A week on from Cyclone Gabrielle's arrival in New Zealand, there are still communities cut off and towns struggling for food, water and communications. Auckland was hit hard, the wind and rain compounding problems wrought by the floods two weeks earlier - but the brunt of Gabrielle's power was felt mostly by the eastern North Island, in particular Hawke's Bay and Gisborne. Roading, railway lines and bridges are damaged, houses and farmland have been flooded, cars washed away, landslides, power and internet is still out to many thousands of households, and the pictures on the news are full of devastation. Over 10,000 people have become homeless. Because so many areas have been affected, all this will take an awful of resources and many months to start clearing up and rebuilding, it is just so heartbreaking to see. On a personal note, we are safe and still on holiday in the South Island, and our local area at home was not affected.
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Princess Anne has arrived in New Zealand for a short four day visit, accompanied by her husband Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence. The Princess Royal arrived in Wellington on Wednesday and met with cyclone response staff at the National Crisis Management Centre. Because the cyclone has caused so much damage to the country her plans have been affected. Princess Anne is the Colonel in Chief of the NZ Army’s Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals and is visiting New Zealand to attend its centenary celebrations.
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Actually, Princess Anne isn’t the only royal visitor to arrive in New Zealand. Prince Daniel and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden are also visiting the country. A statement on the website of the Swedish embassy in Canberra said the couple are visiting this part of the world to promote and deepen Sweden’s bilateral relations with Australia and New Zealand.
There has certainly been such a lot going on over the last week, with the terrible cyclone taking centre stage, so much so that the two royal visits have not had a lot of publicity. But I’ve had time to do some more work on the toddler jumper I’m knitting, and have now completed the back and the front - the front has a little rib button band neck opening. Just the sleeves to go now.
Back and front completed
And another sunny afternoon spent on my Noah's Ark stitchery saw me working on two black and white Holstein cows. One of them is happily chewing on a buttercup.
Another block almost finished
14 comments:
I have been watching the damage that Cyclone Gabrielle has caused; such destruction everywhere. I'm glad your home hasn't been affected, Jenny. Those cows are cute and the toddler jumper is coming along nicely. Those stripes are a lovely touch.
I watched the news on TV, my heart has broken for the people of New Zealand. I thought of you and prayed that you were safe and protected. So many climate tragedies happening...
Love those cute cows. Did you knit the front and back of the sweater at the same time? Very interesting, never tried to do this way.
I hope things get better for everyone out there.
Supportive hugs from Brazil.
Your Noah’s ark embroideries are whimsical and fun. You are making great strides on the sweater too. I’m glad you are safe. Recent storms have been devastating. Safe travels and take care. Gail at the Cozy Quilter
I pray for all the victims of the cyclone! One's mind can be eased with hand-stitching projects, and yours are beautiful! Love those holstein cows! My dad had a big herd when I was growing up!
Poor N.Z.! Such a mess.
How did I not hear about this devastating cyclone? It probably was pushed out of the news here by the earthquake in Turkey/Syria. I am glad that your travels and home haven't been affected. It is so sad that so many people are now homeless. I love your knitting. The colorway is very nice. Your embroidery is sweet. Wishing you continued safe travels.
Terrible damage from that cyclone !!
I love your two little cows--so cute and the sweater is coming together so nicely...
hugs, Julierose
I think you are glad you brought your knitting along - did you finish the blue sweater you showed last week - I'm thinking not as I thought it was just one section you were showing.
The storms flooding looks horrible and reminds me what the horrible huge hurricane did in New Orleans area years ago where it took forever to clean the area up and build more homes at that time people there even evacuated all the way up in land to our area to find places to live and we are 9 hours north of them.
So sorry to hear of all the devastation in your country. Your Noah's ark is looking lovely. I know I have that same thing in a baggie somewhere half finished. Hope you have a good week!
I'm am so terribly sorry to hear about the devastation on the north island of New Zealand. It seems that a cyclone can be as horrible as a hurricane. My sympathies to those who have been negatively impacted - particularly those who are mourning the deaths of thousands of people. So hard to contemplate! Certainly visiting royals may bolster spirits a bit, and I hope they also bring with them offers of aid. It's good to know you're still on the south island, knitting and stitching away in peace, and in some aspects, no doubt as therapy. Be well.
How awful! It seems natural tragedies have occurred across the globe in the recent weeks.
It's certainly been an eventful week. Good to know that you are safe and that your home is not damaged.
Good to know that you two are safe. Last blog entry I read said you were cutting your holiday short and heading toward home. I'm happy for you that your home has not been damaged so you have a place to go to when conditions improve. Regards, Grovenore
Glad you are safe Jenny and that your home (town) has not been damaged. For us, cyclone Freddy is passing very close to the island in a few hours. We are fine. Cute Noah's Arc and progress on your knitting, pretty colors.
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