and most of the contents which were irreplaceable.

There have never been fires like this before. Two firefighters have had their
own homes burnt down and they were well prepared, all by the book. Ditto my
brother-in-law. Supremely well prepared in every way and but for water bombing
he would have lost his home. John had just survived the terrible 1994 fires and
was even doubly prepared this time.

There's been cases of fire rolling at great speed across large expanses of well
manicured lawns and the house suddenly erupting in a ball of flames.

Believe me it's scary stuff. Red Steers everywhere.

A Red Steer is where a really giant fireball erupts right out of the fire and
leaps well ahead, maybe 500 metres. A giant finger of flame, if your standing
where it lands, instant cremation. Fire trucks become a mass of molten metal in
milliseconds. Most firefighters consider themselves lucky to witness one in a
lifetime. Awesome, now an everyday event at present.

Still trying hard to rain, even as I write. Normally we call this "nuisance"
rain but now every little tiny drop helps.


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/