Benign

This footbridge connects beneath the Central Library with the quadrangle between it and the Registry building.

On the right edge is is the main entrance to the library (currently off-limits). In the background are the first couple of floors of the library. The doorway at the far end of the footbridge is the entrance to the security office.

I talked to one of the security guys on duty the night of the earthquake. He and a colleague were in their room beneath the library and had just said to one another how quiet it was.

Then they heard a rumbling. Initially they thought it was very low plane or a huge truck. The joinery and windows started rattling, then the building shook and the sound of a million plus books toppling off shelves that fell like dominoes in the floors above left them in no doubt it was an earthquake.

Without a word they both ran across this footbridge. He described it as swaying and waves were breaking over it. We reckon the water is approximately half a metre below the bridge.

Benign today but not then.

Today we had the largest aftershock we've experienced during work hours. Up on the 4th floor we did a bit of swaying. I looked out the window at the Central Library. The building was shimmering and the I could see the reflections in the windows facing me vibrating and wobbling. A little unnerving.

The aftershocks are less but I still find them unnerving and startling.

Dad remains in hospital. We wait for a clearer picture of what they think they can do and what it all means.

A late blip as Another day of being CK has been round to do her photo shoot of me for her earthquake assignment. We had a cup of the tranquility tea besideherself sent me. Hope we both sleep well.