Moments in Time

It was 12.51pm. Suddenly, he heard a loud roaring noise. Before he could investigate, by looking around, the ground under his feet started shaking violently. He struggled to stay on his feet. At the same time it became difficult to breathe as the air was filled with white dust. Overhead, masonry started breaking and crashing down on to the street. He could see people on the street in a mad panic. They were running, as best they could, from the falling debris. Alex took refuge under the wooden veranda of the Grumpy Mole tavern. He now had something to hold onto, and was able to stay on his feet. A screaming mother and her dazed son passing by looked hopelessly lost in the confusion not knowing which way to turn. Alex reached out and pulled them in under the safety of the veranda. Across the road the 26 storey Hotel Grand Chancellor had separated from the car park building and now looked to be on a lean. The street had started to buckle in places as the ground shaking continued. This was unbelievable. Alex, over the last five months, had experienced over three thousand earthquakes and aftershocks; but nothing close to being as violent, destructive and life threatening. “My, gosh!” thought Alex, as the shaking gave no suggestion of stopping. “This is a massive earthquake.” ------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew was first to reach the braid and found the widest and shallowest place to cross. It did not look at all like an easy crossing and it was apparent that for this crossing we would need to link arms. However Andrew, being Andrew, launched himself audaciously into the river before conceding that this one would require a team effort. We linked arms and stepped into the surging water exposing our legs to the tugging of the current, while the shingle under our boots rattled threatening to undermine our foothold. As we advanced the river grew deeper and the current more persuasive. We hadn’t reached halfway before the water was licking our shorts. “We need to turn back,” I suggested. “Just keep going,” ordered a tenacious Andrew on our left. “M...make up your minds,” screamed Bruce, in the middle. Suddenly, Bruce lost his footing and was at the mercy of the current. He frantically grasped my bush shirt sleeve with one hand, and Andrew’s arm for dear life with the other. Together we were able to stabilise Bruce so he could regain a footing. Once all had recovered from this precarious situation, we sensibly withdrew to the river bank. ------------------------------------------------------------ “Great idea having light rail in the city,” commented Lindsay. “It seems silly building more and more roads and parking buildings, when rail does the job.” “Interesting concept,” replied Jonathan. “Though, who would want to travel on public transport?” “Who; indeed?” added Caroline. “Quite disgusting.” They walked up the road to the shopping area. Town was busy, but not enough to make one feel agoraphobic. They stopped outside Sainsbury’s, and decided to enter and investigate. Jonathan paused by the 1kg tins of Rose chocolates, but was dragged away by Caroline, who reminded him that he had recently been diagnosed with diabetes. “Look!” said Lindsay. The four turned in Lindsay’s direction. “Free samples,” he said pointing. Lindsay had spotted a woman giving away free food samples. Trish and Lindsay excitedly walked over to get a free tasting. The Robinsons however, went off disapprovingly in the opposite direction. After the couples had reunited, Caroline suggested that the boys might like to go and see the castle while they the girls did a spot of shopping. Trish was very much in agreement. Having Lindsay around her feet, especially when shopping for women’s clothing, cramped her style. The boys on the other hand were keen to explore and were more than happy to leave their wives shopping.