Aftershocks

We felt aftershocks all day yesterday.  A couple after I’d gone to bed felt that they would be 4 or 5 on the Richter scale.   Thankfully there were no major ones during the night and I slept soundly for seven hours.

I continually give thanks for our good fortune in surviving unscathed, as our close friends have done.  Some have broken glass and crockery and damaged chimneys, but that seems minor compared to those whose homes are destroyed.

I understand that aftershocks will continue for a couple of days and that we should expect at least one of magnitude 6 or more.  The weather forecast today is for gale-force nor’westerlies, threatening buildings which are already unstable.  As well as a nor’west arch there is a pink sunrise this morning and I can’t help thinking of that as a “shepherd’s warning”.  The two cathedrals are still intact but there is damage to some heritage buildings. 

This morning it seems such a privilege to be able to turn on an electric light, let alone a computer!  I’m feeling comfortable and loved, with messages and  phone calls from so many people, from all parts of the world.  Friends from Auckland were booked to fly here this morning and take the Transalpine on Tuesday.  Their visit is now unlikely.

I haven’t showered for two days and we are flushing the toilet only occasionally.  There is still water in our taps, but we don’t know whether that will continue.  Water supply and disposal of waste water are two of the most important issues facing the city, as many pipes are damaged.  The Avon river yesterday looked full and dirty, but with no sign of sewage.  Last night there was a curfew on the inner city – we are one block outside the boundaries of this, but definitely weren’t venturing out!  We were thankful just to be able to cook dinner, watch a dvd, and answer toll calls.

We will stay home today (Sunday), but I’m wondering about tomorrow.  My plan is to go in to work.  Will I shower first?  When will I run out of clean underwear?  Watch this space!

Yesterday there were 98 visitors to my blog (usual average is 40).  Thanks to all of you for your interest and concern, for your comments and Facebook messages.  

The Cottage just rattled slightly – is this the nor’west gale or the first of Sunday’s aftershocks?