As promised, once the train had gone over the highest point on its journey through the Southern Alps, (there are no Northern Alps here, they, of course are in Switzerland) the weather changed and the sky became bluer and bluer as we travelled east. The scenery was certainly stunning, and I am glad it was part of my travels.

Even though it was after 6.00 p.m. when we arrived in Christchurch it was in the 30s. It is not just a Kiwi myth that the sun is hotter here, it really is, it sears you, it’s like being under a grill. Something to do with a hole in the ozone layer….

The devastation caused by the earthquakes, 2 years ago and prior to that only 6 months before, is seen all over the City, not just around the Cathedral. One building may be fine, its neighbour empty as it’s not safe. The outer walls of a church or just a heap of rubble. I started taking pictures if these as I walked into the centre of the City, but felt more voyeuristic than when photographing snotty-nosed kids in Burma, living very poorly and in hand- me- down clothes. Perhaps because it’s easier to be sympathetic to a way of life one knows.

So I looked on the bright side and kept my eyes open for the new things. There are what are truly “pop-up” restaurants and bars, using brightly painted buses or an area built with wooden pallets that can be used for theatre and concerts, bar cafe, dinners and even banqueting events! These are Re:START, the biggest of which has, to quote the brochure, “quality retailers located in a cool funky city environment” shops, cafes and banks entirely created from brightly coloured shipping containers.” Kiwi ingenuity at its best”.

The City is not big, and many of the museums and galleries are shut, so still having half a day to fill I took a trip on a bus that goes into the ” red zone” . So much for looking for the new! It was very interesting, not just because of being closer than on foot to many buildings, but so much was explained.

I finished the day with a relaxing walk along the Avon, which meanders between Oxford and Cambridge Terraces, and enjoyed taking pics of the busy bees in the Botanic Gardens.

p.s. read on, I have posted three blogs at once. Soreee