On Christmas day the weather forecast is “windy and hot,” over thirty Celsius (90F)”. The kicker is that there is an out-of-control bush fire about 15 K (9 miles) away from our little coastal community. Over the past few days dozens of firetrucks as well as several planes and helicopters have attended these festivities which are situated very near the spot where, 32 years ago, the famous Ash Wednesday fires began at three o’clock on a hot windy afternoon. Within about eight hours, thanks to an unexpected wind change, our town was no more. Nearly a thousand houses were left as smouldering ruins.

All things considered, this time around we’ve decided to take the Country Fire Authority’s advice to leave early. We’ve booked a seat at a family brunch with our 1 year old grandson, safe in heart of Melbourne.

N.B. The photo above depicts an ordinary sunrise around our way, sort of a “climate change special”.