i spent my weekend at Bairnsdale, visiting a girlfriend.
it was somehow relaxing yet unforgettable, mostly contributed by the climatic frenzy.
friday.
temperature: around mid 20s.
weather: perfect clear blue sky, perfect breeze.
7.30 in the morning and all packed, i headed to Southern Cross which is literally a stone throw away from where i live, got on the maroon and white V-line carriage, then continued my sleep as soon as we left the city. 3-and-a-half hour later, Auntie Yong, who was still numb from her root canal treatment earlier that morning, picked me up at Bairnsdale station.
the afternoon wasn't very happening, i had lunch with PY and Auntie, visited the clinic, walked to town, did a little bit of rushed groceries in Safeway (mainly due to PY trying to avoid awkward conversations since she kept bumping into her patients every 5 minutes) and had a marvelous dinner of Auntie's home cooking, comprising of curry chicken and some yummy vegetarian dish i've never seen before.
we watched a lot of tv that night. there were heaps of fire warnings, but it didn't cross my mind what mal-effect it would have on my little weekend trip.
saturday.
temperature: at least 45
weather: smoke and ashes, strong gale, thunderstorms with no rain.
we basically locked ourselves up in the house, turned on the aircon and watched tv all day. mostly listening to news on the bushfires. that was when i started to get worried.
the hottest day in Victorian history for years. and i chose such weekend to go to the bush. oh...my...goodness! it was really terrifying to see the advancing front of the fire travels in such speed, aided by the 100kph wind, flattening several towns, taking lives, including some in Gippsland region. roads were blocked, no train running. how am i suppose to get home? we wouldn't even open the door since the air outside smelled strongly of smoke! i was ready for the worst, to spend another night with the Yongs and to call my boss to break the bad news of me getting stuck in the Lakes.
ironically, Queensland is having a really bad flood at the moment. if only we can get a pipe to direct all those waters down here, eh?
nevertheless, despite the heat, some people dared to venture out of their house to visit us. Auntie Kim and his husband drove down from Eastwood to have lunch with us and even came back later at night to give us 5 ears of corn their farmer friend just harvested from the field. a positive highlight of the day: the mee prawn we had for lunch was fabulously delicious! 4 thumbs up to Auntie Yong!
i fell asleep that night praying for rains and trains.
sunday.
temperature: last time i heard on tv, it was 20.
weather: grey sky, cool change, drizzles.
it was a struggle to get back to Melbourne. the morning train had been replaced with a coach and it didn't even go all the way to Melbourne. it would only get me to Warragul and the Yongs insisted that i stay until there's a service that will definitely get me to to the city.
this little change of plan actually enabled me to see more of the Lakes. Auntie Kim and Mr Palmer drove us to Paynesville where we had our second round of coffee (PY and i had one at home already but hey we need our booster dose of caffeine) and the super nice italian ricotta cake at Fisherman's Wharf cafe at the esplanade, just by the water, admiring all those "money floating on the water" (PY's language for yachts). then we drop by the station to find out if there had been any update on the situation, and thank God, the 12.40 service would be running! i had to take a coach to Traralgon then V-line train to Melbourne. it's better than nothing, isn't it?
we spent the remaining 2 hours we had visiting a farm at Lindenow, 30 minutes drive from Bairnsdale, and there we witnessed the sad aftermath of the previous day heat attack, the top of the corn crops were all brown and wilted, the land was parched and the grass was so dry no wonder fire spreads so easily. it's a bit of a relief to see the carrots and cabbages are holding on.
it's time to catch my bus, so PY and Auntie walked me back to the station. no dramas this time, thank God!
morals of the story:
- the hospitality of country people is amazing. i've only known them for the weekend and they sent me home with their first fruit of their home-grown tomato, a box of home-made achar that tastes fantastic (i can't believed she remembered i said i loved it!) and 5 ears of corn. maybe we have lived too long in the selfish and individualistic city athmosphere we just forget it is how we are supposed to act as human beings.
- treasure true friends. they are rare, God-given gems you must keep for life. PY, u're one of the shiniest.
- do not mess with nature.
- check the weather before you travel somewhere far away, especially if you don't have your own car. Victorian weather is crazy.
- trains get cancelled so often these days.
- have faith in our Good Lord coz somehow He'll make a way.
- pray strength and hope come down for those dearly affected by the fire.
- home is still the best place to be!
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