Radiation

After the earthquake, it became apparent there was a problem with nuclear power plants that were in the tsunami and earthquake struck region.

There was an explosion at the Fukushima plant and hence began a fight to contain what could be the worst nuclear disaster in the world so far.

Radiation was the word on everyones lips. How far was it reaching and what was the real danger. No one really knew. One 'expert' said it was imminent - the plant would reach meltdown and the radiation would spread fast. Another said there was no reason to panic. It was hard to know who to believe and what action to take myself.

We were based just south of Tokyo - about 210miles south of Fukushima. So in theory any radiation that reached us would be diluted by wind and air etc.

After a lot of thought and consideration, I decided I needed to leave in order to keep myself safe. I offered to go with the babies somewhere if the family wanted to get them out. They decided against this.

So my flight was booked and I left Japan on the 18th March, just one week after the earthquake. and a month after arriving in the country. I cut short my contract by 6 weeks and left the babies with their parents and grandparents.

It was such a relief to get out, although I feel huge guilt about leaving the babies. I have avoided watching the news for a week and I guess now it is time to get back into the real world.

Time to look for a contract to replace the one I left...

Earthquake

On the 11 March, all began normally with babies needing feeding, changing and usual care. Playtime and books to be read. Sunny and bright outdoors. A cool wind blowing - to be expected for this time of the year.

2pm the babies got up and had a bottle, then lay on their play mat having a look at their toys. About 2.40pm I went to the kitchen as I was about to make a banana cake. I was looking at my computer screen reading the recipe and thought I saw something move. I stopped and checked myself.

The computer was moving. The ground was moving and it was steadily getting more and more violent. My first thoughts were to the babies. I had to get them off the floor and away from the windows - the living was all windows on one and a bit walls. I grabbed the first one and Grandma took the other. I said we needed to get out of this room and headed for the hallway. We both squeezed into the toilet room with the babies. Grandma called her husband and after a lot of yelling, he finally started to come downstairs.

3 adults and 2 babies jammed tightly into the toilet now! The earth was still moving vigorously and we waited and waited for it to abate. It went on for a very long time - apparently 5 minutes or so, we found out after.

Once it stopped we tentatively left the toilet and headed back to the living area. It was bedtime for the babies so we took them up to their room and settled them in.

No sooner were we back in the living area and another almighty bang shook the house. I ran up the hall and grabbed the babies out of their room, deciding they didn't need to be in there so far away from us. I put them in their buggy and there they slept for all their sleeps until midnight when I went to bed myself.

We had 7 aftershocks, the smallest one a 6.3 on the Richter scale, within the hour. Once I was able to gather myself a little I got online and discovered the earthquake had been 7.9, less then 250miles northeast of us. The rating eventually reached a 9 on the Richter scale a few days later.

The worst part, was still to hit - the tsunami. I was gobsmacked when I turned on the TV to see the water surging inland and destroying everything in it's path. It was shocking and distressing (to say the least) to think of this happening so very close to us.

Working 'holiday'

I have landed in another part of the world I haven't been in before.

This time a holiday with a work family. It's hot, humid and have barely seen the sun in 4 days! Oh the joys of the tropical paradise...
We arrived on a tiny plane to this tiny island and just the experience of landing was amazing - I want to do it again!

To land, the plane has to do a bit of a climb over a hill then swoop down very suddenly to make it onto the airstrip with enough time to stop before the beach at the other end. Our pilot did it flawlessly - thankfully - and we arrived at our villa all exhausted and ready for bed. The boys went to bed a free a quick wash and a bottle of milk. They were little troopers by managing 12.5 hours sleep with only a couple of short disturbances. I loved them the next morning more then usual!!

We had a few glimpses of sun during the next couple of days and all made use of the pool enjoying a cool down each afternoon with the boys. They love the pool and even though it's been a bit cold, they still love to get in and kick and play around.

Today the weather decided to remind us of life in London and it's been windy, grey and at times, very wet. I suggested we could have saved an airfare by staying in London, closing the windows and turning the heating up with the shower going...

I met a man on the way to find the post office today. He asked me if I knew where the PO was in a very Australian voice. We had both been given directions by different people and neither had ended us there, so together we found it. Joined a very long queue and began to chat. He has been sailing mostly inNorth America since August and hopes the make it home to Australia by August next year. Lucky man! I bet it took some planning to get this far and no doubt continues to.

Joy of Socks

I thought this ought to go on the personal blog rather then the maternity one as simply could not resist using this as a title.

This morning we bathed the boys and put them in clean outfits and these ones were ones without feet so we had to put socks on instead. Being tiny little babies with nothing more then chicken sized legs, we are having trouble keeping theirs socks on.

After their last feed I picked up one baby and his sock fell off and then another and the same thing so I picked up the sock and exclaimed 'Oh my goodness - the joy of socks!!'

Not til afer saying it did I realise just how close it sounded very close to a very famous title from the 70's...