We've had a few requests to add a post and let everyone know how things are after the big earthquake in February. So here goes....
Firstly we are all OK and so is the extended family - we've all had a range of experiences but are fit and well. Matt was at work in the CBD on the 5th floor of the council offices, he called me as he evacuated the building, luckily before the phone lines went berserk. Malc and Roy were also in the CBD and made it out of their offices. Roy managed to get to his motorbike, Malc walked home and Matt got a slow lift back to South Brighton (The Prado was parked in a multi-storey in the CBD) and then walked the last 7km. I know Matt passed lots of fallen buildings and crushed vehicles on his way out of the CBD and then had to cope with the roads and liquifaction in the suburbs.
I was at home with Ben (about to head for the pool) and our neighbour the painter. The quake was very violent and picked up the house then dropped it, before shaking side to side. There was a lot of noise and contents crashing around. We went outside and the caravan from over the road was blocking our driveway. We headed to the Griffins house to see if I could hitch a ride to collect Joe from school. Luanne was in with 2 of her boys and her Mum Shirley. We left the boys with Shirley but didn't get far in the car as the sewers were rupturing.
We returned home and by then the caravan had been moved by some friendly van drivers who were in the area. I grabbed the Volvo and went off to try another route to school while Luanne stayed with the boys. It took me an hour or more zig zagging through silt, holes and closed roads then I abandoned the car as close to school as I could get. I had to wade through the sewage and water to get to school and picked up Daniel and Joe. We then waded out and crossed the wet, silty golf course on foot to get home.
All afternoon there were significant aftershocks that sent us all heading under the tables.
Of course there no power, water or sewage and we made the decision to go to Kates that night. It was a good decision as the shaking was much less out there and they had all the amenities! Matt managed to retrieve the Volvo and some of the water was receding and it was possible to see more of the giant holes! Their family of 4 had suddenly become 12! Thank-you for putting up with us! x x We all spent a few days there before deciding to return back to Christchurch and start the cleanup as water and power was returning slowly.
Meanwhile Kelly invited us to visit and stay with her in Palmerston North so the boys and I spent 2 weeks with her and her beautiful boys. Joe enrolled in the school and Ben went to the local kindy - it was great to have some normal routines (and no aftershocks). Everyone was so kind to us. The boys took part in 2 mini-tri events, went swimming with a free pass and the school even put together a care package for us. We had a lovely time and will miss them!
We returned home today as we have managed to enroll Joe at Ohoka school starting tomorrow. This is the village where our house will be built so we are bringing the process forward a few months. His old school is not open yet as there continues to be issues with the sewage. The Army are currently helping with the clean up there and removing silt.
There is damage to Annie and Malc's house which shifted on it's piles, they also had some low-lifes enter the house and steal (and other obscenities) while they were in Tua Hiwi. Mum's house has lots of cracking inside and out. Our place seems to have faired better than the first quake, but much more contents damage. We don't know about the Prado yet as it is within the cordon and we dont know about the status of the car park yet. It is going to be a long process getting the EQC to assess claims. We are still boiling water, conserving water and power so no laborious photo uploads yet.. Will try soon.
We are thinking of friends who have suffered extensive damage to their homes and those who will see them demolished.
