Today was surreal. A day that they always told you to prepare for but you never really think will happen. Christchurch (New Zealand) bore the brunt of a magnitude 7.1 earthquake and continues as I type to have sizable aftershocks. Not really something you expect to be part of when you are just down for the weekend from Wellington (which is more well known for quakes!). There is huge damage to property and infrastructure accoss the entire city though some areas more affected than others. Fortunatly the quake struck at 4:35am while most people were sleeping which meant no casualties, one hates to think how much worse this could have been had it hit peak shopping time on a Saturday. [caption id="attachment_530" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Collapsed building front on Ferry Rd, CHCH 5:53am"][/caption] The experience of being thrown around by this violent earthquake was like nothing I can describe, the closest thing I can compare it to it turbulence in a plane... only that's not air... thats solid ground under foot rolling like a wave. I woke to a loud rumbling sound and a jolt which got me out of bed the entire house was shaking, lights were flickering and the sounds of breaking glass. The house was intact once it was all over, the rest of the family was shaken but all ok but we had no idea of the carnage that had taken place just around the corner. It wasn't until we had wonder out to a main road around an hour or so later that we were meet with the sight of toppled buildings, walls and ceilings. Watching news of this disaster on tv was eerie it was like watching something that had happened elsewhere in the world... but this was right out the front door. Once the sun came up the phone started ringing and we quickly checked on elderly family members, again everyone unhurt but a bit shaken. One had both of thier chimnies collapse through there roof and the power out. Once it was safe to travel we headed over to assess and do a bit of damage control. Getting stuck in we tarpped the holes in the roof and cleared away the debris, all and all it was good to do something otherwise I think I would have got a bit stir crazy sitting around. [gallery] I have a feeling we are going to be in for a few more aftershocks during the night... what a day... read full post