Disconnection

There are major earth/roadworks happening this side of 'the hill'. Basically a shoring up the road to stop it collapsing into the abyss. It's a slightly thrilling reminder of our other-worldness. Three weeks after I moved to Governors Bay it snowed and the road was closed for four days. Of course there is always the alternative route - through Lyttelton - but I have always prefered to savour the possibility of disconnection.

Disconnection closer to home when, late yesterday afternoon, I discovered water seeping (later pouring) out of the asphalt in the road just above my house. Quite literally the road was moving. Press the asphalt with a toe and it undulated. Press harder and it wept. My view of the world shifted. Previously (and despite the roadworks on the hill, the constant slipping of clay around the harbour, the under-runners on my section) I had taken for-granted the comparative solidity of my immediate access-way. A council City-care truck straddled the road well into the night, warning lights flashing. The water was disconnected.

Now I feel thrilled and threatened simultaneously.