Kaikoura trip and life in the earthquake zone

So, whether it was the oversized full moon, the moon man's predictions or just the expected aftershock pattern of a 1 level lower shock than the original, we just had a 5.1 aftershock centred very near to our house... the biggest since Feb 22nd. Hmmm. I don't think we will ever really get used to them.  Hope we get  a peaceful night.

Tomorrow we are visiting our new campus and hopefully, getting access to the office back in our usual space to grab some things, strictly under the supervision of security and only what we can carry.  We won't be wanting to risk overloading the stairs I assure you!!!  I am wondering what sort of breathing exercises to do to relax before the foray, but pretty sure the four flights without lifts will make me breathe differently anyway!

Others are having hassles - businesses can't get in to retrieve essential items. Getting your car out of the cordon is a nightmare for those who can. Many carparks are considered too dangerous to enter and the cars will be left. There are thousands of cars trapped!

For selected places only - http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4789448/Cars-to-be-retrieved-from-Christchurch-earthquake-zones

Car owners should assemble on the corner of Barbadoes Street and Moorhouse Avenue at 5pm on either day.

They would need to take their keys, ID and proof of ownership. Owners should also register their vehicles at www.police.govt.nz.

Police said extra safety precautions would be in place to facilitate the cars' recovery from the red zone areas.

Owners should use this window of opportunity as it could be some time in future before another attempt to retrieve their vehicle could be made.

Police asked for owners to be patient and said they should also note the following:

- No one would be allowed into the cordon area to retrieve their own vehicle for safety reasons.

- Anyone collecting on behalf of the owner should bring a letter of authorisation.

- People should be dropped off as there was no parking.

- Just one person per vehicle as space was limited.

- Owners should consider bringing a chair and a book as the process would take some time.

- Shelter and toilet would be provided.

I wonder if the toilet will be a portaloo or a delicately screened chemical model?

Poppy had a lot of fun coming away with us to Kaikoura. She was in the stair well with my friend when the big one hit last month... a friend who is trained in dog behaviour.  She pointed out that Poppy might be traumatised about stairs after being fallen on and screamed all over. I was just glad they were both alright and that my friend had kept a firm hold of Poppy's lead or she could have been lost in the towers and I wouldn't have been able to get back to her...  anyway, she seemed ok with the stairs at my parent's house, but she did plant her feet, sorry, paws firmly and refuse to climb the flight at the backpackers in Kaikoura this weekend, so perhaps we need to work on that issue as hauling her up on the end of a lead is not a good look. Going to take more than Schmacko dog treats to get me up the four flights this week....

We had a great time in Kaikoura with beautiful weather on Friday, although the boat trip was cold and damp with a good swell.. buckets required for many of the team, but one of them got these stunning underwater pictures of the Dusky Dolphins. They remind me of the awe and magic of my first swim with them. So graceful, beautiful and in their element...

Night.... :)

Kaikoura trip and life in the earthquake zone

So, whether it was the oversized full moon, the moon man's predictions or just the expected aftershock pattern of a 1 level lower shock than the original, we just had a 5.1 aftershock centred very near to our house... the biggest since Feb 22nd. Hmmm. I don't think we will ever really get used to them.  Hope we get  a peaceful night.

Tomorrow we are visiting our new campus and hopefully, getting access to the office back in our usual space to grab some things, strictly under the supervision of security and only what we can carry.  We won't be wanting to risk overloading the stairs I assure you!!!  I am wondering what sort of breathing exercises to do to relax before the foray, but pretty sure the four flights without lifts will make me breathe differently anyway!

Others are having hassles - businesses can't get in to retrieve essential items. Getting your car out of the cordon is a nightmare for those who can. Many carparks are considered too dangerous to enter and the cars will be left. There are thousands of cars trapped!

For selected places only - http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4789448/Cars-to-be-retrieved-from-Christchurch-earthquake-zones

Car owners should assemble on the corner of Barbadoes Street and Moorhouse Avenue at 5pm on either day.

They would need to take their keys, ID and proof of ownership. Owners should also register their vehicles at www.police.govt.nz.

Police said extra safety precautions would be in place to facilitate the cars' recovery from the red zone areas.

Owners should use this window of opportunity as it could be some time in future before another attempt to retrieve their vehicle could be made.

Police asked for owners to be patient and said they should also note the following:

- No one would be allowed into the cordon area to retrieve their own vehicle for safety reasons.

- Anyone collecting on behalf of the owner should bring a letter of authorisation.

- People should be dropped off as there was no parking.

- Just one person per vehicle as space was limited.

- Owners should consider bringing a chair and a book as the process would take some time.

- Shelter and toilet would be provided.

I wonder if the toilet will be a portaloo or a delicately screened chemical model?

Poppy had a lot of fun coming away with us to Kaikoura. She was in the stair well with my friend when the big one hit last month... a friend who is trained in dog behaviour.  She pointed out that Poppy might be traumatised about stairs after being fallen on and screamed all over. I was just glad they were both alright and that my friend had kept a firm hold of Poppy's lead or she could have been lost in the towers and I wouldn't have been able to get back to her...  anyway, she seemed ok with the stairs at my parent's house, but she did plant her feet, sorry, paws firmly and refuse to climb the flight at the backpackers in Kaikoura this weekend, so perhaps we need to work on that issue as hauling her up on the end of a lead is not a good look. Going to take more than Schmacko dog treats to get me up the four flights this week....

We had a great time in Kaikoura with beautiful weather on Friday, although the boat trip was cold and damp with a good swell.. buckets required for many of the team, but one of them got these stunning underwater pictures of the Dusky Dolphins. They remind me of the awe and magic of my first swim with them. So graceful, beautiful and in their element...

Night.... :)

Ultimate Loyalty: Japanese Dog Refuses to Leave Injured Friend Behind

via youtube.com

SO pleased to hear that both these dogs were rescued.
A stark reminder of the impact a natural disaster has on all living creatures.

Posted via email from Four Paws and Whiskers

Ultimate Loyalty: Japanese Dog Refuses to Leave Injured Friend Behind

via youtube.com

SO pleased to hear that both these dogs were rescued.
A stark reminder of the impact a natural disaster has on all living creatures.

Posted via email from Four Paws and Whiskers

Winstons World - The Beach

via winstonsworld.co.nz

I saw these books last night; Winston's Beach and Winston's Snow.. They are lovely books, ideal for kids and the photos are all of local places (and dogs) here. Done in black and white, or sepia, the pictures really show the expressions of the dogs. The words are simple but readable. I loved them...
The photographer has captured beautifully the experience when we first took Poppy to the beach - the delight of new discovery and experiences.

Just a thought if you are looking for pressies for your family et.
:)

Posted via email from Four Paws and Whiskers

Winstons World - The Beach

via winstonsworld.co.nz

I saw these books last night; Winston's Beach and Winston's Snow.. They are lovely books, ideal for kids and the photos are all of local places (and dogs) here. Done in black and white, or sepia, the pictures really show the expressions of the dogs. The words are simple but readable. I loved them...
The photographer has captured beautifully the experience when we first took Poppy to the beach - the delight of new discovery and experiences.

Just a thought if you are looking for pressies for your family et.
:)

Posted via email from Four Paws and Whiskers

Fresh Layout; New Beginning

Had fun this morning exploring new templates and layouts... I feel a fresh start is needed. Perhaps the header picture will be changed soon too, but will let my in house web designer and artist do that.

Anyway, I hope you check it out on the real web page if you usually read it in emails or readers. I read heaps of blogs, nearly always on google reader and it is frustrating to have to click through to the real blog, sign in, enter strange anti spam pass words and hope the comment posts, but as many of you have spent time creating beautiful pages, it is nice to appreciate the colours and layouts and see it the way you want us to.

Angus (http://wilfanddigby.blogspot.com/) commented on my blog yesterday... "what a year you have had".  So true.... I wish it was over! Too many losses and dramas floating around with accidents and earthquakes and cancer and operations... but really, I am floating along in the outer circle of it all, rather numb, here in person, but for self preservation often feeling almost detached, tired and finding it hard to focus.   Last weekend, on the advice of the coroner,  we visited the crash site... on the hottest day this summer we drove out there and stood on the edge of the mountain. Hot wind and sun; dry dusty road scattered with small rocks. The long grass softening the cliff face where the car rolled off, just a short distance before disappearing away to the left. The full scale of the distance travelled only apparent as we looked across from the next gully.
This picture was from the Ashburton Guardian. Click on it to enlarge it.

Last week, standing on the edge...

Looking back across last week

Next week we have the inquest in Ashburton; it hangs over us all. Nothing will change the outcome but it might offer some answers and prevent this happening to others.

So some good things have happened too. Jaz is in a rehab centre and been home for the weekend...
Unimaginably huge steps in three weeks!
She wrote a poem today. You can read it at: http://treacytravels.blogspot.com/2011/02/sink-or-swim.html

We saw the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the City Choir, and the NZ Army Band perform at Sparks in the Park... our special concert where we always celebrate our anniversary.

Thanks to the generosity of Polytech, I won double tickets and we got to go to Sting playing with the NZ Symphony Orchestra - thoroughly enjoyed the whole performance!

Saffy may be gone, but her rose is flowering and we still have Jessie.

Dear Poppy has taken over the household... with her shaggy wool, beady eyes, one ear up, one down look, she is adored by us both.  A ray of sun in our day.... a pile of chewed rubbish trailing behind her!

Her obvious relative is.Hairy MacLary 

taken from http://www.redmelon.co.nz/lynleydodd.html

The term starts again tomorrow for our part time classes; the following week for the full timers. So many new people to meet and the pleasure of some returning faces too.

Many thanks to the friends and family who have helped so much in the past months. If I seem a bit lost at times, sorry. There has been much to cope with. There still is, but we have coped and the work is done.
:)

Fresh Layout; New Beginning

Had fun this morning exploring new templates and layouts... I feel a fresh start is needed. Perhaps the header picture will be changed soon too, but will let my in house web designer and artist do that.

Anyway, I hope you check it out on the real web page if you usually read it in emails or readers. I read heaps of blogs, nearly always on google reader and it is frustrating to have to click through to the real blog, sign in, enter strange anti spam pass words and hope the comment posts, but as many of you have spent time creating beautiful pages, it is nice to appreciate the colours and layouts and see it the way you want us to.

Angus (http://wilfanddigby.blogspot.com/) commented on my blog yesterday... "what a year you have had".  So true.... I wish it was over! Too many losses and dramas floating around with accidents and earthquakes and cancer and operations... but really, I am floating along in the outer circle of it all, rather numb, here in person, but for self preservation often feeling almost detached, tired and finding it hard to focus.   Last weekend, on the advice of the coroner,  we visited the crash site... on the hottest day this summer we drove out there and stood on the edge of the mountain. Hot wind and sun; dry dusty road scattered with small rocks. The long grass softening the cliff face where the car rolled off, just a short distance before disappearing away to the left. The full scale of the distance travelled only apparent as we looked across from the next gully.
This picture was from the Ashburton Guardian. Click on it to enlarge it.

Last week, standing on the edge...

Looking back across last week

Next week we have the inquest in Ashburton; it hangs over us all. Nothing will change the outcome but it might offer some answers and prevent this happening to others.

So some good things have happened too. Jaz is in a rehab centre and been home for the weekend...
Unimaginably huge steps in three weeks!
She wrote a poem today. You can read it at: http://treacytravels.blogspot.com/2011/02/sink-or-swim.html

We saw the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the City Choir, and the NZ Army Band perform at Sparks in the Park... our special concert where we always celebrate our anniversary.

Thanks to the generosity of Polytech, I won double tickets and we got to go to Sting playing with the NZ Symphony Orchestra - thoroughly enjoyed the whole performance!

Saffy may be gone, but her rose is flowering and we still have Jessie.

Dear Poppy has taken over the household... with her shaggy wool, beady eyes, one ear up, one down look, she is adored by us both.  A ray of sun in our day.... a pile of chewed rubbish trailing behind her!

Her obvious relative is.Hairy MacLary 

taken from http://www.redmelon.co.nz/lynleydodd.html

The term starts again tomorrow for our part time classes; the following week for the full timers. So many new people to meet and the pleasure of some returning faces too.

Many thanks to the friends and family who have helped so much in the past months. If I seem a bit lost at times, sorry. There has been much to cope with. There still is, but we have coped and the work is done.
:)

Pets Help People Feel Loved

DECREASING STRESS: Pets help children and adults feel secure and unconditionally loved.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellbeing/4255560/Pets-help-people-feel-loved-and-secure

This something that the veterinary world is increasingly aware of - the importance of fur babies and the impact on people of losing them too.  

Most families report they value their pets most at times of crisis. Pets provide emotional support that makes it easier to cope and recover from stressful events.

In the middle of a crisis, one's usual supports may be preoccupied or distressed themselves. The bonds people have with their pets offer comfort, affection, and a sense of security at these times.

I have heard from many of the people I have seen since the earthquake that the children, particularly, have turned to their pets for comfort, with the usual rules about where the pet sleeps being relaxed somewhat.

Our  next decent earthquake two days ago was terrifying for many people and has stretched some already frayed nerves - I can see depression and anxiety and stress increasing dramatically at a time when we are already trying to assess our students,so the anxiety levels are climbing for everyone. One student had a panic attack on returning to the classroom the day after and we had three quakes during the morning classes too...  I know I feel like I am permanently wired on caffeine and not sleeping well. The adrenaline levels are taking a while to resettle.

This video is worth a look - helps explain why it is affecting so many people...
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/cantabrians-wonder-end-3841380/video

I miss my blonde bombshell at home. I wonder if it is why I feel more anxious this week!  Jessie comes and washes my face when I cry and she is "here", but it just isn't quite the same, much as I do love her.  However, many of you might remember when I mentioned a fellow blogger in France, Angus, who lost his dog Digby to tick problems earlier this year, and is now about to lose their lovely Wilf to cancer.  You can find Angus and WIlf here....  http://wilfanddigby.blogspot.com/
My thoughts are with you - losing both dogs in quick succession is just unimaginably sad and sends me off to give Jess a cuddle whenever I think of it.

Pets Help People Feel Loved

DECREASING STRESS: Pets help children and adults feel secure and unconditionally loved.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellbeing/4255560/Pets-help-people-feel-loved-and-secure

This something that the veterinary world is increasingly aware of - the importance of fur babies and the impact on people of losing them too.  

Most families report they value their pets most at times of crisis. Pets provide emotional support that makes it easier to cope and recover from stressful events.

In the middle of a crisis, one's usual supports may be preoccupied or distressed themselves. The bonds people have with their pets offer comfort, affection, and a sense of security at these times.

I have heard from many of the people I have seen since the earthquake that the children, particularly, have turned to their pets for comfort, with the usual rules about where the pet sleeps being relaxed somewhat.

Our  next decent earthquake two days ago was terrifying for many people and has stretched some already frayed nerves - I can see depression and anxiety and stress increasing dramatically at a time when we are already trying to assess our students,so the anxiety levels are climbing for everyone. One student had a panic attack on returning to the classroom the day after and we had three quakes during the morning classes too...  I know I feel like I am permanently wired on caffeine and not sleeping well. The adrenaline levels are taking a while to resettle.

This video is worth a look - helps explain why it is affecting so many people...
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/cantabrians-wonder-end-3841380/video

I miss my blonde bombshell at home. I wonder if it is why I feel more anxious this week!  Jessie comes and washes my face when I cry and she is "here", but it just isn't quite the same, much as I do love her.  However, many of you might remember when I mentioned a fellow blogger in France, Angus, who lost his dog Digby to tick problems earlier this year, and is now about to lose their lovely Wilf to cancer.  You can find Angus and WIlf here....  http://wilfanddigby.blogspot.com/
My thoughts are with you - losing both dogs in quick succession is just unimaginably sad and sends me off to give Jess a cuddle whenever I think of it.

Spring is here

Amidst all the doom and gloom and fear, a friend has pointed out that it is spring at last.
Lets enjoy what that means in Christchurch.....

Daffs near the river

Beautiful blossom in Harper Ave

Hagley Park

Plenty of lambs

Bleubells in Little Hagley

and we still have the cathedral in the square...

Thanks Linda for reminding us all :)

There are some great websites for checking what is damaged.... the saddest part of them is the google street map lets you see what they used to look like and knowing they are no longer standing :(
Click on it for a more detailed view...

View Canterbury & Christchurch Earthquake Map - What's open and working? in a larger map

We have continued aftershocks....the biggest were overnight at about 4.2, waking us up, but the dogs slept wonderfully thanks to their DAP! (Dog Appeasing Pheremone ) so we are feeling less tense and better rested :)  Saffy is lying on her back acting like a puppy again.. Long may it last....
How she has been known to behave round fireworks... read here! http://fourpawsandwhiskers.blogspot.com/2009/11/dog-tales-fireworks-mayhem.html

The last 24 hours...

. 

Spring is here

Amidst all the doom and gloom and fear, a friend has pointed out that it is spring at last.
Lets enjoy what that means in Christchurch.....

Daffs near the river

Beautiful blossom in Harper Ave

Hagley Park

Plenty of lambs

Bleubells in Little Hagley

and we still have the cathedral in the square...

Thanks Linda for reminding us all :)

There are some great websites for checking what is damaged.... the saddest part of them is the google street map lets you see what they used to look like and knowing they are no longer standing :(
Click on it for a more detailed view...

View Canterbury & Christchurch Earthquake Map - What's open and working? in a larger map

We have continued aftershocks....the biggest were overnight at about 4.2, waking us up, but the dogs slept wonderfully thanks to their DAP! (Dog Appeasing Pheremone ) so we are feeling less tense and better rested :)  Saffy is lying on her back acting like a puppy again.. Long may it last....
How she has been known to behave round fireworks... read here! http://fourpawsandwhiskers.blogspot.com/2009/11/dog-tales-fireworks-mayhem.html

The last 24 hours...

.