As many of you know, our departure from Oxford at the end of July happened to be during some of the worst flooding the area has seen in a century. Today, 85 days after our personal effects were packed into a shipping container they were delivered back to us; a delievery that took place in the midst of a disaster at the other end of nature’s spectrum, wild fires.
Presently, there are two fires eluding the control of fire fighters that are both approximately 5 miles from our home. As with flooding, fires are a very localised kind of disaster, so 5 miles can make a huge difference as to whether or not you are directly effected. In our case, it is highly unlikely that a fire will actually make it to our apartment. Unlike flooding, however, fires have a nasty way of making themselves known. Significant quantities of ash are being released into the atmosphere and blown our way (I’ve had to brush the lap top off twice to clear off fine soot). It also smells disgusting and makes breathing difficult. As county transportation and businesses are significantly disrupted by all of the events, Brian was not required to be at work today nor tomorrow.
Ergo, right was we should be composing a jubilant, ‘We made it email’, we are instead catapulting down the freeway away from our earthly possessions to spend a day or two with Rachel’s parents in Los Angeles county. Ironic? We think so.
