The cooling ashes

August was much slower as everyone headed to the beach to bask in the sun and cool off by dipping their feet in the icy waters of the Atlantic or out to the countryside to relax in the shade.

Unfortunately, this year also saw a large number of deliberately lit bushfires destroy thousands of hectares of forest. Was it coincidental that these fires were concentrated in the most populated regions rather than the wilder parts? Rumours and conspiracy theories abound as to who is behind the fires: is it organised crime, property developers or just a random mix of the deranged and disgruntled? Some signage in prominent locations to warn people of the danger levels, fire bans and penalties certainly wouldn´t go astray.

On our own travels to the beach it has been surpising to see how little relationship the locals have with the sea despite their maritime heritage and ravenous desire to eat anything that sports fins or grows on a wet rock. The beaches are often awash with rubbish, particularly from the fishing industry.

The local lifesavers also regularly drag in exhausted waterlogged swimmers after they are caught in currents and rips, deceived by the apparently calmer water in these parts of the beach. A little education on where to swim at the beach, the introduction of flagged swimming zones on surf beaches and some warning signs would make life a lot safer and easier for all involved. Some rescue boards might not go astray too.