Last weekend Alex and Mimi were down and requested that we visit Marysville. I have been to Kinglake many times over the last 18 months and Healesville a couple of times but not further on. It is the old thing that until I see it with my own eyes the reality & extent of the fires doesn't really sink in. The areas where there is no regrowth contrasting with those which were untouched are particularly stark reminders. It is good to see the rebuilding but it must be so hard.
The ridges are a vivid reminder with the light showing through the bare trees. The ground cover is starting to return and the surprise is the way the tree ferns are recovering and unfurling their fronds. In fact this is one of the first green things I saw when I first visited Kinglake soon after the fires. Bright green fronds in among all the black.
With the higher rainfall over the last few months I hope that the bush will have a boost to its regrowth.