There's nothing like personal experience or involvement to bring the news home to you and that, for me,is particularly the case with the Australian bush fires. I've just heard that James & Verity (James is a first cousin) have had to evacuate and that my other cousins who live in the area - Ali and Sarah - are just 10 km from the nearest fire which isn't far at all in view of the speed in which the fires arrive.
I was staying with Al & Sarah in November and went up to visit James & Verity for lunch on their wonderful farm. We talked about bush fires and they told me about all the precautions they take - but it would seem these weren't enough. I haven't heard from them directly and obviously can't now contact them but the family will doubtless keep me in touch.
Another cousin lives in Zimbabwe and that's not exactly a picnic either. I remember meeting a Zimbawean girl who was working in a cafe in Jamestown (St Helena) and she was terribly homesick. She had to leave, but she was praying that one day she would be able to return.
On the subject of St Helena, the group I was supposed to have been leading if the flu hadn't got the better of me are now home and seem to have had a fantastic time. Me jealous? Don't be silly! I'll be going there in October (all going well) - the tour is already fully booked. I'm also hoping to lead the January tour but have generously given the February trip to someone else!
Now. Time to get back to work. We've been very lucky - no snow. Yes it's cold, but it's not windy so it's actually rather nice. And I suspect the land will be glad to have had a "proper" winter. All this warm, wet weather isn't natural!
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