Reality Bites

Well, has been a rather up and down couple of weeks since my last post. I had intentions to write last week  as I had a post composed in my head during an episode of insomnia broken up by the odd aftershock or two:)  But I never seemed to have time - we still didnt have any running water  at home til last Friday (the 4th of March) - so my spare time between being at work and training was spent driving to friend's place for a shower and to get a couple of loads of washing done. On this note - John and Mair -THANK YOU!! for the use of shower and washing machine; was a lifesaver!!

Spot the Canadian

First few days after the quake I couldn't get my head around training. It seemed a rather selfish way to spend my time, as well as not being able to have a shower afterwards!.However, I also felt rather anxious about leaving the house by myself just in case another big one struck.So, rather than ride my bike last Sunday, Brett dragged me over to Sumner to Lidia and Andrew's house which sits nestled up Sumnervale, a few metres below Captain Thomas track. It was almost a 4 wheel drive adventure to get there as the roads through Ferrymead and into Sumner are a huge MESS. Rockfalls strewn across some pavements and if you happen to look up as you  drive into Sumner past Shag(ged) Rock on the cliffs, you can see the houses on the top have decks overhanging the edge now where the cliff has crumbled away. We also spotted parts of barbecues and laundry in the debris of boulders and other detritus lying in what was previously a small reserve . Anyway, spent the day helping build a rockprooof fence at the top of their garden. I have to mention that the gradient of the garden is about 30% so I certainly got a satisfactory strength workout for both upper and lower body - have you ever tried hammering in a waratah??!!!! I also learnt how to tie steel; not dissimilar to making removable orthodontic appliances really!

This is across the road from work

Went back to work last Monday, cleared out 6 years worth of old journals and other trash from the surgery so that was something. The entire week was quite unproductive  as anticipated  and I expect that is how it 's going to be for a little while. After a mild panic attack about finances, lack of swimming pools and shaking ground I came to the decision that I stick to the original plan and stay at work til Easter  then head north  either to Aus or UK after we return from Utah. I don't cope well with a disrupted routine as i am a creature of habit and after weighing up pros and cons of staying put vs leaving , staying won out in the end.

Swimming is proving a little difficult at present with no pools open here in Chch; the nearest pool being in Rangiora or open water at Pegasus lake which are both 45 mins- 1 hour drive away, depending on the time of day. However, its not the end of the world. We still have a house to live in that is basically undamaged, friends and loved ones are all accounted for and Jemima hasn't run off in fright.