heatwave

I took this photo of the clouds just now and then I had a cool shower. It was lovely to do that.
I really needed to wash off the last four days of the heatwave. It feels like so long since it's been cool. The time has dragged. It's not that long, not really. But in the midst of almost a week of 40 degree temperatures it felt like forever.

While the water ran over my head I thought about the week. It's been very unpleasant but really we are pretty lucky to have the worst of our problems be things like some uncomfortable sleep, keeping the dog cool, working out what to eat or where the next icypole was coming from.

I keep thinking about those in danger tonight.  There are so many who are fighting fires, defending their homes and property, protecting their livestock and just trying to stay alive in the danger that bushfire brings. We have a family holiday house in a fire prone area but if a fire comes we can really just pack up and leave. It's a holiday house, not a home or farm filled with memories and treasures and our livelihood. I can't imagine, not really, what it's like to have to make the choice to stay and fight or pack up and leave. It must be terrible.

We visited the Halls Gap area where some of the worst fires are tonight, back in March last year. It was stunning and we loved our visit there so very much. While the water dries from my shower I will be thinking of the good people of Halls Gap, the beautiful bush and the amazing wildlife and willing with all my might for them to be safe.