Where there's smoke...

[calissa]

The last 36 hours have been somewhat brutal. The last time I checked, most of the east coast of Australia was on fire. I'm fortunate enough not to be at risk (this time around, at any rate). However, the smoke has travelled south and is lingering. It makes for some awesome sunsets and even more awesome headaches for me. Nothing sets my hay fever off quite as badly as the smoke from bushfires (not even wood fires, somewhat amusingly).

Ah, summer.

Except there's another month and a half until summer officially starts.

*sigh*

Yesterday was the worst. The smoke was so thick here that the State Emergency Services had to put out an announcement to say that there were no fires in the local area. I spent four hours playing Robin Hood (more on that at some stage) in a house with all the doors and windows open. I was told I looked quite pale by the end of it. Quite frankly, I'm amazed I managed to drive myself home.

Today, I kept inside and kept the house shut up tight. I spent the afternoon visiting a friend who had her house likewise shut up tight (for similar reasons). The smoke has eased a little this evening but not enough. I'll likely be confined to home until a weather change finally comes through.

Comments

[clare_dragonfly]

Yikes, that sounds awful. I'm glad you're safe.

I forgot about your Robin Hood game at the moment and thought when I read that sentence that you were somehow stealing from the rich to help the poor (perhaps help them escape from the fire)!

[calissa]

It has been moderately awful, but I have it much easier than some. My friend tends to be adversely affected by the smoke to an even greater degree. Also, my home isn't under threat.

Ha! The thought of me actually playing Robin Hood is highly amusing.

[raze]

Part of my finds this so fascinating as it's nothing I've ever experienced, living in the US northeast and now southeast, both of which are fairly humid with a minimal risk of fire. The rest of me feels for you and the effect the smoke is having on your health and happiness; take care and I hope your headaches abate.

[calissa]

I love that. I love hearing people tell about their daily lives and finding out just how different things can be. So I'm glad I could do the same for you.

The smoke cover is looking rather better today. I guess I shall have to wait and see what happens.

[darakat]

I certainly feel the shut in! I really hope it gets better.

I can't walk Willow or play with Finn and him outside. I did manage to do some weeding on Sunday but its gone back to being pretty shite today,

[calissa]

I think that conditions out your way have been a little worse than they have down here. Regardless, I'm very thankful for the rain (now to figure out how to get that rain to where it is really needed).

Are you finding that things have eased up for you?

[darakat]

Not yet, about the same really. Be a few more weeks. I am planning a holiday of some kind at the end of it though. Not much, but a little one at least.

[calissa]

That sounds like an excellent idea and well deserved.

[ofearthandstars]

That sounds awful; as an asthmatic, I think I'd be running for the hills.

Here's hoping you have less smoke in your direction over the next few days. :(

[calissa]

The conditions have most certainly been terrible for asthmatics.

Rain has arrived here. This means that conditions for me are much better. Unfortunately, the rain isn't falling on the areas where the fires are at their worst. I'm very much hoping this changes soon!