6.3 + 2 - 185

Today's date is always going to be significant here in Christchurch as we mark the anniversary of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that claimed the lives of 185 people (as well as injuring hundreds more) going about their daily business at 12.51pm on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon.

Like last year, it has been commemorated throughout the city by its citizens placing flowers in the top of the countless traffic and warning cones that cover the city's centre and its suburbs.

This sunflower in Wilson's Rd was the biggest I saw in the course of the day. Fittingly it was directing traffic around some underground work to repair damaged subsurface infrastructure like pipes, sewers and utility lines from the main quakes and thousands of aftershocks.

I could talk for quite some time about the personal impacts of the earthquake, much like any other resident of the Christchurch area. Living rurally however, we haven't been affected much at all at home, but the city - our place of work and entertainment - has changed so, so much.

Most important of course though is to recognise those who lost their lives and the families they have left behind. My life is moving on, yet I can't imagine how those who lost love ones are able to make sense of it all and do the same. My thoughts go out to them.

Lastly I'd like to dedicate this blip to Paul Dunlop, my optometrist who was sadly one of the 185 victims. He was a kind, gentle man who died trying to save an historic organ in a church that had been badly damaged in the September 2010 quake. Paul, may the sunflower bring you joy.

Kia kaha Christchurch.