SO, we're into the first week of what promises, without divine intervention, to be a Summer from hell.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
We've come through unscathed with warnings of dire bushfire seasons in the past but really this time it's a whole new ball game.
In fact we really are in uncharted territory as evidenced by traumatic events of recent weeks - in fact months.
The dreadful never ending drought is clearly the key factor but the real game changer is the freakish sequence of howling winds that never seem to stop to take a breath.
Add in the factors of dry lightning - as with the record breaking Wollemi fire - and the human factor, either foolish neglect or sinister intent, and there are dark days ahead.
Meantime stay calm and carry on, and stay out of bushland on fire risk days; it just might rain one day.
On the plus side
IT'S not a total loss around our part of the world with the drought. Unlike most of the region we have surprisingly good water storages remaining in our two lakes to cater for the usual holiday rush - and the water bombers.
Change of venue; same urgent need
LAST week when the Mercury launched an appeal for the Ulysses Christmas charity toy run on Saturday week, December 14, we said the run would end at Cooerwull School. But with construction work (a new fence) planned for that weekend there's a new venue and the run will now end at the State Mine Museum around 10.45 am. It really has been a demanding year but try to help just one more time.
A belated Spring Clean
IT'S a few days too late to be termed a Spring Clean but with the season of the outdoors and picnics and in the interests of public health if not aesthetics it would be nice if Council could fine time for an urgent program of hosing down the pigeon and assorted wild bird droppings on benches in QE Park, mainly near the rotunda (if they can find a tap) and on the concrete in Cook Plaza.
Love local news? Subscribe for as little as $2 a week. Find out how here.
