Sunday, July 21, 2013

Shaken and stirred

It's been a moving few days.

We've experienced a cluster of sizable earthquakes over the last few days. It started on Friday morning with a shake rated "severe", then further minor shakes throughout Saturday into Sunday. Then another large one, rating 6.9 early Sunday evening.

This one produced widespread but minor damage throughout Wellington.

Consequently, all local train services have been cancelled, so my daily travel to work is disrupted. And the building I work in is closed for a safety inspection.

Unusually, we had visible effects of the Sunday evening shake:


Note that this was hardly "damage" in the sense that nothing was broken or disassembled, merely temporarily re-arranged. That's the first time I can recall an earthquake shifting anything at home.

But I'd have to say I'm a little worried about the extent of the effects in central Wellington, as that's where the kids all live and work.

But, apart from that minor inconvenience, everything else is fine - even the pets appear to be OK, although Peaches does take off outside in sizable shakes!

Friday, July 19, 2013

Tales from the Trunk # 6

Bravery or Survival?

Someone asked me recently about Herbert Edie's medals - what were they awarded for? And that got me checking the records.

His personnel file reveals he was eligible for the following medals:

  • 1939-45 Star
  • Africa Star
  • Clasp to Africa Star (8th Army)
  • War Medal
  • NZ War Service Medal

None of these were awarded for individual acts of bravery, courage or leadership; rather they were recognition of service; that Herbert served his country (and survived).

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Signs of Spring

It is mid-winter, and Desiree has fled to Vietnam, the back-yard is suffering it's near continuous inundation
the back-yard in mid-winter
but all is not lost!

Out there, in the midst of rain, cold, mud, and over-growth, is a sign that Spring is on it's way!