Up to acrid smoke sitting around in the very still dawn air. Two tiny rabbits were grazing on our lawn but hid under the deck as soon as they saw me.
After breakfast we headed to the beach and again the girls loved it. Such a change from last year. Ivy even stood up on her own on Geoff's board and was as pleased as punch.
The strand line was very black and the ash and leaves were really dry and flaky.
Back to the house to find Janice unloading in preparation for their "annual beach holiday". Then grandsons Hugh and Cameron were delivered by Justine for their "beach camping holiday" with Jana.
By lunch time we were all joined by Rauri and Iain. Then a quiet afternoon reading, playing table games, "homework" sheets, going on a scavenger hunt and a snooze for some.
Geoff and I both filled our cars with fuel today to make sure we can leave at any time if the need arises due to fires. At the moment the fires are all south of Nowra and the Shoalhaven River with roads closed south of Nowra to the Victorian border except to those evacuating. These are truly worrying times but at the moment all is well for us.
Dinner for all tonight was our annual fish and chips meal as per tradition then after Rauri and Iain went home everyone else went for a walk to the beach to wear out the children. This gave Ponyo and I a bit of quiet time.
Friday 3 January 2020
Up at 5:30ish and a quiet morning until the others woke. Not too smokey outside and Geoff's air purifier is certainly working well.
We were joined by Jana and her grandboys for breakfast. Then off to the beach for a swim and surf.
There was time spent writing in the sand and playing with the "surfer chicks" bought for the girls last year.
After morning tea Geoff and Jen drove to Berry for some time out and retail therapy and the two grandmas had a great time with the 4 kids who all play beautifully together and are all very well mannered. We even all got a bit of a rest.
Towards evening we were all joined by friends of Geoff and Jen's adding another two children to the mix. They are from Albion Park and have offered us shelter if the fire situation demands it before we a re due to go home. Everyone went down to the river to play while I got food sorted for nibbles an dinner on their return.
After the friends left we had a quiet evening and I took the 4 kids on a nature walk to wind down a little before bed. We created collages to photograph of all the things we found.
We are not looking forward to the dire predictions for tomorrow of hot wind fanning all the fires around the eastern part of Oz. A very bad fire season.
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