Chubber Towers smells wonderful today, it's 'Stir-up' day here, the Christmas cake is being baked, and we each make a wish as we stir ir. We also 'count our blessings' as it were.

I thanked my lucky stars that I was not in fear and trepidation of the two extremes of natural misfortune, driven from my home by floodwater or sent fleeing from the fires that threaten our Australian [and some American] cousins.

I wish them all possible help and comfort, as I'm sure you do.

Let us know if you're O.K….

Douglas

Douglas

Yes indeed.

The Miltenburg Schloss smells of cardboard boxes and there is a distinct atmosphere of organised chaos as the day of the Great Move approaches.  Blimey - its 2 weeks away!!!  I have the feeling that Christmas 2019 might be a bit lightweight.

Our friends in the North East have been fortunate to have escaped the rising tides but folk in the Doncaster and Sheffield areas have not been so lucky.  I can think of nothing worse than having water or fire rip through your home - an overwhelming sense of futility must prevail  

Our decision to move to the North west is looking a good one but it is hard to feel triumphant whilst others are at risk.

Best wishes to all those affected.

Barry

It must be that time of year Doug - Liz is also making our Christmas cake and pudding today.  Unfortunately, I'm in UK but I don't think she's doing it on purpose ………………………… :hmm

I'm in the North East - having also spent a couple of very wet days in Scotland visiting my brother in Angus.  Whilst it's been pretty wet, we fared far better than poor South Yorkshire and Derbyshire.  Watching the newsreels made me think of far eastern monsoon countries where floods are a regular occurance.

As you say Barry, it must be horrendous.  There's little wonder fire and water are two of nature's five elements.

It is indeed a strange time for us in Australia at the moment, we had a temp of 39C here in Queensland a couple of days ago and 1200kms south a friend was working in a snow fall. The fires in New South Wales and in Queensland are ongoing and so far we have a number of deaths and over 150 homes have been lost. Having experienced two devastating fires when I was living in New South Wales my heart goes out to those who have lost so much. The problems are exacerbated by the fact that we are in one of the worst droughts in recorded history and the water we need to fight the fires is difficult to find. My wish would be that we get some much needed rain and those who are suffering have the support they need.Regards,
Robyn

Terrible times indeed.  I do wish the media would stop treating climate change activists as some sort of minority, extremist group, while also giving column space to scientists.  They are all saying the same thing!  

I thought I would share with you 2 images pertaining to the fires in Australia, as a picture speak 1000 words. These photos have left me speechless ………………

Before 



After …………..



It's the same beach - the photo's were taken just hours apart from the same spot!

Fire officials have told residents in Sydneys outer suburbs to expect 10% humidity and 60kph winds that could fan embers from other fires into their back yards and have warned them to prepare for the worst!

Heaven help us all if it comes to that!!
And below the satellite picture of the smoke generated by the bush fires …….

"The Rural Fire Service has warned that many of the fires will not be controlled by Tuesday, where catastrophic fire danger has been declared for the Greater Sydney and Greater Hunter areas"

Such a terrible tragedy, and all those affected in the floods in England, sad times indeed.

The following from John Wiffen in a recent e-mail….

 "Fires are currently burning right along the East coast right now, including about an hour South, North and West of us, Brisbane is currently shrouded in a smokey haze, the sun looked blood red on my morning walk today… a hot dry weekend and week ahead."

[my underlining]
 
Douglas