Thanks to everyone who sent me messages in discord asking if we're ok.

We are ok. We're the blue dot 👇

As you can see we're surrounded by fires at the moment but then again, most of the east coast of Australia is on fire right now.

We've been packed and ready to evacuate since the beginning of November starting with a local fire only 1km away from home. Bella was only 9 days old then.

I don't even know where to start, which is probably why it's taken me this long to blog about it.

As a Blue Mountains local, having been here for over 5 years, bush fires are part of our summers. Everyone up here is aware and prepared for a bush fire and as a community we generally work together to make sure our properties and our communities as prepared and protected as can be.

But this season is something else. I've never seen it this bad since we moved up nor do I remember fires like this ravage the country ever in my 30 plus years living here.

The fire season came earlier, as did the searing heat and as prepared as everyone is you could still feel the tension and alarm in the air.

But if there's a community equipped to deal with this it's the Blue Mountains. The residents are all hyper alert constantly posting updates and observations on various community groups. We have seasoned RFS crews and local government who all work together to protect and keep us all informed on a daily basis.

Everything considered I still feel blessed especially since we are surrounded by fires and have managed to remain unscathed.

My heart really goes out to everyone who's been affected by the fires along the coast, and of course our native wildlife.

A reprieve

We've had much needed and welcomed rain up here for the last two days along with cooler weather in the coming weeks and I'm hoping that will help ease the intensity and movement of the fires near me.

It's been a hell of a summer season so far especially with a newborn.

She's only known 8 fire scare free days and a couple of weeks of not being inundated by smoke in the 74 days she's been alive.

Having her helps keep us focused and calm. We don't have time to stress out or panic or worry about the fires. Every moment we have is spent savouring and enjoying her knowing this moment is irreplaceable and will be gone too soon.

The house and it's contents can be replaced but these precious newborn moments cannot.

Once again, thanks to all those who reached out ~ I love you guys.

Please keep Australia in your thoughts and prayers. We have a month and a half left in summer. Let's all hope for the best from here on in.