Thank you from Hilary in New Zealand.

[Ole Granny]

Thank you so much, everyone, for your letters of support to me in New Zealand at this time of the Christchurch earthquake......having "dropped out" of indoor rowing for so many years I am amazed and humbled that you have thought of me at this time. Everyone in NZ has been devastated and is glued to the TV for news, because most of us, even if living as I am, in the North Island, have some connection with Christchurch, and it is tragic that they have had to live through a double disaster within months.

It is also amazing how the rest of the world has rallied to our aid and we now have search and rescue teams arriving and working from other countries....I had not realised the amount of international co-operation and aid involved in earhquakes all over the world.

Kiwis seem to be very resiliant, but there must be many in Christchurch who are thinking of leaving, having suffered the stress of continuing aftershocks for 6 months..... and now this.

I am still working half time and I am only rowing once or twice a week at the gym. There is little organised competition in NZ now, so I am concentrating more on Masters Athletics ( throwing things ) Orienteering, Tai Chi and walking Emma, my dog. Also playing the piano and the Bass Recorder. Have taken part in many Tai Chi demonstrations over the Chinese New Year celebrations, and also some competitions....much more suitable for the cardiac problem!

Very best wishes to you all...I still receive the Ancient's newsletter, so you are in my thoughts every month.
Thank you again,
Hilary ( Ole Granny )

[PaulH]

So pleased to hear you're OK, OG. I can't think of anything more meaningful to say - this is one of those events that is beyond my ability to make useful comment. I've no doubt the Kiwis may be bent, but not broken.

[Ole Granny]

Thank you Paul. Good to hear from you!
OG

[Yankeerunner]

Hi Hilary,

It's good to see you not only alive & kicking, but active in a multitude of activities. My own erging has diminished somewhat as I've been fortunate enough to be able to run a bit more again. It's a fair trade.

The forum was at its best back when you and ole Gramp (RIP) were among the regular contributors.

Rick

[Ole Granny]

Thank you Rick, another voice from the past...very nostalgic! Yes, loved the forum in the "Ole days"...never liked the new format which became necessary with growing numbers, as I found it so much slower to access each new post in each section....Ah well....gone are the days! Cannot even work out how to access the smileys.....
Best wishes
OG Ah got it! but thought these were spectacles!