Bushfires and floods

Hello everyone! I've had a few emails asking if Hanno and I are okay and if we are close to the bushfires. At least 25 people have been killed by fires in Victoria, which is at the bottom of Australia. I'm happy to report we are a couple of thousand kilometres away from the fires. There are other fires in New South Wales, where Tricia lives, but they're not near her home at the moment. The temperatures down south are still very hot - well over 40C (104F) in many areas, and no doubt the temperatures are aiding the fires.

We live in Queensland, and while we certainly have the odd bushfire, summer is our wet season, so there isn't such a threat here. In fact, we have floods here in our state,with record rainfall in many little towns and areas along the coast. In a long strip along the coast, the rain has poured down without a break for almost a month. Again, Hanno and I are not close to the flooded areas.

I hope everyone who reads here is safe. I really feel for all those suffering in the heat, not just the people, but also the pets, stock and wildlife. I can't imagine how devastating it must be to lose your home to a fire or a flood. As well as the loss of human life, there have been heavy stock losses, both in the fires and the floods, and I'm guessing a lot of wild animals and reptiles have died too. It's so sad.

So far, this year has witnessed a cruel climate. I've seen on the news there have been record snowfalls and low temperatures in the UK and the US. I send my best wishes to everyone who is suffering either fire, flood or the extremes of high or low temperatures. Thank you for thinking of us, we are fine, I hope you are too. Stay safe everyone.