Oh my word, thanks be you are all safe! That was so damn close, your gods were really looking after you! I have witnessed a fair few of these huge fires rage through the countryside here in Cyprus and it's amazing how quickly nature recovers. Within a year, there is often only a few blackened tree stubs to show for it amid the new greenery. The land will recover, but the main thing is that you are all safe and your dreams are not in tatters, just a little charred at the edges. Big love, guys. xx
Thanks Andrea...it was unlucky the rare wind brought it our way, but lucky and thankful the firefighters and their planes and helicopters dropping water from above kept our houses safe. We're planning on ploughing the ashes into the soil, knocking over the odd tree that's not going to make it through (but giving every one a chance to give it their best shot), putting a load of new ones in and turning this valley into something even more beautiful than it was before!
Your written account of this horrific day stood me still. You all seem to have an impressive appreciation for your rich lives (past and present) it's hard to imagine that your gratitude level has since increased, though I'm sure it has. I think you chose your rescue items very well. It says a lot about you.
Dear Alistair & Ana, So awful to read your post. Glad you’re ok. We’ve had a couple of very close shaves in the Algarve & Cascais, so know exactly what it must have been like. Eucalyptus trees are a such a problem…and you’re right - it’s all about firebreaks & less flammable greenery like vines, oaks etc . The land will recover & hopefully next year will be less set. Rita x
Thanks for your message Rita...there's greenery coming up already...so we should be all good by spring. The fire breaks courtesy of O Rei das Vacas and his son saved our houses...and desert plants were always in the plan...our landscaping friend arrives next week and now has a slightly clearer view of the way the land lies! With all that cutting and burning work done for me there are some good silver linings!
Good Lord! Only just seen this. So glad to know you, Ana and the dogs are all safe. That was very close. Having been there and seeing the photo it really got close. Fire barriers are really important. I have my top 10 all in one place. A lot of boring stuff, clothes but you got me thinking about what else I would save. By next Spring most of that blackness will have disappeared. These events stop us from becoming complacent of our lives. Onwards and upwards you brave people. Build that dream. There is more wine to drink and good food to have and wonderful conversations with the world around us. al the best, Ana & Seb
Oof. What a tale! Beautifully and emotionally told. I choked up at the part where your neighbor came to dig the firebreak. Im so glad to hear you are all safe. I have lived in places where I had to have a bag packed & a jerry can of petrol to get across a border. Until quite recently we were moving to California so I have done the mental exercise of what would I take when the fire comes. My Christmas ornaments, collected from all over the world, maybe a few pieces of art? My husband’s guitar? I hope I never have to find out.
When I got the notice in the fogos-app and realized that you where so close to the fire it was terrifying. We read about fires all summer, we also had one not far from us and we also past one on the IC1. But this time it came "close" since we knew you where affected. Glad you are all ok and that you still have your paradise intact.
It was such a rare and unusual event and never good to watch, helpless from afar, but we're in good shape and the valley is going to bounce back even better!
Haha...that's very true Craig! Although it's still laid back compared to the old days...I need to do a few more springs of strimming before I have enough of an emotional connection to my Stihl to swap it for the shoes and Mr Poddlehead!
Before moving to Portugal my husband and I lived in Arizona where we saw too many wildfires. Just a year before we moved one came dangerously close to our community - close enough that the firefighting aircraft kept flying low over our house. We, too started to get ready to evacuate. It's amazing how in those moments you choose the things that you think matter to you.
Ultimately we didn't have to leave the house but can understand that feeling of helplessness.
No matter where you live in the world there are always risks. Some are worth it but I think you already know that. Great post. Thanks for sharing this.
You're so right...there are risks everywhere, however small, but sometimes weird things combine...we're so lucky it happened now, just as we're shaping our landscape and our vision...and after I'd cut so much of the undergrowth in the Spring! Thanks for reading and following our journey.
My goodness Al. What a gripping account of a terrifying ordeal. I was hanging on every word wondering how this would end. I am so pleased that you are all okay and that your property survived this awful fire and your neighbours too. All that work cutting back the trees from the near the property was time well spent - and a rare example of sensible government rules. (As as aside, your question of what you would save in a fire is the centre of a Sherlock Holmes story "A Scandal in Bohemia": to find where blackmailer Irene Adler is keeping a compromising photograph of her and the King of Bohemia, Holmes tricks his way into her home then sets off a smoke bomb, shouting "Fire!" She rushes to a secret hiding place to save the photo). Sending good wishes your way. Dom
Thanks Dom...love the Sherlock Holmes story! Fire's becoming more and more of a reality for people across the world I guess, but we were lucky, and have learned a lot to make sure we don't get that close again!
That sounds awful Al. I’m sure the last story any journalist wants to find themselves reporting on. So pleased it’s proven a near miss and all you’ve both worked so hard for hasn’t been destroyed and indeed that you, and S & F are fine. Thinking of you. Andrew and Jo xx
Thank you for writing this post. I was concerned when I saw news of the fire and realized how close it was to you, and am relieved to hear you and your community were spared the worst.
Oh my word, thanks be you are all safe! That was so damn close, your gods were really looking after you! I have witnessed a fair few of these huge fires rage through the countryside here in Cyprus and it's amazing how quickly nature recovers. Within a year, there is often only a few blackened tree stubs to show for it amid the new greenery. The land will recover, but the main thing is that you are all safe and your dreams are not in tatters, just a little charred at the edges. Big love, guys. xx
Thanks Andrea...it was unlucky the rare wind brought it our way, but lucky and thankful the firefighters and their planes and helicopters dropping water from above kept our houses safe. We're planning on ploughing the ashes into the soil, knocking over the odd tree that's not going to make it through (but giving every one a chance to give it their best shot), putting a load of new ones in and turning this valley into something even more beautiful than it was before!
Your written account of this horrific day stood me still. You all seem to have an impressive appreciation for your rich lives (past and present) it's hard to imagine that your gratitude level has since increased, though I'm sure it has. I think you chose your rescue items very well. It says a lot about you.
Dear Alistair & Ana, So awful to read your post. Glad you’re ok. We’ve had a couple of very close shaves in the Algarve & Cascais, so know exactly what it must have been like. Eucalyptus trees are a such a problem…and you’re right - it’s all about firebreaks & less flammable greenery like vines, oaks etc . The land will recover & hopefully next year will be less set. Rita x
Thanks for your message Rita...there's greenery coming up already...so we should be all good by spring. The fire breaks courtesy of O Rei das Vacas and his son saved our houses...and desert plants were always in the plan...our landscaping friend arrives next week and now has a slightly clearer view of the way the land lies! With all that cutting and burning work done for me there are some good silver linings!
Good Lord! Only just seen this. So glad to know you, Ana and the dogs are all safe. That was very close. Having been there and seeing the photo it really got close. Fire barriers are really important. I have my top 10 all in one place. A lot of boring stuff, clothes but you got me thinking about what else I would save. By next Spring most of that blackness will have disappeared. These events stop us from becoming complacent of our lives. Onwards and upwards you brave people. Build that dream. There is more wine to drink and good food to have and wonderful conversations with the world around us. al the best, Ana & Seb
Thank you to the best neighbors in the whole Galaxy of the Stars !!! Just a bit of a hiccup this was and how lucky we are indeed !
Oof. What a tale! Beautifully and emotionally told. I choked up at the part where your neighbor came to dig the firebreak. Im so glad to hear you are all safe. I have lived in places where I had to have a bag packed & a jerry can of petrol to get across a border. Until quite recently we were moving to California so I have done the mental exercise of what would I take when the fire comes. My Christmas ornaments, collected from all over the world, maybe a few pieces of art? My husband’s guitar? I hope I never have to find out.
When I got the notice in the fogos-app and realized that you where so close to the fire it was terrifying. We read about fires all summer, we also had one not far from us and we also past one on the IC1. But this time it came "close" since we knew you where affected. Glad you are all ok and that you still have your paradise intact.
It was such a rare and unusual event and never good to watch, helpless from afar, but we're in good shape and the valley is going to bounce back even better!
I thought you were living in Portugal for the quiet life. It is turning out to be more adventurous than being a journalist recently.
Glad you made it relatively unscathed and I expect the strimmer to be in the car the next time!
Haha...that's very true Craig! Although it's still laid back compared to the old days...I need to do a few more springs of strimming before I have enough of an emotional connection to my Stihl to swap it for the shoes and Mr Poddlehead!
So glad everything was ok
We were in the Algarve in early September and saw some earlier damage in the East
Love what you’re doing and enjoy reading your blogs
Thanks a lot Paul...it's a fact of life in a drying Europe...good to get our brush with fire over with!!
Yes we’ve even experienced that in the UK this year
Crazy huh? But lots learned about fire breaks, brush cutting and drought-resistant vegetation!
Sounds like your neighbour was amazing
Omg….so glad u r all safe!
Thanks Lee - it was a close call for everyone in the valley but all the people, animals and buildings survived!
Before moving to Portugal my husband and I lived in Arizona where we saw too many wildfires. Just a year before we moved one came dangerously close to our community - close enough that the firefighting aircraft kept flying low over our house. We, too started to get ready to evacuate. It's amazing how in those moments you choose the things that you think matter to you.
Ultimately we didn't have to leave the house but can understand that feeling of helplessness.
No matter where you live in the world there are always risks. Some are worth it but I think you already know that. Great post. Thanks for sharing this.
You're so right...there are risks everywhere, however small, but sometimes weird things combine...we're so lucky it happened now, just as we're shaping our landscape and our vision...and after I'd cut so much of the undergrowth in the Spring! Thanks for reading and following our journey.
My goodness Al. What a gripping account of a terrifying ordeal. I was hanging on every word wondering how this would end. I am so pleased that you are all okay and that your property survived this awful fire and your neighbours too. All that work cutting back the trees from the near the property was time well spent - and a rare example of sensible government rules. (As as aside, your question of what you would save in a fire is the centre of a Sherlock Holmes story "A Scandal in Bohemia": to find where blackmailer Irene Adler is keeping a compromising photograph of her and the King of Bohemia, Holmes tricks his way into her home then sets off a smoke bomb, shouting "Fire!" She rushes to a secret hiding place to save the photo). Sending good wishes your way. Dom
Thanks Dom...love the Sherlock Holmes story! Fire's becoming more and more of a reality for people across the world I guess, but we were lucky, and have learned a lot to make sure we don't get that close again!
Elementary my dear Alastair. Sadly true about the increasing fire risk. Build as many fire breaks as you can! Glad you are all safe.
So glad to hear your little piece of heaven is still unharmed and all your hard work intact. More to the point, very relieved you are all ok.
Thanks Phil...all safe and still pretty green considering!
That sounds awful Al. I’m sure the last story any journalist wants to find themselves reporting on. So pleased it’s proven a near miss and all you’ve both worked so hard for hasn’t been destroyed and indeed that you, and S & F are fine. Thinking of you. Andrew and Jo xx
Thanks a lot Andrew...odd week, a bit fire-y, but all present and correct!
Thank you for writing this post. I was concerned when I saw news of the fire and realized how close it was to you, and am relieved to hear you and your community were spared the worst.
Thanks Denise...all's well that ends well as they say! Onwards and upwards!
Wow, what an experience. I think I would have nightmares about it. Someone up there 👆 really likes you 😀let’s hope that you have lots of rain soon.