General Chat

Lew, I'm not certain about Bright............but there are flames over the Tawonga Gap.............I think it's very patchy, I'm a bit concerned about Freeburgh also and I'll try to find out about the Bright area for you by listening to local abc radio at 7.....Hope to get back to you later tonight ......Hz

Latest update on Vic. fires. FIRES - Tuesday 12 December 2006, 1730hrs TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER NORTH EAST VICTORIA The four fires burning in the north east have now burnt approximately 165,000 ha. Residents near the North East Alps and Mansfield fire complexes (see detail of fire complexes below) need to remain vigilant and aware of the fire situation. Boil Water Notice: Residents in the area served by North East Water (including Mt Beauty, Tawonga and Simmonds Creek) are advised to boil water for 1 minute before drinking. This is due to North East Water needing to bypass the water treatment plant for firefighting purposes. North East Alps (approx. 132,000 ha). This fire is a consolidation of all fires in the Ovens and Wangaratta areas, and as indicated in the statewide overview, has now joined with the Mt Darling-Cynthia fire in Gippsland. This fire is burning at the southern end of the Mount Buffalo National Park and on the southern slopes adjacent to the Buffalo River and Buckland Valley. The fire on the western edge of the North East Alps fire near Powers Lookout is still burning strongly. Strong winds overnight resulted in intense fire behaviour and two spot fires near Mt Mary in the Buckland Valley. Mansfield complex (24,000 ha). There are two going fires in this complex (Mt. Terrible and Governor`s). The biggest of these is the Mt Terrible fire, south of Jamieson in the Upper Goulburn Valley. The Mt Terrible fire has burnt 24,000 hectares. The threat to Jamieson has eased slightly. Bright-Tawonga Gap (approx. 9,000 ha). This fire spread further north overnight fanned by a south westerly wind, with fire travelling on the northern side of Tawonga Gap Road. This fire continues to burn strongly and has begun spotting into the Kiewa Valley. Residents in Tawonga and Tawonga South are advised to activate their fire plans and should remain on the look out for burning embers. Community meetings for Tuesday, 12 December: 5:00pm Jamieson, Jamieson Hall Note that the meeting scheduled for Whorouly has been cancelled, as predicted wind changes have not occurred. Tony Oz

Thanks Tony. I can't add any more, except that I can't see three blocks for smoke, we have a light breeze and it's still daylight--------------awful piccy's of the Tassie blaze on tonight's news and they are in bad trouble there 'cos of houses on the coast. Fingers crossed - our firefighters are worth their weight in gold........ you getting smoke Lara? ....Hz

Sorry peeps, had to light the fire tonight!! it's freezing here! Incredibly strange weather - had mid thirties yesterday and barely above 12 today. Not complaining about the cold but wish it had stayed in Victoria and Tassie where it was needed! No rain and covered by smoke again this afternoon - from the Snowy fires I suspect. ~~~~~~~~~~~ :( Vonny

Good evening all, Hz smoke is really bad and very worried about Bright and as you say Mt Buffalo Chalet we have lost the Craig Hut it had just been rebuilt by volunteers and now its gone but then I guess its not as bad as peoples homes poor devils. Merry I know the pleasure was all yours having lunch on the Balcoonie Pmsl I stole that line from our character of an girl on the flight back to Melbourne she said 'I know being on board with me and the crew today has been all your pleasure and we would like see you all again so as we can make your day 'Didn't Laurie and Ray spoil us all, the host and hostess with the mostest for sure . Shazz I looked up that cousin of mine . George Smedley the mailman and I think he has moved to wait for it .......Yarrawonga Park on the Central Coast apparently a part of Morriset it's a never ending story havn't rung there yet but will probably Thursday, two of his sisters live up there too . I also googled the name of that little boy and found out his Familys names and will check them too to see if they are related, they actually have a meal up at their place on Saturday nights and charge for it with all the money going to The Mathew Smedley Memorial Fund . Tony how's Jack going to school yet mate hehehe when Josh was born and was so big he was 10lb 4 1/2 ozs the nurses said he would be going home in a school uniform rather than a layette my mum had made for him including a beautiful round shawl she had crocheted with matching clothes and when Tiger saw them he said no son of mine is wearing a dress he will be wearing stubbies and a black singlet home . I have to go to bed now as off to Shepparton tomurra for retail fix and Tiger has a Dr. appointment re the Sleep Apnea so will say ny nite and see you all tomurra Love Lara

Sorry if I haven't answered anyone, I've been flat out today/tonight, and now I am soooo tired - again! Mary, went to down town Cabramatta today - nearly froze - it's still cold, and last night I had the aircon on to keep cool!!!! .. Cabramatta has changed a lot, very big town, lots of asian shops but reasonably clean. .. The meat they sell is absolutely gorgeous and very reasonable. .. I dont know why we can't get nice meat at the same price in our own town! Tony, thanks for your advice in email. Vonny, thanks for your pickle - the house looks lovely. To everyone else, hope you are all well and happy - I better go to bed before I drop here. .. One last day to do my packing. .. Whether I can do any washing before I leave depends entirely on the weather - might even have to take it over to Perth and wash! .. It is always stressful for me to pack - always worried I will forget something important. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ nite all Love Jood

Hello everyone Guess what - it's raining in Toowoomba and I can hear the rain splashing into our new tank! So far we've had 20mls and it's still raining. What a great Christmas present. Only hope the poor devils in the fire areas get some. Jood - hope your trip to Perth goes well - just remember to wriggle your legs. Laurie - hope you are not too worn out from entertaining the ankle biters! Vonny - imagine it being so cold in the National Capital - been quite hot here today. Our Queen is feeling well - she's just busy. Sleep tight everyone X Anna

Yipee Anna, so pleased, - hope it poured rain ALL NIGHT !!!............Hz

Morning all Jood must either be asleep still or packing ! Good luck Jood, if you forget something a good excuse to buy something new in Perth lol Must dash Brandy - any news of 3C Hugs to all who need them, and prayers for firies and those who have lost thier homes JA

Good morning Wafflers, Good news re the rain in Toowoombah Anna . . . how many times have you been out and tapped the side to see much water is in the tank teeheee . . . All fine at Grand Central - cloud still hanging around but the wind has eased and the sun is about. Grand Central we are indeed . . . neice Lyn from Canberra has just phoned and asked if she and 5yr old daughter can spend the night between trains headed north . . . so they have the pleasure of the matress on the living room floor tonight . . LOL Headed off to the Zoo today with Marg and the boys so fingers crossed on the weather. Hope the firies are getting some relief, and spare a thought for the families of the volunteers - left home without knowing what is going on worrying about their loved ones, and missing them - and missing out on having them home for those special little things that happen at the end of school year etc. Ah well Aunty Lollie better go pack up the chuck wagon for the day . . . hope you all have a good one. luv Laurie

Morning Wattlers. Blurry cold day in Canberra yesterday and needed a coat when I went out last night.Today seems a little better and is quite nice. G/daughters graduation ceremony was lovely and went till about 10pm. starting at 5.30. with eats in the middle .A really lovely bunch of girls and very talented. Those keen on media did a vidio record of lots of events held at the school during the year, all mad and funny, and got all the girles in the class included ,,all 120 approx of them, and showed it at the end of the night, the hall was in roars of laughter. Each girl received a copy of the cd to take home as a souvinere. So glad we got to go and see the lovely night. Anna So glad you have got some rain. Lets hope there is more to come. Suzy Q Your TV should have lasted longer than 2 years. Take it to someone who lives on the coast and compare its reception to what you are getting up in the mountains. If it is ok there you will know its the antenna, and those set top boxes do make a big difference. Our son had trouble receiving some channells , but when he got a STB it made a huge difference and he now gets good reception. Lara Have a nice day in Shepperton, Fill the pantry with tinned fruit from the factory outlets. Having a nice restful day today and tonight we are going to the Helenic Club for a GOAT dinner,It is not on the menue but if you say you want it they will cook it for you,OH loved the meal of goat he had last time so cant wait to get back for more,lol We are off home tomorrow and hope it is not to hot a trip. Jood In case I dont get you before you leave have a lovely trip and keep in touch.. Love and hugs to all Love Mary xxxxx

Hi Wafflrers, very eiree and smokie today. just popping in to say Hi hope everyone is ok , have to get back to work Flakey

Arvo Peeps. Has anyone seen Melb city?....it seems to have disappeared. Working in Brunsawick and Footisgray this morning 4 kms from the city centre, but you cant see it through the smoke. Travelling back along the S.Eastern freeway towards the Dandenongs and the smokey haze is so bad it almost chokes you, if you leave your car windows down. Saw one elderly lady walking with a hanky up to her face. The news from the car radio was telling us that smoke is waffting down from the Alpine fires, and also drifting up across the Tasman from the fires in tassie, so Melb. is copping it from both ends. We could do with a decent downpour to clear the air, and also help our firies. Bar-code Barb is at it again, and is off with a girlfriend and her daughter plus Sarah to see Kylie in concert tonight, live at the tennis centre and looking forward to it. ( nuther freebie...lol ) and to top it off, when i arrived home not long ago, she had a big grin on her face...:>)))) She entered a Pepsi promotion and just picked up 2 plane flight tickets, to anywhere in Oz. ( nuff ta make ya sick..aint it...lol ) O'h well...as she says, ya gotta be in it to win it. So i put me hand up for a free return flight to Darwin or Broom.....:>))) Hope everyones having a great day whatever your doing. Rudes...:>))

Cor Tony, what a wonderful lady you married! Hope Barb and Sarah have a fantastic time at the Kylie show, it will be a treat. And another holiday looms – I’d love to see Darwin, especially in a blurry good thunderstorm!!lol Gosh, poor old Melbourne. Albury is smokey but clearer than yesterday. Just saw Elvis or his clone come in to Albury airport, not exactly sure what is going on up the valley and the alps, but keeping fingers crossed for everyone. I think I would have heard if Bright or Wandiligong were threatened. Bit of a fire at Tumut in the pine plantations I believe. I didn’t sleep well last night and have had a really busy day today, so I’m feeling a tad flat - hope everyone else is taking care of themselves, Jood have a good trip, don’t hassle about the packing too much, Mary I hope John has had a better day, hi Flakey, you sound busy too, Laurie I don’t know where you get your energy from, all those visitors lol. ~~~~~~~to everyone I haven’t mentioned and here’s hoping we all get a break soon……… Hz

Well peeps - it wasn't the packing that was a problem, it was Live Messenger and MSN on both computers that were playing up - and that has taken most of the day (Im sooo stressed and upset) Upset because I was reported to the police for harrassing a lady in this town on the phone. .. Happens like this - I was about to turn my mobile off for the flight tomorrow, and saw 4 messages, so played 101, and this lady's voice says something like Judy - answer me, why do you keep ringing me. .. I had no idea what she was talking about, so rang her. .. She said she got these msgs just before 5 last night, well I didn't get home till about 4.30 and was on Live Messenger most of that time before I went out at 6.15, I had used the phone to ring RTA (phone, not mobile) - why would I use mobile when phone right next to me. .. She says she had reported me to the police and told me to ring them. I thought and thought - and could not recall having rung anyone. .. I checked my outgoing messages and there was one to that number on Monday at 11.20am - at that time I was busy giving out raffle tickets at our club - then I remembered someone asked for a mobile phone to ring another lady who was supposed to attend. .. I gave her my phone (not my attention) - and kept working - she gave the the phone back and said the lady is here (in a wheelchair with breathing apparatus) - so I decided to ring the accusing lady up - I saId are you a member of View Club, and she said yes, I explained what happened - she said I am surprised you could get through as they blocked you from calling me. .. (Stupid woman) .. The lady who borrowed the phone is not home yet. .. I've solved the problem, but I was extremely tearful and upset. .. I hate being accused of doing something I havent. .. I rang the police station and they asked me details but seems they hadn't recorded it (triviality I imagine). .. I still get upset when I think about it. So much for my day :( Jood

lol..Hz. Yea'h perhaps i should marry her...LOL Trouble is, she might make me sign a pre nuptial disclaimer agreement as not to claim any big prizes she wins if we divorce.....lol Better to live in sin...me thinks...hee hee Up here for thinkin....down there fer dancing....:>))) * please dont take me serious*..lol..... Dum de dum de dum.. Problem with the smoke in Melb City is that we already get the normal smog everyday anyway, and this combined makes it like pea soup thick haze. Feel for the peeps with asthma and breathing problems.....best to stay indoors. Rudes...:>))

O'i Joodles. Big hugs for you mate. Dont let no one upset you. Go and have a Martooonie mate, and put on ya best smile, and tell the world to go jump. Rudes x

Oh Joods how awful for you, hug on it's way. Try and forget about it, stupid woman. just look forward to your holiday. have a safe journey. Love Jillx

Goodafternoon Wattlers, Thought I`d better call in and say G-day to everyone and wish you & yours all the very best for Christmas & the New Year. Anna, good to hear you are getting some rain in your new tank, we rely on rain water for our house (no town water here) did you know that for every mm of rain - you get 1ltr per square metre of roof. At least that gives us an idea of how much goes into the tank. Jood enjoy Perth & catching up with friends & rellies. Congrats. to Tony & family on the safe arrival of Jack. Vonny was it you I was talking to this time last year on the general board about Christmas lollies especially licorice allsorts, well I bought some today but me thinks they are not going to last till Christmas day they are so nice. Im limiting myself to only one packet this year. Hi Lara hows that hoya growing? Look after youselves everyone & pray for rain. Cheers Pat.

Hi everyone, didn't stop to say hello when I read Joods msg, wanted to send a hug staight away. Well haven't I been the busy one, nicely busy that is. yesterday was gdaughter's graduation ceremony from primary school, now her mum's working full time I tend to go to quite a few of the grandies school functions. After doing more chrissie shopping I came home to finish decorating my sister's chrissie cake, now all I have to do is wrap it really well for it to arrive in Freeo in one piece. I wonder what my chances are. To everyone affected by these fires am thinking of you. Take care luv Jillx