‘Ash from the bushfires rained down on us in the Adelaide Hills’

We turned on the TV and David checked Facebook to see where the fire was. Sure enough, it was a bit closer than we would have liked. Next, our daughter Ashleigh rang, as she is in a closer area again. She said that the smoke was getting thick and the falling ash was very scary. Last year, the fires came extremely close to her and her partner Matt, and people they knew lost their homes and properties. Some have still not been rebuilt!

We suddenly found ourselves with the smell of the smoke in our home – a sign the fires were getting closer. It was within 10 kilometres of us. If the winds that were predicted had eventuated, I’m sure we would have been bundling our two doggies and our special keepsakes into the car and heading to our son Kael’s house. His partner Ellie had rung and said to come and stay with them. A house can always be rebuilt – but not a life.

I had a very disturbed sleep and was up more than I was down. Fortunately the fires didn’t come to us and the rain began to pour down. The Country Fire Service said it won’t be enough rainfall to put it out, but it would certainly help.

The area affected hasn’t seen fire since our last Ash Wednesday, nearly 15 years ago. So you can imagine the undergrowth that is at Mount Bold. What upsets us – and most of the people who live in the country – is that it looks like the fires were deliberately lit. (A man has been charged with starting a bushfire in the Adelaide Hills.) I know they say it’s an illness and the people cannot help themselves, but surely there is more we can do? Why don’t we clear the sides of the roads like we used to, by grazing the cattle down? These days the weeds are over the barbwire fencing.

I know that this is only the beginning and that more fires will come and, yes, it is our choice to live in the country. Australia is the hottest country and South Australia is one of the hottest states, but I wouldn’t live anywhere else, and I’m loving being back in the country.