For Now, A Sigh Of Relief
Thankfully the dramas of Wednesday didn’t play out for a second time. Whilst the danger cannot be said to be passed as there is still a risk of new fires, there is something of a lessening of jeopardy and there are no longer fires near to Lindsay’s village. They are still without power and probably will be for some time, relying on a generator, and the evacuation packs remain at the ready, but there’s been a sigh of relief throughout the family this morning as the level of local danger has receded.
Alongside this relief, we are reading that at least one arsonist has been arrested for starting one of the fires, and some evacuated houses have been looted whilst empty. The despicable depths to which human beings are capable of sinking just beggar belief.
This isn’t the end, but it’s definitely an up tick. Thank you to everyone for your expressions of care and empathy and for your kind thoughts. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the feeling of my own flesh and blood being in such imminent danger.
Thursday felt odd, taking a stroll out along the north shore of the Camel Estuary on a bright but bitterly cold January day, knowing that on the other side of the stretch of the water ahead of us, Lindsay was sleeping with those alarm apps at her side.
As ever, the Camel Estuary and the Cornish coast were wonderfully therapeutic. It remains my happy place of all happy places.
7 Comments
Toonsarah
Phew, that’s good news! I’ve been checking the fires’ progress and had read that Lidia was better contained than most of the others so I was hopeful. Clearly you’ll still be worrying until it’s fully extinguished, but it’s great that the danger has retreated. I feel for all the people who have lost almost everything, and like you am appalled that anyone would start such a fire deliberately. It’s like the one we heard about (and saw the effects of) in the Lassen area, started by a moron who pushed a burning car into a ravine!
Phil & Michaela
Yes I remember your post about that. Feeling less on edge but won’t relax completely just yet
Lynette d'Arty-Cross
So good to hear! I’ve been following along quite a bit all day and thinking of you and your daughter. The California governor asked the federal government to send our military firefighting units and I understand they will be arriving overnight. From what I’m seeing the destruction is terribly profound. Thanks for the update, Phil. Great that you were able to get out to your happy place.
Phil & Michaela
Thank you Lynette. Yes, the devastation is hard to comprehend. Unbelievable really.
restlessjo
Thank the Lord! Or the fire brigade! You can sleep tonight.
Phil & Michaela
Feeling less on edge but can’t completely relax yet. Still found myself wide awake at 3am and ending up WhatsApp’ing to get the latest. So far today though it feels just a bit less fraught…
Alison
That’s some relief at least. I read that it was an arsonist, I hope they catch them all. Beautiful photos and such vivid blue skies