After Frenchmans cap it was time to retire to the beach town of Strahan (population 700 odd) where we got a text from Mike who had kindly housed us in Christchurch after we’d been forced to move out. His text, unfortunately, said that while he’d been away from Christchurch after the quake the house had been looted.
I think that post-earthquake looters should be put into stocks and subjected to taunts preferably with a large supply of rotten tomatoes to be flung at them. That’d be good. Not sure what it says about the rule of law, but hey.
Anyway.. dried our stuff, ate food, drank wine, and then headed off to Cradle Mountain national park.
It was formed through glacial action (I think) and is a fairly stunning, if touristy park. There were some nice loops to be tramped. We spent two days there, and on the second hiked to the top of the mountain. It was quite snowy on the way up which was exciting.
Absolutely stunning view from the top – well worth the hike up.
Twas lovely flying out of ChCh. As we were about to leave a lovely aftershock rattled through the airport. It was akin to having been in a massive fight, been pummelled and generally abused – and then when you admit you’ve had enough and decide to back out of said fight, that your attacker gives you one last thump – just to show you who’s boss.
That’s what a big earthquake is like, psychologically. At least to me. It’s not so much the massive hit, it’s the continual aftershocks.
Anyway, flew out (hurrah!) and via a shortish stop in Melbourne (hot water from the taps in the bathroom – luxury untold), it was onto Hobart (Tasmania) where we picked up our hire car.
Tip for loyal readers
When you hire a car they will always try to up-sell you on the insurance (this is where they make their money). MOST travel insurance that you take out will have a clause which limits your liability on the excess payable if you crash. Worth checking – saved us $700 or so.
Anyway, went to Domhnall & Jill’s to crash for the night (they were off in Melbourne). Hot showers. Ice Cream. Happy happy times. We tried to formulate a plan of attack for Tasmania. Decided to try and tick off Domhnalls top pick – a 5 day walk to a peak called Frenchmans Cap. We were aiming to do it in 3 days.
They have posh wire bridges in Tassie.
And very very changable weather. We knew that conditions were likely to be mixed.. but at least the walk in was dry enough. Domhnall had warned us about the “Sodden Loddens”. A 3km stretch of really really muddy non-track.
Doesn’t really seem to bad does it. But after 2km or so I’d come to the firm conclusion that
Domhnall is a masochist
Domhnall has long legs
The other thing that you get is leeches. Well, ok, I didn’t get any, but Maaike had 3 (or was it 4?). I suspect I’m just cleaner than she is.
You can see a leech on the plastic in the above picture. I actually had no idea what a leech looks like. I thought it was a sort of leaf-shape.. but no, basically a really flexible (and strong) tube. Very very strong. And hungry. Oh – just in case you come across them ..
Leeches are clean (i.e. you won’t get a disease from them)
Salt / burning them is the way to go
Prefer Dutch to Irish
Anyway, on through the wetlands to the hut at Lake Mavis. I unfortunately didn’t take any pictures of it, but it was a really lovely hut. Very very well supplied and looked after. Also, once you’ve paid for your park pass all the huts are free. It’s quite groovy really.
The next day was supposed to be our (long) day ~11hours + walking. However, it bucketed rain, woke up in a deep puddle and with the low soothing rumbling of thunder. Perfect. So, didn’t go to the summit. However, at about 11am we headed off for a walk – to see what we could see.
We saw some interesting fungi.
But eventually we did get to the top of a pass where we could see over to Frenchmans Cap. It would be fair to say that this was an excellent tramp – and it would have been extra amazing if the weather had been a little kinder. Next time.
Slightly late on the posting, but then having been forced to move house (and having a two week holiday! – less of the forcing there) there has been quite a bit going on.
So, we had a fairly massive, destructive, scary, violent and altogether nasty earthquake. There have been lots of pictures and video’s – some of my friends (Veronica and Richard have written good accounts which are worth a read.
My own story – well, I was on the 6th floor of a city centre building when the 6.3 happened. Apparently we’re pretty unlucky that it was as destructive as it was.
Violent, unprecedented ground-shaking, unusually high levels of energy release, a fault pointing at the city like a loaded gun and trampoline-like bouncing of ground layers under the city combined over about 20 seconds on February 22 to cause the disaster.
I knew it was bad straight away because all of the car alarms were going off and the dust. Looking out the window there was just dust clouds rising all over the place. There was some screaming, but by-enlarge everyone was shocked and calmish. It’s very interesting the responses that humans have in these situations. I’m more of the “indecisive/fight” rather than “flight” response. One of the guys was out of the office and down the stairs *instantly*. Didn’t take keys/wallet or anything.
So, after some condiseration about a dozen of us decided to stay upstairs for about 40 minutes. This was a *good idea* as there were aftershocks which brought down more buildings. I figured that as our office was still standing that at least it was probably a safe place to be. We gathered up laptops and other belongings which we knew would be useful and got ready to leave (also a good idea as the CBD is likely to be closed until December).
During this time I was trying to text Maaike – but hadn’t actually managed to get through.
Then walked out with colleagues and headed to a local square (no buildings to fall on you). Reports were coming through of collapsed buildings – but I don’t think it had quite registered how bad things were. I met Paul – Shelly’s fiancee and together we walked to CPIT to join our girlfriends. Cars were everywhere and pedestrians walking about pretty shell shocked. It was a mess.
Met up with Maaike and by then – about 2 hours after the quake had happened, we decided to try and drive home. Pointless exercise – traffic was totally jammed so ditched the van and walked home. It was great mentally to be walking rather than stuck in traffic. Scary though with decent aftershocks happening at regular intervals.
People everywhere – just a mess. My initial gut response was “lets get the hell outa town and not come back for 5 years”. Part of me still thinks that’s an entirely appropriate and sensible response. It is going to take *years* before there’s any semblance of normality.
Somewhere along the way Steve & Michelle from the house had texted to say the “house was in bad shape”. That wasn’t good to hear. It was one of the saddest moments coming home and seeing the home that wasn’t going to be home any more. I loved 39 Fendalton road. I really loved it. It was community, family, friends, safe and very very happy (if cold). I don’t think I will ever find a place like that again… and of course, I am just happy to have had such great times – and at least the place went out with a bang.
That’s what the old place used to look like – 40 odd years ago. Hasn’t had a lick of paint since. I will take another picture sometime and update this – not that it’s too obvious from outside what the destruction is like.
This is what it’s like on the inside now.
The second picture is after we’d mostly packed up.
It was a lovely evening – at least as much as these things could be. I had a phone call from my friend Maeve. Hadn’t talked to her in ages.. it was.. lovely.. to get that call. Thank you! Also, we had a massive BBQ and a few beers. It was sociable – but sad – we all knew it was the end.
It really was a blur for those few days. A blur of boiled water, hand sanitisers, helicopters and heavy planes flying overhead constantly and alarms. Maaike and I had 3 days to get everything packed and also get ready to leave for Tasmania. We would have had a hard time without Maaike’s friend Annique who was staying. Some holiday for her! I also had to go into work – which I found really hard mentally. The scary thing for businesses is what happens next. I’m sure Egressive will be fine, but its definitely a stressful time for all.
Still, I count myself blessed that none of my immediate friends have been hurt though relations of friends have died, and some hurt badly. Yeah, this one was just so much more serious.
I don’t think I’ve really done the whole thing justice.. it was a very scary time – and I still feel unsettled and tired. Still, I’m happy to be here now even if I have to cycle a mountain bike to get to work
(that pic was taken this morning on the way to work).
So, sorry for the slightly rambly post – I’m still not quite in the best mood for blogging… especially as I don’t have internet at home (yet). Still, alive and whole and well – so have to be happy about that!
Well.. a sad day. I’m not going to dwell on how lucky we are in comparison to the many dead.. but just talk about our day today.
Very broken night with earthquakes throughout. In the cold light of day we looked through the house and the decision made to abandon. Very sad about that. It has been a wonderful home. A real community of 7 flats and 11 lovely people. I don’t think I will find the same again. It’s sad.
So everything bar the beds and sofa’s has been moved into the garage. Tomorrow we will try to find storage and put things in there for a few months while we sort out a place to live.
Lots of people will, I think, leave the city permanently this time. Can’t say I’d blame them either.
It’s a nasty stressful time.. but there is so much to be thankful for and many friends have been in touch with offers of help storage and accommodation.
On the plus plus side.. international airport is open and tassie beckons. Have never wanted a holiday so much.
Thanks for all the thoughts.. we are safe and warm.. and it could have been so much worse.
Recent Comments