Jouney through 'Hell on Earth'

On the road through one of the fire areas
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Watching the early news at Benalla, comparisons were being made to the Ash Wednesday bush fires of 1983 when 75 people lost their lives....currently the death toll had risen from some 45 people last night to 86 this morning, and the toll was expected to rise. Properties lost totalled 100+ and the total continues to rise. It had been quite a weekend, and one freely admits to having been deeply affected by the tragedies affecting so many hundreds of people.

After a Requiem Mass (for all those who have lost life in the bush fires) at a retirement centre, we got in the car which was already loaded up with our luggage, and we headed off back to the City of Melbourne. We drove along the Hume Highway which had reopened, and for most of the journey, and for as far as the eye could see there was smoke in the air, hanging over the areas where bush fires had struck or were still raging....naturally these areas were in the distance. Eventually, the smell of smoke and its visability diappeared. However, when we got to just north of Kilmore, we started to see signs of the bush fires all along the Highway.....scorched verges, charred trees, lined the road and the central reservation and there seemed no end to this scene now termed 'Hell on Earth' by Victoria's Premier John Brumby. By the road side houses that once stood there, now reduced to smouldering rubble, eerily, the house next door standing in tact....the effects of the 120km winds changing ... direction ... on the hillside the carcusses of burnt cattle lay strewn....the whole scene too much to take in, to comprehend...comparisons being made to the scenes in Revelation and the Apocalypse! How very distressing for us - occasional tears welling up - one picture often recurring in my (Fr David's) mind of a car with 6 people in it fleeing their home but not fast enough to escape the fires that simply 'vapourised' anything in its path and fuelled by exploding eucalyptus trees!

there seemed no end to this scene now termed 'Hell on Earth' by Victoria's Premier John Brumby.

More devastation
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Eventually, in the distance the familiar towers on the skyline of Melbourne appeared, the brillaint sunshine we had left last Thursday, now dimmed by a cloudy sky, dull sunshine, and cooler temperatures. We drove through the City and Fr Philip pointed out one or two places of interest which we would explore later. We pulled up outside the Vicarage, and unloaded the car.

After a quick turn around, we headed off into town on foot. First stop, the RC Cathedral of S. Patrick. Sadly, no photography was allowed inside of this beautifully reordered cathedral. From the Cathedral, we headed for the former Melbourne Gaol where such infamous prisoners like Ned Kelly had been incarceraed and then hung! It seemed a morbid thing to be doing - but it was a fascinating visit nonetheless.

Melboune skyline
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From the Gaol we headed through the Gardens of the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens. We returned to the Vicarage before heading out for dinner.We had seen on a number of occasions a place called 'Little Creatures Dining Hall' which we decided to try out - we weren't disappointed (see review).

After dinner we wondered into town before returning on the last tram to Fitzroy.

Tuesday 10/2

The death toll from the bushfires stands at 181. 700 properties have been lost to the fires.

S. Patrick's RC Cathedral
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Today, we caught a tram to St. Kilder - the sea front and beach! We wondered along the beach front in a bracing wind! We then headed in land to Ackland Street which has on it lots of eating places and patisseries. We wondered up and down both sides, mesmerised by the delicious and tempting cakes - all of which we decided were far too fattening and taking note of some of our readers comments on the Blog! However, we were hungry so stopped off at a Japanese Sushi Bar where Andrew had the raw fish while I had Stirfried beef and noodles in sukiyaki sauce. Soon we were heading back to Fitzroy on the tram having been invited to afternoon tea at some parishioners of Fr Philip.

Inside Melbourne Gaol
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For our evening meal we went out for a pub meal at a local pub.

We're all going to the zoo tomorrow!

Wednesday 11/2

On the early morning news, an image you may have seen back home was shown on tv. It showed a CFA (Country Fire Authority) Officer - the CFA's are volunteer firefighters who work in rural areas. The Officer was shown with 'Sam' a Koala Bear who had fled the fires. Her tiny burned paw rested on the Officers hand, as she drank water from a bottle quenching her sleak thirst, some water poured over the paw, cooling the pain. She drank the best part of three bottles - Koala Bears rarely drink water, getting most of their water from eucalyptus leaves. The image has become an Icon of the Bush fires.

St. Kilder's Waterfront
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Today was zoo day! Melboune City Zoo.

Fr Philip dropped us off at the gates for our 'Meet the Family' experience! The weather for the earlier part of the day was windy and raining! However, it did get out later, as Fr David's burned pate could testify to.

The zoo was fantastic - endless photographs can prove this - and our legs and feet ached. Two highlights of the visit were the opportunity to feed the Kangaroos - and the Orang-u-tans who gave us endless fun entertaining us with a bedsheet!

Some of the local flowers on sale - not cheap!
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The zoo is a full days visit so as it was closing we were quite ready to jump on a tram heading for home - except we weren't - we were on the wrong tram heading off in the wrong direction and away from the city. We discovered this the last stop before the terminus. Thankfully - only 10 minutes back to where we had boarded and then onwards to the city, a chnage of tram out to Fitzroy. Back in time to chnage for the Theatre.

Fr Philip had kindly got us tickets for 'The Thirty-Nine Steps' which was on at the Art Centre Playhouse. This was a hilariously funny performance enjoyed by us all. After the performance, Fr Philip drove us back to Fitzroy where we headed for a late dinner - it was about 1030pm. We went to Cafe Nova, a late night eaterie! Best described as a spit and sawdust place, the food was ok - although the chicken parmigiana was a bit overwhelming at that time of night and I (Fr D) suffered! The others meals were ok.  Back to Vicarage.

Andrew catches a reflection of himself in the window
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Thursday 12/2

Today was South Bank day. Before we crossed the brdige we went into Fedartion Square for a light lunch at 'Time Out", a cafe bar. The food was excellent. I had a wonderful Tandoori Chicken rice salad while Andrew had a chicken caesar salad.

A visit to the riverside and in particular the South Bank of the River Yarra. Apparently, this area of Melbourne has really taken off since Andrew was last here when there was very little in the way of buildings. Now, the whole of the areas skyline is strewn with highrise office blocks, hotels, shopping precints and restauarnts. The pedestrian area along the south bank of the river is worth a walk along - some lovely art work and exhibits dot the promenade. There are some good views of the city and of the skyline too.

Kangaroo steak will not be so appealing in future
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We then headed back to the Vicarage after a long day and lots of walking again. Later in the evening we headed out to Brunswick Street for a 'Massive' (its name and it was) 'Meatlovers' pizza. Delicious! Back to Vicarage for a well -earned rest.

Friday 13/2

The death toll from the bush fires still stands at 181, but 1000 homes are reported lost. 14 fires are still deemde out of control and one area is under serious threat - baring in mind the fires have been raging since Saturday - almost a week. 100's of 1000's of hectares of land have been burned and millions of wildlife have perished. It is now being reported that some of the bush fires were started deliberately, and that one of the arsonists has been arrested and charged - in this particular fire over 20 people died.

Art on South Bank
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Today was always going to a restful day - time to catch up on the Blog and the ironing and to make our preparations for leaving Fitzroy and Melbourne and the State of Victoria, for Sydney, New South Wales. We travel there tomorrow morning.