Saturday night marked the end of an era. Edd and I fought desperately to save the property but it all happened too fast. A tiny flume of smoke kilometers away on above the distant hills was the only warning. The TV, radio, and internet were already swamped with reports from other areas and the fire moved too quickly for anyone in Steels Creek to have time to prepare.
As we had got our guests off to what we hoped was safety a loud roaring heralded the fire its self. It swept down the surrounding hills in a sheet of flame three times taller than the gum trees. In seconds it had roared up from behind us and engulfed the brewery. The power went off and the Studio cottage blew up , literally. I called all the animals and fortunately all who could came instantly and I led them to safety in the paddock with the big dam. Edd got the fire pump working and I bucketed water from the pool.
When the house lit we opened the doors to call out the dogs who Edd heard barking. Sadly the house was full of swirling smoke and we could not reach them or them us. We have buried them under a big rock next day. When we knew the house was lost we joined the animals in the big paddock and watched years of work vanish in an instant.
Luckily we had camping gear in the cellar and managed to find a tin opener and cans of baked beans . Our poly igloo under the big gum had survived so it now became our new house. Next day it was confirmed that our neighbour and over 20 others in Steel Creek had perished. Hargreaves road is an unrecognisable moonscape of ash covered land and blackened trees. I feel so lucky that we and most of our animals survived. If any guests that are booked in contact me once we get a phone again I will try and sort things out but I see but I see no way we will be in business again this year or in the forseeable future.
10 comments:
Hi Amanda
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your properties and your dogs but words cant describe how pleased to hear that you both survived this terrible disaster. Our thoughts have been with you since we heard about the fires especially when we knew the location. We followed the news and Rob confirmed that you were OK via a Permaculture web site. I also rang your mum who spoke very positively about your miraculous survival which was amazing.I just cant imagine what you went through or how you are now coping with the shock of events.I just want you to know that we wish you so much luck in the rebuilding of your home, life and livelihood and will look forward to interesting blogs of your progress! Love Liz and Sam
Hi Amanda and Ed,
We stayed at the farm last year, and we're just very relieved to hear you both survived. The fact that you saved even some of the animals was incredibly brave of you both under the circumstances. Sorry to hear the house was lost, but the main thing is you're both alive. We were planning to stay again this year anyway, but now we'll definitely come and stay when you rebuild the farm.
Best Regards, Mark, Leah and James.
Amanda,
As former guests at your lovely farm, we were really concerned for your and Edd's welfare following that horrible day, and incredibly relieved to hear on your blog that you somehow managed to survive, along with most of your animals who we know mean a lot to you. We have some wonderful memories of our visit there last year. Dave and I visited with our young kids Mia and Jake, and friends Jacinta and Matt. Over our stay, we didn't even venture beyond the farm, enjoying the tranquillity and your wonderful hospitality. We have told many people of our stay with you, and of what great people you are, and have many special memories from that short stay. Specifically, I recall that Mia had her arm in sling and you were also recovering from a fall, but that didn't stop either of you from getting into farm life. Mia (now nearly 5) especially recalls feeding a baby goat with a bottle of milk, which made her feel very grown up. We know you have a strong connection to the land, and hope that you are able to find peace again in that beautiful haven. We look forward to visiting again when that happens.
Best wishes,
Eva, Dave, Mia and Jake Foster (Melb)
Hi,
my daughter was due to stay over the week just gone. Followed what happened and left an email for you in the hope that you would pick it up at some stage, but glad for the chance to repeat it here. Please don't worry about our booking and please keep the money as a very tiny contribution to the recovery of you and your animals.
all best wishes for your future. Anne
Hi Amanda and Edd,
Along with my in-laws, Cunie and Adrian O'Keefe, we have such fond memories of our stay with you and we have been checking in on the blog for an update. Glad to see this post and we are sorry for all of the losses you have suffered. Try to remember all the beautiful memories you created for so many people.
Your friends in Canada,
Julie Cole and Simon O'Keefe
Hi Amanda and Ed
We stayed at your farm last year a few months after Nicky was born. We had a fabulous time and Freddy is contantly asking when we are going back
Simon, Freddy, Nicky and I are so relieved to hear that you are all OK. We found out via a permaculture site on the web.
We do hope we will have the pleasure of staying at your farm again and if we can be of any help, please let us know :)
(Simon is a horticulturist and I am a lapsed architect!)
branell@optusnet.com.au
Dear Ed and Amanda,
We cannot believe what we've just read on your weblog... it's the most terrible news we've heard in a long time! However, we are so glad to hear you and most of the animals are okay... it must be a little miracle that you managed to escape from the terrible fire!
But it must be so terrible for you to have lost your beautiful farm, friends from Steels Creek and the dogs... we think nobody can image how you must feel right now.
Our thoughts are with you and we wish you all the best and strenght in the following period!
Love,
Laura and Helen
(the Netherlands)
Dear Edd and Amanda
We have all been thinking of you, sending love and prayers since this all happened...we wanted to contact you but didn't know how and finally I looked for your blog..Thank goodness you guys are ok. Nimue has been crying for the animals as I'm sure you have - I'd love to be able to tell her who survived. There are a whole lot of us here who have stayed with you that would like to HELP in some way - please let us know if you need anything now or if we can help you with re-building soon.
All our love and support, Jo, Paul, Nimue and Romy xxx
Hi Edd and Amanda
I was concerned for you and was greatly relieved to hear from Rob that you were safe. I am very sorry to read about your loss and feel very helpless being so far away. At Jealots Hill and at your home near Holmefirth I was able to help out with digging cess pits or floors and unsuccessfully milking goats, I do hope friends and family will be there with shovels and picks to help out with what ever needs doing to rebuild your life down under. My thoughts are with you and had there not been the matter of a few thousand of miles I would have been there physically if needed, but not to milk goats! John
Hi Amanda and Edd,
Like many of the others who have left their best wishes on here, we were also guests of yours at the end of 2006. We had the most wonderful stay and our eldest daughter Jasmine still remembers milking the goats and patting the pony. When we heard that Steels Creek was no more, we knew you wouldn't have wanted to leave your animals and we feared the worse. Thank goodness you are both alive and well, although suffering such a terrible loss. Tim is a bricklayer but has skills in many other building areas too. He would love to come to Steels Creek to help you when you rebuild. It would mean a lot to help out such committed and wonderful people. Please let us know if there's anything we can do to help.
Best wishes,
Michelle, Tim, Jasmine & Emelia Green
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