Mona Vale

It’s close to 30c for our visit to Christchurch - more welcome sunshine and blue skies, if somewhat hotter than we expect! 

Full disclosure: we’re using the cruise very much as a conventional holiday, and we will be returning to the city at the end of our New Zealand adventure, so we’re not going all-out on city exploration today. Rather, we’re using it as orientation, and take a tour of the outskirts with views over the city towards the Southern Alps, together with the main landmarks. 

Of course, there is much about the earthquake of just over 10 years ago, with the personal stories of our guides bringing home just how terrifying this must have been, together with the clear and genuine civic pride Christchurch citizens feel and the huge communal effort made to support one another in the immediate aftermath and beyond. Small wonder the Māori moto Kia Kaha became the iconic phrase used by family and friends supporting the city in their time of need. 

When we revisit, we will see and learn far more, but right now both the destruction and reconstruction is evident everywhere. Damaged buildings left vacant since 2011; spaces left by demolished buildings - often filled by creative projects by ‘gap fillers’; evidence of the disaster being used to reorder and improve - medical facilities now centred round one area, for example; colourful murals everywhere to brighten up the city.  It seems a city full of optimism, full of affirmation. 

For today though, we spend some time walking in the gardens of Mona Vale, an unexpected pleasure, particularly in this glorious weather. The rose garden is in full bloom, flowers dripping with moisture from the early mornings sprinklers. The lily pond reflects the colourful trees perfectly, despite being delicately strewn with water foliage through which swim two families of tiny ducklings, in and out of pools of light amongst the shade. Families feed ducks alongside the Avon river which is edged by blue agapanthus- seemingly ubiquitous right now, and its quaint trellised bridge brings thoughts of Monet’s Giverny. 

Trying - unsuccessfully - to capture the Monarchs flying round a buddleia, I even manage to spot and photograph my first wax-eye feeding amongst its purple flowers. 

And it seems this is my 730th blip - though posted a few days late as is usual for me right now. Two years seem to have flown by, and blipping is by now so much a part of ‘normal’ life! As I’ve said previously, when I started blipping I had no idea that this was anything other than a site for sharing photos - but of course it’s so much more. So thanks to all those behind the scenes that keep things going so efficiently, and thanks to all you lovely fellow blippers who visit my journal and offer so much support and encouragement. It’s certainly a great community!