There is an unrivaled tragedy raging in Australia today. The 136 fires are burning so large that they are generating their own weather systems, have scorched millions of acres of land, killed 19 people, and millions of animals. Even when one contributes prayer and financial resource, it does little to quell the feeling of helplessness and heartbreak. Australia offers immeasurable wonder to the world and it's influence in surf culture is indelible.

As a tiny act of gratitude for their being and acknowledgement of their suffering I wanted to share this opening chapter of Bill Bryson's "In A Sunburned Country".