Thinking of you guys down there. 

This time last year, I had such a blast on the northern tablelands ride with many of you, I’m so glad that I didn’t put the trip off by a year.

Just seen the fires ravishing parts of NSW on the UK news - hope they are nowhere close to any of your homes (and bikes).

We’ve just got major rain fall and flooding up here - particularly in the midlands. 

Be safe though, wherever you are - bikes and possessions can always be replaced, no matter how much it hurts to lose them.

Nice post mate.
I'm sitting 400 klm south and been freezing these last 2 days. What a whacko country.
We all wish safety to our mates.
RT

Nice thoughtful post Paul. We wish all our mates will be safe from these fires especially those in the northern part of the state.
Paul, can you arrange to have some of that rain to move over our way? 
As you know, we are having a really dry spell at the moment and some small towns have run out of water..
Cheers
Tom

There hasn't been any fires near me so far since the last near miss a few weeks ago but Stan is in the firing line at Old Bar near Taree. I don't know where abouts his place is there and we can only hope it's safe.

agree looked pretty chaotic down there

best wishes to stan

I spoke to Stan this afternoon and the fire is very very close to them but they were OK at that time sitting out the back putting out spot fires as they appear, no doubt from flying embers. The roads out of his area were closed at the time of our conversation so they have to ride it out.

I'm sure he will let us know how they fare when he can.

Thanks for the update Gaz. 

I had a look at the fire map on the rfs.nsw website - not good at all down Stan’s way. Nearly 18k hectares of bush burning out of control and moving NE...with Old Bar directly in its path.

Having stayed at his place last year, I know he has a lot of trees all around him and will have his work cut out if the fire spreads any closer to his property. Thank goodness he did his time as a volunteer fireman back in Dubbo - if anyone can protect his place, it’s definitely him but wishing I was back there to help him deal with it.

Just don’t leave it too late Stan, to get Jayne and the dogs out and to a place of safety. My thoughts are with you (for all the good that will do from 10k mikes away).

Just received a message from Stan to say the roads into their area are open again, people are being allowed back in and the situation is improving.

Thanks again Gaz - that’s seriously good news, for now. 
Looks like you’re going to have a long, difficult summer down there.

Thanks for all the thoughts. We have been very, very lucky so far. Road in and out of Old Bar was shut and then they cut  off the road that services our little area. No loss of life here but houses and property gone. We lost the back section of our place which had trees and then the fire went next door. Tomorrow predicted 37 C and wind.

Good to hear all are safe.

Good to know you are safe Stan, We haven't heard form redrockmania in ages either.

Great to hear 

Hope the rest of the week is good as well 

We just had idots lighting fire in the bush lands near the uni  up here

Born Again Eccentric wrote:Thinking of you guys down there. […] 

Be safe though, wherever you are - bikes and possessions can always be replaced, no matter how much it hurts to lose them.

Ditto

Just been looking at the mess that's hitting the Hunter Valley. I always associate that name with you guys doing a rideout.

As Paul says; we just get wet. I can teach LFB to swim, but running away from a fire is another matter. Perhaps it's not in good taste to post this here, but for those of us who do not get threatened by fire (and can access BBC iPlayer), this really gets across the horror of it all:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0009mgd/the-day-california-burned

I can't remember when it's been this bad. But made worse by idiots lighting fires. I hope everybody comes out of this OK.
Regards Martin.