A fiery start to the year.........

Well we all know what a dreadul start to the year it was as many parts of Australia had bushfires raging, seemingly uncontollable.  Between the never ending clouds of smoke drifting across the country we also had major dust storms as well.  Looking out our front windows or driving along the Hume we could have easily thought we were back in Bangkok or Hong Kong such was the air quality of all the surrounding areas.  For so many people it was anything but a 'Happy New Year'.

Our year started with a drive to Benalla to support artist Tim Bowtell as he fixed his street painting of Greta.  First painted as part of the Benalla Christmas Window initiative it had been vandalised over the New Year weekend.  A group from NEA joined him as he did some cosmetic surgery and fixed her.

Our next bit of excitement came two days later on the 4th January when we woke to an early morning warning on our Vic Fire app.  There was a fire on Balmattum Hill.  Now that is just a bit close for comfort as we look at that hill from our front windows.  It is the just other side of the creek a few km away.

We had been going to visit Astrid, Hans and Bianca at their camp at Lake Eildon but decided to err on the side of caution and stay home.  The fire burned all day and there was said to be more than 30 fire crews attending.  Most of the hill was not accessible by vehicle so there was also two Helicopters water bombing the hill, a smaller water bomber, a spotter plane to guide them all and during the afternoon the large plane came in to drop fire retardant as they tried to stop it reaching the Service Centre on the Hume.

The temperature was 39 deg and the wind was very strong and erratic so we watched all day in case we had to evacuate.  There were a few moments when we thought we might have too but thankfully the wind direction changed during the afternoon and eased the threat.  They did evacuate the service centre though the MacDonalds staff stayed and fed the fire fighters.

The view that night was rather spectacular and this photo taken by a local person has been picked up and used on papers across the country.  While the fire was under control it continued to burn in a few areas over the next few days with smaller crews staying active for more than a week.  We are very thankful for all the hard work they do in such extreme circumstances.

The next week saw us visiting friends and enjoying a delicous barbecue lunch with Kathy and Russell in Kyabram.  We had met them last year when we stayed in Julatten and it was lovely to catch up with them both again.  Valerie and Roger in Shepparton hosted a barbecue dinner where we joined them with Melanie, Simon, Carol and Ross.  Another fun night was had by all as we enjoyed good food, a wine or two and had lots of laughs.

Mid January we hit the road again to check out the outlets Bill has for his cards, calanders, etc.  Our first day out took us to Rutherglen and Chiltern.  Since our last visit an artist has been busy in Chiltern and painted a beautiful picture of the endangered Regent Honeyeater on the wall of the toilet block in the park.  It looks amazing.  Further forays saw us visiting Glenrowan, Yackandandah, Beechworth, Benalla, Shepparton, Mooroopna, Murchison, Elmore, Yea and Alexandra.

We were due to start back at the markets on the 7th January but during that month many of them were cancelled due to the ongoing threat of the fires so it was not until the 3rd Saturday when we did our first one at Euroa.  It was great to be back in action and we had a fun day with lots of locals and friends stopping by to say hello.

The next week we ventured a little further afield as we drove across to Yarrawonga to have a look at a market in the Showgrounds there.  We weren't too keen on it but discovered the following weekend the Foreshore Market was on so we applied to attend that one.  We got in and decided that instead of driving there very early on a market morning we would go up and spend the night.  The first month we stayed in a little Motel but the next month we took the van up and stayed in a Caravan Park.  A little longer in bed certainly helps.

Set on the shores of Lake Mulwala you couldn't ask for a nicer location.  Not sure how good it will be on a dismal day though.  So far we have been lucky with the weather and all is well.  Lots of people out and about mean we meet some very nice folk from near and far.

Another big day out saw us drive over to Bright once it reopened for business and we were surprised at how quiet it still was.  There was evidence on the hills of just how close some of the fires had come to the town and it has certainly devastated the tourist trade.  I hope things improve for them soon.  

On the way back we stopped at Mytleford and found this statue in the park.  It is dedicated to the Tobacco Growers which was the main crop in this area from the early 1870's until the final harvest in 2006.  That must have been the first time we visited Bright as we saw tobacco growing on our first trip.

As the month wore on, the usual groups started up again.  Bill went back to his Photographic and Computer Groups and I started back at Line Dancing and Exercises.  The Family History group started again at the museum and it was with great excitement that I found out my Nana's mention of her family owning a hotel in Glenrowan where Ned Kelly used to go was in fact right and I now have the corresponding news articles showing this connection.  How about that, almost famous!  Trivia started back and Bill joined us for our first night out and we started the year off with a win.  A few more $$ added to the kitty for another night out.  Bill continues to volunteer at NEA each fortnight.

As the weather changed and the fire risk decreased life returned to normal across Northern Victoria.  The markets returned to regular dates and so did we.  Our market endeavours now include Yea, Tallarook, Violet Town, Avenel, Euroa and Yarrawonga.  They are good fun to do and we enjoy meeting a wide range of people each week.  We do not enjoy the early morning starts so much though.

As a result of the market at Yea we now have cards in the Information Centre at Alexandra.  Also in the Info Centre at Nagambie as a result of the Tallarook Markets.  So even a quiet day can pay off quite differently.  Keeps us out of mischief I guess.  

There have been a couple of opening nights attended at Bush Gatherings and last week we went to the Back Arts Gallery in Violet Town for the Opening of a Retrospective by local lady Leah Jones.  Her wearable art and textile exhibition was wonderful and now Bill has to find space on the wall for the little piece I fell in love with.

When we are not driving all around the country side visiting shops we have enjoyed time with friends.  Lots of coffees have been enjoyed with Judi and Peter, Wayne and Rae, Joan and Jeanie.  A couple of dinners with Janet as she has been helping Bill with choices for his upcoming venture in April - watch this space!

We had a pleasant surprise when we picked up a copy of The Murrindindi Guide.  A shop in Alexandra called Rustic Simplicity is selling some of Bill's Framed Photos, Matted Prints and cards and she is showcasing them through March and April.  It was quite a surprise to find this lovely write up in the guide.

So there you have it.  A busy and eventful start to 2020.  I'm certain that it will stay this way for a while.  For now though it's time to get ready for tomorrow's market at Violet Town.

until next time..........