Travelling South.... Christchurch

[STUNO]

On we went....

finally making Christchurch. Two years ago it was hit by an earthquake, 180 something people died and the city suffered massive damage. It was astounding to see today, there has been 2 years of cleanup done and there is a lot to do. A large chunk of the central city is still cordoned off as it is uninhabitable. But progress is being made and it is slowly coming back to life. Imagine too whole suburbs deserted, partly from damaged homes, but mostly caused by land movement and probably worst of all, the word liquefaction, look that up on you tube ! Travelling most suburban roads is unpleasant as the roads are a mess of waves and drops caused by land movement.

some piccies...

 

Two buildings, so what ? it is not noticeable here but the light coloured one is not vertical, it leans toward the street.

Boken window caused by them banging together

central city from behind the barriers

Colombo st, the main retail area looking south from Cashel st at the crossing.

the dept store (Ballantynes) is open on the corner, the only major retailer left.

Litchfield st from Colombo st. for the info of negative creep, fazzazz was on the right along here

Colombo st looking towards Cathedral sq.

This very old building was the only one on the block to survive

it will probably be repaired

The container mall in Cashel st, built to bring some life back to the city

 

And then into the suburbs abandonment

No-one lives here now

Next day onto a tour bus (not this one) to go into the closed off central city

New Regent st just about ready to re-open, the tall building at the far end of

the street will be demolished.

The containers here are supporting a facade to be preserved. The building on the apex

had a large copper dome which fell into the street, it was gone the next day.

No-one knows how or where it went !

A lot were suprised this mini stayed put !

Cathedral square

The Cathedral with the base of the bell tower on the left

bell tower base

 

Enough of that. back on the road.

[STUNO]

On the way north a lunch stop and a wander exposed this

 

 

 

Parked since 2009

 

Next time Southwards museum.

[STUNO]

On the way north a lunch stop and a wander exposed this

 

 

 

Parked since 2009

 

Next time Southwards museum.

[Split_Pin]

A fantastic update.

 

It is very sad to see the desolation in Christchurch still prevalent today. A solemn reminder.

 

On a happier note, I like the Rovers in the field and the Granada is mint looking. Did you get the 75 and such like as mainstream models?

 

I'm off to to Wiki the hydro canal you talked about, very interesting.

[Split_Pin]

A fantastic update.

 

It is very sad to see the desolation in Christchurch still prevalent today. A solemn reminder.

 

On a happier note, I like the Rovers in the field and the Granada is mint looking. Did you get the 75 and such like as mainstream models?

 

I'm off to to Wiki the hydro canal you talked about, very interesting.

[michiel]

Even though I'm just sitting here (not talking but listening to Clint Mansells Moon soundtrack) I went even quieter than before on seeing those shots... Christ indeed.

[michiel]

Even though I'm just sitting here (not talking but listening to Clint Mansells Moon soundtrack) I went even quieter than before on seeing those shots... Christ indeed.

[STUNO]

IainL and michiel.. Christchurch is still a mess, but the reconstruction is soon to start now the cleanup is substantially done. It will take years !

Rover 75, they were sold here and were just what was wanted, they sold well. Other Rover/BL stuff sold spasmodically, Maestro no, Montego yes in small numbers, Metro likewise.

Ford went Japanese and imported rebadged Mazdas, but Sierra estates were sold, I have never seen a Sierra saloon, But know the P.M. of the time drove one ! any Granadas will be private imports. We were spared the first pre-update Mondeos, but once the lights were made bigger Ford put them on sale, then grey imports of the first series started ex Japan in quite large numbers, (I saw one today proudly wearing gaffer taped-up bumpers) as Ford now had a spares supply. for some reason we got the US ford Taurus for a couple of years (rhd).

The majority of cars sold here now are used imports, and almost anything can be brought in. Most 7 series BMWs come ex Singapore for some reason! The Suzuki Swift used for this trip was ex Japan.

My only gripe is that even genuine shite is expensive !

On the Chch theme an interesting court case is now awaiting judgement.

Couple took out an ordinary "replacement" house policy and after the quake put in a claim. Your house is repairable said the co.

Maybe, said the couple, but the council has given us our marching orders as the land is unstable.

Hard luck says co. we will pay for the repairs but will not replacement.

The house is marked for demolition later this year. I think that the ins co have grudgingly agreed it will never be repaired.

Pretty much a test case but who will win?

[STUNO]

IainL and michiel.. Christchurch is still a mess, but the reconstruction is soon to start now the cleanup is substantially done. It will take years !

Rover 75, they were sold here and were just what was wanted, they sold well. Other Rover/BL stuff sold spasmodically, Maestro no, Montego yes in small numbers, Metro likewise.

Ford went Japanese and imported rebadged Mazdas, but Sierra estates were sold, I have never seen a Sierra saloon, But know the P.M. of the time drove one ! any Granadas will be private imports. We were spared the first pre-update Mondeos, but once the lights were made bigger Ford put them on sale, then grey imports of the first series started ex Japan in quite large numbers, (I saw one today proudly wearing gaffer taped-up bumpers) as Ford now had a spares supply. for some reason we got the US ford Taurus for a couple of years (rhd).

The majority of cars sold here now are used imports, and almost anything can be brought in. Most 7 series BMWs come ex Singapore for some reason! The Suzuki Swift used for this trip was ex Japan.

My only gripe is that even genuine shite is expensive !

On the Chch theme an interesting court case is now awaiting judgement.

Couple took out an ordinary "replacement" house policy and after the quake put in a claim. Your house is repairable said the co.

Maybe, said the couple, but the council has given us our marching orders as the land is unstable.

Hard luck says co. we will pay for the repairs but will not replacement.

The house is marked for demolition later this year. I think that the ins co have grudgingly agreed it will never be repaired.

Pretty much a test case but who will win?