OMG this is just awful! Joybel, Ocker and all our other Chch friends I hope you're all okay. Been thinking of you since I heard the news. Love to all.

Hell,that is NOT what I wanted to read.That IS one BIG Quake.Joybel amd all from the Christchurch and surrounding areas,I hope you are all safe,and no injuries to any one of you.Thinking of you all.Joybel,hope you are not really in need of your emergency box,and your need is already attended to.Bless you all.

I have just heard that there has been an earthquake in south island i am so sorry and hope you are all safe

Hope everyone in ChCh and surrounding area are safe.

Joybel,Dr L,Desi and other Chchs-not on line yet.I wonder if the power and phone lines are affected.We are certainly thinking of our S.I. friends.
I received an Email from a friend in the USA just before 7 am-He had heard of a 7.5 earthquake in NZ and am i alright? So i put the 7 o'clock news on and heard it all-goodness-reports of a wall oven being thrown across the room! No doubt other stories to come.

Thinking of all our Christchurch friends, keep safe.

We live in Ashburton and a woke to this dreadfull noise and house was rocking... sounded dreadfull... but we touch wood have been so lucky apart from things having been throwen of shelves etc we only had one wee breakage.. but the after shocks still continue.. and you are not quite sure if one should run for cover again... makes one realize how precious life is... chch fared much worse.. but no loss of lives at this stage.. some folk had more house damage than others... we have family in chch no power but have been able to keep us informed by text when they can.. it was off for a bout 2 hrs.. they had some inside breakages but they feel lucky that they are okay...

To All our Grownups Friends, Desi& I are on the first floor of my apartment complex (which has 29 apartments.on edge inner City.) It was?is scary as we are on a corner of our building upstairs We lost a couple of antiquelamps and a photo or two. No Injuries. Some roads are a mess of cracks and liqiidifactionDesis home at Kaiapoi we had a huge job to get down the road Its broken by huge cracks a metre deep in places and more flooding because of earth movement.The railway lines were all wavy But Desis home just had minor damage. Aftershocks are continuing.Holy Trinity Church is extensively damaged. The worry in many areas are the aftershocks causing older buildings more damage. We have no water on bar for Safety Kit. Probably have to wash our teeth in Steinlager tonight.!We feel lucky My daughter and grandchildren are OK at Teddington. Desis are OK in Ashburton and Riccarton.Thanks for all the messages of support from across country and OZ on our Friends Thread.

Good to hear you, Desi and family are all OK Dr L.

Been awake since 4.30am, felt small jolt and been listening to radio since.
Daughter phoned from ChCh about an hour later - broken glass on floor from cupboards, bookshelf and TVs fallen over and grandfather clock I'd given to them after inheriting from my parents is now flat on floor.
Other daughter in Banks Peninsula had chimney fall through their roof and damaged ceiling. No injuries and grandchildren safe thankfully.

Don't think I will go to bed tonight if aftershocks are to be expected. Might settle in the big chair. I am astonished at the damage and at how widespread it is.

You make me want to come and cuddle you Joybel,and make those nasty shakes go away.So (((((Hugs))))) instead.Keep safe,and keep in contact with us on here please.