March 14 - 15

Plimmerton to Christchurch

March 14
Plimmerton to Christchurch

Another day of travel. Wayne ran me down the hill to the Plimmerton Station, where I dragged my bag onto a busy rush hour train. By the time we reached Porirua, three stops down the line, it was standing room only.

The Station was quiet	Wonderful artwork but lousy lighting

At Wellington, I transferred onto a busy Airport Bus, which delivered me safely to the airport. I took a couple of photos of the eagles and Gollum, poor light being the usual problem, and awaited my plane.

This was full but it left on time and it arrived in Christchurch on time. I waited in a cloudy but warm airport car park for the rental company shuttle to collect me.

It did after about ten minutes and took me a mile or so down the road to the rental offices. They had a smart Toyota Yaris waiting for me and I drove it across the city to John & Anne's, a journey of about half an hour.

We immediately walked the short distance to the local Thai restaurant for a more than adequate lunch.

Entertaining Benny	Beautiful roses in the garden

The afternoon was spent entertaining Benny and wondering why my laptop wasn't playing nicely. It later required major brain surgery, which I was able to complete successfully, much to my surprise and satisfaction.

The evening passed rather like the afternoon. I was good and spurned an interesting looking beer. A second day without alcohol. I must repair the ravages of Australia.

March 15
Christchurch

A leisurely start and I left the house at about 10.00, equipped for both rain and shine. The plan was to walk about three and a half kilometres along Colombo Street into the city centre.

There are still many signs of the earthquake. Some buildings are only now being refurbished.

Some of them have been demolished, leaving rather forlorn piles of rubble. There are signs of major construction in progress, a new city at last.

Some buildings are about to be repaired	Some have just been demolished
Some reconstruction is under way	Street art is springing up
The new bus station looks good ...	... but the old railway station looks sad

In the interim, lots of artwork has been installed, there are new small businesses and still plenty of temporary container buildings.

The new bus station looks good and has room for a huge amount of expansion. I may well be catching a bus home from here.

I eventually found a café but it was heaving. I went to another one round the corner - also in a container - and had a good roll and a mediocre coffee, almost Australian standard.

Outside, the sun came and went, there was a good breeze and the heavy cloud suggested that the forecast rain was a distinct possibility.

Lots of new building in evidence	The cafe was full
The trams are running on Cashel Street again	A pop-up bank

Work is going on all over the city centre. The river is being refurbished as are the bridges. Huge new developments are under way. Some old buildings, however, have yet to come down.

	The river is being restored
The Chalice survived it all ...	... but the Cathedral didn't

Cathedral Square still contains the sad remains of the Anglican Cathedral, passing time while the locals bicker about its fate. The Chalice survived remarkably well and is the one symbol of hope in the square.

New Regent Street is partly closed again while more buildings are refurbished. It's a shame the trams can't pass through at the moment.

The Town Hall looks magnificent. Is it cynical to say that it is no surprise that the local politicians have looked after themselves first. Perhaps they need magnificent facilities in which to plan the future of the city.

New Regent Street is closed again	The Arts Centre is under restoration
The Town Hall looks very smart	The Museum - apparently fully restored

The old Arts Centre looks as sad as the Town Hall looks good. Work is well under way, however, so it may well be functioning again by next time I am in town.

The Museum looks good and seems to be in full working order. It is of the old fashioned variety, full of stuff. I spent a happy hour wandering around before emerging and finding lunch at a café. I sat on the street watching the trams pass by at intervals.

Canterbury Cheese Mongers	Lots of stuff in a roll

I popped round the corner to the very posh cheese shop to buy some of their produce and then crossed the road to the Art Gallery. This has just re-opened after five years of use as a civil defence HQ, following the earthquake and then some strengthening work.

It was always a beautiful gallery space, with the huge foyer being light and airy. Some of the collection was great, some average and some terrible. Exactly as it should be. They do have an excellent assortment of material. Well worth the visit.

Outside, it was starting to drizzle so I put on an extra layer and returned to the bus station. I waited less than five minutes, caught a bus back and collapsed on the sofa.     Right: Urban re-generation
Pop-up cafe	Back to the bus station
As the afternoon progressed, the rain became heavier but it then eased towards 6, when we set off for an Italian restaurant on the other side of the city centre. It was a large and buzzing place, selling good food and interesting wine by the glass. Definitely worth another visit.
Pasta ...	... and good wine

I was then dropped at Kevyn and Karyn's place, where I enjoyed a couple of hours of good cheese, even better wine and the exchange of political information about both the UK and New Zealand.