Catastrophic bush fires in the area.

We recently moved house and moved states here in Australia. For the last 3 weeks we have experienced catastrophic bushfires in New South Wales and Queensland. I have been amazed at the loving kindness and fortitude that has been shown during this catastrophe. Our local Fire Stations have had assistance from Volunteer country brigades and volunteers from other state. There have been many stories of people doing their all in the face of adversity. A firefighter who lost his own home while doing his duty and saving other peoples homes. A lady who was driving down a road with the bushfire raging and stopped to save a koala that was distressed and disorientated and was badly burnt. People have been evacuated from the bush fire zones to nearby townships and eveyone has been donating items or helping out in some way. A group which usually helps out the homeless in Coffs Harbour has been organising getting supplies to some of the affected areas, with the help of local businesses that have loaned their trucks to ease the burden on this local not for profit charity. (facebook page: Hope for the Homeless- Coffs Harbour View Link ) along with other agencies such as local Lions Clubs, Salvation Army, Rotary etc,. Did have to smile at one post which I have enclosed a photo off.

New South Wales is not growing on me..... (not the retirement I had envisioned)

I have had a very limited perception of what's possible since I finished unpacking. The research I did prior to the move regards Neighbourhood Houses turned out to be incorrect, no Neighbourhood house in Nambucca or Macksville. My vision of retirement, didn't include getting up before 7 to go for a walk because it is too hot to go for a walk later in the day. Although I was looking forward to getting into gardening in Tassie (it had become overgrown when I was off the deck with my leg injury for 6 weeks then I was working fulltime) isn't going to work well because of the heat (I am not getting up even earlier to do gardening as well as a walk) also the weeds are on steroids. However, have just spent a lovely few days catching up with my family in Queensland, I am doing a lot of knitting (and I have a lot of yarn in my stash) so catching up on some reading for Book Chat through U3A which I have joined. Going to a craft group with CWA on Thursdays, then we do our shopping. Planning on doing some writing on my blog and writing up some of my knitting patterns for my craft group here on facebook. So have to get my rear into gear and try to appreciate what NSW has to offer; but it will never measure up in anyway to Tasmania.