DARLIMULA BUSH FIRES

Every year the Australian climate and vegetation creates an ideal combination for creating bush fires.
Unfortunately, this year everyone again experienced the anxiety of this natural ecological combination when the bushland around Gippsland started burning.

This is where family have a holiday house. They built this house from scratch and I spent many a weekend helping with the construction.

Before the fires the house was completely finished and decorated to the point where you could go up and just relax. Well, after you'd mowed the lawn (just a precaution for the fire conscious owners and it also looks good).

Just before the fires, several trees were removed which could've fallen on the house in a storm or in a fire. As you can see below it was hard work even with mechanical help.

The Gippsland fires began at various spots around Mirboo North and Darlimula. The fires were reported around the world due to their ferocity and amount of acreage burnt (6385 hectares). They were deliberately lit (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national/arsonists-relit-devastating-gippsland-fires/2009/02/02/1233423172889.html).

The fire went right up to the property borders but the fire crews were able to contain it before it managed to get the house. It appeared that they used the water out of the water tank on the property to keep the fire at bay.

This is the drive way.

Notice on the right where the fire went to and the lush bushland remaining on the left.

Above is the bridge over the little creek at the bottom of the property. The view looks up to the next property. Whereas, this one on the right looks in the opposite direction.

And this is a view of the border of the property. There used to be a fence here.

This is a view of the shed which was saved. The tree on the right was burnt and the wood pile that was under is completely gone.

There's not much left of the car. Apparently, all the plastic interior has melted.

The house was saved but you can see that the mowed grass helped saved it.

As you can see there isn't much of the plants left, just grass.

GOING BELGIUM

We'd tried to go out for dinner to Belgos restaurant (http://www.belgo-restaurants.co.uk) just before Christmas. This was stupid as it is a very popular place for office groups with functions and Christmas was function bonanza time.

Since we didn't get in during Christmas we thought we'd try again, but this time booked and got in.

We had a great time and the meal was nice too.

To celebrate we took a couple of photos.

Now this is a rare moment. I'm drinking a beer!

I know. I went all around Europe and didn't touch a drop and no one could convince me to.

They tricked me.

REALLY.

This is apple beer and tastes more like appletizer (or apple cider). It was yummy.

IT'S OUR PARTY....

We cut our cakes and shared them with all our guests...

... after we ate a huge buffet.








There were big kids and little kids.

Once the paparazzi showed up we decided to go rock 'n' roll and party into the night.

PHOTO SHOOT