I was sitting in my office in Christchurch, working away diligently as always, but then everything changed.
Earthquake!
Oh my God, book cases flew across the room, my computer was thrown off my desk. I was grasping at my desk to stop me from being thrown to the floor. I was on my own. Where were my family? Oh God, where were my family?
I sent a text message out to my wife, daughter and son. “are you OK? And I waited.
Those were the longest five minutes of my life as I waited. “I’m OK” came in three times! Phew, we’re OK.
And then one by one they came home! JOY.
We’ve just had a devastating earthquake in my home town, Christchurch. We’re OK, but hundreds and thousands aren’t. The centre of our city, that my great-grandfather and my grand father helped to build has been flattened. But we’re OK.
We’ve had no power for the last ten hours, no water, no sewage, but we are together and OK. There are people trapped in buildings across the centre of our city. Please think of them. There are thousands of homeless sleeping outside tonight (in the rain). Please think of them. On top of all that we are getting quakes every ten minutes which we should be used to, but these are different.
I am lucky to have friends all around the world, and while our power has just come on, I have a moment with internet access to let you know that we are OK. Our Prime Minister has said “we are a city in agony”. My family agree with him.
The days ahead will be sad as we try and understand it all. We have read of so much trauma and sadness throughout the world in the last few weeks, and secretly I’d like things to turn around for the better.
Love to you all!
So glad to hear all the Reese’s are okay! I was wondering how you were doing! So heartbreaking to see CHCH in ruins
Especially the cathedral. So many memories in that building….
Thanks Sam. It’s horrible, but there are people far worse off than us! Sarah is here too, for the opening of the French Film Festival, not!! Take care!
Damn John! What a terrible experience to be stuck in.
Our thoughts are with you, your family and everyone else across the Tasman who’s been affected.
Thanks Keiron. Don’t ever look back – your domain name says. Maybe in a little while we will feel like that. I said to my family “whatever happens now we must be positive”. But that was hard to understand as we spent the afternoon digging the silt cause by liquefaction of our land – this causes silt and flooding which follows a bad earthquake – it was just such hard work to prevent it from entering our homes, and was just full of shit and silt!! great!!! We’re knackered from it all!
“We have read of so much trauma and sadness throughout the world in the last few weeks, and secretly I’d like things to turn around for the better.”
These have been my thoughts as well, with all the chaos
going on all over the world –
then, today I read your great blog on Hotel Welcome – and send a reply, felt good,
and thought – must make that happen – get things moving,
and have a talk to Vic about it –
Then, found my home site ( NZ Herald) and Breaking news,
confronted me in bold letters – Earthquake hits Canterbury
11.52am …………. Wow, What, Wow, What………
In a matter of seconds I thought – Merivale – John
and family – listened to the T.V. throughout the day, and
hoped that you would send a message –
So glad you did, and so very glad that you and the family are all okay,
and yes, it is going to be a very sad day tomorrow, and for
many weeks to come!!!!
All it takes is a second, so we must hope and pray that
better times will come, and we in NZ will help each other
to get through this awful disaster. Life is so un-believable at times, beautiful Canterbury, and all the history, and hard work – Life deals us a cruel hand and I wonder why
that is …… Must just have enough faith that the bright light of hope will shine through and the sunshine will come out again. Take care.
Sincerely, Rose and Vic.
Thanks guys for your message. Paris is looking mighty good! Sorry we are not there! This is shit!
Scary how often it seems to happen in NZ. Glad you’re all OK John and hope things get returned to normal soon for everyone.
Nice to hear form you Jools. We are feeling “delicate”. but your comments will help a lot!
Oh my God, John….I am so sorry….I will be sending good thoughts to everyone there. You know that is true that there seems to be a lot of discord throughout the world….whether its civil unrest or natural disasters….something is amiss. I am glad to know that you and your family are ok.
You are a dear Renee. Thanks for your comments. Now it is teaming with rain and if you could see us now. We have mattresses set out in our “conservatory” (a safe room) where we will all sleep because the bedroom end of our house is badly affected. And I have prepared a “hole” in the garden for lavatorial activities!!! (as we have no sewage system!!) If it had happened hours later the collapsed ceiling would have caused greivous harm to my son, We are the lucky ones.
Well, I thought you were in France. I’m so glad you and yours are safe.
It’s absolutely horrific, the pictures and vision that’s coming out of New Zealand at the moment.
We have had power for one hour now and are seeing images of our city that sadden us greatly. We are in tears! I wish I was in France!! I spend the summer here before going to have summer in Europe!!!
I just heard the news about the earth quake and I was so worried about you guys. Then opened my e-mail and found you are all ok. Thank goodness for the internet . Last time I had to wait for the post.
My thoughts are with you I;m glad your house was spared but my heart goes out to the not so lucky.
Hang in if there is anything? I can do let me know.
Lesley, how lovely to hear from you – Andy was touched to get this message of support. Thanks!
hello john
nous sommes vraiment très heureux d’avoir de tes nouvelles et de savoir que toute ta famille est en bonne santé que personne n’a été blèssé.
nous somme vraiment de tout coeur avec vous par la, pensée et nous aimerions pouvoir êtreeprès de vous pour vous aider
on vous embrasse très fort
martine jérôme et émilie
Un mille merci de votre message. Nous sommes tres touche de l’avoir recu. Nous avons recu un SMS de la part d’Adrien aussi ce qui nous a bien apprecie. C’est trop triste – et nous avons des amis perdus en centre ville – on attend, c’est tout ce que nous pouvons faire! Nous vous embrassons aussi.
First thing when I heard aboiut the earthquake was remembering that you are there. What a releif that you and your family are ok. Thanks for letting us all know. Stay safe, we are all with you.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you, your family and all of the people in ChristChurch. I live in Franklin, TN and I saw this on the news this morning 2/22/11. You and yours are not alone. We around the world are sending our love and supplies. Things will turn around. Out of every fire rises the phoenix reminding us of the renewed, refreshed and generous spirit of men. When one is suffering, we all suffer. None of us have been exempt from pain, through empathy and rememberance, we reach out.
Nicole, thanks so much for your very kind thoughts.
Talk about compelling content!
Take care of yourselves, So sorry for your city.
So glad to hear you’re all okay! You’re right – so much trauma in the world at the moment. Sorry for what’s happening to your city and country – it must be horrible for you to watch. Thinking of you all.
Julia and Barry
John,
Thank you for the update. We are relieved to hear that you are all OK.
We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers and will look for ways that we can help.
Judy and Dave
Judy and Dave, thanks very much for your kind thoughts. My girls aren’t too happy with the “WC” I have constructed at the end of the garden!!!!
So glad to hear you and your family are OK. I woke up to this news and am thinking and praying for all those affected by another quake. Horrible. Wishing for all the best for everyone in New Zealand.
Wow so glad to hear you are okay. In Cusco we heard a few hours after it happened and a lot of my Kiwi friends were frantically trying to call home without luck.
Keep us updated!
Ayngelina I appreciate your comments. The hardest part was not being able to communicate – some people were separated from family members for ten hours, but tragically some still have not made contact 24 hours later, and for these people things are looking sadly grim.
Saw the Spire pictures, heartbreaking! Good to hear you are okay- waiting on hearing from a few other friends… but so far everyone is doing well.
Thanks for letting us know you and the family are OK. My thoughts are with you and the people of NZ.
John, I get your blog and love reading about France but today you got me as one Nzer to another – up here in Auckland but mentally, just so focussed on your part of this amazing country.
I am nearly crying typing this but keep going and keep your family close – thats what makes me feel helpless thinking about all the people down there, what if you could not get to your family.
Chins ups and we’ll all help each other get through this
xxx
Gill thanks for your comments. I’m glad you’ve been enjoying my blog. Funnily enough we don’t have much idea what is happening beyond our neighbourhood, but the TV reminds us of the horrors for us all.
OMG John I’m so happy to hear that you and your family are ok! I was in Queenstown last year for the big earthquake, I remember how scary it was. This one sounds so much more destructive. Let us know if you need anything, if we can do anything. Poor CHCH.
So very pleased to hear you and your family are ok and safely together, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. It is heartbreaking to watch your beautiful city looking like a war zone but be assured we really care and will do everything we can to support you. Our home is your home to escape to if you need somewhere to go. Love to the family.
Good to hear that you and your family are safe. You and all of NZ are in my thoughts.
Hey John, glad to hear that you and family okay. Shocked, shaken but together and okay. We based in Wellington – let us know if you need anything or if we can help.
Kerry-Ann thanks for your message. Only one big quake overnight, so we feel quite good this morning! Even had my first “saucepan” shower this morning – the first on many I suspect!!!
Hi John, and glad your family and friends are safe. Been checking around our family and friends and luckily no injuries, just trashed houses, but they can be fixed.
Looks like my son will be heading down to help with police rescue efforts.
Just wondering if we travel bloggers get together and compile a list of agencies where donations can be made, then we can work on spreading those?
I’ll check back in here and see what you reckon.
That sounds a great idea Jim. I reckon Red Cross would be a great start? Will speak more on this, but I’m a little busy at the moment. The police have been amazing, and the helpers are everywhere. This afternoon I had a young lady come with a baked cake to give us, and a young 20 year old guy asked if he could help us clean our property out. Go you good-hearted people!!
I’ve done a list here-
http://holesinmysoles.blogspot.com/2011/02/earthquake-devastates-christchurch-new.html?showComment=1298445969565#c6376863734556147654
It’s scary that you had to go through this but thanks God you and your family are ok. Thanks for letting us know.
John,
Phew! You’re all OK. I should have checked your blog earlier in the week. That would have kept me from worrying!
I’m glad and relieved to read that you’re all safe. It’s so heartbreaking to see Christchurch in ruins and the death toll that keeps rising.
I was driving to work when I heard about the earthquake on the radio. I was so worried about you that I pulled over straight away to text you. But I’m not sure you got my message.
Better times will come.
Love to you four.
Bon courage à tous les quatre. Un bisou à Andy, Sarah & Alexander.
You dear boy Nico. Thanks so much for thinking of us. Thanks also for sending the SMS which sadly we did not receive – communication has been a problem. As you read we are all fine. Today is different as I think the reality of everything is striking us. All our friends who are missing, and the mess our city is in – en fait ca n’existe plus!
We all send you our love, and give you big hugs.
Dear John
We here in Auckland feel for all in Christchurch. The loss of lives is devastating as is the destruction of homes. It is hard to continue our normal days as we listen to the updates on Christchurch.
Our thoughts are with you, your family and friends as you try to pick up life as it was.
warmest regards from
The Hardy’s and The Nicolson’s
You are all so kind for sending this message – it’s a big help. Today is more difficult I think than yesterday. Funnily one of the issues today is dust. Because of the liquefaction everywhere, this has been dried by the sun and now we just have clouds of dust swirling everywhere. Weird! We too worry about poor old Christchurch, but like the phoenix if we all support her we can create a city befitting of the 21st century – a truly modern city, but these are thoughts for the future months.
We’re heartbroken for you guys. Just watching the TV now and they are talking about demolishing all those beautiful buildings we saw last week. I have no words of consolation – it is all surreal. At least you can take some comfort in your loved ones being safe. Our thoughts are with you, John.
Thanks John and Andrea for your message. Treasure those photos you have of our city! Safe travels!
John,
So thankful that you were able to get this post off to us that follow you. Amazing that you were able to confirm so quickly that your loved ones were also alright.
Please keep the posts coming and update us on what’s happening there.
Cheers,
Priscilla
Priscilla I do appreciate your thoughts. The thought of my wife and daughter running down the middle of a street dodging falling buildings still terrifies me. A bientot!
So glad you and your family are okay. The city of Christchurch is in my prayers!
John Andy and Family
Thank God you are safe. Slow to contact but just had my tonsils out!!!!- feeling sorry for myself and this happens! I’m going to be fine in a couple of weeks – not like Christchurch and it’s people. Take care. Helen
Thanks John and Helen. We are fine but still there are the unsettling sirens and helicopters flying overhead, and we can’t watch the TV news, fo it is too sad.
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