Last weekend my GKB and I made a flying visit
to Christchurch to visit an old friend who is ill.
While we were there we caught up with our eldest grandson
who took us into the city centre to have a look at
how things were progressing since the earthquakes in 2011.
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| The three of us at the Container Mall |
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| part of the Container Mall |
A container mall has opened up where there used to be high rise buildings and it is rather a nice place to be. I thought it was a good example of thinking outside the square when it came to getting some of the businesses up and running again.
It had been rather eerie walking among the damaged buildings and seeing cordoned off shops with their goods still all on display!
What I really want to show you today though,
is ChristChurch Cathedral.
My GKB and I were there just 12 months earlier
and took photo's inside the cathedral as well as out.
Here are a few of the before photo's.
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| from Cathedral Square |
As you can see from the scaffolding,
repair and restorative work was going on.
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| looking from just inside main doors |
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| beautiful stained glass |
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| inside the Pacific Island Chapel, looking over to the visitor centre |
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| The Rose window above the main doors with murals underneath |
My grandson and I went for a short walk, left my GKB and grandsons friend to chat as my bloke's sore leg was playing up.
He took me for a walk around the cathedral,
starting on the south side and then around the back.
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| South eastern end |
I didn't think it looked too bad, all things considered.
I could understand why there is a large group
of people wanting to restore it to it's former glory.
Then we came around to the western side proper.
That was a different story!
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| This is the side the tower and spire was on |
It is quite devastated,
(grandson related it to being like a medieval ruin),
and now I know why another group of people
want to push it over and build anew.
There is quite a controversy about it and it's a real dilemma.
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| from the front, the tower and spire was to the left |
ChristChurch Cathedral was the heart
of Christchurch City, which is why there
is such an emotional reaction to it being pulled down.
I hope they find a solution that will
make most of the people happy.
**********
Have a wonderful week,
till next time,
Diana
Hi Diana. Such a great pity about the devastation that was caused back in 2011. My daughter went to New Zealand during her gap year, and she preferred it to Australia. She said that I would love Christchurch as it was so much like England. She said it was very much like Stratford on Avon (where Shakespeare was born!) back here in England. Thank you for the tour.
ReplyDeleteDearest Diana,
ReplyDeleteHi, there three of you; you all look really happy♡♡♡
Oh, I remember New Castle city in Australia, where is the sister city with my city, had a big earth quake and tried hard to restore. I used to involved the relationship. I DO hope the restoration work will be going well, especially the church!!! Thank you very much for sharing these pictures and the tour(*^_^*)
Is you friend doing well? And I hope your leg is not so painful for you, my friend.
Sending you lots of love and hugs to my dear friend in New Zealand, xoxo Miyako*
Goodness! What an awful thing to happen to such a beautiful building. May the restoration go well.
ReplyDeleteAnd doesn't your grandson look just like you!?
Hope you are all well. X
It is such a shame when beautiful building get ruined like that. It must be a difficult desicion to make, whether to redo or demolish. I hope they redo it!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are both well and that your hubby's leg gets better soon. :)
Oh, my! What a terrible thing to happen. I do hope it can be saved. Thank you so much for your kindness.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)