Akaroa in black and white
Redeeming, Restoring, Transforming Love
[The following is the text of a sermon preached in our church on Sunday 21st October 2018]
Redeeming, Restoring, Transforming Love
The Parable of the Wobbly, Secondhand Bookcase
A number of years ago I purchased a bookcase from a Vinnies shop. The bookcase was probably made 60 or 70 years ago and is oak. When I got this bookcase home I found that it wobbled. The glue joints had clearly broken. It was being held together by rusting nails. It wasn’t too stable and so wouldn’t really work as a bookcase because over time it would lean to one side as books were placed in it.
Christchurch in black and white
Here are some photos in Christchurch converted to black & white, with contrast and noise boosted to partially emulate high speed film.
Cranmer Square
Armagh St, looking east
Bowker Fountain, Victoria Square
Victoria, Victoria Square
Cathedral Junction from Gloucester Street
New Regent Street
The Christchurch Club, Latimer Square
Transitional Cathedral across Latimer Square
Transitional Cathedral
Cashel Street
170 Cashel Street
High Street
Christchurch Cathedral
Godley Statue, Cathedral Square
Municipal Building, Oxford Terrace
Crossing the Avon
Great Scott. Scott statue at the corner of Oxford and Worcester
Christchurch Art Gallery
Canterbury Museum Arts Centre Quadrangle I
Canterbury Museum Arts Centre Quadrangle II
Canterbury Museum Arts Centre Quadrangle III
Canterbury Museum Arts Centre Quadrangle IV
Canterbury Museum Arts Centre Quadrangle V
Real Life outside the Canterbury Museum
Day 17 – Christchurch to Sydney
Our final holi-day was spent looking around the coast north of Christchurch then winging our way to Sydney.
At Waikuku Beach. Bizarrely here, at the beach, you could see snow-capped mountains in the distance
Final view of the west coast of New Zealand - presumably around Greymouth or a little south of there
Day 16 – Christchurch
Our last full day in New Zealand was spent in Christchurch. It was fascinating to walk around and see how the city was recovering and rebuilding some seven years after the earthquakes.
We visited Quake City which is a contemporary museum about the earthquake. There is video from some survivors and their stories of loss or escape.
The buildings on the right form part of the Provincial Council Buildings which were damaged in 2011. Apparently these buildings aren't slated for repair or restoration until 2028 because of a shortage of both funds and tradesmen
Just 'aving a Captain Cook, Guv'
Inside the Transitional Cathedral
Some of the 185 chairs in a vacant lot that serve as a memorial of those who lost their lives in the earthquake
The Anglican Cathedral
There are two of these installations in Christchurch. The other stands in the Avon River
Art installation adorning the Art Gallery
Day 15 – Lyttelton
For day 15 we were staying in Christchurch but went for a drive to Lyttelton - a port town about 10km south-east of Christchurch. Lyttelton is a busy, active port but also had a selection of boutique and specialty shops that gave the town a really nice feel. We only spent a couple of hours here but could have stayed longer.
Lyttelton is the port town that cruise ships used to dock in on stopovers for Christchurch, but that has ceased since the 2011 earthquake. I think cruise ships are expected to dock from next year.
Day 14 – Akaroa to Christchurch
We left a very grey and rainy Akaroa for the 100+km trip to what would work out as a very sunny but cool Christchurch.
Sun making a valiant effort to shine through near Lake Ellesmere
Part of the view from our apartment. The interesting hand/face thing is part of the Art Gallery
That's got to hurt!
One view of the Anglican Cathedral damaged in the 2011 earthquake
And a closer view
Day 13 – Akaroa
Akaroa, with limited comment
What town is complete without a slightly unkemp pétanque/bocce terrain?
Cloud coming over the mountains
Still coming
French influence
More French
Looking back down the main pier
Apparently the lighthouse was relocated to its present position - here for show rather than safety
Surely one of the creepiest children's toys?
Akaroa from Childrens Bay
Day 12 – Murchison to Akaroa
Day 12 - the three quarter mark through our holiday was the longest drive of our trip - from Murchison to Akaroa. We started in the mountains, with deep gorges, plantation pine forests and snowy peaks followed by a lunch stop in Culverden then through the outskirts of Christchurch and finally winding down to the east coast at Akaroa.
In the Hurunui Region at St James Walkway
The Waiau River approaching Culverden
Culverden Coffee
Akaroa
Day 11 – Murchison
Day 11 was a relaxing one - spent in the town of Murchison in the central north region of the South Island. These days Murchison is something of a hub for white-water enthusiasts - being at the junction of a couple of rivers. In 1929 it was the scene of an earthquake that took 17 lives. Near the centre of town is a memorial comprised of some stones. Part of the plaque reads: