Major Disaster.

What a night - very little sleep, and news coming in from the centre of the city that many buildings have come down and people are trapped inside, and many killed.
And there is nothing we can do in the suburbs, other than look after each other and our neighbors. Friends and family concerned and ringing to make sure everything is OK.
Once more the best thing is to be busy, and I took Amber for a walk. It is amazing how you talk to everybody along the way. The roads are busy with people leaving town, or trying to get to check on family.
I met this chap along the way and he was asking directions. I recognised him as an icon of NZ. He was a very well known and liked country singer. It was John Grenell (Hoare).
He has since fallen on hard times. About a year ago he was bitten by a white tailed spider, which caused a stroke, and he was not found for 4 days, as he lives in the country.
This caused him to have memory loss, some loss of his eyesight, and his voice.
He had not paid his fines and owed money, so his possessions were taken from him including his guitar. He went around the second hand shops and found one of his original guitars, and was able to buy it. He was keen to show me the quitar and strum a song, and was very happy for me to take his photo. He was hitching a ride home, as his ride was not able to get to him as they had been cut off by the earthquake at Lyttelton.
Because of the earthquake we talk to strangers far more to see if they are alright.
I have heard tonight that there have been 120 shocks over 3 since our major one yesterday.
This afternnon, my very good friend and her husband called on us with water, bread, milk and cake, and spent some time with us. It is times like this that you really appreciate your friends. Thanks dups.