Earthquake ruins

On route to the airport we stopped at several spectacular lake and mountain views but scenes of the devastation from last year's earthquake in Christchurch are horrendous. Many died with vital services damaged and eventually about 7000 homes will have had to be demolished . Hundreds of people are moving away as tremours continue with 16 recorded within the last seven days. The centre of the city is cordoned off after the extensive structural damage and everywhere there is the sound of banging and crashing as they continue to demolish unsafe buildings. However some beautiful old buildings have been shored up ready for rebuilding and there are signs of hope.
Beside the Cathedral is the undamaged "ice cream cone" or Chalice which was installed to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Christchurch.