Victoria Square

We went into the city early this morning, because I wanted to try to photograph the new Antony Gormley sculpture in the Avon River in early light.  Unfortunately the statue doesn't get any sunlight in the early morning, at least at this time of year, because it is in the shadow of one of the few remaining buildings.  However, I've included a pic in extras.  The sculpture is called 'Stay', and the sculptor is famous for his 'Angel of the North' in Gateshead, UK.

We walked along the river to Victoria Square, which I don't think I've visited since before the earthquakes.  I was delighted to see a family of paradise ducks by the river in their 'usual' spot from years past.  Not only that, but while they took absolutely no notice of us, the female flew off at great speed to harass both mallard and scaup that were innocently swimming along the river, quite some way off.  Good to know that they still don't feel threatened by people.

The great thing about Victoria Square is that it is the one part of the central city that seems unchanged post-earthqake.  I was able to stand there and visualise the buildings that used to occupy key spots, and the old routes through the city.  Almost everywhere else that feeling has gone, and with it all memories of what was there before.  So I am really glad that someone managed to persuade the decision makers to leave it be.  Early plans were to totally transform Victoria Square into something unrecognisable, and we would have lost an important landmark.