No aftershocks last night, but I only managed four hours sleep. Now I’m up with a cup of tea, and e-mailing. In the last quarter hour I’ve three times seen a large army vehicle drive by, draped in camouflage and bristling with soldiers. I appreciate the security but it does heighten the feeling of being in a war zone. Is it three different vehicles or the same one doing circuits?
Yesterday I finished clearing all the VolCan e-mails. On Sunday I set up an auto reply message directiing volunteer offers to the Student Volunteer Army (for those in Christchurch) and the DIA Emergency Management (emergency.management@dia.govt.nz – for those elsewhere). The VolCan phone system isn’t working, presumably because the House has no power, so at least I don’t need to worry about voicemail. I keep thinking about possible ways we may recommence operation, but it’s all too uncertain just yet. If only we had an online database (sigh). Maybe some philanthropic person will now offer the $40,000 needed – but then, the preferred providers were in the CBD too, and I wonder when they will be operating again.
The wonderful daughters have been phoning daily and that gives us tremendous support. At least one of them will be attending the Christchurch Earthquake Service in Westminster Cathedral tomorrow.
Yesterday 324 people visited this blog which is the highest number ever. I’m delighted, but wish there hadn’t needed to be an earthquake to attract so many readers.
I’ve learned that NZ Post will hold mail for those to whom it can’t deliver (bound to be us?) at an alternative location. ‘Details are unlikely to be finalised this week’, but hopefully we will get mail next week. It’s not that I need the bills, but there are a few things I’m hoping for and Stephen will be missing his ‘Guardian Weekly’.
“Restoring daily life in parts
will give a lift to all our hearts.”
Ruth's Reflections 
Good Morning Ruth. You are not the only one up before God this morning. I am slightly sad as I turn the light on to make my morning coffee as it means that summer is waning but then I remember to be glad that I can turn it on.
I had been wondering how the community House survived it all.. have you seen or heard?
It is increasingly busy here as the numbers arriving from there grow daily…some to stay, some on their way to family and friends in the North Island.
So often in our nomadic lives Jim and I have had cause to realize that everything around us, bar family and friends, is just stuff. But then we have always been fortunate enough to have chosen to leave the ‘stuff’, not had it wrenched from us in such a terrifying way. I find myself living most the day with this new lump in my throat as I witness the courage mixed with the fear, the selflessness, the pride and the kindness around me. We truly have chosen well in our adopted home. While sad to loose the historic buildings, the people are its real treasure.
Take care of you.
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Dear Judy, your message brought tears to my eyes – tears are never far away these days!. VolCan staff were in the House when the earth shook, and as far as I know the building is okay (bar at least one shattered window), and all the tenants got out. I’m hoping that within a few weeks we may be allowed (probably under escort) to retrieve some things, but it doesn’t sound as though we can open there for some months to come. I so agree that people are much more important than ‘stuff’.
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Not sleeping is a normal response to trauma, so be kind to yourself, if it continues think of talking to your doctor about some sleep medication. Your body is now on super alert and may need some help getting the sleep you and it needs. My thoughts are with you and all others suffering from the trauma’s this life brings. Stay strong.
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Do you know how the NZ Post holding stuff for you works? Do they send you a message to say they have something, or can you just go to a place where mail is held if you know something is expected?
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Hi Ruth, I don’t think you know what a source of precious information you are; we fled the city last Tuesday and haven’t been able to obtain information about cordon access, building checks etc. It is such a relief to read your posts knowing that life within the cordon goes on!
We hope to return on Saturday, much happier now that we know a little of what to expect! Thank you.
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Louise, I gather they will announce where mail can be collected (probably Post Shops), and I presume we’ll need to show i.d. to pick it up. I don’t imagine there’s any chance they’ll let people know there’s something waiting.
Haidee, I’m pleased to know the blog is useful. It’s satisfying for me to do it and great to get comments.
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Dear Ruth,
I just wanted you to know that I have observed the two minutes silence at my desk at work. I thought of you, and of all the people whose lives briefly intersected mine in my recent trip to Christchurch and I prayed for peace and recovery for all of you.
With love,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah, All I can say is thank you! We observed the silence here in the Loop too – will blog about that soon.
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Ruth, we were driving to Oamaru to the funeral of my cousin at the time of the observance. We and other cars we could see were indicating and stopping on the roadside.
The funeral celebrant was wearing a little black and a little red ribbon on her jacket. I am going to organise that for myself tomorrow.
You are never far from my thoughts.
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