The wind bloweth!

About 11pm last night, a forecast wind storm hit us here in Keilor. I learned today that winds measured at up to 140kph ravaged Tullamarine AP all night and, as we are on the same plateau, it's logical that we were receiving the same medicine. Around midnight as I was on my way to bed, a loud crashing sound was discernable from outside above the howl of the wind. I immediately thought 'Oh oh! tree down?'... but couldn't see anything untoward with exterior lights on in the area from whence the crash seemed to emanate.

It took some time to fall asleep because of the racket outside but, eventually fatigue did the job. The wind was still moderately strong when I surfaced again at 6.30am. A quick recce of the property revealed that a large branch from a neighbour's eucalypt had fallen onto and damaged the dividing fence and smaller perimeter trees on our side, but narrowly missed decking and house. Phew!
 Neighbour also lucky as an even larger bough had fallen across his driveway on the opposite side to us. It must've weighed-in at several hundred-weight in the 'old money' ... and, just missed his car.

TV news thru' the day has highlighted much property damage resulting from what the Met. bureau is describing as a record wind-storm for this neck of the woods. I spent all of this morning with the bloke next door (who, fortuitously owns a chain-saw) cutting up rubble tree-parts and trying to restore some order to the jungle of plant growth that my wife has nurtured around our hacienda over many years. Not too far from us a car was demolished under a falling tree ... one of many in the greater Melbourne area. Seeing the local casualty this arvo prompted today's cartoon.

It's an ill-wind that blows nobody any good. Ho-hum.