it would be easier if i post the letter i just NOW received from our High Commander, Tedz himself... 3.00am....17th Febuary, 2004...Tuesday. Well....I am awake....checking the River.....it is still at My Fence..... and High Tide is due in 3 Hours. A Thunder Storm is due at Dawn.... and My Phone is Dead. When I try and Connect.....a Recorded Message......there are Unlimited delays.....it is not known when You will be able to Connect to the Internet. Estimates of the Damage are around the $50 Million mark... and still rising, from what is being called "The St. Valentines Day Massacre".....the worst Summer Storm to hit the North Island of New Zealand. Elictricity is now the worry....apart from the River liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicking at My Property, stealing My Earth and turning it into Sand and muck......as Water needs to be Boiled, to make it Drinkable... all is Contaminated. I listen to the Radio....trying to get updates on what is happening... ok....must check that River before I decide to move all My Fluffy Teddy Bears to higher ground. I don't know when I will be able to send this.....please apologise on My behalf if I am not around. Briany ...sigh xxx 5.00 am...17th. Febuary, 2004...Tuesday.... Still no Phone....I have been for a Pre-Dawn Inspection... Daylight has not yet come... but, the Town is a hive of activity.....We are isolated by the Flood.....and the Main Road that runs through Foxton ...is blocked....as the Bridge over the mighty Manawatu River is being liiiiiiiiiiiiicked by the unstopable rise of the River. I was unable to find Katie the Clydesdale Horse... hopefully She has been moved to higher ground.....My back door remaims open in case any wee Animals need Refuge. Police and Fire Engines are Pumping Properties and Drains, Streams....everything is spewing the River. The BP Gas Station has become a Refuge for stranded Motorist.....as New Zealands Main State Highway runs through Foxton... and they are trapped......I hear on the Roof....the Rain starts in earnest again. The Wetness continues....unabated. ~~~~~~~~~~ 5.30 am.....I am so used to having liason with You at this time of the Morning... but... I ain't got a Phone to Connect to Your Heart.. so....I Chronicle My thoughts to You ...I will put this in a Bottle, if the River continues it's rise....then drop it out the Window.... for the Water is close.... it may Float to You....I will not leave My House ...as some have been evacuated just down the Street ....right .....still dark ....but must go look at the nearness of the River again....Gumboots....Plastic Bag for Camera... Umbrella...Rain Coat...Money....No Mail...No Newspaper.....as they won't get through.... but.... Money....... just in case... I noticed on My Walk...all the Money Banking Machines were "Out of Order"...same with the Petrol Pumps.....and I saw several Army Trucks near where Katie is. I will go again now on My Walk.....I should reach the Horse about Dawn. Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuah! Briany :] Keeping a Stiff Upper Chin....as I am The High Commander xxx 7.15 am .... Day Light....the drone of Helicopters....and the Soldier Boyz are in Town....no wonder Brenda is in a State of high excitement....swoon... Foxton is Isolated.....Rescue Craft and Helicopters abound.....the Telephone Cables have been washed out....a State of Emergency exists. I still watch the River creeping closer and closer...... I found Katie....She got 2 Carrots and smoochies for being so Brave. All Water needs to be boiled.....so....I am getting a supply....unless the Power goes out.....and I have a wee Gas Camp Stove. Ok.....a wee Cup o' Tea for Me. Hugz :] I have not been able to get a strong enough signal to connect.....so....I may only get one shot at sending ......all our Optic Cables are gone....finacially they now estimate $100 Million damage... and there have been 2 Deaths attributed......but....for Me....apart from Sewerage problems.....the critical time now is 2 hours away......the High Tide. Dont know when I will post again....post for Me....puuuuuuuuuurlease ...You are My PDA. There are sure big problems everywhere....and Foxton is still Isolated......the Street that mine runs off....about 100 meters away....is CLOSED....and under Water.....this is My only Message....if I can send it. Hugz, Briany xxxx