There were some pretty big fires in Cape Town last night. From our house we could see the one burning above Gordon’s Bay. The mountain was on fire from top to bottom. Nestled just above the sea and just below the flames was the town of Gordon’s Bay.
I got ready for bed wondering if there was something more important for me to be doing than going to bed. Eventually I gave the local police station a call and was referred to the fire station. The fire station said that if I was interested in volunteering, I had to report to the Spur in Gordon’s Bay, their temporary headquarters.
So somewhere around 22h30 last night, I got dressed again, and charged off to go and do my bit. I felt pretty pleased with myself. As I got closer to Gordon’s this fire was bigger and more ominous than I had first suspected. The police had gotten there before me and had closed off most access into Gordon’s Bay. I talked my way through and found myself at the Spur.
There must have been at least 20 fire trucks packed into the beach parking lot. Ambulances, police cars, and disaster recovery vehicles took up any of the remaining space. People milled all over the place. Some had been evacuated and other were mentally preparing to do battle with an orange tongued monster. There was an air of excitement. Nobody was quite sure of what was going to happen but they all knew that it was going to be intense and difficult. I was impressed to see a lady dressed in her pyjamas handing out coffee to anyone who looked like they were ready for action. She glanced at me, made the wrong assumption, and offered me nothing! My black rugby shorts, “Buy this man a beer” T shirt, and hiking boots obviously did not add up to the action hero attire I had aimed for.
A nice disaster management lady gave me a big smile and told me I was a hero for coming down. She got my look! But there was nothing that I could do to help. OK, maybe not.....
So there I was in Gordon’s Bay in a gale force plus wind watching an out of control fire rage on the mountain and there was nothing I could do. I felt pretty small and useless. Was there really no value that I could add here? I saw a car pass the police blockade and park just next to my car. A heap of chaps spilled out and headed off with purpose toward the action. I felt a glimmer of hope, perhaps I could hook up with this gang and still be useful. While waiting for a reasonable stalking gap to open up between us, I watched as they entered a pub and settled down for some serious business, a round of beers!
I hung my head, and drove home. Wind blown leaves overtook my car whilst I was driving at 80km/hr. Even the leaves were getting more action than I!!!!
So somewhere around 22h30 last night, I got dressed again, and charged off to go and do my bit. I felt pretty pleased with myself. As I got closer to Gordon’s this fire was bigger and more ominous than I had first suspected. The police had gotten there before me and had closed off most access into Gordon’s Bay. I talked my way through and found myself at the Spur.
There must have been at least 20 fire trucks packed into the beach parking lot. Ambulances, police cars, and disaster recovery vehicles took up any of the remaining space. People milled all over the place. Some had been evacuated and other were mentally preparing to do battle with an orange tongued monster. There was an air of excitement. Nobody was quite sure of what was going to happen but they all knew that it was going to be intense and difficult. I was impressed to see a lady dressed in her pyjamas handing out coffee to anyone who looked like they were ready for action. She glanced at me, made the wrong assumption, and offered me nothing! My black rugby shorts, “Buy this man a beer” T shirt, and hiking boots obviously did not add up to the action hero attire I had aimed for.
A nice disaster management lady gave me a big smile and told me I was a hero for coming down. She got my look! But there was nothing that I could do to help. OK, maybe not.....
So there I was in Gordon’s Bay in a gale force plus wind watching an out of control fire rage on the mountain and there was nothing I could do. I felt pretty small and useless. Was there really no value that I could add here? I saw a car pass the police blockade and park just next to my car. A heap of chaps spilled out and headed off with purpose toward the action. I felt a glimmer of hope, perhaps I could hook up with this gang and still be useful. While waiting for a reasonable stalking gap to open up between us, I watched as they entered a pub and settled down for some serious business, a round of beers!
I hung my head, and drove home. Wind blown leaves overtook my car whilst I was driving at 80km/hr. Even the leaves were getting more action than I!!!!
