Thank you for all your kind wishes and messages of support and concern.
We have only felt a few of the aftershocks here but they continue unabated in Cook Strait where the fault-line is shuddering. Others in Wellington City and at the top of the South Island, particularly in Seddon and Blenheim are feeling many, many more of them. I think of them often and wish that the earth would stabilise quietly so they can gain some peace of mind.
Today is back to normal routines for us all and it has required some deep inner strength to confidently leave the house and travel to work, study and appointments etc. We watched people in Christchurch do this and take encouragement from their resolve.
For now it is a calm, cloudy, winter’s morning with birdsong filling the air providing a lovely focus.
ordinarygoodness 
As we head to bed here we wish you all a safe and happy day there. I love the last line of your post.
Thank you. People are being very generous in their thoughts and wishes for us. I spotted the main chorister – a lovely speckled Song Thrush singing such a long and beautiful song. The finches were joining in too! Lovely.
So sorry I missed your earlier post, but my thoughts are with you and everyone who is affected by the earthquakes. As you say, finding your deep inner strength is a key to dealing with this. Go well, Lynley, and may the bird song accompany you and lighten your thoughts.
Thanks Juliet. It was a Thrush who was the main chorister this morning. Nature is such a paradox – on the one hand it can wrought destruction and invoke worry and fear but then offer rest and respite..
Personally, I don’t find it easy to watch you go back to normal routines; I am still sort of holding my breath! Not helpful, at all. But the birdsong and the shakes are a reminder to live in the NOW and to do every day something that brings you pleasure.
If only there was a certainty but we know so well that there isn’t. We need to remember to do lots of stress relief things once we are home and feel much safer with our loved ones around us. It was a Thrush who was singing so beautifully this morning and the garden seems to be full of finches right now who are chiming in.
Speaking with a supermarket worker this morning who had been working on Sunday evening was salutory. She was obviously still in shock and some trauma from events in the store and her urgent need to get home to her three children to offer them comfort and reassurance but which she could not do. Ah the Thrush is back with an afternoon concert. I must research more about Thrushes – could it be calling for a mate as the days begin to lengthen again I wonder?
Alas there is not, but I will be interested to learn what you find out about thrushes.
The Thrush has sung almost all morning here so I’ve been checking out more information about this tune-filled and tuneful bird.
Excellent. It is obviously not disturbed by the aftershocks. The birds and other animals must feel them or hear them with greater intensity than us.
The bird life seems to have increased dramatically since the weather warmed up after that last nasty cold blast. When the 6.5 earthquake struck Jazz did look up as we scurried for cover but he promptly went back to sleep….”keep calm and carry on!” in action.
Oh well done Jazz!
He was pretty relaxed about it all.
I am so glad you are alright. My heart and mind and thoughts for those who are feeling the after shocks…sometimes those are the worst…thinking…is this the next big one.
Linda
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Things are quiet again here but as you say people in Wellington City are still feeling some aftershocks and no doubt the folk at the top of the South Island in Seddon and surrounding areas will be too. The Big One is definitely a challenge to live with. It is amazing how easy life is when the land is settled….thanks for your good wishes.
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