24/01/2026
It’s 40 degrees in Melbourne today.
Disgustingly hot.
Of course, doing out door work with Forest Therapy Victoria means a number of events every year have to be cancelled or postponed.
Had our Forest Therapy walk this morning been cracked for the mountains, it would likely have been cancelled. We don’t want add to the numbers of people that have to be evacuated should a fire break out.
Today, however, we were at the Urban Forest in East Malvern, just a short walk from the imposing Chadstone Shopping Centre.
While the park is very lush and bushy, the fire risk was minimal. Rather than cancel because of the heat, me made the start time 90 minutes earlier. I was there at 7am to walk the trail and complete the risk assessment, all in readiness to kick off at 8am.
The morning air was cool.
The bush smelt fresh.
Birdsong joyfully as the woke to the day.
The occasional early riser nodded as the jogged past with their dogs.
And, as always, nature did its thing.
Peace and calm became the feature early on this summer morning.
We finished our tea ceremony and sharing circle by 11am and headed home before the heat started to bite. All thankful for being held safely by the trees.
