Across the other side of the cordoned-off area, a tower of shipping containers the full height of the building seems to be all that is holding the once-magnificent Catholic Cathedral of the Basillica from falling in a heap. We've heard that it is beyond salvation; demolition awaits.
Out in the suburbs, the roads are, to use the Christchurch vernacular, munted. Piles of liquefaction line the roadsides. We saw hundreds of people out helping yesterday. We would have loved to have stayed and helped for longer, but the foot-deep covering of liquefaction sludge had receded a couple of metres by the time we left; our friends might have a back lawn again by late tomorrow. We apologised for having to leave, but our friends were grateful. "Having other people turn up to help lifts our spirits like we can't describe" they told us.
Their story is just one of thousands. They are now waiting to hear if the plan formulated with EQC to salvage their home after the February quake is still feasible; they aren't optimistic given fresh damage from Monday's quakes, but they are still cleaning up the mess. That's because this place is their home, Christchurch is their home town, and they are determined to stay.
Back to the sign hanging off the safety fence at Knox Presbyterian Church; in full, it reads:
Broken, but still beating; people like us are the heart of Christchurch.
We couldn't agree more; there's a depth of courage and resolve down here which is heart-warming and inspiring. Kia kaha Christchurch; our thoughts, prayers and aroha are with you.
8 comments:
Seeing IS believing Iv2.
Experts, and their numbers are growing exponentially, tell me the Liquifaction silt came with much more water this time, spread further and is almost impossible to lift with anything other than a coal shovel, also hard to tip out of the barrow especially the plastic tray ones.
A rumour that is going around refers to a probe of the paddock at Lancaster Park that encountered firm ground for a couple of meters then found almost a void for some further depth, all may be taken down.
Further evidence of the crass stupidity of the socialist led shrilling about what is flamingoed and what will we save. I note some idiot reporter went and woke the 'troughmaster general ' up and he joined the bloody chorus.
Tried to post this earlier I2, if it comes up twice please delete one (or both).
I2, I've decided to comment here rather than reply to your comment on Kiwiblog.
Christchurch has been affected by several earthquakes, almost certainly will be again in the near future but for most of us life goes on.
The city as a whole is a living, thriving entity with the vast majority of it's people going about their daily lives as normal.
Surprisingly Christchurch has not just Eastern suburbs but also Northern, Western and Southern ones.
All have been hit, in all suburbs damage is evident but every time I open a newspaper or a news-type website all I see is negative posts about the Eastern suburbs.
I2, I can ssure you that the Eastern suburbs people have been offered far more help than any other adversely affected people in living memory including, but certainly not limited to, genuine offers of temporary housing elsewhere (remember the Showgrounds campervan set-up that no one used?).
I don't begrudge them that help, no one does, but I'm bloody sick of hearing how hard done by they are, how bad things are in the east
Enough of the negative!
Your first post mentioned (negatively of bloody course) that your friends are working out of a competitor's building. A great example.
Think of anywhere else that such a thing would occur, that a competitor would come to your aid, ensure you still had a business with which to compete with them.
Last Sunday I spent several hours with a Stuff.co.nz reporter – Meghan Murtrie, the result was on Stuff on Tuesday – trying to put a postitve spin on Christchurch and how Cantabrians are as a whole just getting on with getting on.
The main difference between September 3, 2010 and now is that Christchurch has grown closer, become a big town rather than a city. People now say hello to each other, look passers by in the face, automatically go to others aid and generally help themselves and others when needed.
To be able to continue doing exactly that we need to attract people, attract business and attract investment.
This won't happen as long as slime and bloggers continually emphasise the negative and gloss over the very many positives in Christchurch.
I2, thanks to the earthquakes I have a business that's losing money, I live in a house that has cracks in the foundations, cladding that needs removing and replacing, framing that needs rebracing, cracked and broken interior wallboards and the whole bloody place has tilted signifigantly.
For several weeks an oblong grey plastic statue stood outside our gate and even a motorcycle going past makes the place rock like a boat (or a Taxi in an earthquake ;-) ).
I'm still positive about Christchurch and if I can be why can't bloody outsiders?
Appreciate your comments Tinman; you get around the place a darn sight more on a daily basis than most, and I accept what you are saying.
It wasn't my intention to post negatively this weekend, but perhaps the combination of visits to a number of people with damage, and the death of a close friend has made my words so. As far as the friend working from a competotor's premises; that was intended to be a positive comment about people helping people; I'll choose my words better in future.
Likewise today's post; that sign outside Know really spoke to me; the church, and parts of the city might have been beaten up, but the spirit hasn't been crushed. And that spirit will improve with time.
I hope that business picks up for you soon. I would quite possibly have needed a few cabs this weekend, but the flippin' ash cloud meant that we arrived in Christchurch by car rather than by air; the car will come back next weekend with the better half.
Merantime, I'll think of you before I hit the "publish" button on future Christchurch posts.
For heaven's sake, get it right!
It is the basilica (only one l) of the Blessed Sacrament. The cathedral of the basillica, as you have put it is totally meaningless. Moreover, it has always been regarded as a far greater architectural achievement than the always promoted Anglican Christchurch cathedral.
Laurie Calvert
Appreciate your correction Laurie. The Cathedral was indeed one of Christchurch's most significant buildings, and it is a crying shame to see that state that it is now in.
Tinman - I am in awe of the strength and reslience of Cantabrians like you who are getting on with life in spite of what nature's chucking at you.
However, I read I2's post as a positive one.
He described the mess but finsihed with praise: "there's a depth of courage and resolve down here which is heart-warming and inspiring."
homepaddock, on Sunday I made a tongue-in-cheek comment on Kiwiblog coupling I2 with the slime, mainly because I2 was around at the time.
My comment was, gently I thought, aimed at his first ChCh post.
I2's reaction and the fact that I enjoy his blog and respect his opinion meant that I needed to explain.
The fact that I am fed up with the 100% negative crap and zero positive comment being spouted by the slime meant that explanation was better made on here.
I stand by my comments.
All's well Ele; I am aware that Tinman's business depends on a stream of people into the Christchurch reason, and I hope that happens soon. He's right in that a large part of the city is open for business as usual, although reservations are advised for eating out, as there seem to be fewer choices. I'm sure that we are united in hoping that last Monday's quakes were the last of the Big Ones, and that people will have the confidence to pay Christchurch a visit as we did at the weekend; and survive!
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