SPIRIT OF THE OUTBACK

I am travelling out to Longreach to meet up with Stuart who has driven out from home in Mackay as he is doing “Westtech” in Barcaldine, but before I board the train for Longreach I have to see the eye surgeon regarding an eye problem I have and It appears that in November I will be lining up for a Corneal Transplant in my left eye which will hopefully give me more vision than I have had in that eye since I was about 17.  This will be followed by one in my right eye next year.  I am really hoping that it will not interfere with our plans to travel next year.

Back at Ipswich and really looking forward to the trip on the Spirit of the Outback tomorrow at 1.00pm, and then on to Winton for the Outback Festival next week.

As the Queensland Wheelchair basketball team “The Spinning Bullets were due to play in the finals this weekend in Brisbane and their first game was to be at 11.00am Brett had to get me to the station by 9.30am to give them enough time to make it to the stadium in time.

Eithen and his big sister Mia ready to go to the finals

Little Mascot Number 1

 Last year the Spinning Bullets coach Tom Kyle made Eithen their mascot and so he has a replica singlet and leads the team out onto the court for their game. Tom is also Eithen’s coach for his basketball and has take Eithen under his wing and is very proud of the way he has improved in the last 12 months.

 Eithen in Prep with friend Charles on left and on right getting end of term awards

Mia and Eithen on Tramp at home

Mia on swing with Molly

After booking my suitcase in at Roma Street Station I caught a train to Southbank and wandered through the markets til it was time to come back and board the “Spirit of the Outback” for Longreach for departure at 1.10 pm.

Spirit of the Outback just coming into Roma Street Station

 About 1 hour into the trip we learnt that the on board computer which backs up the driver has failed and so as we approached Gympie 1 ½ hours late we were told that another driver had to be found for the train to continue.  I don’t know why I travel...............

The pod in which I live for 24 hours is small but comfortable with a very large window so I have a great view of the passing countryside.

The bed folds up into a seat with a full length window

The hall is very tight and zig-zagy with pods going off on each side.

Afternoon Tea of coffee, tea and scones was served at 2.00 pm and dinner will be at 7.00 pm with  choices ranging from soup and salad, steak, stew, fish and vegetarian as well as dessert.  Breakfast at 7am will be a surprise.  There was a choice of continental or full cooked and my breakfast companions were a couple from Brisbane and a nice young man from Italy who is travelling all round Australia and is currently going out to Winton for 3 days fossicking with palaeontologists.  He had some wonderful tales to tell about his adventures.  He also mentioned an Airline which goes all round Europe at incredibly low prices called RYAN AIR.  

We woke to find out that we are now 2 ½ hours late at Anakie and a few sighs in the dining room at this news prompted the waitress to say that we won’t be charged for the extra time on board.  I also noticed a major change in the poor condition of the line compared to the smooth coastal line.  These lines are very rough.

By the time we got into Longreach we were 3 hours late and a lot of unhappy people on board as they had to catch other transport to other corners of the country, but for me it was a welcome smile from Stuart and on to Winton.



IN THE MOOD

Just getting away from home sometimes can be a real battle!!

Thursday night as we were getting ready to go out to the theatre I got a phone call from our bank informed me that someone had tried to access my account and tested it out by trying to withdraw $1 twice.  Consequently my account was frozen and I couldn’t do wages or withdraw money for my trip to Brisbane the next day.  Fortunately Stuart and I have separate accounts and so he gave me his card to bring to Brisbane.   Kylie dropped me off at the airport and I was on my way.

 After sitting in the plane on the tarmac for nearly an hour we were informed that our there was a big possibility our luggage couldn’t be loaded and they would know in another 30 minutes.  We were then informed that it was definite the luggage (which was locked in the pod already) couldn’t be loaded onto the plane due to some glitch with the Mackay airport.  We were allowed to turn phones back on and inform family and friends that we would be late which was ridiculous in my case as Brett had travelled from Ipswich to pick me up and by now was waiting on the road side near the airport with Mia and Eithen for my phone call to say we had landed.  People were given the option of leaving the plane (without their luggage, as they couldn’t retrieve it from the pod) or staying on board and the luggage would follow later in the evening.

Most opted to stay but some got off without their luggage..... Not sure what good it was going to do.

Eventually we got underway and arrived in Brisbane in record time because there was less weight with no luggage I guess.

On landing in Brisbane we were met with ground staff who took our paperwork regarding luggage and they assured us that it would be delivered (even to Ipswich) following a phone call to ascertain a time convenient to us.

Arrived back in Ipswich to go and have a look at a potentially new home for Brett and Katrina and the kids which will give more ease of movement for Eithen and the ability to put in a pool a bit later on.

When my luggage hadn’t arrived by 10am I tried to ring Jetstar to no avail and after 3 other phone calls 2 lasting over an hour on hold with someone telling me how important I am and how they know how busy I am and they don’t want to keep me waiting, and eventually getting 2 foreign persons telling me this office is closed till Monday, I gave up.

Hopefully things will smooth out from now on.

A quick visit to my Orthopaedic surgeon informed me that the right knee replacement that I had 12 months ago is going great but I didn’t need him to tell me that.  His next statement wasn’t so good as I need a knee replacement in the left knee in the not too distance future as well. 

Tuesday I stayed at Michael and Shell’s in order to attend the theatre performance of “In the Mood” by an American Jazz group.

The Show was as great and more than we expected with a stroll down memory lane listening to music by Glen Miller, Hoagy Carmichael, Cole Porter and many more.  3 couples singing and dancing in front of the 13 piece band which included saxophone, clarinet, trombone, trumpet, bugle, piano and drums.

A tribute to the Australian Forces who served beside the Americans in W.W.2 bought the house down with not a dry eye in the house after finishing the segment with a rousing rendition of Waltzing Matilda.

USE OF BOTTLE TOPS TO SEAL A BAG.....

This hint was sent to me by my son, Joe who with my daughter in law Nicki and grandsons Ryan and Conner just bought a new Nova and has done quite a few weekends away.
I have seen the idea before but I thought it needed airing again.
WHAT A GREAT IDEA. NO MORE TWIST TIES OR RUBBER BANDS. This method is WATER PROOF AND AIR TIGHT. GREAT! The guy who first thought of the idea should be given an award for originality!!!

                          Cut up a disposable water bottle and keep the neck and top, as in photo.

                                   Insert the plastic bag through the neck and screw the top to seal.

The bag is made air-tight, water will not leak, it is easy to open and the top and screw cap can be used over again!

SHAR'S BIRTHDAY

Last weekend saw us (Shar, Jill, Shirley W, and I) pile into Shar’s car and head west.
The reason for the venture was Shar’s XX Birthday and we were in celebration mood so a stop at the top of the range at the Eungella Challet started our weekend with a lovely lunch.
Eungella is a mountain range about 85 kms from Mackay which gives incredible views of the Pioneer Valley below and on clear days you can see the ocean.  The picturesque valley is a sight to be seen at this time of year with the little pockets of different colours where in some cases cane has been harvested, in some plants are very small and green and in some cane is ready to be harvested and the cane has gone to seed and the "Arrows" are a vibrant creamy pale green.

                                               Me standing in front of cane ready for harvest

My grandfather and my father standing in front of a stand of cane in Mackay in late 1930's or early 1940's.  It was definitely a larger variery of cane and todays varieties are not quiet as tall.

Shirley, Shar, Jill and I in front of the large fireplaceat the Chalet

The Chalet is situated just at the top of the range and was significantly damaged in the last cyclolne that ravaged Queensland but is now well and truly up and running again.



                                          Standing in front of the lookout on one of                   the many walks that take you to the edge for more views into the valley

There were some great items on the menu but as we knew that all (well most) rules would be broken regarding food we went for the home made pies, mushy peas and chips – all that is except Shirl who, not being a Queenslander couldn’t come at the mushy peas.
On to Broken River Resort where we got our rooms sorted, settled in, had a cuppa and then down to the river to see if there were any of the very illusive platypus lurking about. They are mainly seen just on daylight and dusk and as we agreed that nothing on this earth save an earthquake was going to get us up at daylight we thought we would head back down later that afternoon.

At about 4ish someone decided it was probably 5 o’clock somewhere the wine came out and we enjoyed a quiet hour not saying much (no! I lie) we 3 caught up midst a reasonable amount of laughter and talking while Jill painted her toe nails (was it something one of us said)



By the time we got down to the river to do some platypus spotting there were quite a number of people wanting to do the same. It wasn’t long before we were rewarded with a little bit of a splash and this tiny 50cm or less Ornithorhynchus swam under the bridge.

Dinner saw the arrival of Pete and Shirl and Lorrelle and Jeff who completed our party. The dining area and bar had a large central fire which kept Jack Frost at bay..........

Jill, Shirl and Shirl in the restaurant waiting for our table

Peter and I sitting opposite the girls also waiting for our table

Shar, Narelle and Jeff - yeah same as before

                             .........and then it was back to Shar’s room for the birthday cake.

Notice the candle - stolen from the dinner table because we didn't have any other

All the rooms appeared to have wood fires except mine which had an oil heater that wasn’t working so I froze all night. Breakfast was back in the restaurant and after a quick checkout we left Eungella and headed back for the coast.



Just out of Finch Hatton we made a left turn into Senini’s Road which led through the cane paddocks, across Cattle Creek to a lovely spot that I earmarked for the drive further at a later date.

What a pleasant couple of days with good food, good company and good wine.

We are now up to Saturday afternoon of the Charters Towers Country Music Festival for 2011 and it has been an interesting day.


It started with breakfast this morning up at the Dining Room with about 100 other people of similar vintage having a huge breakfast and listening to poetry (good and bad) from about 5 poets. One face amongst the many I saw was Jo Cronin who taught the kids back in Moranbah a generation ago.

Jo was one of the poets and seemed to be very well known to the compare and a lot of the audience as being a regular face at the Charters Towers Country Music Festival and when all was over I went over and chatted to her. She couldn’t remember my face but as soon as I mentioned Brett she remembered and asked me how he was doing. She now teaches handicapped children out of Mackay North High School and when I explained about the problems Kathy was having with Corbin she asked me to get Kathy to contact her.

The days entertainment was either song writers competitions or singers competitions and most were very good some very average but got to hear Tommy Contor who with his father Viv, when he was about 8, played at a pub I was managing in the Pioneer Valley. Tommy is now all grown up and a very good singer in his own right and won the male vocal last year. He has entered a number of sections this year. His mum Barbara and father Viv must be very proud of him.

Tonight will be a packed house and every chair (and Stuart says there are about 2,000) will have a bum on it for the star of the Festival Troy Cassar-Daley. As our stand is just at the entrance of the main stage we have a close unrestricted view of the entertainment.



Troy Cassar-Daley



Luke Austin

                                                           

Last night was an 11pm finish and I don’t anticipate tonight being any earlier so we have both had a rest ready for the multitudes.

Sunday has rolled around with more of the same singing and song writing competitions but most has been easy on the ear.

Tonight will be the finals and the presentation and hopefully an early night as we want to pack up and get an early start tomorrow and get home as a reasonable time.

Tuesday morning I have an early breakfast for management at work and then 3 weeks paperwork to catch up on as well as a trip to Brisbane to get my head around. This was a gift from Stuart for Easter to see a concert I really wanted to attend and apparently Shell has been a party to this surprise again, also. Thanks Shell!!

Stuart will only be home for a few days and then he is off west for about a month doing the near western show run and I will really have the house to my self for a while as Ricki Lee is moving back home with her Mum. She is enjoying a little bit more freedom now with her license and car. Joel now has his learners permit so the worry factor just doubled. Stuart’s granddaughter Deanna has had her learners now for a while and typical of country kids she is breezing her hours as she has probably been driving on her parents property for quite a while.

Charters Towers Country Music Festival

We got away from Schapers Road at about 10am heading for Charters Towers for the Country Music Festival which has actually started in the Towers but we start Thursday night with the Twilight Markets and then on to the Festival on the other side of the Showgrounds I believe.


Our first stop was Proserpine for a toilet break for me (of course) Lunch at about 2 pm at a nice spot just outside Bowen near the big Mango and then on to Guru for the night. We stopped at about 4pm at a free camp spot near the Sugar Mill. Very quiet (traffic jam of up to 4 cars up the street for the afternoon).

Unfortunately for us (not for the residents across the street) there were street lights and fairly low cloud cover as I was looking forward to sitting out under the stars tonight but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. We also found out that the trick we learned while away at Christmas time about the Listermint was true (or maybe there just weren’t any sandflies or mossies around). We were told to just fill a spray bottle with the aforementioned Listermint and spray the grass and ground around where we were going to sit and voila no more bities. Either it worked or there were no bities to begin with.

Guru, although only a small town is about 6 kms off the highway and we haven’t been here before but it is embedded in my children’s history as their paternal grandma (Nana) went to school here. This little town probably pushes to have a population of 200 and exists probably for the sugar mill here and of course the farming community in the surrounding area. I believe that there is a number of employees of Queensland Rail living in the town as my children’ great father (Robert Linskett) worked in the railway here in the 40’s.

Tomorrow, I have to practice all the things Pat and Susi have told me about Gympie Muster and reduce it to Charters Towers size so that I can feel at home at the Country Music Festival. What I am not going to do is ring my other sister Noreen up and ask her for advice – as I could end up in trouble there. Besides Stuart doesn’t have any long socks – and there is another tale for another day.

Gladstone Harbour Festival

Sunday

This is a festival we have done before and runs for 7 days over Easter.  It has now been running for 49 years and is one of the best run I have ever been to in terms of organisation, entertainment, cleanliness and features.  Sunday nights highlights finish with a fireworks display over the harbour and then its time to take the tired children (and adults) home to bed.

It is divided into 3 parts effectively along the harbour wall with a large contingent of “Showies” taking up the bottom 1/3 of the park with lots of rides, knockems, dodgems and fairyfloss.  Then the middle section with a stage, food stalls, seating for hundreds and of course lots of little kids rides.  The top 1/3 consists of other types of market stalls without the teatowels, soaps and usual market paraphernalia.  This year we are in amongst the food stalls and away from “Charity’s husband” who I will elaborate on later.

Next door to us is wood fired pizzas and Poffitjures [spelled incorrectly] Dutch Pancakes and as we overlook the food court there are street walkers – no not that kind – these are street artists entertaining the crowd.

Up on the main stage is non stop entertainment with acts like Wickety Wak (with 3 original members) a talent quest one night, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band, a Beatles tribute band and much much more.

Of course all of these acts are sponsored by large companies in the district, without whose support this festival would not be the success it is.

Sunday morning we wandered through the markets in the Kmart carpark.  Our friend Max from Monel Wines in Monto was there and after chatting to him for a while we meandered through the markets and thinking of Kylie and her love of Indian Food I bought a few packs of premixed spices for some Indian dishes that hed the recipe on them and were very nicely packaged.

Upon getting back to the van and looking more closely at the packaging I found they were made from the cooking book written by, I assumed, a long and dear friend from our Blackwater days over 30 years ago.  There could only be one Indian named Eddie Lewis in the Central Queensland area.  I had to find out.

Often we would meet at Terry and Val Moores place for barbeques and Terry,s famous hungi.   Eddie Lewis and his wife Dottie and their kids were a constant as was Eddies curries.  Being Indian Eddie, a self taught cook could come up with the most interesting and tasty meals in so little time and with so little effort.  Quite often I tried to replicate them but never got it right.  After leaving Blackwater we lost touch with Eddie and his curries until Val unfortunately passed away from cancer about 2 years ago and there was my little friend across the room after the funeral.  Unfortunately Eddie had lost his wife Dottie a few years before also and he has dedicated his book to his lost love.

Eddie told me about his upcoming cook book and how he was in the process of finding a publisher and a prouder man I don’t think I have seen about his cooking.  I vowed to keep in contact and get one of his books one day.

I remembered seeing a book on the stand where I bought my curry packs and so while Stuart was finishing up his setting up I walked back to the markets to chat with the stall holder.  This was also a walk down memory lane as the man selling the spices and cook book was someone I knew along with his parents from the kids soccer and basketball days in Blackwater (Michael Hamilton)  His father coached the kids basketball team and he was president of the club for a while.  Michael remembered Brett especially from soccer and Kylie from basketball and said to be remembered to them.   Immediately my memory switched to the old photos I looked at recently of the kids in yellow T shirts getting their medals from Michael’s father Barry.

When I indicated what I do for a living and my connection with Eddie they suggested I might like to sell the packages and books on our trips.  This has real possibilities and I will look into it.

The festival started with a display of floats through the city streets ending at the harbour front at about 4.00 pm  The entertainment went through til about 11pm with a fireworks display at 9.00 pm.  This is duplicated on Wednesday and Friday nights as well.

Unfortunately it rained all day Monday so the entire event was cancelled for that day but was business as usual on Tuesday night.  Then a few showers threatened to put an end to Wednesday as well but we opened and the crowds started arriving and the night was a success.

Thursday will be our last day to shop as we will be working full days on Friday and Saturday and from last years figures they will both be big ones.

Oh yes – I was going to mention Charitys husband wasn’t I?

He had a stand across from us last year and about 10,000 times we heard the same cry.

He sells hats, sunglasses, scarves and airbrushed tattoos and spruiked over and over and over            “ C ‘mon folks, all the money goes to Charity – Yeah my wifes name is Charity.....

Why he sells at a market stall I don’t know because apparently he has a wife – not sure if her name is Charity but they have about 6 shops in Brisbane or somewhere.

Home Again

Touch down in Mackay would have been a rude shock when I stepped out of the plane on the tarmac except that the Qantas flight I was on had no air conditioning.
It was back to reality and back into work mode very quickly with students back Sunday and a full barbque for 150 Sunday afternoon.
Stuart is still in Guyra with the Lamb and Potato Festival finishing on Wednesday of this week and then up to Stanthorpe for the show and then back home.
Thank goodness I have great family who came in and cleaned our house and aired it and a very generous grandson Zac who mowed down the forrest before I got home.  Thanks Zac for saving the pumpkin vine that had almost taken over the entire back yard with butternut pumpkins growing on it.
Here it is Monday and I feel as if I haven't been away but for now its "goodby from her and goodby from me" till our next trip.
I hope I have not bored you all with my musings and not taken up too much of your time keeping up with the Hawkes so stay tuned for our next trip.

About 60 stalls along the New England Highway and this is some of them

Our Stall at the Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival

15.1.11 F Guyra NSW Lamb and Potato Festival

At the end of day 4 of the festival and it has been a few good days.  We secured a good spot along the strip on the Highway (a good spot is one fairly near the toilet from my perspective) but wouldn't you think that a town like Guyra where it is about 16' in the morning and gets down to about 9' at this time of the year would come up with something a little more bum friendly than stainless steel toilet seats.  We are all out of helicoptors and the licorice and candy is going well.  We really thought that it would be a quiet festival due to the flooding up north but at this stage you wouldn't know it.  They have forcasted rain in a few days and so that may slow things down a bit.
The Lamb and Potato pies have been selling really well and so have the Lamb and Vegetable meals been going well. They always put on a "Traders Dinner" one night duroing the festival and this year it will be Monday Night so we are looking forward to that.
Stuart has a thing going with the volunteer lady who mans the Icecream Stand and they trade lolly strips for icecream.  She still likes him even though he inadvertantly sold her lemon instead of mango (she only likes mango) when she came back again for more he had to smuggle her more lemon so she would't know the difference.
We attended the traders dinner and heard of the improvements made through the year and they announced the dates for next year which will probably mean I will not be able to be here due to school committments.
Oh well - that's the way it goes.
I was in trouble yesterday as Stuart had gone for a shower early and the icecream lady Enid came up for her mango lolly fix.  I couldn't get her the lemon without her knowing and there wasn't any mango on display thank goodness, but this morning Stuart took her up her "Mango" and she was happy.

Guyra NSW Lamb and Potato Festival

After staying glued to the TV for the last 3 days watching Mother Nature at her worst with the floods in the Lokyer Valley, Ipswich and Brisbane I thank GOD that none of the people I love were not hurt or killed.
I spent a very worried night as Brett and Katrina waited with packed bags in a wakeful vigil in case the water from the Bremmer River in Ipswich rose to engulf their home.  Fortunately they were amongst the lucky ones.
Sadly, Shel and Michael and their family had to move out yesterday from their home in Fig Tree Pocket.  The last look they got of their home was as they were taken away by boat yesterday morning.  This morning the men were going to try to get back and survey the damage.
But still we are among the lucky ones as we have not lost loved ones.
I am concerned about a great uncle and his sons who lives in the Gatton, Lowood, Esk area and I cannot get them on the phone.  I hope they are alright.
My heart goes out to those who lost loved ones and cannot possibly perceive how they are feeling right now.

It is anticipated that a lot of traders will not be making it to the festival due to flooding in the north and of course there will be a lot of travellers who will not be passing through for the same reason but this is a small price to pay in the scheme of things.

Elvis has left the building!!!

ME AND ELVIS



Stuart's cousin Col with his Mustang which he drives in every parade.  You can't see him as it is left hand drive



??? A spiderman Elvis ???



Marilyn Munros 4





The Elvis Car


 Its Sunday afternoon at about 6.30 and nobody could tell that over 12,000 extra people had graced the streets of Parkes for the annual Elvis Festival. There was the occasional very bedraggled, swaying “Elvis” either entering or exiting one of the venues that he frequented all weekend singing and gyrating his hips.
The event commenced on Friday with an Elvis in every club and pub and just as many on the street strutting their stuff. Just in case we missed any music the Council had Elvis music coming from every lightpole up the main street.

Stuart had been up early and set up our stand and as Peter and Sandy came over from Camberra to visit and bring us some stuff left over from the cleanout of Chris’ unit they picked me up from Colin and Robyns house on Friday morning. I had made up some pikelets and we had morning tea before going in to the Market area. The main stage had a full day and evening of events on the calendar and people started arriving. The caravan parks were full and the show grounds were bumper to bumper with every conceivable caravan, motorhome, bus, and tent and it was rumoured that Council were collecting approximately $8,000 per day in rent for sites.

Friday wasn’t all that busy but very steady and Stuart was very happy with the sales. It quietened down after 3 as everyone went over to the railway station to watch the train come in from Sydney. There are about 300 booked on the train which sold out in 22 minutes in August last year. There is an Elvis on every carriage singing and shaking and entertaining and it is a big spectacle when they arrive.

Jeanette (Stuart’s cousin) and husband George invited us to dinner but as Stuart anticipated closing at about 9.00 pm, I went on up and he followed much much later. Peter and Sandy were staying there so we caught up over a few wines and inspected the improvements George has made in the last 12 months to their home.

An Art Show had 33 items entered and all had to have an Elvis theme. Robyn bought one and I would have liked to but I remembered Stuart’s mantra “it it won’t fit in the van don’t buy it” There were some wonderful entries including an Elvis chess set, a profile in black put together with black beads stuck to the canvas, some metal work depicting one of his movies and lots of paintings

Stuart and I went in early on Saturday for and we met up with Peter and Sandy and sat just down from his stand to watch the street parade. I felt it was not as good as last year but still was very good. Lots of Elvi and old cars and American cars.

Later in the afternoon they had the Guinness Book of Records attempt to have the largest number of Elvis Impersonators in one place. Las Vegas currently holds the record with 645 and Parkes had 611 so look out Las Vegas next year.

Sunday morning saw about30 couples renew their vows to Elvis inspired vows and Celebrant and all received an official certificate. In case you’re wondering - No! We didn’t.

When Peter and Sandy were leaving Stuart insisted on me going with them back to our van and resting. I protested but he won out and I had a rest.

We went to “our” Chinese Restaurant with (Jeanette and George who were friends of theirs” that we had had lunch at 2 times before and haven’t had a better chinese meal anywhere. We said our sad goodbys to them and went home where we both fell into bed and were asleep in minutes.

We said goodbye to Colin and Robyn and thanked them with a couple of bottles of wine for their hospitality and headed for guyra.

We stayed at a camp about17kms east of gunnadah and joined about 12 other vans in the pouring rain.  It did ease up after a while but rained fairly consistentlay all night.
After stocking up on groceries in Tamworth at the local shopping centre we saw an ad to say that Chad Morgan was appearing there most days through the Country Music Festival.  Would he be close to 80 by now???? How many years since his hit "Shiek of Scrubby Creek" which he wrote about the local creek at Walkerston where he grew up.
Have now arrived at Guyra and the weather isn't promising with a constant drizzle but we don't start til Friday so have booked into the "Show Grounds Hilton" for a couple of night at $10 per night.  I would like to wash but if I do I will probably have to take the clothes to the laundrymat to dry them.
What a disaster in Queensland with Toowoomba and Brisbane and Ipswich all flooding.
The Caseys are packed and may have to move from Fig Tree Pocket and Brett and Katrina and the kids have been given instructions by Council on where to go.  I hope it isn't during the night.  They have got all their stuff packed and ready to go if necessary, but I really feel for them.  At least they are safe for the while and I will be keeping an eye on the news for the next 24 hours.