Oamaru to Christchurch

Old whisky warehouse in Oamaru

Old bicycle shop

Spent some time in Oamaru in the morning as many of the old buildings in Harbour Street were opened up and, as well as artifacts and mementos from the past, there were stalls selling arts and crafts. Then it was time to rejoin Highway 1 and head for Christchurch.

Steampunk display in Oamaru

We  had been warned that this section of road was rather dull and boring and, if we'd had time we'd have taken an inland route through the mountains but that will have to go on the agenda for our next visit (along with all the other things we'd like to do and see). So we zoomed up the highway through the flat, unremarkable landscape. Took a break at Raka, home of the longest bridge in NZ but no photos.

Demolition in Christchurch

Arrived in Christchurch in mid-afternoon and drove into the centre. We'd been told that this weekend would be one of the last opportunities for the public to see the earthquake damaged cathedral before demolition started. The cathedral was a well-loved historical landmark in Christchurch and its imminent demolition is very controversial. Once we started walking towards the centre the earthquake damage became very apparent. One of the first things we saw was a huge machine in the process of demolishing a multi-storey concrete building. In other places there were gaping holes where buildings used to be.

Part of a large crowd viewing Christchurch Cathedral

We joined the crowds making their way towards the cathedral. A fenced walkway with a single entrance/exit point had been set up leading to Cathedral Square from where we could view the devastation wrought on the cathedral. The whole front of the building has collapsed and the spire completely demolished. A sad sight. We walked back through the "container mall", where the shop buildings have been replaced by metal containers, out of which the shops are operating. They are all brightly painted and cheerful looking, despite the circumstances.

Shored up building beside the river Avon

After this we drove out to the northern part of Christchurch where we had been invited to stay with Gordon Milne, another old friend from Aberdeen Physics. This part of the city was, thankfully, not badly hit by the earthquakes but the roads are noticeably bumpy in places. We got a warm welcome from Gordon, Micky (the beagle) and Jez (the cat). We were sorry not to see Pauline (Gordon's wife,) who is working on a contract in Sydney, but she said hello to us over Skype.