Kerry's Garage

I suppose I was looking for something reassuringly ordinary and there are few things more ordinary than "Kerry's Garage" on the Great Western Highway at Blackheath. It is not especially old although I think it dates back to the 1930s. It is certainly an important piece of the Blackheath background that we all just take for granted. I felt I should post its image.

Blackheath seems almost deserted. Many residents also own houses in Sydney and it is to that part of the world that they have retreated. The normal hoard of weekend tourists stayed away in droves. Someone remarked yesterday that for the first time in many years he was able to park along the CBD section of Govetts Leap Rd ... in the middle of the day.

I have cancelled my photography workshop for Monday. Some participants are facing evacuation from their homes and several others are doubtful of being able to make it up or back along the highway if it becomes cut by flames.

Most of my friends and indeed just about all of the Blackheath blippers are packed in anticipation of possible evacuation. I shall be taking a last look around my property and spending much of the day at the Community Centre helping to prepare the Rhodo Festival Art Show. Things are making an attempt to proceed normally although we are increasingly doubtful that at least some of the Rhodo Festival will ever go ahead as planned.

It is all quite surreal ... but then it IS the Blue Mountains and there's a fire on.