Journal: To Hospital via Ambulance.
A visit to hospital via ambulance on Friday March 4th to the Emergency Dept. Bout's of sickness, dizziness and 2 possible small strokes, I was unable to stand. One stroke at home and one in the ambulance. CT head scan showed nothing. Dizziness and sickness treated by injection. To probe further to to the area of my last stroke, an MRI scan would be needed. Dr. Margaret Fisher thought, after thorough daily examination, that, at this stage, an MRI would serve no useful purpose. In hospital until the following Tuesday, March 8th and then discharged.
Stayed at Anthony's home in Hamilton until Sunday March 13th and then returned home. During this period Anthony was on holiday with Craig in Australia, we elected not to inform Anthony of my problem, spoiling his holiday, until he arrived back home. Also during this period Gillian came over from Whitianga was and looked after Mum and made any arrangements necessary. She visited me each day in hospital with Mum and sometimes twice to give Mum a rest. Gillian was such a great help to us.
When Anthony and Craig returned from Australia, Gillian returned home to Whitianga turning us over to the boys. I was made comfortable in the front room where the sun sun shines all day long and well looked after.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Journal: Earthquake. Day 7.
Body count this morning 155, the authorities think it may rise to 240 over time. More expected to be found today.
A week has gone by and a 2 minutes silence at 12.51p.m. is to be held. The evening news reported that in Auckland and in various other cites, vehicles, including buses pulled up at the pavement edge and with the people, observed the silence. We too,observed the silence in our home.
5 looters caught last night, mainly robbing deserted houses. One house of jewelry. Looting like in many other countries is considered a particularly serious offence.
Christchurch being a particularly pleasant city to live has, over the years, attracted more than its fair share of the criminal fraternity and those with a drug habit. Thank goodness for the extra police from Australia.
Pat wrote a cheque for $50.00 yesterday for the Salvation Army and I dropped it in during my visit down town at the appropriate bank. We wish it could have been more. The Salvation Army get little acknowledgement from the general public, TV or Radio stations. They are always there at disasters, giving out food with a cup of tea if wanted, and a smile, with a few kind words to troubled souls, if needed.
During my days as a young man in the British forces many of us have much to thank the Sallies for, for that cup of hot, sweet tea and their time given so willingly.
Major damaged buildings are the modern buildings. Authorities are calling for extra earthquake proofing to present earthquake proofing of buildings. At extra costing. Areas in NZ prone to 'quakes' will need to upgrade. Thank goodness we live in the Waikato without major 'quakes'.
Most of the damage is is of course in the central business district... CBD and to the eastern side of the city. The western side of the city is mostly untouched and life is mainly normal, unless you happen to work in the CMD. No cracks in the roads, water supply OK, sewage OK, etc., etc.
Everyone working in the Christchurch 'quake damaged areas, still work steadily doing what needs to be done, with more and more joining in like the Farmy Army with their farm machinery and their wives at the nearest memorial hall cooking food for hungry appetites. The Student Army are still doing a marvellous job and calling for more students from Dunedin to join them.
Body count risen to 159 as I leave this missive. I feel I want to get my spade and shovel and go and help them but Pat says I'm a silly old fool at 77. I wish I was younger.
Body count this morning 155, the authorities think it may rise to 240 over time. More expected to be found today.
A week has gone by and a 2 minutes silence at 12.51p.m. is to be held. The evening news reported that in Auckland and in various other cites, vehicles, including buses pulled up at the pavement edge and with the people, observed the silence. We too,observed the silence in our home.
5 looters caught last night, mainly robbing deserted houses. One house of jewelry. Looting like in many other countries is considered a particularly serious offence.
Christchurch being a particularly pleasant city to live has, over the years, attracted more than its fair share of the criminal fraternity and those with a drug habit. Thank goodness for the extra police from Australia.
Pat wrote a cheque for $50.00 yesterday for the Salvation Army and I dropped it in during my visit down town at the appropriate bank. We wish it could have been more. The Salvation Army get little acknowledgement from the general public, TV or Radio stations. They are always there at disasters, giving out food with a cup of tea if wanted, and a smile, with a few kind words to troubled souls, if needed.
During my days as a young man in the British forces many of us have much to thank the Sallies for, for that cup of hot, sweet tea and their time given so willingly.
Major damaged buildings are the modern buildings. Authorities are calling for extra earthquake proofing to present earthquake proofing of buildings. At extra costing. Areas in NZ prone to 'quakes' will need to upgrade. Thank goodness we live in the Waikato without major 'quakes'.
Most of the damage is is of course in the central business district... CBD and to the eastern side of the city. The western side of the city is mostly untouched and life is mainly normal, unless you happen to work in the CMD. No cracks in the roads, water supply OK, sewage OK, etc., etc.
Everyone working in the Christchurch 'quake damaged areas, still work steadily doing what needs to be done, with more and more joining in like the Farmy Army with their farm machinery and their wives at the nearest memorial hall cooking food for hungry appetites. The Student Army are still doing a marvellous job and calling for more students from Dunedin to join them.
Body count risen to 159 as I leave this missive. I feel I want to get my spade and shovel and go and help them but Pat says I'm a silly old fool at 77. I wish I was younger.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Journal: Earthquake continued. Day 6.
Body count risen by 2 overnight to 147. Many bodies have not yet been identified yet due to massive injury of the bodies by large pieces of brickwork and large building stoneware. Some may not be identifiable. There are 20 different countries identified so far. There are a number specialist teams forensic from overseas working on the problem states the Christchurch coroners office. If only we all could have our DNA registered. A temporary mortuary has been constructed at Burnham military camp.
2 more looters were picked up last night and held in gaol.
Air New Zealand have been offering $50 flights from anywhere in NZ to Christchurch one way
China have offered their help with the earthquake, in what capacity I presently do not know. Probably in earthquake field. China has big 'quakes and huge loss of life.
The removal of bodies from the CTV building and Cathedral goes slowly. Large iron pipes 1.5 metre diameter are being use by the specialist teams to shelter from falling bricks and stone as they burrow into the buildings. The tallest building in the city is leaning at an angle, slowly sinking in the liquefaction on one side. Presently it cannot be demolished for, if it falls, on nearby lower buildings it may cause a domino effect. With smart thinking the opposite side is now being filled by concrete to stabilise the lean. Then the building can be inspected for bodies or maybe life, then be dismantled.
The Military have been quietly busy backing up the police, directing traffic, the cooks cooking meals, and medical staff, etc. Out at the airport it is busy from extra planes. USA use Christchurch airport as a stop-over to Antarctica Deep Freeze and work round the clock. It is also a storage facility, the very large US military planes various Hercules and C5-Galaxy aircraft coming in regularly. No doubt the air-force arm of the military are used here, too. Many US staff are posted to Christchurch and quite a few American accents are heard helping with the 'quake problems.
At the time of the Earthquake the Navy ship Canterbury was berthed at Port Lyttelton. They did sterling work, not least cooking 600 extra dinners every day for the 'quake victims. The Canterbury is a multi-role vessel, 2 days ago the ship left for Wellington to pick up stores and heavy equipment including vehicles needed for the 'quake damage repair. She is due back today.
That is all I can write for now. More tomorrow.
Body count risen by 2 overnight to 147. Many bodies have not yet been identified yet due to massive injury of the bodies by large pieces of brickwork and large building stoneware. Some may not be identifiable. There are 20 different countries identified so far. There are a number specialist teams forensic from overseas working on the problem states the Christchurch coroners office. If only we all could have our DNA registered. A temporary mortuary has been constructed at Burnham military camp.
2 more looters were picked up last night and held in gaol.
Air New Zealand have been offering $50 flights from anywhere in NZ to Christchurch one way
China have offered their help with the earthquake, in what capacity I presently do not know. Probably in earthquake field. China has big 'quakes and huge loss of life.
The removal of bodies from the CTV building and Cathedral goes slowly. Large iron pipes 1.5 metre diameter are being use by the specialist teams to shelter from falling bricks and stone as they burrow into the buildings. The tallest building in the city is leaning at an angle, slowly sinking in the liquefaction on one side. Presently it cannot be demolished for, if it falls, on nearby lower buildings it may cause a domino effect. With smart thinking the opposite side is now being filled by concrete to stabilise the lean. Then the building can be inspected for bodies or maybe life, then be dismantled.
The Military have been quietly busy backing up the police, directing traffic, the cooks cooking meals, and medical staff, etc. Out at the airport it is busy from extra planes. USA use Christchurch airport as a stop-over to Antarctica Deep Freeze and work round the clock. It is also a storage facility, the very large US military planes various Hercules and C5-Galaxy aircraft coming in regularly. No doubt the air-force arm of the military are used here, too. Many US staff are posted to Christchurch and quite a few American accents are heard helping with the 'quake problems.
At the time of the Earthquake the Navy ship Canterbury was berthed at Port Lyttelton. They did sterling work, not least cooking 600 extra dinners every day for the 'quake victims. The Canterbury is a multi-role vessel, 2 days ago the ship left for Wellington to pick up stores and heavy equipment including vehicles needed for the 'quake damage repair. She is due back today.
That is all I can write for now. More tomorrow.
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