999, so far this year the closest fires have been at least 2-3 hours from us - that doesn't sound like much, but those fires were burning in mostly inaccessible country, much of it quite difficult to get to. We've had a stormy summer so far with many lightning strikes, which is how those fires started. We live on the edge of a largish (by Oz standards) town, not right out in the bush, and I think we are quite safe here.

We eat whatever beans we feel like at the time! A summer favourite in some circles is bean salad made of tinned beans drained and rinsed, then tossed with finely chopped red onion, corn kernels, any colour capsicum - you know it as pepper? - whatever else your heart desires, tossed with a vinaigrette dressing.

Cheers
JennieG