North Island jaunt

Huka Falls nr Taupo (- sorry it is a bit dark)

Hi Everyone,

Not long since the last blog but as I have been away thought I would bring you up to date. Did I hear some one say "What again!?" Yes folks, again! This trip was arranged before the 'Big Shake' and it was good to get away although part of me wanted to be at home. Our problems have faded into insignificance since the troubles in Japan and our hearts go out to the Japanese people, especially as they have winter and the nuclear threat to contend with too.

I had a very enjoyable trip to the East Coast bays of the North Island. The group (34 of us) flew to Auckland and boarded the coach. Our driver, Bruce, didn't enjoy it as much as us as this coach was manual and his is automatic! It was a long way to travel in just 7 days - 6 if you discount the flights. I reckon in excess of 1000 kilometres.

I particularly enjoyed seeing the Art Deco city of Napier - rebuilt after the earthquake in 1931. It is very beautiful and an example of how Christchurch can recover. There is only one photo for you to see as I stupidly pressed the wrong button on my camera while deleting a video and wiped the lot. Was I angry with myself? You bet. I would have kicked myself if my foot could have reached. And no, I don't need any help with that!

On reaching home, joy! a chemical toilet had been delivered. Not having to use it yet as the water is still on but presume there will have to be further work on the water mains and sewers in the future. It will be better than the portaloo or a 'long drop', especially in the middle of the night.

Life is getting back to normal in some cases. Many of the companies who were in the centre have moved to the outskirts. The schools are mostly back and also some of the kindys. The 2 nearest supermarkets are open, ditto the coffee shops. Two of the malls are still closed and the centre of the city is still cordoned off. On a positive note, Matt and Sarah have their truck back from being stuck in a city car park. We still have to boil our water and it tastes disgusting since chlorine was added, but at least we have some.

At the memorial service last Friday we saw for the first time the desolation in the CBD on a huge video screen. It was quite shocking to see a road sign and not to recognise anything. The streets are very dusty but today's rain will settle some of it. No weeding today then! We have had such lovely weather that even spraying the streets frequently hardly helps.

In the house it is reasonably straight. The books etc have been put back on the shelves and only a few odds and ends remain on the floor. It will probably be 4 - 6 months before the Earthquake Commission get around to me so plenty of time to search for more cracks in the floor - a darning needle through the suspect areas of carpet works a treat. All in all we are OK - there are a lot worse off so shouldn't moan.

On that note I will finish this time. Thank you all for keeping in touch. Our love to each and everyone of you.

Carol xxx

The clean up begins.

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for your messages of love that we have all been receiving since Feb 22nd. It is now Mar 5th and all of us are back in our own homes with power, water and either toilets or portaloos. Sarah and the boys are still in the North Island with friends. The devastation in the city is horrendous, especially in the CBD and the loss of life is heartbreaking. Only 38 of the dead have been identified so far - TV programmes such as CSI gives such an erroneous idea of the speed of the procedure.

We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people. The rescue service personnel from all over the world who are working tirelessly in the rubble, the student 'army' and the 'farmy army' who are helping to clear silt in gardens and roads around the suburbs, the unsung heroes of the utility companies who are working so hard to restore power and water and the road menders. The photos are of Beach Road - such a contrast to last week. The surface isn't perfect but it is driveable. A friend, Darrren (another Suffolk lad!) has been busy making chimneys safe over the city and coming home very dirty each evening to a house without water and power. One night he was hosed down by the water tanker man! Well done Darren! Food banks have helped many who cannot get to the shops. New Brighton is a sad place but, thankfully, few of the shops have been condemned so, hopefully, with the reconnection to the power supply the businesses will begin to open.

The weather has been extreme. Temperatures of 30C and very high winds. We are now expecting a change to Southerly winds and temperatures more likely to be 16C and colder at night. Wearing a mask if on a bike is the height of fashion. Also the comment that something is 'munted' (meaning destroyed) is a common utterance -even with the mayor!

Personally, I am beginning the clean up - starting with the kitchen. Annie chipped the dried muck off the floor with a wallpaper scraper a few days ago. Many of the food containers, tins and unbroken items of china are coated with a brown gunge, made up of Bailey's cream, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and curry paste. Tastefully mixed with gin and brandy. Lovely!

So, back to the cleaning now, off to Katherine's for lunch tomorrow and going on my bus trip to the N Island on Thursday. Don't want to work too hard, now do I? Thanks again everyone for keeping in touch.

All my love Carol xxx