Navigating in a damaged city

Beautiful, old, 2 storey, probably double brick house that was destroyed on Feb 22nd, 2011

I hadn't realised how much I used landmarks to navigate my way around the city! As I was driving through Sydenham, I felt quite disoriented as so many distinctive buildings have disappeared. Sydenham is now very open, spacious and empty looking.

According to The Press last week, apparently there are some central city businesses looking at relocating to Sydenham so they can get up and running again. The Honey Pot is one of them and I'm looking forward to being able to eat in that establishment again!

I haven't taken many earthquake photos, not sure why. The above house has now been completely cleared away and there's now an empty section with lovely trees around it. It will be a great site to build on.

I'd always loved the 2 storey double brick old homes that we had in Christchurch and its sad to see them being cleared away, but there's no way I'd want one now.

Soooo full

I've eaten far too much for lunch but it was so yummy! There was a shout of Indian food - 9 different varieties. I don't often get to eat Indian as I. can't eat spicy food so this was a real treat. Mind you, as I don't eat spicy food all that often, my ability to eat said spicy food has definitely decreased.

Now I'm sitting at my desk trying to work with a very full tummy and (probably) reeking of garlic. How's that for a word picture?

Fine

It could have been a post about the weather, which has been remarkably 'fine', if not brilliant, but its not. It could have been a post about my health which is 'fine', but its not.

Its a whinge about the fact that I have 2 overdue library books for the first time in forever and I now have a 'fine' of . . . $2 each = $4 total! Hmmmpff.

What's happened is that I've decided that I've been spending way too much time reading lately. I had got to the point of taking out 5-6 books a week and reading them all. End result: life passing me by. So I just left the pile of unread books in the corner and thought I would read them before returning them. Didn't, haven't, going back unread - nothing wrong with the books, I may even get them out for another attempt (once I've paid my fine).

Its a different life now that I'm not powerhousing through reading ALL THE TIME. I have more time in my day for doing things like spending time with I., doing dishes, chatting to friends, noticing the weather, etc. Much more interesting.

Done & Dusted!

Except that you could hardly call it dusted - the wind & rain were exceptional! I don't think I've ever been so wet and been prepared to stay out in it.

So I walked the Buller Gorge 1/2 Marathon in the wettest, wildest conditions I've ever been in. At the start the wind was throwing the rain so forcefully at us that it hurt. Quite often everyone was walking hunched over (didn't see the runners - they left before us). Luckily that only lasted for the first hour or so. I didn't have my watch on as its not waterproof so I'm only guessing the time.

The scenery was quite spectacular in this weather. The wind was picking water up out of the river and hurling it at us, as well as throwing it out of the sky at us. It was amazing how fast the river rose. I'd have to say that the river was flowing faster than I was walking, which was a little depressing.

Overall, I was pleased with my time. I have no idea if it was a 'good' time but I completed it and bet my friend by 3 minutes. I really got that I'm completely competitive but probably only in the stuff that doesn't matter, like this! Walking up the Bridle Path really paid off because the giant hill that people talked about was a doddle - in fact, I was able to pass people on it so the agony was worth it at that point.

Spending time with my friends was great. I feel as though I know them much better and I thoroughly enjoyed their company. What more could one ask from a weekend?

Luckily I've engaged my brain

I've yet to walk this 1/2 marathon thingee & already, when people mention other opportunities to do other crazy length walks, my mouth has the tendency to say "that sounds OK!".

Where's my head?? I've yet to test my survival ability in a long (OK, extremely long) walk. Why would I want to even think about doing another before I've proved I can survive this one? Madness I tell you.

So, no further commitments have been committed to yet. Hmm, where did that 'yet' spring from?

On a side note - my phone survived (I'm touching wood)!!

Toasting technology

I'm obviously too tired — I just poured a full cup of coffee over my cellphone! Its currently dismantled & toasting itself gently in the oven to try and dry it out. Who knows if it will work. I feel a little bit as though I've lost a limb.

A few steps forward

Agreeing to a friend's persuasion and signing up to walk the half marathon is only the first of many expensive steps.

There's the decent walking shoes to purchase so I don't end up crippled - they're actually running shoes as they have more 'cushioning'. Not that I have them yet as they didn't have any in my size. Hopefully I'll get them on Fri before I head away on holiday. Yes, they'll be coming with me as I HAVE to get some distance in in them so my feet don't die on the day. These shoes are the most expensive I've ever bought and they're PINK! Apparently its so you can tell I'm a female. They'll be the first pink thing I've worn for ever I suspect.

It was also recommended that I buy specialist socks that help prevent blisters. As I'm all for that I also bought a pair of them, once again at huge expense. They're actually shaped differently for your left & right feet!

This whole walking thing is opening up a whole new world of expense and marketing. Ridiculous really when you think about women wearing girdles walking over the Bridle Path on a nor'west day. The only good thing is that I have now convinced another friend to join us. If I'm going down I'm going to take as many people as possible with me!