Day 5, 1pm – inside the Christchurch cordon

I had a brief shower this morning.  It was more like a trickle and very hot.  I guess there’s not enough pressure for the cold water to come through, and I came out feeling like a boiled lobster, but a clean boiled lobster.

We walked down to the checkpoint intending to go to the dairy for a “Press”, but the soldiers there had several and gave us one.  I guess those that are meant to be for subscribers in the cordon are just getting left outside.  I wonder if anyone else is getting their “Press” delivered?  On the way down we met a woman walking with a soldier.  On the way back we met the soldier on her own and she explained that because the woman didn’t have identification she’d gone with her to make certain she was a bona fide resident.  Apparently there are lots of scummy people trying to get in for nefarious purposes.

Three men from the Earthquake Commission came round this morning and gave the Cottage a green sticker:

The Cottage has a green sticker

This means there is no restriction on use or occupancy.  They only inspect from the outside at this stage.  I told them the Cottage was close to 150 years old, which impressed them and we all agreed that old single storey wooden houses may be the best!  It occurs to me that when all this is over we could end up being one of the oldest buildings in the central city, and even more of an architectural oasis.

We drove over to Tower Junction so Stephen could buy a replacement monitor.  Having two working computers again is good and we are both busy writing blogs and answering e-mails.  While he was completing his purchase I watched News on TVOne for about five minutes and started to feel nauseous.  I’m pleased our TV is broken and will be in no hurry to replace it.  A neighbour has four TVs and offered to lend us one, but we politely declined. 

I find driving around the city very stressful.  Stephen drives carefully, but the roads are full of unexpected ruptures and the damaged buildings are incredibly sad.  The chemist’s building on the corner of Bealey Avenue and Colombo Street used to be Mr Jones the Grocer when I was a small child, and it is now a pile of rubble.  I have some ancient Rescue Remedy in the bathroom cupboard – just checked and the expiry date is 1997!.  I used it when I when I was the celebrant at my mother-in-law’s funeral, and I think I’ll take some when/if we go out in the car again.

Some local lads entered the Piko building (dangerous), and removed crates of perishable fruit and veges which they are now giving away to passers-by.  I spoke to another pair of neighbours who told me they are going to Geraldine tomorrow.  Will we soon be the only people left in the Loop?