Summer of Extremes – February was a shocking month the way it unfolded terrifying devastation and heartrending tales in the wake of disaster after disaster in the world around us. Truly of nightmarish proportions as TV and radio coverage brought home the immensity of it all. Notwithstanding the massive flooding that had saturated much of Queensland and along the Eastern hinterland into New South Wales and Victoria, severe weather warnings were issued as we clocked over into a new month. Along came category 5, Cyclone Yasi bringing devastating impact from wind speeds, sea surges and incredible wave height activity to knock more hell out of overworked, overstretched State Emergency Services, Police and Communities spiralling ever upwards to Queensland’s Premier, Anna Bligh. Although she appears to constantly battle unpopularity, her true forte came in the wake of the trauma heaped upon Queensland. Her leadership ability to handle impossible circumstances with calm and continual interaction with her people has put her head and shoulders above the rest. Massive evacuations took place from Cairns to Townsville and as Yasi crossed the coast at midnight on the 2 February, we lay in bed feeling a sick and nervous tension for those folk waiting for the most powerful cyclone combination in living memory to leave its mark on their psyches.
Before we had time to recover from those powerful images and even closer to home for us, FIRE swept through parts of the Darling Range randomly taking out 72 homes. Warnings of devastating winds especially in The Hills had us on alert all weekend as hot, gusty winds pounced around ‘Sunset Ridge’ – certainly that Sunday we hadn’t the slightest inkling of danger as we busied ourselves around the property. Mid-afternoon, Lea noticed a massive bank of white cloud across the western horizon and spoke to her husband about the “front” approaching, when they still had to prepare “Getaway” for an early departure next day. Shortly thereafter a call came from Paul’s parents. They had just landed at the airport from a week away in Bali and having received a text message informing them of fires in their suburb, they were anxiously seeking clarity. Turning to the Emergency Channel on the radio we were soon apprised of the ghastly situation occurring further south of us. What a dreadful homecoming! Their entire area closed off, Kay and Alan took refuge in their caravan, fortunately still parked here at Sunset Ridge where they waited out a very anxious night knowing their immediate neighbour’s home had been wiped out.
Mobiles are ‘lifelines’ - Kay fielding the many calls of concern for their safety as Kelmscott burned.
Officials read out a list at a Community Meeting next day. Although the Gee’s learnt their home was ‘fire damaged’ they were plagued by unanswered questions for another 12 hours.
Aside from the barrage of trauma occurring around us we have enjoyed particular times throughout the month...
We waved Talia off on her first day at Kindy.
A hot day was happily passed at Hilary’s Harbour beach catching up with Barbara Horne.
Colleen’s brother-in-law Pete Colvin celebrated his arrival at the half century mark with a sixties party. We joined a merry throng in true sixties style driving there in Paul’s dearly loved Ford Capri.
Saxon is wearing a vintage dress that once belonged to her mother! Isn’t it special when a defining moment is marked by a wardrobe choice – Lea’s engagement dress back in May 1968.
Home became Henry Street as ‘Getaway’ underwent an overhaul after five years on the road. Joyously we shared domestic life with Peter and Di Ryan. March last year they, along with many others around Perth, suffered tremendous damage to their roof and vehicles as a result of a dreadful hail storm. Insurance work replaced their roof and wooden floors last month and their million and one framed pictures needed to be rehung. Peter is a creature of habit while Di was keen on a change yet Lea’s ideas seemed pretty radical but somehow with four voices and opinions that big job was completed in between trips to the movies to see the very moving “Sarah’s Key” and a rather disappointing “Another Year” and plenty of socialising too.
A Matilda Bay Gathering took place on a Saturday evening with Meg and Ken Godwin, Bev and Roy Pearce, Ros and Rodney Richards, Eggy and Rob Boggs, Jean Rogers, Di Godson, Ady Emmerson, Ryans and ourselves.
Usually such a well protected spot we were forced to take cover behind the biggest tree on the river front from an easterly wind Never mind chairs being upturned, grit and dust hurling around we made the best of it over a fine picnic dinner – each course produced by two couples.
Over ten days with our friends, we accomplished much to the benefit of all. The ladies cut down some curtains which had to be constantly remeasured before being sewn up for Getaway – turned out they had been stretched during numerous washings! Still they match our interior well. Rubber anti-slip matting was fitted to all the shelving and drawers of the Ryan’s new A-van while the men achieved much together in the workshop or rushing around the city. Impressive was the money George saved making his own “Rock Tamer” with much help from his friend! We now have a fine mudflap system hanging behind Skiv (SKV) designed to provide protection to our caravan from damage caused by rocks and road debris.
Pete Ryan stands beside his newly finished coffee table that was TWENTY YEARS in the making- no kidding! George’s encouragement and help brought this longstanding project finally to an end. With much fanfare it was carried into the lounge.
Getaway was ready - the usual greasing of wheel bearings and checking of brake linings completed. The three deep cycle batteries replaced for the first time. Interestingly, we discovered one was literally bulging from overheating as a result of being wrongly connected way back when we took delivery. Amazing too that we never encountered any problems! The entire chassis was power washed and wire brushed before being repainted by hand with anti-rust to ensure all nooks and crannies were safeguarded. A new air-conditioner was put in and we were stunned to hear that the old one was found to be full of gravel dating back to that stretch of new road on the Savannah Way outside of Burketown. We took the opportunity of having a slide-on awning fitted to protect the fridge from the sun and thereby lessen its workload. All the windows were resealed after the Perspex separated from the frame due to excessive vibration and dried out sealant. We were well satisfied with the service.
Having long since removed the remote controlled caravan mover (Power Touch unit) we’d had fitted years ago. George sold it on the Internet, advertising it through a Caravan Forum. He certainly didn’t expect the mad flurry of calls that came through at an unearthly hour on Saxon and Paul’s landline. Cheesed off that George hadn’t used his mobile number, he was routed from his bed at 7a.m. to field the incoming calls, which eventuated in father and daughter weeping with laughter over the confusion that ensued. Astonishingly, the successful buyer turned out to live in our suburb when most of the keen buyers lived on the East Coast, a time zone two hours ahead of us.
We spent 24 hours with Lyn and Ken Tinley in Fremantle, as we knew an evening would never be enough time together. An ill-starred afternoon at the movies had us promising NOT to call Ken to account for his poor choice. Fortunately for him, that was soon replaced in our memory by a fine fish and chip picnic up on Monument Hill to a spectacular and almost simultaneous combination of setting sun and rising full moon.
We arose early on a glorious Saturday morning to accompany Lynne, Ken and son Allan on their morning swim at Leighton Beach. We hadn’t brought bathers so we walked before the heat set in.
A Sunday Breakfast with Kay and Alan Gee revealed the full extent of the fire damage to their property. The pincer flames had miraculously stopped short on either side of wooden structures surrounding their home. Rather poignantly Alan related how at age 12 he’d been given a model Lancaster only he didn’t own an airbrush to paint it. Fifty years later he had just been given another model Lancaster for his birthday in Bali and was looking forward to returning to his workshop to use his airbrush. It had gone in the flames. So many people in losing their homes had lost the treasures of their lives. Blackened ruins dotted the landscape so arbitrarily - our hearts went out to them all.
Gone was Alan’s workshop and most of the front garden!
Flood and fire horrors were overtaken by an earthquake! Christchurch, a beautiful city that found a place in our hearts during our New Zealand tour in 2001 has had its very fabric torn apart leaving us reeling from all the lives lost, saved and shattered by this February upheaval of the earth’s surface.
Perth recorded its hottest summer. Lea and her grand-daughters sought relief from the sweltering weather in the pool each evening. TOO HOT to go in during the day!
Heading down to Fremantle one evening to have dinner with Tony and Michelle Cunningham, we literally dripped from high humidity- far worse than Darwin. The high temperatures we experienced all week were due to a tough to the West formed by tropical cyclone Carlos blocking sea breezes. Carlos has certainly been a long lasting and damaging cyclone. Our friend Jo Vandermark referred to it as a hand grenade of a cyclone when it hit Darwin mid month.
Celebrating her 4th birthday with a Pony Party, Talia cuts her pony cake with Mum’s help. Preparing for a party was hardly fun during a rolling heatwave. This was the 58th summer day with temperatures consecutively in the high 30’s, breaking a previous record of 56. More days were still to come!
