46 | July⢠2018
ROCK âN ROLL ISLAND
ISTORY
is dated BC and AD. In Canterbury
New Zealand our time is dated Pre-
Quake and Post-Quake. Such was
the massive afect those moments of
terror and their aftermath had on us
seven years ago.
he Christchurch I grew up in fea-
tured sturdy Gothic Revival buildings
which I loved. The cathedral in the
square; St Johns where we were mar-
ried; my Teachers Training College
and old University where I studied
all seemed immoveable. My father
had a shop in New Regent Street in
the city centre one of rows of quaint
Edwardian and Victorian buildings.
Between these old familiar buildings
were glass and concrete blocks of
commerce.
hen came the pre-dawn tremor of
September 4 2010. Our quiet world
rocked in a prolonged shuddering
from a 7.1 quake. Power was cut and
liquefaction bubbled up all over the
east. Walls were mangled chimneys
toppled and drains looded. My city
was utterly broken.
On our North Canterbury farm
my husband Geof and I struggled
out of our lurching bed knelt with
our arms wrapped around our dogs
listening to the smashing of crockery
and glass bottles mirrors and framed
pictures. It felt like an eternity before
our world quietened.
Geoff was weak with leukaemia
despite the destruction all around
his treatment had to continue so I
had to drive him to Christchurch
Hospital for frequent blood transâ
fusions. After the quake these became
nightmare journeys with gushing
pipes broken roads dangling pow-
erlines liquefaction detours and
impossible parking.
Almost everything was in short
supply as trade routes were damaged.
Petrol at our rural garage was ra-
tioned to just 3.7 litres per customer
with queues forming before 7am for
the precious liquid. My bank closed
due to quake damage so retrieving
money was another challenge. PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGESChristchurch and the nearby
luxury homes of Redclifs after the
7.1 quake of February 2011