We were up at 7:30 am this morning and had a quick breakfast
of cereal and toast before heading downtown.
Jos had been surfacing the weather channels a suggested that we bring a
jacket on our walk. It sure didn’t seem
necessary as it was nice and warm.
However you could see a very heavy low ceiling and a little wind would
drop the temperature in a few minutes.
The walk downtown was only a few minutes. However before we got there the first empty
buildings started to appear. There were
ten story high rise condo buildings with broken windows and boarded up doors
with huge cracks running up the sides.
By the time we were downtown there were whole city blocks where the
buildings had been removed. The city cathedral had been damaged and they had
built a temporary cathedral out of cardboard tubes. It was a very unique structure. We visited the 186 empty chairs which represent
the 186 people killed in the big earthquake. We decided that we would tour the earthquake
museum in downtown rather than the main Christ Church museum as it was more
unique. Looking at the pictures of the devastation of the city and reading
about how the earthquake had destroyed the city were absolutely mind boggling. This earthquake destroyed something like 70%
of the downtown buildings. However they
had a time line and it looked like the ChristChurch had been hit with a 7.0 to
8.5 earthquake every 5-7 years so I guess this one just hit in the right place.
After the earthquake museum we had a quick lunch and headed
back to the van. It was none too early
as a light rain had started to fall. The
low ceiling had moved down and was almost right from the ground up. I was glad I had a coat and was back to the van.
We headed south through a lot of low flat farming
areas. There were lots of dairy farms
and sheep herds along the road. Agnes took the wheel and practiced her right
hand driving skills. She seemed much
more confident and relaxed. The Rakaia Gorge
which was highly recommended by the Earnie-apedia was pretty much rained
out. We took a detour to visit Jos’
parents who live in Timaru. It was very
nice to meet them.
Back on the road again we had a 60 mile drive over to Lake Tekapo. There was quite a climb over a pass. Once over the pass the clouds were gone and
we were in brilliant sun shine. Lake
Tekapo is a summer lake cottage town and a stop for the Japanese tour
buses. There is one tiny strip mall
which closes a 6:00Pm. The lake views
are incredible.
Tomorrow is a big day so up early and on the road.
Terry
5 comments:
So sorry you were not able to see the Rakaia Gorge, or for that matter the beautiful mountain views on the Inland Scenic Route. Timing is everything. You experienced the exact thing, in reverse, of my trip, when I came down from Tekapo, where it was sunny and 76 and rode right into the rain and 58 you experienced. Took me three days to ride what you did in an afternoon! Glad Agnes is feeling more confident. Keep being amazed! Later, Earnie
Nice new picture on your blog title page.
Later, Earnie
Sandra just had her second cataract procedure, so I will read her your blog. She is doing well. We spend several days in Christ Church and thoroughly enjoyed the ole English town and museums. Wow, what a sight today with most of it damaged or destroyed. BTW, if you had toured the Christ Church Museum, you would have seen the airplane that New Zealand says the first manned flight took place ahead of the Weight Brothers. Interesting.
Great pictures
What a great adventure! Can't wait for more. Julie & Ed
Thanks for the update - I am looking forward to seeing Christ Church next year and hopefully we will be able to see the gorge. So tomorrow you ride. I will be following you each day. Hugs to Agnes!
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