Very scary indeed... you do become aware of how much more vulnerable you are when you have children to protect. Glad you're okay.

This event shocked me greatly - it still makes me a bit tearful when I think of what people in Christchurch have gone through and the trials still to come. I live in Wellington and I guess most people would think that if a big earthquake was going to hit any major city it would be here so my thoughts are a mixture of 'what if it had happened here?' and 'I just wish I could do something to help'. Christchurch folks - is there anything we can do for you right now?

It could have been so much worse but I would think that, emotionally, the worst may be yet to come. It is lovely to see the way Christchurch residents are helping and supporting each other.

Please know that we are all thinking of you and feeling for your losses.

Natalie, nice to hear from you again. Though unfortunate under these tragic circumstances.

I just keep thinking just how lucky it was the earthquake struck at the time it did and that the outcome could have been much more serious during daylight hours - especially looking at the cars covered in fallen bricks.

I agree it is heartwarming the support from neighbours and often tragedy brings people closer.

Is this a once off blog or can we expect more from you, I do miss Eco-Centric.

you live just round the corner from me!!! ;)

Thinking of you all in Chrsitchurch, and my heart goes out to all the parents that would have woken up with the fear of your childrens safety foremost in your mind.

I totally agree with Julie and the timing of the Quake, doesn't bear thinking about if it had struck during the day when everyone is out and about.

Stay safe.

Thanks for your comments and thoughts. Julie glad you enjoyed the Eco Centric blog. I hope to 'guest blog' more in the future on PG as I'm currently writing a book on parenting (marriage and parenting actually...). Re the earthquake, we're hosting a neighbourhood meeting tonight just to 'check in' with people emotionally, infrastructurally etc. Now that the adrenalin has gone, many people are starting to feel low as reality kicks in. The aftershocks continue and my 4 year old keeps asking when the 'shakes will go away'...

I missed the parental aspect as my daughter was in Melbourne for the week. I can only imagine how my instincts would have taken over if she was still a little girl living with me. I am sure the experience would have been very different. Instead, I took on the roles of son, friend and neighbour.

Amazing how those maternal instincts kick in isn't it?

There aren't many things that would make me wake a sleeping child, but the quake was definitely one of them. It is just so amazing that it happened when it did and that nobody died, I think that really adds to the positive attitude everyone is showing. Our daughter wasn't at all bothered by the experience, but has yet to find a satisfactory answer to all her 'why?' questions. I recall an excellent plate tectonics illustration by one of my high school science teachers involving custard and crackers which I will try to replicate one day soon!

That was definitely THE most terrifying experience I've ever had and the race to get to our wee baby daughter and safety (our dining room table) still goes through my head again and again and again ... horrible.

How lucky are we all ... after reaching the safety of our in-laws it then hit me just what a nightmare it must have been for those people in Haiti and Chile!

Glad to have you as a neighbour Nat ... good luck with the book :-)