As you may remember, we moved to our lifestyle block after the devastating Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Generally, we feel the odd quake, but only mildly and very few of the quakes that hit Christchurch.
So when we were shaken out of bed just after midnight this morning by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake, it was both familiar and a rude shock at the same time. However, having been there before, I found that while the quake was still rocking and rolling us around I had already assessed how much food we had, how much water was available, our ability to cook and keep warm.
It was somewhat satisfying to realise that because of our efforts towards self-sufficiency we would be okay for quite some time.
We recently had two cattlebeasts and two pigs slaughtered, so the freezer is full of meat. I also have several male turkeys that are overdue for slaughter, so there was always that available too if the power went out and we didn't want to open the freezers. My veges are starting to grow well for this season, but except from some neglected carrots and silverbeet that has become triffid-like, most of it is still in the early growing stages so that would be a little tough, but there was still some of last years broccoli and cauliflower in the freezer. I've also got shelves and shelves full of various preserves in the pantry. We'd be okay for food.
We have a 900 litre header tank on the roof full of water, a 2000 litre tank up the hill and there is always the water in the creek although that would take some boiling. We'd be okay for water.
We have the coal range for heating and cooking if the power goes out. We have plenty of firewood in the shed already and there is a lot of old gorse wood in various spots around the farm. We have gas barbecues and gas in the bottle. We'd be okay there.
We have tents and shelters and sheds. We have jackets and gumboots hanging up outside the door. We have torches galore.
We were going to be okay.
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