Today was my birthday and I was rudely awakened at 5.45am by a quake that measured 5.5. VI on the Mercalli scale it released 2 kilotonnes of energy. There’d been another over 5 at 1.30am which we had mercifully slept through. The shakes kept coming, with no chance of going back to sleep.
As I showered it occured to me that if there was another big one I might be caught with no clothes and unrinsed hair. Then I remembered how lucky I am to have water and electricity to heat it. It’s good to be reminded of how much we have to be grateful for.
Facebook ensures that friends know when it’s your birthday, and I appreciated all the messages I received. After breakfast and presents we ventured out to do some shoppping. On the way we passed this new artwork which has been set up in a vacant site in Colombo Street.
Shadow Board
Created by Wayne Youle, it’s a giant shadowboard which shows things that we’ve lost and tools needed for the rebuild.
This afternoon we went to see “The Iron lady”, with Meryl Streep’s wonderful portrayal of Margaret Thatcher. We were dining at the Pegasus Arms when another shake struck – 4.8 this time. In the last 24 hours there’ve been 50 earthquakes, with seven of them measuring more than 4 on the Richter scale. I’m heading for bed and hoping for a sound night’s sleep.
“Fifty quakes, I have to say
is not what I’d choose for birth day.”
happy birthday… An eventful one!
Did you enjoy the movie? Haven’t dared do one this week with so many shakes…
Belated happy birthday, and I hope you have had a good night’s sleep by the time you read this.
I am in London and a regular reader of your blog as I have extended family members in Chch.
Fi, the movie gave me a better understanding of how Margaret had to fight sexism, and just what an achievement it was for her to succeed among all those men. Definitely worth seeing. We saw it at Sumner – a distressing journey these days, but infinitely better than a multinational multiplex in a mall.
RoseMary – it’s a pleasure to welcome a new reader, and yes I did sleep well, thank you.
Many happy returns of your birthday Ruth. I’m glad your birthday celebrations were not too upset by the swarm of earthquakes.
Happy birthday Ruth. You will have to be an iron lady to deal with all those shakes. Sounds like more energy is being released, but I guess it’s safer to happen in a series of smaller quakes (not that 5.5 is exactly small) rather than one big one. I heard Roger Sutton on the radio saying that all earthquake zones of the world do settle down in time.
Let’s hope they do so for Christchurch before too long.
Thanks Lynley & Juliet. I’m pleased to say today seems a little steadier (although I do wonder whether I’m tempting fate by saying that).
Happy birthday Ruth – a bit late, sorry, but with sincere wishes that the coming year will be a lot less shaky…
Happy Belated Birthday Ruth! (I have only just discovered your blog through Fi).
I love that shadow-board art work. Very clever.
My Birthday last year was spent in Christchurch, after being away for more than 20 years… The date? 22.2
Katherine, thank you for your comments. I’m delighted to welcome you to my blog, and I hope your next birthday is very much more tranquil.