What Caiti Did : Coastguard = Champions!

While reviewing 2011 (via iPhoto) I came across these, which I promised to upload MONTHS ago! I seem to be the queen of empty promises don't I?? Well, better late than never right? So here is the story for those of you who haven't heard it, and a recap for those of you who have :)

597 Colombo St pre Feb 22

597 Colombo St post Feb 22

Call me old fashioned, but I prefer to keep my clothes in a wardrobe!
On April 15 I received a text from Mummy that said we might get an opportunity to get into the flat, but that I had to meet them at Civil Defence Headquarters in half an hour. Luckily, work said I could go, so after 30 minutes in post-earthquake traffic (I do NOT miss that - maddening!) I made it across town to wait anxiously with my family and our neighbours. After a long wait in the cold we were given Red Zone access passes and safety gear and accompanied to our properties (or what was left of them) by the Coastguard and Fire Department.

After an afternoon of watching and helping our neighbours pull out what they could, it was our turn! The coastguards and firemen were amazing - they were super helpful, and because I was the last of our group to be let in they all chipped in and were laughing and joking and collecting the postcards off the fridge for me and telling me I couldn't leave my teddy because he would be a wonderful earthquake bear for my children! :P

Oh and they had a field day when they found the fluffy handcuffs (joke present for my 18th that have sat in a box since that day .. ain't that the way??), although they were very surprised at my reaction ("She didn't even blush!!!")

Caitlin Doll! She's my wee Irish survivor!

When we were told to pull out (we got fifteen minutes upstairs in the flat and then we all had a dig in the rubble at the front for another fifteen), a huge wave of relief crashed over me and a got a bit wobbly lipped .. one of the coastguards, Mark (see below) said "You ok love?" and I burst into tears, so he gave me a huge big hug! They were super guys, I was so thankful!

It was so wonderful and reassuring and nice to have all my books back. It felt like I had my identity again :) And I got my Picasso print and Garry (guitar) and Barry (bass) without a single scratch!!! So amazing! Both were hardly out of tune either .. can't believe it!

Sitting room day after the quake - Garry was under the bookshelf! :(

Our visit was followed the next day by a 5< shake; we were all very glad that it hadn't happened 24 hours earlier! We knew that we were lucky to get in when we did, especially as Coastguard assisted operations were shut down the next week ... because they were making the Council look like fools >:(

The block between St Asaph and Mollet St, before and after.

A couple of weeks later I made a donation to the Coastguard training scheme; it seemed the least I could do, and didn't even begin to convey a fraction of the gratitude I felt for all the support that we received on the day. But they had to go and "one up" me, and asked if I would like to be taken out on the boat one morning on the harbour as a way of saying 'Thanks for the donation'! Uhm, yes???!

We had a wonderful morning out on the water - the weather was beautiful and it was so much fun! Such a nice way to spend one of my last weekends in NZ.

The boat is super powerful (look at those beasts for motors!) - you have to stand with your legs bent when you're out on the water so that you don't end up injuring yourself!