We may have got a hiding from the Crusaders last week, but our sympathies still lie with the embattled residents of Christchurch, New Zealand. A Christchurch family with Ridge connections tell of their life under strained conditions as aftershocks there continue.
Dear Anne
Thanks for your latest e-mail. We are still trying to carry on as normal even though the ground keeps shaking.
The 6.3 we had on Monday, June 13, was very frightening and did quite a bit more damage in the middle of the city. They think about another 100 buildings will have to come down. We were both at home and although all the paintings and prints that we had just put back up on the walls after February came off and cupboards and draws opened we did not have any major damage. Only three or four things broke.
Worst thing was that we lost power for about four hours and water and sewerage for 24 hours. Lots of the roads that they had repaired have again opened up; if you are travelling 30km instead of the normal 50km you are going fast.
The poorer Eastern suburbs got hit again with liquefaction. It was not as bad as the February quake but worse than September. The army and hundreds of volunteers from the farming community have been trying to clear it away but this time it is winter and we have had cooler temps and rain, as they clear it turns it into liquid again and has blocked all the drains.
Last night we had another big 5.5 shock followed by two of more than 4.5 and 17 more in the next 10 hours, so there was not much sleep, but luckily not much damage. We take most of them in our stride but occasionally get a bad night that makes you feel very drained the next day. Last count we have had 7 100 aftershocks since September.
On a happier note, Norm and I have a new lovely little grand-daughter. Lilly Monet Metcalf, born on the May 6, very small at only 5lb 1oz, but absolutely beautiful. She is doing really well and at five weeks weighed 8lb 12oz and had grown from 47cm long to 53cm. Ella is very good but every so often she wants to come round to our place to get away from that baby, in other words she is not the centre of attention any more. Ella starts school in November so that will make it easier for Meredith.
We are also suffering from the Chilean Ash. I worked on the help desk at the airport today, lots of cancelled flights especially ones coming in from Australia. Air NZ is still flying domestically but Quantas is not flying at all. Do hope it clears before we have our holiday in six weeks’ time. Both Norm and I can’t wait to get away, both feel quite stressed and to have five weeks on firm ground will be really great.
Take care and thanks for taking the time to keep in touch.
Regards
Anita.
PS
Looking forward to our Crusaders playing your Sharks this weekend, Norm has found it hard not being able to watch his beloved Crusaders play live as our stadium, which had been partially rebuilt for the World Cup, is a real mess. It will cost 4.5 million just to rebuild the ground and at least one stand will have to come down and be rebuilt.
(Note: We received this letter before the crunch Super Rugby encounter between the Sharks and Crusaders).