Today was the hottest day ever recorded in Melbourne. It reached 46.4C and outside in the garden it felt like a blast furnace with the howling northerly winds and searing heat. There are fires burning out of control around the state and the loss of property, bushland and wildlife is horrific. Fortunately there have been no loss of life..........yet!

We are fortunate in the city suburbs that all we have to complain about is the loss of our gardens and the personal discomfort of such extraordinary weather.