A Memorable New Years Eve

New Years Eve dawned with a hint of smoke in the air. Our tentative plans of a short hike up to Illawong suspension bridge was looking dubious as the smoke began to roll in during the morning. Despite being nothing what we had experienced earlier in the week in Canberra, it was more than we expected and wasn't great for walking in. We discussed a variety of options and the favoured choice was to drive to Wild Brumby distillery for a look, lunch and play on the lawns. Everyone decided to go except Andy, so we left him at the lodge to entertain himself.

Car swapping was in full force, so to accompany me on the short half hour drive down the mountain was Kelly, Katy, Jessica and Ashley. We were all in high spirits until we arrived at the Thredbo River where we noticed a road block on the other side of the road. Curious to see what was going on, I slowed to a stop to chat the to the guy manning the post.

It was quickly established that the road into Perisher / Guthega was now closed to all traffic and we weren't allowed back in despite Andy being up there with no car along with all our worldly possessions. Emergency services had closed the road due to the predictions that the Corryong bushfire was going to travel the 51kms and hit the Thredbo / Perisher area within 4 hours!

With no option we all continued on to the distillery. Our thoughts were whirling and chaotic all the while keeping up a calm facade for the kids. As luck had it we knew that separate friends (Nadine, Sean and Lily) were also at Guthega, hadn't yet left the village and would have room in their car for Andy.

As it was, they had walked up to Illawong and having received an evacuation order were quickly making their way back to their lodge. When we contacted Andy, he had gone for a run (thankfully taking his phone with him) and was most of the way up Guthega Trig!!

Back at the distillery, it was hot before a short burst of heavy rain sent us cowering undercover. With no tables free and an hour wait for food, we left and headed into Jindabyne ending up at the Parc cafe where we ordered lunch.

Our conversations focussed on potential plans based on information at hand which continued to be snippets from phone calls between Andy, Nadine and Cath!! We considered sending 2 cars back to Canberra while I remained to be reunited with Andy and hopefully all our stuff.  I should mention here that Andy had begun the cleaning up process of the lodge between visits from neighbouring lodge members and the ranger.

Then we received the news we'd all been waiting for - that fire had slowed considerably and Guthega Village was open to those with accomodation. We would be able to travel through the road block and return to the lodge. Sighs of relief reverberated around the room. Those precious stuffed toys could all be reunited with their worried owners (Ashley and Katy) while Christmas camera and phone would be retrieved too (Ella).

Despite reassurances from the National Parks personnel that we could stay overnight, it was an easy and unanimous decision that we would return to pack up our stuff and the lodge as quickly as possible before driving back to Canberra. The kids were already anxious enough and no-one really wanted to face the potential midnight evacuation if the fire flared. Andy had done a fantastic job back at the lodge. We were packed up and on the road again within the hour.

Looking towards Guthega Trig

Taken on 29/12 and on 31/12

 

Looking up the Snowy River

Taken on 29/12 and 31/12

 

Thinking the worst was over, we were surprised to be plunged into the gloomy, sepia, thick smoky conditions between Berridale and Cooma. Visibility plummeted and we were beginning to wonder if we would ever see the sun and blue sky again! North of Cooma, we drove through thunderstorms and a patch of rain. As the news of the devastation and destruction of the many coastal fires emerged, we were so grateful to arrive home by 7pm, together and all safe. No-one in our household made it til midnight but it certainly was a New Years that we will remember for many years to come.