It’s been an interesting summer here in Australia. Rhyll has had it’s usual hectic January – lots of holiday makers, the boat ramp flat out, the local inlets and harbour full of fishing boats and the odd visiting cruise ship. Allansfield has been packed – the house and cottage full – the camp site busy. Fun times with guests – cricket on the lawn a highlight. Wednesday evening meals are always eventful – never sure who will be there! Had 3 guys and their Honda motorbikes stay for a couple of nights. They spent a full day riding around the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit. Hit speeds of 240km an hour – scares me just thinking about it! One left with duck tape on his bike and a badly swollen arm – managed to do damage to both. Any miscalculation at that speed can be deadly!
My son Ben, wife Komala and children Will and Molly hired a motor home in Adelaide, drove north to Queensland for Christmas, and then south to Rhyll for New Years. Lots of countryside driving to Queensland. Lots of hugging the coast of NSW when heading to Rhyll. Not sure how many thousands of kilometers they traveled! They managed to keep one step ahead of the many recent bushfires but eventually had to divert to Canberra. Impossible to drive through East Gippsland in Victoria. Roads closed – bushfires everywhere. Glad when they arrived safely! Had a great time together – always lovely to hug the grandbabies. Though Will – soon to be 13 – probably isn’t so keen!
We always have gardening and maintenance to do. Far fewer night time invaders this year – wallabies must have enough feed and water elsewhere! The garden is flourishing. We now send baby plants and cuttings home with guests. We took advantage of some pre-Christmas quiet to catch up on some bigger maintenance jobs – re-painting the fascia on the carport and re-staining the veranda decking the biggest. All looks great – really worth the effort. We have one extra resident at the moment – an very happy echidna. He must live somewhere nearby as he is always about. Often sits out on our lawn just chilling – never seems in a hurry. Loves to have a drink from our pond on hotter days. Still heaps of birdlife at Allansfield – always entertaining to sit outside under the trees and watch them come and go. Never still. Always chatting away
Now getting back to the bushfires. You are all probably aware that we have had huge bushfires in Australia this summer. We’ve had weeks of smoke haze over Phillip Island – red sun in the sky, eerie light. But this is nothing compared to other areas. Especially NSW and eastern Victoria – but also Kangaroo Island in South Australia. All have suffered devastating fires with loss of people, property, wildlife and stock. Many towns and small communities have been under threat. People in Mallacoota camped on the beach as fires raced towards their homes. I will include some photos I have downloaded from sites on line. So many brave fire fighters – some who have lost their lives. I can’t imagine doing what they do and am eternally grateful.
Love Di and Reg
This entry was posted in Australia
Great to read your news Reg and Di . Many blessings
Helen and Bruce. Xx
Blessings in return xxxx
Sounds like you have had a busy time and omg the bush fires are extensive in photos! Good to catch up on what life is like in your place, thank you and God bless you and reg and the work you are doing in that place xx Sara
Thanks Sara – blessings in return xxxx
So glad you are both safe. Daily news from Australia has almost pushed Brexit into second place. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
Thank you so much – miss you two xx
Beautiful pictures and devastating pictures .your new home is looking beautiful, a credit to you and Reg. Xxoo
Cheers – we keep pottering away – keeping everything up to date the best we can!! Amazing photos of the bushfires. Difficult times xx
Glad to hear from you. We’ve been following the bushfires on the news and we just hope you all stay safe. Natural disasters, such as this and our hurricane in 2017, are getting worse, but we have to slog on regardless.
Are you going to travel again and come to Europe? There’s a great place we know for you to stay!!!!! Anytime.
Love from Anne-Marie, Henry, Manon, Zoe, and the horses.
Mas Naou, France
Hi….lovely to hear from you. Appreciate your concern and best wishes. Hope to return to Europe as some point and will take you up on your kind offer. We have very fond memories of our time in the Pyrenees!
Love Di and Reg
Glad you are safe. Amazing photos.
Cheers xx