FEEL THE HEAT and the LOVE

I watched in awe as a massive log twisted upwards in the wind created by a huge fire. The ferocity of flames knows no human bounds. 
When I left school my first job was in a forestry gang near Warkworth, north of Auckland. During the fire season we longed for a drink, something to eat and rest in the shade as we wore full length protective gear and wielded flame throwers and diesel burners in the sweltering heat. Ironically and even with that experience, I can only imagine how tough it has been for the Los Angeles fire fighters. We trust they are being well looked after by their colleagues and communities. How good it is to know that a kiwi owned cafe in West Hollywood has been offering free coffees to frontline workers and evacuees of the wildfires. A ‘big ups’ to the Ponsonby Road Cafe and owner Jaime Choi. 
Closer to home, a big thanks to volunteers from Matatā and Ōpōtiki (Bay of Plenty, North Island) who provided fatigue stops for weary travellers early in the new year.  Nothing like a BBQ sausage, bread, sauce and a cold drink on a hot day to help motorists keep safe on our roads! Being kind in such a practical way sets a good example of us looking after each other.
Meanwhile back in Raglan… A number of residents occasionally provide food and drinks for the Xtreme Waste workers on their daily rubbish and recycling runs in the summer heat. These treats are personally handed out and grateful smiles and thanks are returned. No worries!

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