Well I have noticed that everywhere I go, disaster follows.
Hotel in Santa Monica, California, (down the hill from Pacific Palisades). Fire in Pacific Palisades two weeks later.
One week in an Airbnb in Northland, New Zealand, fires three weeks later.
Visit to the White Island volcano, erupted a month later.
Visited Fox Glacier in New Zealand – two weeks later a thousand tourists cut off by floods.
Visiting the Central Coast and Sydney. Much smoke from fires and in Sydney on the day it was 11 times worse than hazardous.
Off to Adelaide and a visit to Mount Lofty. Fires two weeks later.
Drove down the Great Ocean Road. Fire map for today
The Retirement Travels 
When you planned this journey, even though it was Summer down under, I’m sure it wasn’t in your head to seek out a front row seat on the fragility of our world, set against which our cold-ish, damp little island (flooding down South before Christmas) seems like a haven from a storm that is gathering fast. You will have extra-ordinary memories of beautiful places that can disappear if we don’t take more care, and kindly people who call them home. You’ve met fellow travellers who will also return to homes across the world with first-hand knowledge of the precious places and creatures we risk losing. This may not be the wholly relaxing trip you had in mind, but it is a rich, challenging, experience all the same.
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Very profound. Happy New Year. X
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And a Guid New Year to Ane an’ A’
*tartan hugs*
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Bit worried that X’ow will be torched after your return … ruth
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Surely not? More likely to be under water? Happy New Year x
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The trail of devastation left in your wake is truly scary, worrying and impressive ……!!
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