The master at work

This is Miss DaVinci's brother (aka the Queensland BBQ Master Chef) in action, in our shared pad in Noosa. Him, his wife Helen and their tremendously good fun children came up from Palmwoods for the day. This BBQ is a shared one, just next to the wicked swimming pool that we have got here.

There were some problems getting the thing lit, but Malcolm (Miss D's bro') is a proper master with BBQ's, he knew EVERYTHING, and I stood by like a small minded and completely incapable city boy.

A concern over escaping gas was blown apart, literally, as Malcolm pressed the ignition button and almost lost his eyebrows. Still following that, some truly awesome sirloins followed and some great japes in the pool.

Back again to the main beach and into the big waves we went. Plenty of salt water up the nose, and sun burn on the back.

A very easy life, thrown into perspective tonight when I spoke to my cousin in Melbourne. He told me the situation down there, with the massive bush fires. That sounds absolutely terrifying, with many dead, the fires still raging, and no rain forecast. My uncle's place at Hurstbridge looks like it is under very serious threat, as it's in the middle of the bush and surrounded by some very very dry trees. Luckily he is staying at my cousin's place which is more in town, and they all have the option of heading to Jackie's (cousin's partner) folks' place at the beach. The beach, for reference, is, as my cousin says: "The end of the line" for a bush fire.

What is distressing is hearing phonecalls that people have made to local radio stations saying that they are stuck in a bush fire, and can hear no sirens. It is generally expected that these people's bodies will be found at some point in the next week or so.

I'm heading there in seven days time. Hopefully I can take some Scottish weather with me. When we complain about rain in Scotland, we should consider situations like this in Oz, and be very very thankful.