Our friends' house in Christchurch is away up high and overlooks this basin as part of the estuary. It overlooks almost the whole of Christchurch to the west too but this view has come at a price. The two big earthquakes here have shifted the land in the rocky cliff and the damage to the house is not severe but adds up to over $100,000. Walls are cracked, stones in the fireplace have moved, tiles are cracked on the floor, lights have fallen out of the ceiling and doors are difficult to open.
Just realised my camera time was wrong - we went on 'ex daylight saving' in the weekend - an hour back!
Your beautiful blue waters & I love the reflection of the masts! A devastating earthquake causing so much damage.... your poor friends maggiemae ...it's mental damage too to peoples feelings of safety in their own homes. Hope things settle down soon although I believe aftershocks still bad & unsettling. The west side of Christchurch seems to have escaped the worst so Alex, who is in Lincoln, tells me.
Such a beautiful place & I hope it becomes the safe & stunning city it was.
@happypat thanks, Pat for your thoughts from so far away! The people of Christchurch live in a land of limbo! They don't know how much they are going to be allowed for reparation even after two years! One couple had a grave that they were told was going to be repaired. The workers started but after two days, another company came in and demolished it! The stories are so devastating that it is difficult to find the depths of sympathy that they are asking for! Yes, Lincoln was practically untouched!
Beautiful pov Maggie, I love the curve as the basin changes direction. I follow a lady on Flickr who has some outstanding images of NZ especially how the earthquake has effected the community.
The colours are vibrant and rich
I love the view and totally get the damage and life going on after, here we have had several tsunami's a huge one in 1964 and one that destroyed the harbor two years ago when Japan was hit too. Now the Sealions are protected so they have to stop repair work every time one enters the harbor, and they are really thick here
Wow, what a shot. Such beautiful colors and great reflections--and that sand!!! Nature sure can wreak havoc. My heart goes out to those who are having to deal with so much.
Gorgeous colors and land/waterscape. Very sad to hear of the damage to your friend's house. The world has certainly been suffering from some cataclysmic events.
We visited Christchurch last March (2012) and could not believe the resilience and positivity of the residents. We went up this hill but it was damp and misty. I hope your friends insurance is sorted out soon - it is a lovely photo - shows us the view we missed on our visit.
I can't get over the color of the water- amazing lapis lazli blue! We certainly understand how difficult it is to rebuild after such devastating natural disasters here- each region having its own type to worry about- tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and wildfires. I'm glad to hear though that they have not lost hope. Repair may be slow coming but its inspiring when people keep going in spite of the odds.
@olivetreeann It is a lovely blue - reflecting the sky! Everywhere in the world, something is happening and lives are being affected! I feel very lucky where I am!
earthquakes are so scary; i hope it is able to be restored, tho sometimes cracks can just add a bit of history and character as long as it is not dangerous...what great diagonal lines from this vantage point! and such blue blue water!
Lovely reflections Maggie. Paul's niece had her husband had bought a block of land in Christchurch before the quake...it has now been deemed unstable to build on, and of course they can't sell it. Not sure what they will do.
Such a beautiful place & I hope it becomes the safe & stunning city it was.
The colours are vibrant and rich