I've been dropping my son off to work each day in Lilydale (lost his licence - last September - sheesh!!!!) and from the hill as you come down into Lilydale one can still see large smoke plumes across the mountain ranges. It wouldn't take much, if the wind came up, to head towards the suburbs, it's that close!

Predictions are not looking good for this Saturday either with more heat and winds. I so hope not!

I had heard (and saw in the newspaper today) that a person I have known for years is missing, presumed dead. He went to Marysville to check on their family's holiday home and has not come back. His wife is a Paediatrician and he is a phD in education. Such a loss! We are still awaiting news.

So many artists and professional people, as well as, everyday people who have rejected city living, live in those lovely areas.

I think a lot of people are feeling a sense of despondency quite apart from all the fire tragedy! I know I am! With no rain at all now for eight weeks and hot temperatures on the back of another drought year, we are all experiencing the demise of our lovely gardens which are looking brown and wilted and our lawns are like straw. I've NEVER seen it like that before. With water supplies so low of course we have to leave watering our gardens for more important things like living!!