Response from my blog

First from Gerry in ChristchurchHi John and Mei,

Thank you for your kind words. My younger brother Alistair’s brother-in-law’s eldest daughter was in the CTV building – so they are hoping for the best – but this place is not likely to give up survivors.

I am glad to hear your folks are OK.

Today – on the second day – I am still trying to get my head around the events that have transpired. The weather is not helping either – colder than usual and raining.

It beggars belief – and the work of saving lives will soon, sadly become a recovery job.

The airport is now open, and the RNZAF has been flying tourists to Wellington so they can head back to their respective countries.

It also appears that a Foreign Language School had collapsed – and sadly – the students included Japanese and Chinese students.

To the east of the city centre there is massive damage to the roads. There are huge sink holes in many areas – with cars and buses in them.

Drinking water is being delivered to these areas.

Internationally, we have crews from Australia, Japan, Taiwan, UK and the US on the ground already.

Our armed services are also being utilized- and helicopters have been brought in from all over the place. Patients from intensive care wards have been flown out to Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland.

Today has been yet another day of aftershocks – some quite large. It seems to me that I take a lot more notice of the aftershocks now – and can remember that the aftershocks that occurred after the initial quake last September did not worry me at all.

Now, I assure you – I do take notice of them.

Cheers mate,

Gerry

 And from an old Navy mate, also from Nelson – Murray Lister

Hi there John and Mei,

Our daughter and husband are just outside the CBD, fortunately they are okay, minus water, power, sewerage and phone. The would come up here to Nelson, but cannot get out due to road damage and bridges down. Difficult to communicate as both their cellphones have flat batteries so they need to rely on neighbours who still have a ‘charge’.

Kindest regards,

Murray

And also Tony from Brisbane and now Wuxi in CHina called on Skype to talk about it all.

Thanks to you all