In the wee hours of the morning on this date 5 years ago, Canterbury was struck by an earthquake that led to a chain of aftershocks including the devastating 21 February 2011 quake. I have told many people my account of that morning but I thought I’d write it down so that it is archived somewhere forever. You know, in case I forget what it was like – highly doubt I ever will though…I hope. 

5 years ago I lived at a flat which was opposite some train tracks. It was not uncommon to hear rumbling at night as trains passed by in the dead hours of the morning and it annoyed me all the time. This night was just like every other night.