‘R’ being the return of the motorcycle, see?
It was a bit strange to wake up around 7am as I have been, then get to roll over and go back to sleep again.
No checking out? No checking if I’ve left a charger in a socket before… where are the panniers and how the heck is this huge suitcase going to fit on a bike?!
On the agenda today is a visit to Tūranga branch library to return a certain stray magazine.
For my library peeps: Take a look at Christchurch City Library’s list of fees and charges.
I’m also going to be wandering through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and poking my head in at the nearby Canterbury Museum, to which I understand entry is gratis.
What I ended up doing:
I dropped in to Tūranga library in the city’s centre. It’s gloriously shiny and oh so new.
They have a tech room with VR and a 3D printer.
The first thing I saw when I walked in, though? Motorcycles.
There were about eight different bikes on display, owned by people showcasing them as part of a collaboration with the Men’s Shed. They’re on a mission to make people aware of men’s health issues.
At the other end of the first floor, some women were knitting, chatting and handing out lollipops and orange pins as part of a Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women club display.
I visited Quake City, a Canterbury Museum showcase on the effects of, response to and lessons learned after the twin earthquakes of September 2010 and February 2011 that truly devastated Christchurch. The city has done well to recover, but it’s shocking to still see so many abandoned buildings and flattened blocks used as carparks nine years on.
The biggest surprise was the city’s much loved cathedral, which is still fenced off and in ruins.
I have a certificate floating around somewhere, for having climbed the 133 steps to the tower when I was a child.
After a lengthy period of debate about whether to demolish or repair the cathedral, I understand reconstruction is now the chosen course and will begin in early 2020. The estimated completion time is 18 months.
For a country with a population just over five million, the loss of 185 people was deeply felt. Still, for a city that was New Zealand’s second most populous at the time, I must admit wonder at the fact that the toll wasn’t higher.
Incidentally, Christchurch is now NZ’s third most populous city after Auckland and Wellington, with people having moved away after the 2011 disaster.
Aside from those things, I just wandered about the city, admiring the natural beauty and general quiet, even during the day on weekends. Strolling along the banks of the Avon, watching people punting (being punted?) is quite pleasant. Big city look and feel, small city noise and congestion. I’m loving it.
I sent my family a few Japanese language vids and didn’t seem to record any others, so uhh… enjoy?
Clouds were starting to creep over and the temperature dropped noticeably. I donned my jacket.
As I continued to wander about, I passed by an ice cream truck, which had a fairly long line of customers.
The children in line were all wearing shorts and Tshirts. They’d each receive their treat, thank the ‘ice cream man’ and run off with wide grins on their faces.
Such joy for $4? I had to give it a try.
It was a pleasant tasting vanilla ice cream and the topping was subtly tart. I’m sure it would’ve been exceptional on a hotter day.