More Contrasts

'Jean writes:

First part of the morning was spent in the Botanic Garden.  Lots of lovely: 

Flowers

Trees

Butterflies 

And birds, including several fantails, who flitted merrily from tree to tree, from branch to leaf, all so quickly that it was impossible to get a decent photo in focus.  

We moved over to Hagley Park North, which was the green space we walked through daily when we were last here to reach the city from our accommodation.  

That was really enjoyable.

We had decided we also wanted to go to the city centre and mourn the state of the cathedral, which was another site we'd enjoyed in December 2010 when the choir was practising for a carol service.

It was indeed a sad sight - and we went on to look at the "transitional" cathedral, which we'd heard about.  

The city has a plethora of massive cranes and construction sites working on rebuilding.

This afternoon we drove up to Kaikoura, a beautiful coastal town north of Christchurch, well known for the whales offshore.  

The views from the town are fantastic - the lovely bay and upland surrounding the lanyard sides.  We walked down to the beach before our evening meal, despite the strong wind.  

Dissent in the cathedral

Dave writes:

Christchurch Cathedral was probably the most high-profile of the buildings to suffer the 2011 earthquake and remains a sad sight.

Its future it seems remains the subject of court proceedings between the church authority which wants to demolish what's left and start again and the traditionalists who seek to an extra 10 million pounds to restore.

In the meantime the Transition Cathedral a few minutes walk away fills the gap but how it will all turn out remains to be seen.

On a brighter note, glad to report the city croquet club in Hagley Park is alive and well. two players spotted enjoying their game this morning as we walked in the nearby Botanic Gardens.