Just when you thought it was safe to go shopping, the tornado strikes! Fay and I both happened to be in the Albany Mall at the time the tornade struck - neither aware that the other was there. Pretty freaky stuff! I left the car with bits of iron, trees and debris falling out of the sky on cars all over the carpark and rushed to one of the stores for cover- thankfully I chose a spot away from the centre of the action (quite by accident) but it was all over so quickly. We ran up and took a few shots on our cellphones, unaware of the injuries and fatality that had already occurred. The scene was pretty horrific - debris and roofing iron everywhere, ripped up trees, cars smashed and on their roofs, people rushing around frantically trying to find loved ones. Thankfully the fire service, police etc were on the scene very quickly, and quickly cordoned off the area. Little did we know then the path of destruction the tornado would cause as it tore through other housing areas on the Shore.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the construction worker who was killed, and the others who suffered serious injury - looking at the scene it was a miracle more weren't killed.
Other News! my next round of chemo was planned for late May/early June - a 6 month 'mother of all chemo courses' which is bound to leave me shattered. HOWEVER, I have prevailed upon the very wise and understanding chemotherapist to delay it for 6 weeks or so, and he doesnt see it being a problem. Reason? We have been planning for almost a year now to do a 4WD trip with good friend Jim and a few mates through the Canning Stock Route, Perth to Darwin, the 'mother of all off-road tracks' in WA. (thats two 'mothers' in one paragraph!) in June. Crazy? perhaps, but I've never been a safety first person, and if I dont do it now,I may never get to do it. I'll be ultra well prepared, well, as much as one can be in the Outback, and I know you'll all be praying for the 'crazy man'. I'll promise to behave, and bring you back a boomerang or stuffed dingo. Family and friends will be looking after Fay while I'm gone.
More news coming - keep in touch!
Twister made the news here in the world of Oz too. Great to hear your plans and timing of everything. Having just been to Cairns I suggest you refrain from swimming in muddy waterholes, and the latest tip from up there is that the danger of being taken by a croc is greatest when people swim at night after a few ales. Crocs have up to two tonne closing pressure on their jaws. - Mike
ReplyDeleteGo man! Life is for living ... but I must admit that I didn't expect you to take my comment about 4WD faith quite so literally! Don't forget that chains!
ReplyDeleteSelwyn
Hi Murray and Fay. Your twister even knocked the earthquake from the top of our news for a couple of days. Competing with Bin Laden. Great news about the 4WD trek. I may have volunteered to take your place if Jim & Co would have accepted a skinny city driver. Although driving around Chch, post 22/2 is possibly worse than the outback! Go for it! One of the "best bits" of the NT is Philippians 4:13; it must be one of your favourite verses too. Great to catch up recently - we will be in Auckland on 23rd May so see you again then. Love to you and Fay and the Auckland Dixon whanau.
ReplyDeleteAwesome stuff! So glad to hear you're going ahead with the 4WD trip - what an experience! Have an incredible time! xx
ReplyDeleteKiwis' sure are an adventurous lot ! We have a foursome from Tauranga, two of them from our Waihi days, they are on an extended trip via the Silk Route. That is great you are tackling the Outback. Talked to the Macleods the other night, they are shortly leaving on their Scottish trip. This is the first year we are not planning on going overseas. We could hardly believe the news about the twister, I am afraid we don't much news that does not relate to the US.We put our order in for a copy of your autobiography, that is if you accept $$$,at the rate it is going they won't be worth much. This is rather disjointed but once again just want you to know,that along with the many others, we are praying that you and Faye will sense God's Peace and presence in the good days and in the not so good. Keep those Blogs rolling.
ReplyDeleteSo its just you two boys going - I must admit I would have been suprprized/impressed if Fay was doing it too. T.
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