Genealogy Chat

Hi Josie

Glad to hear you are OK such sad news about New Zealand,it has really coped it lately.

Sylvia ,it is confirmed 65 dead on our news today but there are a lot more still traped so they expect that toll to rise .
It seems like masive damage to Christchurch and sounding areas.

You probably won't be able to contact your internet friend bcause the communications are down and damaged.

Suex

Hi Everyone,
Saw life Helicopter footage a little while ago of the Lyttleton Area, there have been massive rock slides along the hills and some houses around Redcliffs have been buried, but 98% of Lyttleton is still standing. They have no power or telecommunications at the moment.

For those of you who have never been to Christchurch it is a City built on a large Flat area known as the Canterbury Plains. Between Christchurch and the Coast is a row of Hills Known as the Port Hills, there is a Road Tunnel as well as a Road over to the Coast side where the settlement of Lyttleton sits at the head of a beautiful sheltered Harbour.

This is where many of the early settlers from England sailed to in the 1800's and on climbing the hills saw the vast Canterbury plains, ideal for agriculture and so built the City of Christchurch.

The City is unique,as it was designed in the shape of a Hexagon and Cathedral Square is the Centre with the streets radiating out and crossing one another. It's sadly the area closest to the Centre which has suffered the most damage.

Most of Christchurch is also without Power and The Utility companies have switched of the Gas to prevent fires.

Like the previous Quake, liquification is widespread and many suburbs are again experiencing mud and water bubbling up through their properties and making many roads impassable.

Many people are sleeping outside in parks as they are to afraid to stay in their houses, as the aftershocks continue.
It is raining there tonight and the temp has dropped. Here in Wellington it has rained most of the day and been very hot and humid.

All of New Zealand will be now in a state of shock again. It is really strange last time people around the country simply stopped shopping and going out for Coffee, business was very quiet for a week and I can see the same thing happening again.

On a brighter note I went to the Movies on Saturday and Saw 'The Kings Speech'. do go and see it, it is a phenomenal Movie,. very sensitively done.

I also got to see Cunard's new QE2 she came into Wellington as part of her inaugural Cruise around the Pacific, A really beautiful liner. I am glad Cunard did not choose next year to Launch their ship. Next April will be100 years since Cunard launched the Titanic.

Well time I went to bed, Catch you all later Josie

Only a quick check-in as wanted to make sure Josie was safe & sound & found her already here.

Great to have you with us - will pop in again later to check up on everyone

Such sad news for New Zealand

My thoughts are with you all there

Hi Josie

glad to hear you are OK


There is a thread on General re the quake ........ someone has posted on there that there are about 63 confirmed dead.

I've also seen somewhere that Lyttelton is "flattened".



It's such a beautiful city ......... we were there in January 1993.



s
xx

Hi Everyone,
Am safe and well though feeling rather stunned at the moment.
I have a second cousin who also lives on the Port Hills overlooking Lyttleton
have not been able to make contact with her.
The State of Lyttleton itself is not really known due to limited communication.
However whole streets of buildings in Central Christchurch have collapsed.
The Fabulous Cathedral that survived last September's Quake, lost it's Spire and a a side wall.
Many are still believed to be trapped in buildings around the City and with nightfall in another 30mins the rescue of some of these people may have to wait until daylight due to the dangerous condition of the buildings and continuous aftershocks.
The Americans' have offered the use of There Operation Antarctica aircraft to ferry injured people to other Hospitals around New Zealand. As Christchurch Hospital sustained some damage.
And the Australians are sending in Search and rescue teams.

The Earthquake hit around 1pm and was 6.3 on Richter Scale it was a very shallow Quake only 5km deep and only 10ks from Central Christchurch.
The death toll is predicted to rise as rubble is cleared.

Josie

Hi Sue


I'm very worried ......... I have an internet friend who lives on the "high road" that connects Christchurch with Lyttleton ....... and I hear that Lyttelton has been almost flattened.


it's so very sad.



s
xxxx

Hi everyone

Terrible earthquake in Christchurch New Zealand,many dead and injured,

The TV has it all on at the present it really is shocking ,the World is a dangerous place all over it seems.
My prayers are with all our New Zealand cousins.

Frank when I was over there two weeks ago I had fish chips and mushy peas and I really enjoyed it I shall do it for the OH for dinner one night if it ever cools down that is.... if I had the time anfd money I would be back in the UK for a while.

My body prefers cooler weather, and we have another cyclone on the way again that is about 8 this year for WA only.
Rain amd high temps make it very uncomfortable to live with ,the air con has been used a lot this Summer so not looking forward to the next power bill.

Bakc to the TV ,they are saying now 65 dead dreadfull news.
Suex

PS!! Josie I hope you and your family are safe and well.

Hi all


Frank ............... I've got a room that needs decorating ..................... it's about 15' at one side, slopes down to about 8' at the other. I'll give you cuppas and your supper if you decorate it?!



We had a lovely weekend away .............. the ferry trip over was a little rough 'cos the wind was still high, but that was all. We went to bed every night with "snow overnight" ringing in our ears, 10 cm being forecast for Saturday ......... and none of it arrived! At least not in the town where we were staying.


It was sunny and bright, although chilly.

It's sunny and bright here ...... but the temperature is plunging down again. Might even get as low as -10C on Thursday or Friday.


We're having pork roast tonight.



s
xx

Hey Susan,

We had stewed sausages, mashed potatoes and peas for dinner as it's too cold for salad :))

Rain, sleet and snow with a high of 3C ..........horrible.

That's our large bedroom totally cleared of furniture (Managed to distribute the bed, wardrobes, chests of drawers etc all around the house), wallpaper stripped and carpet, lino etc all binned.
When I lifted the lino which we left down on decorating in 1988, there were newspapers from 1955 covering the floor and one of the headlines.

We need more nurses...............nothing changes !

As well as all the adverts for TV rentals with free valve replacement..... whoo-hoo !

I recall as a 16 year old 1969, working saturdays in a local electrical shop which had a large machine into which you put a valve for testing along with a card which then displayed how good or bad the valve was and whether a replacement was required.......... hi-tec in those days :)

We also sold Patsy Cline records amongst other things.

PS....... My legs are aching after all the climbing up and down ladders as we have big rooms with 12 foot high ceilings here.

Too hot to have the oven on...........oooooh......it's so chilly here! We had a fluttering of snow this morning and I am so glad it didn't stick.


I am midway between Liverpool and Manchester Anne, but my families are from Kent and Bucks. Lots around the Medway area and Medway City Ark has been brilliant for those. Others are around the Isle of Sheppey and Dartford I think.


Another exciting day of Tesco and ironing.......never mind....hospital job tomorrow which I love and no grandchildren because it is half term.


I have been in touch with my ISP on Facebook and now have their personal attention........or so it seems. Have been promised that I will be reconnected tomorrow.............let's see!


I am looking forward to Spring and keep looking at my small clump of snowdrops which cheers me no end.


Hope Kiwibird and all the others are okay.


Love to all. Cx

Hi Everyone

Anne not to worry March will be fine ,by the way we love Time Tean but it is in resess at the moment.

My OH is Australian and he likes the History of the UK as there is nothing old in OZ,as soon as it gets a few years old they pull it down and build a new one such a waste.

Another hot one today so sick of the heat now,very hard for the OH to work as his job is quite physical.
He comes home warn out most days in this heat.

Took the Mother in Law shopping today she is 90yrs young but slowing down a bit of late ...can't tell her that though.
It always takes me twice as long when we go together but I really don't mind she can be quite funny when she bumps into some of her friends and they always talk about the olden days funny thing is I remember some of it myself so I must be from the olden days too now....scarey.

Having lamb chops and Salad tonight no roast it is to hot to have the oven on .

Catch you all later.
Suex

Very grey day today - poured down all day yesterday - looked like two drowned rats arriving at ~Canterbury yesterday -

Sue, sorry I didn't get your message in time - we are going again on 5 March.

Cynthia where in kent are your brickwalls? I have to admit I thought you were nearer Manchester than Liverpool.

Glad you didn't get the snow Robert - its nice having you pop in

Sorry you picked up the English flu on your trip Sue, we do like to share things about over here.

Wish I could b ust some of my brick walls.

I think this new cousin may have a few ideas & I think the two branches are one tree - found someone new to PM who may be able to confirm this as well - so one side of my tree seems promising.

Well off to watch Time Team (one of OH fav ones) so can't do a lot of tapping

Take care all

Hi Sue,

No, no snow in my part of the North East, but then when we do have snow it doesn't worry us. We're tough up here.

Friend was going walking in Yorkshire at the weekend. She got as far as Scotch Corner, phoned the B&B and was told "Don't come , the snow is quite deep"

Hi Everyone

Back on my feet again thank the lord.

The jet lag this time was a lot worse than my other trips but I think getting a cold too has made me take longer to get over it .

I had a call on Skype last night from my sister and it was snowing up in Yorkshire,she turned her camera around to show us outside,I missed it by one week when I was there so wanted it to snow for old times sake.

I am trying to catch up with the subjects you are all talking about so bere with me .

Reece I hope you are well and getting your lfe settled.

Robert have you had any snow of late as you are up North of England like my sister.

Robert I hope you are well and staying warm where you are .

Anne sorry I missed your last trip to Canterbury,Just wanting to know if there is any more details on that couples marriage I sent to you re PM that was my brick wall that we managed to bring down of late.


We have had takeaway all weekend so tomorrow I will do the OH a nice roast .

Still very hot here 32 today but humid,I would love a bit of snow right now.

Love to all my friends
Suex

Poor Sue you must be feeling pretty awful - maybe you have been overdoing it a bit. Take care and get all the rest you need to get you back on your feet again.


The good old days! I know what Wayne means - when you could take a bottle of lemonade and some jam sandwiches to the park and play for hours. I don't think many people really thought about health and safety aspects in those days, we just took risks without realising it. Life is full of risks anyway.

Smashing street light globes! You naughty boy Wayne....tut tut. Your aim must have been pretty good though!


Oooh Canterbury.....pretty place. I was amazed by how small the cathedral seemed in comparison to the one in Liverpool which I am used to.

Hope your digging is successful Anne. I need to concentrate on my Kent rellies and sort out their geographical locations in relation to each other. I can visualise Lancashire pretty well but get a bit lost South of Watford!



I imagine Sylvia is wearing herself out with all the chatting she is doing but she will enjoy it I'm sure.



I have contacted my ISP on FB and have also written a letter to their Customer Relations Team cc their Chief Executive. I will let you know how I get on. I would have been lost without the dongle which I have borrowed from my daughter.


It's looking rather grey here but the snowdrops are out which I love as it gives me the hope that spring is on it's way :))


Hope Evelyn and Reece are keeping well - we really do need a good old get together don't we?


Love to the missing 'boys' ~~~~~~~ hope Frank hasn't glued himself to the wall in error and that Ven. Robert is not overdoing things.


Take care. Love. Cx.

Hi Anne

I have PMd you.

Suex

Ramble away Wayne

Happy trip Sylvia

Looks like everyone is have a little holiday from here at the moment

Too busy yesterday to pop on & visit

Very busy here - loads going on

Off to Canterbury record office tomorrow - to do a bit more digging - rerally need to go to Lewes at some point as i need to do some more research

Great fun

will try & pop in some time tomorrow

Take care all

Hi Everyone

Sorry to be missing but I have had the most terrible flue,I am blaming it on the change of weather for the two weeks I was away and then coming back to OZ to be greated with 35c.

I only got out of bed an hour ago,may need to go back I have the head spins so much.

I am with you wayne I think we should all go back to those times just to show the younger gen what it was like and maybe they would not be so selfish.

Sylvia your cabin sounds wonderfull so quiet and relaxing it would do me good right now.

Anne I have had a few of those type of people with there trees ,I just don't bother anymore and just search myself ,I am pleased to say my Brick wall was brought down by a long lost cousin just before I went to the Uk ,what a releaf that was it drove me nuts for years.

Well I am bac k off to bed hopefully I will be a bit better tomorrow.

Suex

The Joys of modern world KVAs all the house boats have them now , in my day we used the gas fridge and lighting and the good ol' trusty tilley lamp.

At grand nannie's shack down by the sea way back when, all we had was tilley lamps and if we were lucky a turbine 32volt wind generator that charged up a massive bank of batteries that would last about 4/5hrs at night.

our stove was a kero one where by you pumped up the pressure for the burners, toaster and the oven and when the oven needed boosting again a timer would ring when the temp needed to rise again.

Ah the good ol' days no telly, no fridge only and ice chest,and lemonade was a genuine drink, no aircon, and sittin' around the table listening to the valve radio that chewed up the power on starting, go out in the street n play, go smashin; street light globes OOPS!! and gettin' a big kick in the ....... yep they were the days.

then we moved into the rock n roll era those times were good then it all started to get outa hand right up to where we are today.

But I would love to go back in time for a week n see how I would survive a bit like some of those aussie shows that were on telly a bit back where they portrayed life as it was when they arrived in the country. One of the very few shows that I enjoyed watching.

well enuff of the rambling

WAYNO

Hi all
xxx


We got a cheque from the insurance company yesterday ......... $2919, which is the replacement cost for a new generator, minus a $200 deductible.

So it seems a the new generator would cost almost double what we paid 4 or 5 years ago!

In addition, if we buy a new one in the next year, we just send the insurers a bill for the amount of HST (= your VAT), and that will also be refunded.


We're thinking that we will not be buying another one, as we're planning on selling the cabin this year or next. We've had it since 1997, and OH loves it, but I hardly ever go out onto the property when we are up there ............ I just sit and knit, on the sun deck or inside. It's very relaxing, but it seems a waste of 20 acres. If we can find a loving buyer, then .................

We do need a generator when we are up there, to operate the water pump, power tools etc .............. otherwise OH has to haul buckets of water about 400' from the creek, and that is very hard work. But it is possible to rent one for short periods of time.


We're going away tomorrow (Thursday) until Sunday .............. visiting our close friends on Vancouver Island. We're just hoping the winds drop! Ferries were cancelled on Monday because of high winds. There are quite high winds again today.

AND snow is in the forecast for Saturday!!!



Take care everyone


s
xxx